Hello everyone,
I love Advent, I really do! That sense of anticipation, the change to the usual routines as a celebration (and holiday!) loom, the collective joy as we see more and more festive lights and jumpers around – only a real Grinch could not be delighted! I also enjoy trying to mark the season in some way, often giving something up or doing something extra to help it feel special.
And it's also a chance to grow, to make it a deliberately spiritual time.

This Advent, one of the ‘spiritual disciplines’ I’m trying to focus on is gratitude, and I’ve revived something I have done in previous years but which I often forget – a daily picture on my social media labelled: #ThingsIAmThankfulForThisAdvent *
It’s just a small thing, but it nudges me to look for at least one thing to be grateful for every day, to count my blessings. Today, I choose to glad I can go for a slow short shuffle on my aging knees, instead of lamenting the encroaching infirmity.
I know some people are putting something in an advent gratitude jar, or sharing highlights around the dinner table.

It reminds me too to be thankful for what we are still able to do this Advent that we were not last year. While the return of masks in church might be hard for many, we're still able to do far more together than last year, thanks to the progress with vaccines. If you feel able to join us, we will (for now) be open.

God bless,
Rev’d Rob
*(grammar nerds, I know, I know! But #ThingsForWhichIAmThankfulThisAdvent didn’t have the ring it needed!)

COVID-19 Update
Due to the new variant and additional precautionary measures the government has put in place, we now ask all visitors in church to wear a face covering, unless exempt for health reasons.
Face masks may be removed for eating or drinking in church.

Messy Church Christmas!
The session is now fully booked this afternoon.
Look out for details of the next one coming in January!

Annual Christmas Memorial Service
Our Annual Christmas Memorial Service is in church next Wednesday 8th December at 7pm. This special service is an opportunity to come together and light a candle, reflect, and remember loved ones that are missed.
Whether your loss was some time ago or more recent, you are very welcome to join us. To book a seat, please contact the [email protected]

Christmas Services
Don’t forget to book a seat with the [email protected] if you'd like to come to any of our other Christmas Services. Places are filling up!
Please note, the Family Carol Service on Christmas Eve at 2:30pm is now fully booked.

Christmas Flowers in Church
Planning is underway for decorating our church ready for the festive season.
The tree is ordered & the lights are untangled!
Our Flower Team will be in church to decorate from 9am–12pm next Saturday 11th December. Come along and lend a hand! The team will welcome anyone who would like to help. Donations of Christmas tree spruce, holly with berries, and green foliage are needed. Or donations in the green flower box on the welcome table at the back of Church will be gratefully received.
Many Thanks, Julie Horan.

Quiet Hour: Midweek Advent Communion w/ Contemplative Prayer
This new service will take place in church every Wednesday at 12pm for the next few weeks during Advent. Led by Rob, it will be an opportunity to have some quiet time with contemplative prayer and receive communion.
Everyone is welcome.

Join our Bell-Ringers?
Here at Calverley Parish Church we have 8 bells. At present, we have 6 Bell-Ringers, so we never have enough to ring without support from ringers from other churches. To have a chance of ringing all 8 bells every Sunday, we really need at least 12 ringers.

Would you like to join the team? Anyone is welcome, from age 10 to 80!
After 54 years of ringing, I'm still learning, and all our team are at different stages of learning. This website gives you some flavour of what’s involved.
Interested? Please contact me (Maurice Calvert), Ringing Master: [email protected]

Helping Those In Need
Following the presentation last Sunday, we are now collecting items to help those in need at Leeds Women’s Aid. When ladies first come to the refuge escaping domestic violence, they arrive with nothing, and likewise for their children. Although there are many walks of life, most of them are low income/benefits families and sometimes have moved to Leeds to escape from life at home and have no-one. Christmas is obviously a hard time for them, and some sort of donation would be welcomed.

The main items they look for are toiletries (including toothbrushes/toothpaste), chocolates/sweets (no alcohol), socks/slippers for children, and colouring books with pens/crayons. They don’t generally ask for toys since they don’t know what age group will be in their refuges at Christmas, but they will accept vouchers to enable them to purchase something nearer the time.
If you feel you're able to donate something to the refuge, please bring along your donation tomorrow morning. All items will be gratefully received.
And if you would like to learn more about their work, please visit leedswomensaid.co.uk
Thank You, Nicola.

Sunday Service Rotas
Our Sunday Service Rotas are now complete for December.
If you're on a rota, you should have already received an email.
The rotas are also displayed on the notice board at the back of church.