December 2020

10 Buckden Roundabout December 2020 Church News Weekly Prayer Roster Each week during the year the Churches, in their prayers, remember the residents of particular streets in the village, those who work in the parish and village organisations. Those to be remembered this month are: 6th December Church Street, Mill Road, The Barns, The Old Flour Mills 13th December The Parish Council, The Village Hall and Playing Field Trust; those who help to run the Village Hall, and the activities there 20th December Greenway, Aragon Close, Hoo Close, Bishops Way 27th December Village shops, and those who work in them; businesses based in the village, hotels, inns, and those who work at home; homemakers, carers, the unemployed and underemployed, and all visitors to the village Thought for the Month Dear friends, At the beginning of this year, many would have gathered to welcome in the New Year, with all the promises and expecta- tions of what the year would surely bring. As we come to the close of the year 2020, many will no doubt declare, from a so- cial distance, goodbye to a year that brought so many disap- pointments. Surely the following year has to be better, we hope. Yet, despite all of that, this has been a year in which we have seen some good spirit amongst those in the community. We have found folks going the extra mile to ensure that those who were vulnerable were able to find support. Perhaps that in- volved shopping for them, or collecting prescriptions, or gener- ally ensuring that all were safe. How good it is to be able to see that spirit of goodwill and peace to those that surround us. The message of the angels to the shepherds on that first Christmas day was "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests. ” The Christmas message to us all has from the beginning been one that echoes those words of the angels. None of us knows what each year will bring, but the Christ child reminds us of the love of God when the world seems so dark. It was a dark time at the first Christmas this world has ever known. It was dark as cruelty was experienced to its highest level. It was dark as everyone had to respond to the government rules and leave home for the census. It was dark for Joseph and Mary as they knocked on the doors of so many closed buildings. That may sound fa- miliar to us in the year 2020, but at such a time as this Jesus comes to bring us the message of hope and love. If you feel comfortable to come and mix you will be welcome to join with us during Advent, and any season, each Sunday at 10.30am, and on CHRISTmas day to celebrate Christmas and the Christmas day service will be held at 10am at the Perry Baptist church, Government guidelines and lockdown per- mitting The government guidelines do require us all to have some form of masks and I would ask you to take this into account. We are aware that some may not feel comfortable in returning yet so we will also continue to provide online services on Face- book and YouTube. For those with the internet facility check the church out at https://www.youtube.com/channel/ UCxdghslFLULGCblekWCQ4pg You are all welcome to join us at any time through these means if you are not able to attend the building. Love and blessings and a Happy Christmas from the Perry Vil- lage Pastor - Jon Magee Roundabout: early copy deadline in December Note that the copy deadline in December for the January edition will be at close of business on Saturday 5th December 2020