2 This month in The Window...


. . .we look backwards at a very busy Christ- mas and forward to a peaceful Lent. There are details of an interesting course happening at St Michael's and on the diary pages there


are other events for the beginning of Lent. Next month we will look at how the parish meets its safeguarding obligations and hear about the church in Ethiopia.


News from the Parish Christmas round-up


This Christmas season was very busy as usual in the parish, hosting many schools and other groups for their carol services. Over 6000 were welcomed to the three churches in the parish for a wide variety of services.


Carols for Advent Sunday at St Helen’s were followed by St Nicolas’ Patronal Festival. Christmas Markets raised money for different causes. Schools used our spaces for their end of term Carol Services. The St Helen’s Baby and Toddler Group celebrated Christmas with a Nativity Play including a donkey.


All three churches held ser- vices for families on Christmas Eve. The Christingle service at St Helen’s attracted over 800, and after Christmas Day the festivi- ties continued well into the new year.


Toddlers’ Nativity Celebration at the Christingle Service


On the feast of the Baptism of Christ a good number gathered by the river to bless the Thames, now a well- established St Helen’s tradition. Later that afternoon folk, including recent baptism families, returned for the Epiphany carols and family tea at St Helen’s. The treats at tea included the traditional French Galette des Rois and the crowning of the lucky recipient of the coin hid- den in the cake.


Thanks are due to all who made Christmas meaningful to so many – clergy, musicians, stewards, hospitality team, caretakers, and all who work behind the scenes to make all the three churches a welcoming and witnessing place.


February 2018


Galette des Rois


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