The evening willinclude a buffet supper. Donations of refreshments will be much appreciated.

Also a United Service will be held at St Mary's on 22 January at 4pm.

Many thanks to all who contributed to our preparations this year – to those who helped organise our services and participated in them, and also to those who gave us the extras we associate with Christmas - mince pies, mulled wine, beautiful music and singing, flower arrangements and other decorations, only happen through the dedication of those involved. Finally, many thanks to Coralie for all she has done, not just at Christmas but throughout this, her first year with us.

-- Happy 2012 to all! Catherine

This, the 21st annual Puzzle that Gordon Gray has set, has a theme designed to help completion and will appeal to people who enjoy doing Crossword puzzles, such as in the Daily Telegraph (though it is not a Crossword puzzle). Puzzlers have plenty of time to find the answers and Puzzles should be returned, with donation, by 22 January 2012.

Gordon posted Puzzles on 5 December, so those already on the distribution list should receive their copies in the next few days. Anyone else who would like a copy of the Puzzle can access it from the web at www.christmaspuzzle.co.uk. Alternatively puzzles can be collected from St Mary's Eaton Bray.

All the money you donate, except for the prize-money, will go to charity.

In an effort to find ways of producing an income for the church, painlessly, arrangements are now in hand for any unwanted goods to be sold on E-Bay and the sale proceeds to go directly to the church. If you are interested in helping in this way, please speak to me and I will be happy to explain the procedure which has been set up.

Judy Venn and Gladys Deamer were given birthday cards,

The highlight of the afternoon was having Joan Fossey once again demonstrating her  fl ower arranging skills, her theme was "Remembrance". She did a beautiful arrangement in a pedestal with red carnations, poppies and an assortment of foliage. A long arrangement was done, which could be for a graveside and then a most delicate round arrangement for a loved one, with pale lemon carnations and tiny orange roses. Joan was thanked and given a card and gift as a thank you, by Marjorie.

Tom Heffer was presented with the cheque for £350 which the members had collected for the Mission to Seafarers. Tom thanked the ladies and went on to explain about the current situation of threats of piracy at sea, most especially near the Somalia border. The members will continue to raise money for this cause each month, with a raffle and bring and buy stall each month.

There was a large assortment of raffle prizes with a pre Christmas theme, plus the two special flower arrangements which were won by Barbara Ilic and Jean Bates.

Details were given out of two outings to World's End and Poplars garden centres.Social time plus tea with a lovely assortment of cakes and savouries followed.

The next meeting will be on Wednesday 14th December, the theme will be "Christmas Celebrations". January will see the start of our new membership year, please come and join us, you will be made very welcome.

Plans are progressing to build a much needed toilet and kitchen area and some parts of the church sound system may soon need to be replaced, so fund raising will go on.  The very successful Poppy Prom will be followed by the popular Christmas Tree Festival on 3rd & 4th December where at least 30 trees will be on show – in all their various glories!  Also, church calendars and Christmas cards are on sale and might still be available then.

A highly pro-active approach is being taken about metal theft.  The replacement for the stolen manhole cover and other metal objects inside and outside of the church have now been treated with "Smartwater", ensuring that anything taken can be traced and the police can prosecute the criminals.

The church is about to have a full interior clean by volunteers, so spiders beware! Small teams will then keep the church clean on a weekly basis but more teams are needed to reduce any individual person's annual commitment.

Our Vicar is encouraged that many use the church during the week for quiet prayer and contemplation. The church belongs to everyone in the village and all are welcome to pop in and enjoy its stillness.

-- Church Mouse

Walking along the quiet Eaton Bray / Edlesborough footpaths on a still, bright, chilly November morning I had no idea what to write here. The headlines offered little inspiration; Death toll in Syria rising, European finances in freefall, Teresa May faces a grilling over immigration checks, Greek PM announces new Government, Iran facing tougher sanctions, etc.

Continue reading the December 2011 Vicar's Letter.

Christmas Tree Festival
St Mary's Church
Eaton Bray
3-4 December
11am – 6pm
Fantastic trees - dreadful puns
Christmas gifts
 
If you would like to dress a tree contact Jenny Hewett: Tel 220295
 
Refreshments, lunches from 12-2
Admission £2.50

A fantastic two-day festival of Christmas trees and lights designed by local schools, organisations, churches and businesses.

Come and enjoy the sights, sounds, smells and taste of Christmas in our beautiful 13th century church - and groan at some dreadful puns on the word 'tree'.

Lunches will be served from 12.30 - 2.30 on Saturday and refreshments will be available throughout the weekend.

Festival closes with Choral Evensong, led by St Mary's Choir, starting at 6pm on Sunday 4th December.

Update: Below are three images from this year's festival.

St Mary's Christmas Fair
Eaton Bray Village Hall
Saturday 19 November
11.30am – 3pm
Christmas gifts
Cakes, Plants
Craft stalls
Lunches
Bacon Butties
 
All welcome, admission 50p

Each day the family with whom the figures spent the previous night deliver them to the next recipients. It is an opportunity for two families to conduct a brief act of worship together and, in many cases, share some simple seasonal refreshments. As such it is a way of bringing a little religious focus to the run up to Christmas and an opportunity to get to know some other people in the villages a little better.

If you would like to take part in this delightful custom please sign up on the notice board in St Mary's church – the church is open every day so you can call in any time. For more information please contact Gordon Gray.