Advent Courses – There are two courses open to all in the benefice. On Tuesday afternoons in Church house, Tom will be looking at the theme of God with us. On Monday evenings and Thursday afternoons Rev Doreen and Rev Laura will be looking at the themes of Hope, Joy, Peace and Love. Please do contact Tom, Rev Doreen or Rev Laura for any more information – or just turn up!
Benefice Prayer meeting December 2nd– an invitation. You are invited to attend the Benefice prayer meeting which will be held at Eckling Grange (NR20 3BB) – in the Gatehouse, starting at 7:15pm on Tuesday 2 nd December. Directions to the Gatehouse: from Norwich Road, come into Eckling Grange grounds by the main entrance, straight on past left turn (which leads to the front of the house). Then slightly left towards the Wing on the left and Gatehouse on the right immediately before the closed delivery gate into Mattishall Road. There are parking spaces immediately outside the Gatehouse. All are welcome, whether or not you have previously participated in meetings for prayer. As usual, we will pray for the Churches of Dereham and the villages; our Church leaders, local communities and activities; current events here and around the world; and for healing and peace for individuals who have requested our prayer support. If you are unable to attend in person, but have a request for prayer, for yourself or on behalf of another, please either speak to someone who you know will be attending the meeting, or send an email to prayerrequestc777@gmail.com You need not provide your own name, and please don’t name anyone for whom you are requesting prayer, unless they have given you permission. Strict confidentiality is maintained: we refer to first names only during our meetings.
Shipdham Christmas Tree Festival – will be taking place from Friday 5th December – Sunday 7th December. There will be an opening concert from the Thomas Bullock School choir, a concert on the Saturday evening by Shipdham Community Choir and the festival will close with carols at 4pm on the Sunday with the Dereham Salvation Army Band.
Christmas Craft Fare, Saturday 6th December - 10 am to 2 pm - Scarning Church and Village Hall. With locally made gifts, crafts, woodcrafts, cakes, plants, preserves, beauty products, cards, books, tombola, games and super refreshments. We have room for a few more stalls. If you would like to book one, please call Tricia on 01362 687082.
Sunday 7th December 9.30 at St Nicholas Church will be our TOY AND GIFT SERVICE when we will also be celebrating the Feast of St Nicholas.
Toys; These are distributed by the Salvation Army, who have told us that gifts are especially needed for teenagers and those with sensory needs. Where possible they would like one larger gift rather than a selection of small items so that the children have something special to open on Christmas morning. New, unwrapped gifts please.
Mothers’ Union Meeting Wednesday December 10th 2.30 pm in St Nicholas Church Chancel
This will be an Advent Reflection led by Angela Hall and followed by seasonal refreshments. All partners and friends welcome.
The Friends of All Saints Church, Swanton Morley, are having a Christmas Fair in the church on Saturday, 13th December between 12.00 and 5.00pm to help raise funds for the repair and maintenance of the church building. There will be at least 18 craft and gift stalls, a Wish Tree, Santa's Postbox with letters and envelopes available so that you can send any last minute request to the North Pole, together with reasonably priced refreshments including some of the best cakes in Norfolk! Santa, and possibly some of his friends will be visiting during the afternoon. Free entry and parking.
St Nicholas Church Fundraising Committee will be holding their Christmas Coffee Morning in Church House, Dereham, on Saturday 13th December from 10am - 12.30pm. There will be a bottle stall, a tombola stall, cakes and savouries to purchase and of course, delicious refreshments. Plus Christmas music. If anyone would like to donate items for the stalls or donate cakes and/or savouries, please speak to a member of the Fundraising Committee or contact Debbie on 07925 040735 or Pauline on 07925 362146. We will be extremely grateful for any donations offered
