Letter from Mark:

Have a good Advent …    
Do you think of calendars? I feel very aggrieved that I missed out on the chocolate version of these but used to love opening the doors day by day. Interesting the youngsters at Thomas Mills High School still know of Advent through calendars - so that is a good thing. But I think it is chocolate rather than the religious element.
But how well do we know the religious element? How well could I explain them? One is it is preparing for the second coming, we have had the first (Jesus in Bethlehem) now we proclaim that He will come again. This is a constant theme in the New Testament and we will look at some of the passages in December.
Another is looking at the figures who paved the way for Jesus - the prophets who saw the loving, challenging heart of Jesus, John the Baptist both prophet of Jesus, forerunner and one who recog-nised him. And of course Mary his mother who dared to say yes to an archangel.
But all these meanings presume the most im-portant meaning of advent - pausing and waiting for Christmas in our hearts and the world, So… wishing you a blessed and happy Christmas. Mark
Into the New Year:
Are you looking to renew your understanding of faith or wanting to explore it more or discover it for the first time. The Alpha Course is coming to Saxtead and Framlingham. Christina Darrell-Brown is leading with other experienced helpers a course starting on Monday 13th January. Are you interested or know someone who might be. Please let Christina (Christina Darell-Brown cdb1946@icloud.com 07977575165 or Mark (revmarksanders@tiscali.co.uk 768875) know

These will be held at Christina’s house, Mead-ow Lodge Cottage, The Green, which will be easily spotted by an Alpha banner hanging be-side the road before the New Year. Christina and Mark are hoping for two volunteers - one from each parish - to help welcome people and help Christina with practicalities

SPECIAL CHRISTMAS SERVICES
at St Michael’s Framlingham
Sunday 22nd December 6pm at St Michael’s
Framlingham Town Carol Service: Framlingham Churches Together wel-come you to sing your favourite car-ols, enjoy the Christmas message and stay on for some refreshments.

Christmas Eve
3.30 Crib Service A lovely service when the children take us through the Christmas story and we celebrate the coming of the baby Jesus – and all that it means. Do join us
11.30pm Midnight Mass
As the Carol says ‘It came upon the Midnight clear’ come and join us and add the special meaning to your Christmas

Christmas Day
10AM Family Service with carols; a relaxed service suitable for all ages. This is followed by a quiet and short Holy Communion for those who wish to stay.