Christmas Box for the Spire Final Numbers

The pounds and the pennies have been counted and the cheques have been cashed.

The grand total currently is a staggering £1,557.24 (excluding Gift Aid). We hope you agree that this is an awesome total, inspired by them above as well as us here on earth.

We have blown people's socks off with this venture, even Parishioners from Parish Church have been talking about it! And that's before the final figures came in. We'll be the talk of the town once this amount gets out.

May we thank so many people; those involved in the thinking and planning, the dedication of the ladies 'wo'manning the stockings and the generosity of you the Congregration. Very many thanks for your contributions.

Preparing for Christmas

The snow flakes are falling outside and we are all struggling to complete our shopping lists for Christmas Day, rather like the soon to be mums preparing for the birth of their child. Have no fear, the Church is almost ready for the birth of Jesus. And what's more, we have Bootees, better known as Christmas Stockings at the back of church to receive your gifts on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

With a quick reckoning up, we are delighted to announce that the Christmas Box to the Spire Fund currently stands at £1049.12, with a whopping £678.00 received at last Sunday's Services.

The hampers are to be replenished for our Christmas Services with all manner of good things for all people.
Let's celebrate the Birth of the World's Greatest Gift together later this week.

Reflection of Light on the 4th Sunday of Advent

On the 4th Sunday of Advent, let us reflect for one moment on the lit candles on our Advent wreath.

The first is for Hope - In late November, we were looking forward to Carolling around the Pubs and taking God's message out into the World to all His people.

The second is for Peace - In early December, we mused over the teachings of the Prophets. We will be walking through the darkness towards the light with our trusty lanterns in our hands.

The third is of Love - Our first week Carolling. As a choir we gave each other lifts, smiled, joked and hopefully shared our love with everyone we met.

The fourth is for Joy - We met on Friday and Sunday last. Patrons from the Game Bird, Steven Stars, the Griffin and the Stanley came and joined us. We aimed to share our Joy with the people of Eccleston.

The Committee thanks all the members of the Choir for their dedication, persistence and effort.We are delighted to announce that £255.14 was raised last weekend alone - meaning that the Grand Total over the Carolling fortnight was £510.05.

The fifth candle is for Jesus; The light of the World and as we follow Him, we will never walk in darkness, but will have the true light.

Eccleston - Thank you for acknowledging Jesus as the Light of the World and supporting Christ Church Building Works, especially our Spire.

Christmas Box for the Spire

Today the stockings were in the porch to remind the congregation of the Christmas Box for the Spire appeal at the 8am and the Nativity at 10.30am.

We are delighted to announce that the proceeds for today came to a whopping £352.12. All we can say is this is a truly awesome total and we can give thanks to God as well as to all his servants here on earth as well as the Aliens who crash landed into our spire earlier today.

Great job and a huge pat on the back to everyone who donated.

Thank you on the 3rd Sunday of Advent when we remember and give thanks for Mary and may we reflect for a moment on Bill's questions from this morning...

Is there just a little room for Jesus in our busy lives this Christmas?

Carolling on Saturday

We met at the Game Bird and after preparing in the 'Bar Humbug', designed for those not liking Christmas, we did our piece. The Assistant Manager was taking photos so hopefully we did you and the Spire proud.

Then on to the Stanley. Here we gave carol sheets to some of the diners, sang with a little boy, perhaps a future Kings College Choir Boy and drove the waitresses mad!

In summary a good time was had by all, especially Judith in her sparkly hat and Joyce Holland in her up hill struggle to get us to start at the same time and at the same pitch.

Furthermore, we can announce that over £100 was collected. THANK YOU to the Game Bird, the Stanley, the Singers and most importantly the Community.

The question is...
Can we beat this next week!

We may, but only with your help! So come on, let's pick up this gauntlet together.

Carolling Dates for your Diary

Good Christians awake
Come sing with all your hearts,
Bring lanterns, Santa hats and muffs,
Children and Babes in arms.

It’s Christmas time so the more the merrier…
Please be one of our few, our happy few, our band of brothers.
Cry ‘God for Christmas, England and our Spire!’

Looking forward to seeing you in bright spirits and good voice.

12 12 2009

6.00 - 6.45pm Game Bird

7.00 pm The Stanley

18 12 2009

6.00 - 6.45pm Game Bird

7.00pm Seven Stars

Refreshments at the Coventry’s

9.00pm The Griffin

20 12 2009

1.15pm The Stanley

Monday Lunchtime at the Stanley

At 1 o'clock this afternoon Christ Church Carollers met at the Stanley Arms to sing popular carols as requested by Sam and Kirby to remember Brian. The most touching moment was when the children were singing ‘Away in a Manger’ while the carollers and guests gently supported them. We thank everyone for their generous donations of £152.10 towards Christ Church's Spire and Building Fund.

Welcome...

First post, so welcome all to the Fundraising blog for Christ Church Eccleston's Spire and Building Development Programme.

The steeplejacks will be up the spire tomorrow ensuring the building and the parishioners are safe, while the happy many are singing their hearts out in The Stanley. All are welcome from 1.00 - 2.00pm.

Other dates for Carolling:
Saturday 12th December - Early evening
Game Bird, East Lancs Road
The Stanley, Gillars Lane

You are also asked to keep your diaries open and flexible for the following weekend. More information will be available on the Church’s Notice Sheet next Sunday as well as here.

We'll let you know about the marvels of Monday's Carolling on this fab piece of kit in case bush telegraph gets iced up... Keep warm and God Bless.