We are preparing for Christmas at SMWC on the basis of what we learned last year. Firstly we learned we have a wonderful community here and many people love to serve, volunteer and get to know neighbours. This is an invitation to build on that.

Secondly, we discovered joy in doing so much outside. So we have included an outdoor carol service in our program this year, as well as the familiar carols with the St Michael's Community Gospel Choir, indoors. 

Another new event is Carols Around The Crib for under 3's. We hope the Baby & Carer Group that formed in the dark months of lockdown three earlier this year will particularly enjoy this event. This is in addition to our two Christingle services on Christmas Eve for young families. 

Dermott the much loved donkey will start the season for us when he comes to give rides at the Northcote Road lights switch on from 4pm on Friday 26 November. We hope to meet lots of people there and give out our Christmas events information to those we meet.

Wonderfully we have more school visitors than ever booked in to come and celebrate with us and we cannot wait to welcome children, parents, volunteers and staff to the church building again.

But all of this needs people! At SMWC we highly value participation from all ages and we need volunteers to help by welcoming, stewarding, reading in services, leading prayers, playing music, putting out chairs (and putting them back again), cleaning and decorating. Also, it's never too late to join in the Gospel Choir if you think you'd like to give singing a go this Christmas.

The details of events are below, as is an online form. Please fill it in as soon as possible, so that I can make sure that you are included in the ways you are able, to make this Christmas extra special for all of us in this community.

Let's try to remember the lessons of the pandemic as we approach this Christmas by valuing human beings more than status and creation more than convenience. Let's keep service of one another at the heart of our Christmas. I look forward to hearing from you and seeing you involved in all kinds of ways, over the coming weeks.