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Here’s a link to our December 2025 and January 2026 magazine, paper copies of which are available in both our churches from this weekend.

In this festive edition, we have lots of news and views about everything that’s going on in and around our churches in December and January. Plus there are updates from most of our groups and organisations.

Christingle is at 6.30pm on 1st December at both churches, then Christ Church have their Christmas Tree Festival from Friday 12th December to Sunday 14th December. Both churches have their Carol Service at 6.30pm on Sunday 21st December. On Christmas Eve we have a 7.30pm service at St John with St Mark, then midnight mass at Christ Church, starting at 11.30pm. Finally, there are Christmas Day services at 10am at both churches.

Our December 2025 and January 2026 magazine includes this letter from our Vicar, Harvie…

Step forward with confidence

Welcome to the December and January magazine!

These two months are a gift for those of us who like to reflect and plan. I will begin with looking back and then offer a few thoughts as we look forward.

The last year has seen many changes in how we live our lives and how we see the world around us. For example, we have seen the world change as the American President brought his own approach to conducting world affairs. Artificial intelligence has moved at pace so that it is hard to know what is the truth, as presented in the media and so- called reliable news services. Our world will keep changing as we move forwards and many may fear the changes ahead, whilst others look forward to an exciting journey.

As we anticipate what will happen next, one thing that is sure is that Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. So, we can build our futures on Him and trust that the gates of Hell shall not prevail against His church.

The story of Christ leaving the security of heaven to walk amongst us is as true today as it always has been. I wonder what He would make of the situation in Israel today. It is my guess that He would be encouraging us to fight for peace on all sides and to protect the weak and vulnerable; to speak out for those with no voice and to pray for the leaders, that their hearts turn from war to reconciliation. After all, we are here to love one another, serve one another and uplift one another.

Faithful prayer

The big question for us is, how can we do this in a world in such turmoil? Nothing worthwhile has happened in the church without the faithful prayer of the saints, so I encourage us all to take our hopes and dreams, our fears and worries to the Lord in prayer and see what He has in store for us. I encourage us all to find the confidence that we had in Jesus when we first came to know him.

Many of us have journeyed through trying times in recent months but the same Jesus offers His hand to us, if only we would catch it and trust in Him as we walk with Him into the future. All the problems that we face can be overcome as we just trust and obey the King of Kings. To do this we need to increase our knowledge of Him and walk closer with Him.

Will 2026 be the year that you draw nearer to the cross of Christ and learn how to once again place your future in the hand of the man who stilled the water? As many reading this will know, I have been on a journey this last year that I wouldn’t wish on anyone. I can say that if I had not clung on to the cross of Christ, I would have sunk under the waves but thankfully, even at the darkest moments, the darkness never put out the light. Some may ask how is this possible? I can only answer for myself and encourage others to try.

He lives in the heart

Ours is the only faith with a God with no resting place on Earth because He lives in the heart of His followers – He is risen! So, as we move into the New Year, we can do so in the sure knowledge that we are not on our own; the risen Christ will walk with us and hold us close to Himself, if only we let Him. The church nationally and internationally is in a state of flux, but if God’s people turn back to Him and repent, He will draw close to us and by His Spirit, save us from the fate that faces all who turn away from the Lord.

So, will you and I render to Caesar that which belongs to him and to God that which belongs to God? A great challenge for most of us, but as we put our trust in Him, it will get easier. That is why I believe the story of Christmas is so much more than a nice comforting story – it is about a God who wants to get to know His children in a new way. Make room in your hearts, take His hand and step forward into 2026 with confidence! Harvie