In the new year, they will be starting their new role and will have essentially left Central Avenue to pursue the research needed in the potential areas where they may end up working. They will be popping in now and again though to keep us informed of how they are getting on.

Monday 21st December - Changes to the CRB chacks again

Due to the huge public outcry, the Government have relented on some of the latest changes to the CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) checks for people working with children and vulnerable adults. They had made it a criminal offence for anyone not having been CRB'd to work with children or vulnerable adults, liable to a £5000 fine.

They have realised this was too harsh and have now changed the rules.

You now only have to be CRB'd if you work with children or vulnerable adults on a regular basis (defined as more than once a month), so, if you volunteer only once in a while you will not have to be CRB'd.

Of course, as a church, we want to ensure best practice, and so, anyone who works with our children regularly will still need to be CRB'd. The difference is, you can now work with children occaisionally whilst your CRB is being processed and be legal.

Sunday 20th December, 6pm, Carols by Candlelight

Our annual 9 lessons and carols went really well on Sunday night. Always a lovely service and very atmospheric with all the candles set up in the church. For amny, this is the real start of the Christmas period.

Wednesday 9th December, Mary Ellis returned to US.

After six months working alongside us and observing how we do churhc in this country, Mary had to return to the USA. She will be resuming her studies at Lincoln Christian University. WE will miss Mary and her cheerful and helpful personality. Thank you for your contributiona nd good luck with the rest of your course!

Saturday 5th December, 6pm, Christmas buffet meal

A fantastic evening, enjoyed by all. A cold buffet this year, but with most of the Christmas favourites as well. Thank you to everyone who helped to prepare and run the event, especially Graham, Elaine and Carol.

Sunday 29th November, 6pm, Sunday Night Alternative, Kids raise £80 for Christian Aid

The kids have been wanting to run a service for ages, and the Sunday Night Alternative gave them the opportunity to do it. With a little help from Graham and Elaine, they put together and ran the whole service which was designed to get us thinking about the uneven distribution of wealth in the world which they highlighted in a game and a brilliant sketch. At the end of the service, they helped to raise £80 for Christian Aid. Well done!

Saturday 28th November, 10am, Christmas Fayre, various stalls, nearly new, tombola, Father Christmas visits. Raised £250 for Christian Aid and church funds.

A brilliant effort by everyone involved. The church looked great, freshly decorated with the Christmas decorations. The  stalls were packed with all sorts of goods, cakes and other eddible products and Santa was able to visit and sit in a purpose built grotto.

The Christmas Fayre is the first of our annual Christmas celebrations and does much to help bring the community into the church building.

Saturday 21st November - Trip to Barnsdale Garden - meet at 9.30 at the church. Great day out. 

Despite the cold weather, Sylvia managed to organise a brilliant trip for several members of the congregation and friends to see the late Geoff Hamilton's garden. After looking around the gardens, the group went on to spend the rest of the day at Oakham and had a great time there as well. Sylvia will be organising some more trips either later in the year, or in the Spring.

Saturday 14th November - Discipleship group - helping hands ministry, helped paint Rose's stairway and cleared rear of church Volunteers from the Discipleship Group spent a Saturday helping to paint Rose's stairway and alos helping to clear the back of the church. A really good initiative to help build community. We will be running further community building events in the new year.