The Vicar's Letter (written by Reverend Joy Cousans, Vicar of St Mary's Church in Eaton Bray) has been appearing in the villages Focus magazine since June 2017
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Vicar's Letter

December 2023

Reverend Joy Cousans, vicar of the Church of St Mary The Virgin, Eaton Bray with Edlesborough.

Christmas is a time for giving. We celebrate God's generosity in giving his only Son who came to earth and lived a human life. That most precious gift is the reason why we give presents at Christmas. In a small way, we are reflecting the generosity of our Father in heaven. One of the ways we can give a gift to future generations is by our care for planet earth. As Churches Together in Eaton Bray and Edlesborough we want to encourage people to be more environmentally conscious. Below is an 'Eco Advent Calendar', with actions for each day of December up to Christmas. I hope you will find the ideas helpful as we seek to live more sustainably.

Friday 1st December Buy Christmas cards which support an environmental charity

Saturday 2nd December Visit the book swap at St Mary's and exchange a book

Sunday 3rd December Make a card or present for someone for Christmas

Monday 4th December Have a 'landfill waste free week' by buying only goods with all recyclable or no packaging

Tuesday 5th December Walk, cycle or take the bus to somewhere you'd normally drive to

Wednesday 6th December Don't leave anything 'on standby' at home

Thursday 7th December Plant some garlic in a pot or bed before Christmas

Friday 8th December Choose a clear night and go star gazing

Saturday 9th December Save your used stamps & put them in the box in St Mary's to support Whippet Rescue

Sunday 10th December Take time to go for a nature walk

Monday 11th December Only buy in season produce this week

Tuesday 12th December Reuse an item for something else e.g. Use an old envelope for a shopping list

Wednesday 13th December Refill a bottle of washing up liquid, fabric conditioner or shampoo rather than buying new

Thursday 14th December Cook 2 days' meals at the same time

Friday 15th December Make some gift tags from old Christmas cards

Saturday 16th December Take something broken to a repair café

Sunday 17th December Write someone a letter instead of using electronic devices

Monday 18th December Buy loose fruit or veg

Tuesday 19th December Turn off your screens and read a book

Wednesday 20th December Plan a new plant-based meal

Thursday 21st December Buy supermarket herbs to keep on your window sill

Friday 22nd December Turn off the lights when you leave the room

Saturday 23rd December Plan how to use your leftover turkey

Sunday 24th December Go to church and save a bit on your heating!!

Monday 25th December Celebrate the birth of Jesus - who was laid in a repurposed feeding trough for animals feed.

Wishing you all God's blessings this Christmas.

Joy, Vicar of Eaton Bray with Edlesborough

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2023

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About the Vicar's Letter

The Vicar's Letter has been appearing in the villages Focus magazine since August 2002.

The Rev. Peter Graham also used to publish The Vicar's Letter in the parish magazine of 1964. Please see the area for these.