Stainglass window
Christmas 2011
3rd Dec Advent Party
12th Dec @ 2pm
Carol Service at Oak tree Court
16th Dec @ 2.30pm
Carol Service at Stratford Court
17th Dec @11am
Carol Singing outside Co-Op
18th Dec Nativity and Christingle Service and Carol Service
24th Dec @ 11pm (Service starts at 11.30pm
United Service at URC Etwall Rd
25th Dec @10am
Christmas Day Service
From the Moderator
Dear friends,
Recently, a friend introduced me to something new; the music of Jan Gabarek. I knew nothing about him (one of my vast areas of Coleman ignorance). But the person who introduced me explained why, and that made all the difference.
Jan Gabarek is a jazz saxophonist who has turned his back on some aspects of the jazz music scene. He has explored medieval music, notably with the Hillard Ensemble. On his album Officium, we hear the traditional monastic music, "Spare me, Lord." but suddenly, swooping above this comes a saxophone solo, challenging and enhancing the original. my friend said that what it did for him was provide the picture of Christians going around their usual business, when suddenly God appears in a way that they do not expect. It was, my friend said, a symbol of Pentecost when the Spirit of God came rushing in and transformed people.
Interestingly, the old music was still there, but heard in a new way.
Maybe that's the positive picture the church of God can offer to the world. we're not in the business of getting rid of what matters, but setting it iun a new context, perhaps making it better, more valued, more enjoyable.
Perhaps it's a picture of a local church during any time of change. We do not lose things of real worth, but we see them in new ways.
Perhaps it's a picture of us, faithfully continuing our Christian pilgrimage, but ready to be obedient to the bidding of our Lord. "Sing a new song to the lord" the Psalmist wrote. Shall we join in?
Sior