What were you doing this time last year? It’s a question which is often discussed in our
household as we reflect on the year which has passed us by and we look forward to the next year.
It’s been an incredible year for Histon and Castle Street with many changes and momentous
events. Histon have installed new toilets and held an amazing flower and quilt festival; Castle Street
have had so many baptisms and confirmations I’ve almost lost count and had a fantastic
weekend away with 3Generate.
For many of us, it will be the coming of the end of our adventure with the Bible as we complete
reading it in a year: a huge congratulations if you made it this far, and I know we’ve all been
challenged and inspired all at the same time (and I’m pretty sure we’ve all wanted to throw our
Bibles across the room at some point in frustration!) And if you’d like to start a new
adventure in January (see the notice elsewhere in this newsletter), you’re welcome to do so and join
me for another year of reading!
There are a few last things to look forward to as we bid farewell to 2024: there’s the annual Open
Manse for carols and mince pies (perhaps we should call it manse pies!) 2–5pm on 15th
December at the manse. All are welcome.
We also enjoy our family Christmas services which are open to all and accessible for all ages. This
year we will be exploring the role of reindeers in the Christmas story—trust me, it will all make
sense! Come along to this service with friends and family for a reindeer activity packed service. We
have our usual services over Christmas which all are welcome to.
Looking forward to next year, we will be holding some cyber security training in the church to help
educate and refresh ourselves on how to stay safe online: criminals get cleverer and more savvy
every day, and it’s important that we also keep up to date in our learning and understanding. This is
not compulsory, but optional for anyone who would like to learn a bit more!
Our church family weekend away 21st–23rd March is going ahead at Sizewell Hall in Suffolk
and bookings are open to the general church. If you would like to come and reserve a space,
please let Rev Jenny or Denise know—places are limited and it’s on a first come first serve basis.
As we enter this period of watching and waiting for the coming of our Lord, we remember the story of
the Christ child, who was born into occupation and homelessness, and became a refugee. In the
midst of our preparations, we pray and remember those who also watch and wait, but who fear
persecution because of their faith; those who are homeless; and those who are refugees.
Rev Jenny