And So This is Christmas….and what have you done? The challenge of John Lennon earths us away from the glitz and sentimentality that can be a feature of this time of year. As a parish, dare I suggest that actually we have done a quite lot. Sure, there is, and always will be, much more to be done.

Besides the numerous parish groups of selfless decency, we had some very special events that stick out. Our quarterly International Meals are always a stand out. It continues to bear witness that so many from different backgrounds and cultures (and different religions, we hope soon) can  sit together and enjoy our differences.

“Look around at those you love, slow down, and remember to chew.”

The Parish Fayre Day was a great success. Outreach to the local communities has become the norm for this annual (we hope) event. The annual parish retreat in Keswick continues to nourish and we look forward to the next in February. I’m highlighting special events, but these gatherings, plus our daily worship and Sunday assemblies are a sign that the latest statistics indicating a revival of church attendance would seem to be true. So parents and grandparents among you take heart if your kids don’t come. ‘Come and see”, is all we can say.

We will indeed welcome back so many of our friends and relatives at Christmas.

Can I add here that I’m both amazed and heartened by how many of you have said how much you miss Christmas at St Leonard’s.

And on the subject of schools, can I wish all our schools staff a peaceful and well deserved break. Changing times for them as academic achievement and some parental expectations which border on the hallucinatory, add to pressure that I hope you all get relief from at this time. Still on the subject of schools I’m presuming, hoping, you all received the cake hampers from our parish BOP Group (Young parents and friends) as an acknowledgment of all your efforts ?