As I write this, I am in my second day of isolation after a positive Covid test. It is a frustrating experience, given that I am not ill and staying still does not agree with me. One can only clean the oven so many times.

Once again our Flower Ladies have done us proud and provided some wonderful flower decorations around the church for the lead up to Christmas

Yet again we were enthralled by the wonderful Paul Harding with his history knowledge, this time we learnt all about Christmas in Victorian times.

To ask “What is at the heart of Christmas?” may seem a very obvious question – but is it really? Answer honestly; if Christmas was cancelled – and I mean really cancelled, not just scaled down like last year – what would you miss the most? Would it be the family gatherings? The excessive quantities of food and drink consumed?

Yet another fantastically interesting and humorous talk from Paul Harding.

November is traditionally a time for remembering: All Saints and All Souls, along with Remembrance Sunday, are key parts of the opening half of the month in the church calendar. The last of these in particular is one which has a resonance for many people who still have memories of the Second World War or more recent conflicts, or who have themselves been in the forces.

The Flower Arrangers have done the church proud this year with their wonderful arrangements.

Bishop Martin, Bishop of Dudley, Pilgrimage of Prayer and Hope

Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness,
Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun;

Conspiring with him how to load and bless

With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eves run;

To bend with apples the moss'd cottage-trees,

And fill all fruit with ripeness to the core;

To swell the gourd, and plump the hazel shells

With a sweet kernel; ….