Matinee Church. It was lovely to see a congregation of 17 gathering on the afternoon of All Saints Day at our last afternoon service.

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1 VICAR S LETTER The Christmas adverts on television seem to start earlier each year. As ever, there have been some interesting ones recently. One major retailer secured the services of Elton John to entice customers, with the premise that a special gift in childhood may influence the course of a child s life and turn them into a star. Another advert gained millions of views on line, having been banned from TV by the authorities for being too political (saving wildlife from exploitation in the search for land to grow palm oil.) No matter how worthy they may be or how much they might bring a tear to the eye, one thing is sure: the Christmas ads will play on our emotions and attempt to lure us into spending more money on Christmas gifts and food. The adverts may entertain us and warm the heart, but in the end it s all about selling more stuff. What about the Church? Well, there are sometimes national advertising campaigns, the effectiveness of which I do not know although church adverts in general can lead to more cringes than converts. We can say what we like about how wonderful the Church is, but in reality many people are simply not interested. I spent the first 18 years of my life in that category. When I eventually became part of a Church fellowship, I was struck by a friend who declared he simply wasn t interested: he didn t hate the Church it just meant nothing to him and he wanted nothing from it. Yet at Christmas many people will seek out a Carol Service or a Christingle or a Midnight Mass. There will be many different reasons why this is so, from sheer nostalgia, through family tradition, to a grasping at some hope. At Christmas, we should remember just what we have to offer. The great commission to make disciples the power of the gospel the stories of changed lives the promise of life in all its fullness, and eternal life to come All beginning with the story of a baby, born far away from here in a time of turmoil in very humble circumstances. This is where it all began but babies grow up! We need to ensure we follow as the child in the manger becomes the man on the cross. Let us enjoy a wonderful celebration of the Nativity, but may that be just the start of a year of adventure and growth. Christmas blessings, Neil. 3

2 Matinee Church. It was lovely to see a congregation of 17 gathering on the afternoon of All Saints Day at our last afternoon service. This month we continue on: Thursday 6 th December (St Nicholas Day) at 2.00pm. As usual, there will be refreshments available after the service, from around 2.45pm. The church will remain open until 4.00pm if anyone wishes to call in to look around, have a cuppa or spend some time in quiet prayer. I will be there too, so it is a useful opportunity to catch me if you need to talk, or want to discuss matters such as wedding or baptism plans. All are very welcome to come along on this Thursday afternoon. Don t forget, there will be no matinee church in January, so the next after this will be on 7 th February. Looking forward to welcoming you, Neil. Remembrance Sunday It was lovely to see the church full to the door for the remembrance service with over 200 people attending, including many from the scouting and guiding associations. With the presentation of the flags at the start of the service and the dipping of them at the end as the Last Post was sounded just before the 2 minute silence at 11.00am made for a very moving service. This was followed by the act of remembrance around the memorial cross alongside Longridge Road where the names of the fallen from Grimsargh where read out and several wreath were laid. Once again the Army Cadets arrive and played several pieces including the Last Post. This event grows larger every year with more and more people attending and it has been suggested that for next year some amplification is used as it is difficult to hear the speakers with being away and of course the traffic. Toy Service. As part of the 10am service on Sunday the 9 th of December there will be a toy service. Toys and other gift items will be taken to the Salvation Army on Monday 10 th in time for Cristmas distribution. Crib Service and Christingle Sunday the 23 rd December there is a crib service with Christingle at 5pm. At 3pm there will be Christingle making in church - (children with parents). Anyone who can help with the Christingle making please see Neil or Sue Holt. Awards Congratulations to four of our younger members of our Church family who all received special awards at the Archbishop Temple High School annual leavers evening on Wednesday 14 th November. There were only thirteen special awards in 4

3 total so for Grimsargh youngsters to scoop four of them is a huge achievement. Thomas Anderson received the Blackburn Diocese Church of England Award for being a fine ambassador of the school and a role model to others. Emily Lees received her award for Outstanding Contribution to Music. Emily has shown huge commitment and been dedicated to the music department throughout her years at ATS. Alyssa Johnson was presented with the Ann Brewster Award for Creative Arts in recognition of her outstanding work in art and textiles. Alyssa is an extremely talented young lady. James Cowell received the Legacy Award for quietly and determinedly making the most of every opportunity presented to him throughout his years at Archbishop and for being a good role model. Well done to you all. We are very proud of you all and look forward to hearing about your future achievements Armistice Street Party After months in the planning, on Saturday 17th November, Grimsargh St. Michael s school hall, reverberated to the strains of Land of Hope and Glory as Union Jacks were raised aloft! This stirring chorus, led by Longridge St. Paul s Grace Notes singers, marked the finale of what had been a wonderful, but also a bittersweet evening, commemorating the Armistice. Bittersweet because while there were moments of fun and laughter, not least David Hindle s hilarious rendition of Stanley Holloway s party-piece, Albert and the Lion, there were also moments of poignancy and reflection. Speakers, Bernard Mackley, Andrew Brierley, Michael Cowell and Mark Lamberty provided a fascinating potpourri of interesting facts and anecdotes about the two world wars, but it was, perhaps, Mark s reference to our own Chris Holding s wartime experiences that brought a tear to many an eye. Chris had experienced active service during the war and his humbling comment, We just did what anyone would have done. We had a job to do, was a poignant example of the stoicism and courage displayed by Chris and by many veterans during the war. A standing ovation followed, as the entire audience was moved by Chris s sincerity, bravery and modesty. Humbling indeed. Having regaled the audience with fascinating personal anecdotes about the lives of Grimsargh s young men killed in action, Michael Cowell also moved the audience to tears with his poignant rendition of the Last Post. Again, the audience was up on its feet to pay its respects to those who had given so much and so selflessly. It was only a few moments later and the audience was once again smiling, as Ben s brilliant Grimsargh Community Choir joyously advised us to, Pack up your troubles in your old kit bag and smile, smile, smile. The evening was punctuated by poetry readings, children s games, quizzes and of course an English war-time tea-party buffet. Spam and bully beef sandwiches, jelly 5

4 and trifle, delicious cakes and scones, were washed down with pots of piping hot tea. The wartime buffet had been meticulously coordinated, researched and organised by Hazel. The evening concluded with a beautiful poem written and performed by Liz Eccleston. The words were pressing and pertinent for today s troubled world, as Liz appealed to all of us to learn from the lessons of the past and to go forward in peace and love. Thanks to the Vicar for his introductions to the presenters and to everyone who participated in any way. It was a truly memorable evening. The total raised was 416. Sad News As we go to press we have just heard the sad news of the death, on Sunday evening, of Philip Cowell, ex Church Warden and stalwart of Grimsargh Church. Please remember Nellie and family in your prayers. MOTHERS UNION October's meeting was our "Wave of Prayer" service held in church. This is an annual event, whereby using the same format as all the other groups in the Diocese of Blackburn we are "United in Prayer" for the Mothers' Union worldwide. Thanks go to Jean Harrison and Liz Emmot for leading us in this endeavour. Dates for your diary Wednesday December 19th, 7.30pm in church, Holy Communion service, followed by refreshments. Christmas is fast approaching, and as a family we have been talking about presents, us older ones don't really want or need much. My sister-in-law and her husband said that what they really would like for Christmas is clothes for the homeless, such as hats, gloves, scarves, socks etc. for a group my brother-in-law is involved with. I thought that this was a brilliant idea, how to give help practically with those less fortunate than myself. This also applies to our donations to the food bank, if anyone can spare a little extra, it would be most gratefully received. Especially at this time of year, please could you remember in your prayers, all those who are sick, lonely, those who are carers, those who are struggling with the worries of life, and those to whom Christmas brings memories of lost loved ones, to give them hope, courage, strength and peace. Wishing you all you wish for yourselves Catherine 6

5 SCHOOL REPORT Wow, what an exciting few weeks we have had since we returned from half term. Our Year 6 children performed a fantastic 30 minute version of Julius Caesar at the Charter Theatre as part of the Schools Shakespeare Festival, on 5th November. Every child took part, acted and spoke on the stage loudly and clearly. We were all very proud of them. At the beginning of this year, the headteachers from the Longridge cluster of schools decided that following on from our last cluster Remembrance project we should try to do something together to mark the Armistice at the end of the First World War. It was the turn of Year 5 to represent school this time. We have so many talented young people in our schools that we decided to stage an act of Remembrance which was also a production that the children would take part in, at the Guild Hall in Preston on Sunday November 11th. So, after many months of hard work, acting, singing, dancing, and prop making, led by Simon Wallis the headteacher of Barnacre Road, November 11th finally came. Along with 700 children from all the primary schools in our cluster of schools and pupils from both high schools, our Year 5 performed at the Guild Hall. We had 2 performances, 1.30pm and 7pm, and our pupils told the story of the mobilisation, trench warfare, and the home front as well as the girls showing life in an ammunition factory through movement. The final scene involved poppy nets made up from thousands of hand knitted poppies being unfurled across the floor. It was very moving, educational, great fun and a fantastic example of what we can do when we all work together. I am sure it is an experience that will stay with us for a long time to come. There is no time to rest as we have now begun to think about our Christmas preparations! Rehearsals have begun for the Key Stage 1 Christmas play which everyone takes part in and reception class will once again perform the nativity play on 16th December at the morning service. The Year 1 and 2 Christmas play takes place in the evening on Tuesday 11th December and the afternoon of Wednesday 12th December. The dress rehearsal is on Monday 10th December and members of the Parish are most welcome to attend. Please ring the school office for tickets and information. Most of our junior children will be taking part in the Carol Service on 17th December. I hope that we will see you at one of our Christmas events. Best Wishes, Mrs Kathryn Ward. Headteacher. 15

6 JIGSAW CLUB For the children of St Michael s, Grimsargh. There will be just one session this month, on Sunday 9 th December. On Sunday 23 rd December we are having a Christingle service in the afternoon when we hope all our members will be able to join us for some family fun before the service too! Please see separate article for more information on this. Have a go at this Christingle wordsearch from the Children s society! We meet on the 2 nd and 4 th Sunday of each month during the 10am service. New members always welcome! Contact Sue Holt holtmusictuiton@gmail.com 16

7 CHURCH COLLECTIONS Oct 21st Oct 28th Nov 4th Nov 11th Nov 18th FLOWER ROTA Dec 2nd Vacant Dec 9th Holding Family for Dorothy Dec 16th Vacant Dec 23rd Vacant Dec 30th Vacant SIDESPERSONS, READERS AND COFFEE ROTAS 8.30am 10.00am Communion Readers Coffee Assistant Dec 2nd J Cowell J Soper B Mackley D Rusling S Cartmell K Thompson S Lees L McManoman Dec 9th R Woollam C Kelly C Kelly M Buckley J Woollam J Eccles Vicar N Bell Dec 16th R Kelly B Mackley P Thompson J Eccleston L Fisk Dec 23rd J Soper F Blatcher S Cowell R Woollam A Roland N Maudsley Vicar D Joyce Dec 25th R Buckley M Lamberty James Cowell Dec 30th T Platt K Thompson B Croft C Kelly B Croft Vicar CHURCH REGISTERS HOLY BAPTISM November 18th WEDDING October 25th Jesus said Let the children come unto me" Violet Joyce Finley Lucy Thompson and Sam McManoman 17

8 ST MICHAEL S DIARY DATES FOR DECEMBER 1st 1.00pm Christmas Fair in School 2nd Advent Sunday 8.30am Holy Communion 10.00am Morning Worship 6.00pm Quiet Service for Advent 6th 2.00pm Holy Communion in Church followed by refreshments. Church open till 4.00pm 7th 10.00am 11.30am Coffee Morning in Church 6.30pm Carols around the crib (Grimsargh Club) 9th 2nd Sunday of Advent 8.30am Holy Communion 10.00am Holy Communion Toy Service and Jigsaw Club 14th 10.00am 11.30am Coffee Morning in Church 16th 3rd Sunday of Advent 8.30am Holy Communion 10.00am Family Service with Reception Class Nativity 19th 7.30pm Mothers Union Holy Communion in church followed by refreshments 21st 10.00am 11.30am Coffee Morning in Church 23rd 4th Sunday of Advent 8.30am Holy Communion 10.00am Holy Communion 3.00pm Making the Christingles in church 5.00pm Crib Service with Christingle 24th 6.00pm Carol Service (Festival of lessons and Carols) 25th Christmas day 10.00am Christmas Celebration Communion 28th 10.00am 11.30am Coffee Morning in Church 30th 1st Sunday of Christmas 8.30am NO SERVICE 10.00am Holy Communion from The Book of Common Prayer NB DEADLINE for the January magazine 12 th December. Articles to be sent to Mrs Cowell and/or B Mackley 18