You know me, I love a word, and grismal is one of my favourites.
I’m not sure it’s a proper word, but masing together of grim and dismal seems just perfect fort the November weather. It’s not properly wintery enough for snow yet, the leaves have turned but clog the pavements, Christmas seems like ages away (unless you’re planning church events!)... November always seems to have busy mornings, no afternoons and long nights.
It’s all so very ‘meh'.

Of course, it’s like this every year, you’d think I’d be used to it, but every time it rolls around I need to remind myself of a few home truths and embrace a few things that always work. The season always passes.
When it’s cold out, it can be warm inside (heating bills aside!), so seek more opportunities for cosiness, for hygge, for chats in the pub, or hot chocolate, good books, hearty food, and woolly jumpers etc... At heart I was always the indoor type, this is season to embrace it.

And when I’m having a deep mehment, the basics still work, like writing down things we’re grateful for, or doing something kind. This week I treated the foodbank to the nice hot chocolate!

And of course, connect with God and with each other. Few things beat the blues like community. Come to church – the coffee is good, the biscuits fair trade, and the welcome is always warm!

God Bless,
Rob

Sunday Services
Tomorrow morning, service times will be at the usual 9:15am and 11am.
We’ll have an A.M.A (Ask Me Anything), and in the 11am service, a christening! Join us as we welcome the baptism family to St. Wilfrid’s.
Between services, refreshments will be served, don’t forget to B.Y.O.M (Bring Your Own Mug)!

Next Sunday 27th November, we welcome Bishop Arun, the new Bishop of Kirkstall, confirming several members of the congregation.
Join us for this special joint service at 10am.
Then to celebrate the start of Advent we have Advent Praise in church at 5pm.
Why not come along and mark the start of the season by giving praise to God at this time of expectation and preparation. Afterwards, mulled wine and mince pies will be available.

Have you noticed something new in church? We now have a new Contactless Giving machine that accepts payments and donations. With more consumers choosing to make payments with card, mobile, and contactless enabled devices, we're pleased to now offer more options for churchgoers wanting to donate. Why not give it a try!

Prayers
Please continue to remember David & Sonia Badger in your prayers.
After his fall and hospital stay, David is now back home.

Remembrance
We had a full church for the Remembrance Service last Sunday and thank The Royal British Legion & local uniformed organisations for attending with their colour parties. The new chair of the Calverley branch of the RBL, Stan Spink, helped lead proceeding. Stan takes the reigns from Peter Illingworth who has served the RBL for 30 years. We thank him for his service for this worthy cause.

Clothes Swap
The clothes swap last week was a great success and thoroughly enjoyed by all who attended. Many thanks to those who supported the event and to Sarah Cohen and her team of helpers! They raised a fantastic £364 for church funds.

St. Wilfrid’s Singers
The St. Wilfrid’s singers are back! If you would like to join the group to sing at the Carol Service, practices will be 6-7pm on the following dates:
- Tuesday 22nd & 29th November
- Thursday 8th & 15th December

Walking Nativity
The Walking Nativity is planned for Wednesday 21st December, 4pm.
(Further details of the route & timings will be shared once plans are finalised).
If you would like to be involved with this, either by taking a speaking part, narrating, or acting as a Marshall to ensure safety and to help lead the way, please contact Brenda.

Wreath Making Evening
On Saturday 10th December we're holding a Christmas Wreath Making Evening.
Tickets are £20 per person and for this you will receive a glass of fizz and all the bits & bobs you’ll need to make a beautiful wreath.
The event starts at 5:45pm and finishes at 8:30pm. Numbers are limited.
Please contact Sally for tickets.

Calverley Comfort Zone
Calverley is getting involved with The Warm Space Project.
Starting next Thursday 24th November from 11am to 2:30pm, Calverley Comfort Zone will be open at The Methodist Church, offering soup & a roll, tea, coffee, & biscuits. There will be a range of activities including board games, jigsaws, & books to read. It will be open to all, offering warmth and company during the winter months. If you would like to help, please contact Rose Watson on 0113 256 3393 or [email protected]

The Children’s Society

The Children’s Society is a national charity working to transform the hopes and happiness of young people facing abuse, exploitation and neglect.
They support them through their most serious life challenges, and they campaign tirelessly for the big social changes that will improve the lives of those who need hope most.

After 10 years, Pauline Duxbury will be retiring from The Children’s Society role of collecting house boxes. Sarah Cohen will be taking over this role and we are looking to recruit new homes for our boxes. Please contact Sarah if you feel you can take a box. For the years 21/22, Calverley Parish contributed £1,403.23. We would like to thank Pauline for all her hard work and dedication over the past 10 years.

T.A.G (Tuesday Afternoon Group)
T.A.G continue to meet but in The Barn and at the earlier time of 11am until 2pm. A light lunch will be provided for all the winter meetings, the remaining dates up to the New Year are:
- 29th November
- 6th & 13th December
- 20th December – TBC
- 3rd January – 12pm Christmas lunch at the Calverley Arms.
If you would like to join TAG, please contact Sue Ward.

Coffee Morning
The next coffee morning at The Ahmadiyya Muslim Women's Association in Bradford is on Wednesday 23rd November, 11:30am–12:30pm.
This invitation is open to ladies from church and in the local community who would like to meet for refreshments and a chat about faith and life.
If you would like to attend, please speak to Sally.

Flowers in Church at Christmas
Can you help the Flower Team with some foliage from your garden for the Christmas flower display in Church? We require cuttings of laurel, holly with berries, non-drop Christmas tree spruce, an evergreen foliage.
So, don’t do your winter pruning just yet! Please drop any donations at church on Friday 9th December at 12pm or Saturday 10th December at 8:30am.
Thank you, Julie Horan & Kim Pollard.

Spring Harvest (10th - 14th April 2023)
We are now making enquiries about booking at Spring Harvest in Skegness.
It’s not too late to sign up, prices are from £139, and more information can be found online here. Please contact the [email protected] if you would like to go.

Bradford North Foodbank
Have launched their 2022 Christmas Food Appeal. In the 3 weeks leading up to Christmas, the foodbank would like to provide Christmas Food for local individuals and families nominated by Partner Referral Agencies.
Last year they gave out 269 Christmas Hamper Food Parcels.
Items required: tinned ham/chicken, tinned halal meat, gravy granules, evaporated milk, Christmas pudding, Christmas cake, selection boxes, Christmas biscuits, snacks & nibbles, fruit squash, & hot chocolate.
Help them bring more joy to homes this year.
As always, donations can be left at the back of Church. Thank you!
If you need help from a foodbank, information is also available in church, or please contact Rob.

Please send any items for our weekly newsy email to
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