Merry Christmas!

Christmas is coming, the geese are getting fat. We're simply having a wonderful Christmas time here in St Leonards church office. So this is Christmas, and what have you done?


Ok, I'm going to stop with the Christmas songs now. But seriously, we are interested in what you're getting up to and want to tell you all about what we've got planned. So here's a little run down of everything that's going on in the next few weeks in the run up to Christmas and beyond...

• Cell groups will be finishing this week with sessions looking at the Christmas story.
  
• Never fear though – there is the cell Christmas social next Thursday, the 19^th December. If you haven't already been told about it, it's from 7 – 9.30pm in the church. We are selling tickets for £5 each, which includes pizza and drinks plus games and loads of fun.
  
• The Pathfinders Christmas specials are on this Friday, the 13^th. Younger Pathfinders runs from 6.30 – 7.45pm (years 7-9) and Older Pathfinders is 8 - 9.30pm (year 9-13). Both are held at St Leonards church hall. Do come along and join in with some Christmassy games and snacks.
  
• There will be a church services happening all over Christmas so take a look at the church website to find out when they're on. You are very welcome to go to any of them, even if you don't attend the church regularly. The church website is: www.stleonardseynsham.org.uk
  
• Cell groups will begin again during the first full week of school term - so the week beginning 6^th January. Take a look at the past blog called “Our Youth Work Week” to see when all our cell groups are on. Please feel free to come along to any that are relevant to you!
  

Even though this time of year is incredibly busy, it's been lovely to look back on the past term and see all the good things that have happened. There have been lots and lots of positives within the youth work :) highlights include:

• The beginning of The Bud. We are so excited to see so many musical talents that we can use for God's glory :)
  
• Beth and Sarah are enjoying the internship! They have loved working with the young people and are really excited for what 2014 holds within the youth work here. Olly has had another term being a fantastic youth worker, as always (He didn't make me write that, I promise!)
  
• The evening church service led by the cell groups on 20^th October was brilliant. There was lots of positive feedback from people in the congregation and there was a real feeling that God was with us all as the service was so excellently led.
  
• Younger Pathfinders began this term as a much smaller group than before the summer holidays, mostly because many of the members had moved into year 10 so were going to Older Pathfinders. However, the group has grown which has been great and they are all absolutely lovely!
  
• Peter S Williams (apologist and philosopher) coming to talk to us on 7^th October. We had chance to fire any questions we liked at him with some interesting answers. Speaking of which, the booklets containing all of the questions and answers from the evening (plus extra that he answered afterwards and emailed to us) are now ready. If you would like a copy, we will have some at the cell Christmas social, or contact one of us and we will get one to you.
  
• We have started getting going with plans for Soul Survivor. It's exciting to think about the actual event, but also great that we can all get involved with the fundraising and preparations beforehand.
  

So this is our final blog post of 2013. There's just time to wish you a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year. We hope you have a safe, blessed time whatever you're up to.