The Ministers and Elders decided to celebrate this special occasion by arranging a lunch at Alfonso’s Restaurant after morning worship on Sunday January 8th.  33 people attended and enjoyed a splendid meal and fellowship together.

The menu was as follows:

Beef

Lamb

Scampi

All served with roast potaotoes, a variety of seasonal vegetables, Yorkshire pudding, gravy

Banoffee Pie

Trifle

Bread and Butter pudding

Pavlova

Jam Sponge and custard

Coffee

Hazel was thanked for planning and arranging the event and she was presented with an orchid plant.

In the service the Church joyfully celebrated God’s gracious offer to Israel that “I will be their God and they shall be my people”.

Everyone was welcome to share in the Covenant Service whether they were sharing in the Covenant Service for the first time, had done it annually for many years, or simply wanted to watch what others did without taking part themselves.

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POSADA

(This is the Spanish word for “inn”).

THE CONGREGATION WAS ASKED IF THEY COULD OFFER MARY AND JOSEPH A HOME?

Advent is  the season to think back and rejoice about the events which took place over 2000 years ago. We all know the story of how baby Jesus was born in a manger. His parents, had travelled to their home town of Bethlehem but when they got there it was very crowded and there was no room at the inn. They struggled to find shelter for the night and, in the end, they stayed in a stable meant for animals.

This year in Leamington Spa, we  celebrated the journey of Mary and Joseph using a Posada theme. (Posada is the Spanish name for inn). Mary and Joseph travelled around our town, staying in a different home every night during Advent.  On the night they go to the next house,  tea or coffee was offered and a prayer was shared with the previous hosts to welcome Mary and Joseph.

However the host families did not need a spare bedroom or even a stable or shed for their guests – our beautifully knitted figures of Mary and Joseph are only about 7ins tall!

They were happy to rest on a coffee table or bookcase for a night!  However, they did bring with them a flock of sheep, (these are knitted as well!). One of the sheep  stayed with each host family when Mary and Joseph left the following day and then returned to the flock during the Christmas morning service at Radford Road.

We hope that all who hosted Mary and Joseph (and the sheep!)  enjoyed the experience and will learn more of the true meaning of Christmas!

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^{Beresford King-Smith was the Musical Director of the 25-strong choir and Lynne Adams was the accompanist.} 

^{£288.00 was raised for Marie Curie Cancer Care.}

 The Circle Singers

Margaret and George Height provided the music on drums and piano whilst the Revd. Andy Laird led worship with guitar.

The congregation was reminded of the Christmas story using puppets, Power Point pictures and songs which told how the Angel spoke to Mary about the forthcoming birth of her baby.  Puppets of the host of angels were “manned” by “volunteers” and led the shepherd puppets to Bethlehem where Baby Jesus was born.  The puppet kings were then given to the three wise men who followed the star around the church as an improviso for their travels from the East.

This was a most enjoyable fresh approach to the Christmas story and led to the whole congregation making individual christingles.

^{Christingle means Christ Light and is a way of communicating the Christian message in a fun and inspiring way to the regular congregation and to the local community.} 

^{The Christingle is made up of an orange, wrapped in ribbon, with a small lit candle and dried fruits or sweets inserted into the orange flesh and skin. The dried fruit and sweets are secured to the Christingle orange using four cocktail sticks. It is designed to appeal to children and each part of the Christingle is symbolic:}

• The orange represents the world in which we live and reminds us of our responsibility of being good stewards of its resources.
• The red ribbon wrapped around the Christingle orange is a symbol of the blood of Jesus Christ which was shed for our sins. It is also a symbol of forgiveness.
• The dried fruit and sweets represent the four seasons of Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter and the fruits of the earth of young people. (Some say the four points of the compass of North, East, South and West to represent the good things the world provides). We are entrusted to share the fruits of the world with others.
• The lighted candle represents Jesus Christ who is seen as the Light of the World who shows us God’s love.

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Night Shelter Carol Service December 4th at 9.30pm

An informal service of carols and readings was held at the Night Shelter on November 4th 2011.

The Revd. James Church led a short service of carols and readings. A small music group of keyboard, electric guitar and drums led the singing. At the end of the service mince pies and coffee were enjoyed and gifts of knitted gloves, hats and scarves were given to the Night Shelter clients.

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A service was held on Sunday November 13th to commemorate Armistice Day and to remember all members of the Armed Forces who died fighting in conflicts since the First World War.

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The service was led by our United Reformed Church Minister,, The Revd. James Church.  At 11.00am we joined with people throughout the country in observing 111 seconds (or,  in most cases, 2 minutes) silence to remember those who had given their lives in the service of their country.

On Tuesday Nov 1st The Friendship Circle and guests enjoyed an afternoon of music and fun provided by the SPECTRUM CHOIR

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THE OUTREACH SINGERS

Saturday October 29th 2011

This well-known choir performed a concert at Radford Road Church at 7.30pm.

 The concert was well supported and the evening’s proceeds went to C.O.R.D. This is an international organisation working to build lasting peace in partnership with people living and working in conflict, or post-conflict situations.

Radford Road Church’s Mission Project for 2010/11 has already raised £1000 for C.O.R.D. The Outreach Singers Concert raised a further £477 for this very worthwhile cause.The concert was greatly enjoyed by the audience.

Shoe boxes have been covered with Christmas wrapping paper and filled with an assortment of gifts suitable for a child overseas.  We hope that they will brighten the lives of children who have little and let them know that there are those who care. The 25 boxes were dedicated at a service on November 6th 2011 before being sent to the Samaritan’s Purse organisation for shipping to those in need.

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