Tuesday 14 December 2021

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

I want to thank you so much for all your kind messages, support and prayers while I was on medical leave. I have returned with renewed energy and resources and am glad to be back with you all.

As we continue in this season of Advent, we are invited to join in an online Diocesan Advent Service, tomorrow,Wednesday 15th December. Bishop Robert will be leading the service and Adele, our Archdeacon, who is retiring very soon, will be preaching. The service will be at 18.30. An invitation is attached to this email. You can join in either by zoom or through Youtube. Click in the appropriate place on the flyer attached.

Carol Service, 4pm, Saturday 18th December
We will be holding a carol service in church this coming Saturday. This will be followed by mince pies and gluhwein around fires outside in the church grounds. Please dress very warmly, as the refreshments are outside and we will also need to keep the church well ventilated during the service due to the sharply increasing COVID cases, If you would like to attend this carol service please ring the office to book a seat.

Sunday 19th December
This Sunday will be the fourth Sunday of Advent. We will be offering Junior Church and creche and families and children will have a priority for seats. It is also the baptism of Alice Rosa Klinger. We will be checking certificates and ID (so please remember to bring them) as we expect there will be a lot of people in church.

If you are unable to be in church with us on Sunday you can follow the service online at: Service Resources at St Ursula's Church, Berne We are all very thankful to Hector, Martin and Art for making this possible.

Christingle and Crib Service 4pm, Christmas Eve
This is a short service for families and children (everyone over 16 will need a COVID certificate and ID).

Christmas Eucharists
There will be 3 Communion Services over Christmas. We ask that everyone books a seat for ONE of these services, at least initially, so that all those who would like to attend a Chrismas service can do so. All three services will be focused on Christmas:
Christmas Eve, 9pm (everyone over 16 will need a COVID certificate and ID)
Christmas Day, 10am (everyone over 16 will need a COVID certificate and ID)
This service will include an All Age Talk rather than a sermon and be especially designed for families and children.
Sunday 26th December, 10am (this will be a non-certificate service).

Feedback and Suggestions
Anyone who has any suggestions or comments about church life please note that we have a special email address where you can send these: feedback@stursula.ch

Mary, Did You Know?
This coming Sunday, the fourth Sunday of Advent we focus on Mary. You might like to listen to this very moving Christmas song: Mary, Did You Know?.

With love in Christ,
Helen