Thieves in the churchyard again!

Thefts from the churchyard. Please be aware if you are leaving Christmas wreaths for your loved ones in St Mary's churchyard that thieves are continuing to help themselves.  The Police have once again been made aware and are checking the area frequently.  We appreciate that this is most distressing and ask that everyone keeps their eyes open for anything suspicious and report it to the Police.

New Year's Day Services

• A short said Holy Communion service will be held on Saturday, 1st January 2011 at 10.00am at St Mary's.
• Sat. 1st Jan 2011, 12noon - Short service for New Year, followed by Bring and Share lunch at Stanford Church.

Sunday, 2nd January
8.00am Holy Communion
9.30am Parish Communion
11.15am Let's Praise
N.B. There will be NO Teatime Sunday.

As usual, all the Christmas Services were well attended in spite of the cold weather and we thank you all for coming.  An enormous amount of work goes into these services and thanks go to everyone involved especially the Rector. We wish everyone a very Happy and Peaceful New Year. 

If you make New Year's Resolutions, why not make one to do something good for someone else each day. It can make all the difference to their lives.

A very happy Christmas wherever you are!



St Mary's Parish Church, East Leake.



St Mary's Church, East Leake wish you all a very happy and blessed Christmas to celebrate the coming of the Saviour of the world.

We especially think of those less fortunate than ourselves and Christians everywhere who may not be able to worship with the same freedoms we have.

Joy to the world, the Saviour comes

Let earth receive her King.

Let every heart prepare Him room

And Heaven and Nature sing.

The last candle on the Advent wreath will be lit on Christmas Eve representing Jesus, the Light of the World.

Please take a little time out to come to one of our Christmas Services to acknowledge and celebrate his coming. 

Harry Carlton School Carol Service Cancelled.

Cancellation! Due to the heavy snow Harry Carlton School has closed, therefore the 1.30pm Carol Service at St Mary's Church will NOT be going ahead today.

What is Christmas? Jesus is the reason for the season!

The pink Advent candle was lit on Sunday. 19th to remember Mary, the young girl who gave birth to Jesus, the Holy Child. It must have been a shock to her, being a virgin to know she was pregnant and to be told that the child would be the special one prophesied in Isaiah - Immanuel (God with us). The important thing is that she gladly accepted it - if that was what God wanted of her, she would obey.

*Carolling at the Three Horseshoes Pub at 6.30pm tonight Tuesday, 21st, raising money for the Friary Drop-In Centre. Please note that this will take place inside the pub, due to the freezing weather! There are many homeless people out in this sub zero cold who desperately need a warm place to go, some hot food and a shower.  Will you help this support this worthy charity?

Please note! St Mary's Coffee Morning will still be held on Friday morning, 24th Dec at 10.00-12.00noon HOWEVER it will be held in St Mary's HALL instead, just this week!
Please be aware that water has been running down the road and created a sheet of ice outside the hall. Salt and grit have been put down but it's difficult to continue to keep clear. The authorities have been notified.

Lots to do before Christmas Eve

If you're getting tired of being indoors and want to DO something why not join us for some of St Mary's Events this weekend and the run-up to Christmas Eve. We have things to occupy the children and opportunities if you're a flower arranger or just want to be involved in the excitement of Advent with us.

Sat. 18th Dec. 10.30am - Come and help DECORATE THE CHRISTMAS TREE AT ST MARYS CHURCH. The church is being decorated with lights this year too.

Sun. 19th Dec. 9.30am - All Stars (Sunday School) Christmas Party in St Mary's Hall.
Services: 8.00am Holy Communion and 9.30am Parish Communion. We'd love to see you.

Mon. 20th Dec. 6.15pm – Carol Singing at Derbyshire House. Please join us to sing carols and share the joys of the festive season with the residents and staff.



Carol Singing in 2009

Tues. 21st Dec. 6.30pm – Carol Singing at The Three Horseshoes  - come well wrapped up!We hope that a large crowd will join us outside the pub. There will be a collection for charity. Afterwards we shall have an opportunity to meet socially for a meal, or just for a drink.

Wed 22nd Dec. 1.30pm - Harry Carlton School Year 7 Carol Service at St. Mary’s, East Leake.

Thursday 23rd December from 9.15am-11.30am - Christmas Flowers.

We will be decorating the church with flowers and candles. Any help you can give would be most welcome.

Uniformed Organisations' Carol Service.

Don't forget!  Tonight is the annual Carol Service for the Scouts and Guides Uniformed Organisations at St Mary's Church at 7.00pm.

Do you have a child who would like to help decorate the Christmas Tree inside St Mary's?  If so, come along this Saturday, 18th Dec at 10.30am. 

Acorns' Sunday School will hold their Christmas Party on Sunday, 19th at 9.30am. 

Advent week three and Christmas Day gets nearer.

Christmas Day is coming closer and while people are busy sending cards and buying gifts, the church calendar is busy too.
Tomorrow is the 3rd week of Advent when the next candle will be lit on our Advent wreath.  Last week we remembered the Prophets and lit the second candle. This week we remember John the Baptist and will light the third one. This Sunday is also Worship Together Sunday and there is always something for the children. You are welcome to bring your pram, pushchair or wheelchair too.

Monday 13th Dec. the Mothers' Union will hold their Advent Service at 2.15pm in St Mary's Church.

Tuesday 14th Dec. at 7.00pm the Uniformed Organisations from the Guide and Scout Associations will hold their Annual Carol Service at St Mary's.

Friday, 17th Dec. the South Notts. Bell Ringing District Assoc. will be holding their meeting at St Mary's at 6.45pm.



St Mary's Christmas Tree 2009

 Don't forget! Saturday 18th Dec. 10.30am the children are invited to come and decorate St Mary's Christmas Tree inside the church.

Turkey and Tinsel Event photos. There are more photos of this fun event held on 25th November on our website.  We wish to thank all of those who attended, and to wish them a very Merry Christmas from all at St Mary's.

Fun for the children

We have special events coming up for children of all ages.  If you'd like to come along, just contact anyone from St Mary's.

Just gone! Sat. 4th Dec. - Christmas Crafts Day.  Children from babies to 10 year olds who came to St Mary's on Saturday with their families enjoyed making a variety of crafts in spite of the icy conditions. The crafts were then used to illustrate the Nativity story afterwards.

Sun. 12th Dec. 9.30am. - Worship Together. This family friendly service is for everyone. Prams, pushchairs and wheelchairs welcome.

Tues. 14th Dec. 7.00pm - Young People's Uniformed Organisations Carol Service at St Mary's, East Leake. All members of the Scout and Guide Association are invited to this special annual service next week.

Sat. 18th Dec. 10.30am - Decorating the Christmas Tree at St Mary's Church. Children, we need your help! You are invited to come and help decorate the tree inside the church.  The big tree outside the church is already up and waiting to be switched on, and the Christmas lights at St Mary's Hall will be on this week.

Sun. 19th Dec. 9.30am in St Mary's Hall - Sunday School Christmas Party. Don't miss this.  Put it in your diary NOW.

For further events please see the list on the right, or see our website: www.east-leake.co.uk/stmarys.html.
If you would like to book a party for a birthday or any other special event, St Mary's Hall is available for private bookings and you can view availability via our on-line calendar (see the link on the right).

Winter weather cancellations

Do you need to cancel your class in the church hall?
During this exceptional cold and snowy spell, if you need to cancel a class, you can contact the Booking Secretary on 820094 or via email on stmarys@eastleake.net.  The information will be placed on this blog and the website for information for those attending.

St Mary's Church Services.
All services will be going ahead as usual, but it may feel colder than normal inside this ancient building in spite of the under floor heating, so wrap up warm. The paths have been cleared of snow for access, see photo taken this morning.

If you would like to comment or contact us through the blog, you can do so by clicking on the link under each posting.

Christmas Crafts Fun afternoon, Sat. 4th 2.00-4.00pm, St Mary's Church.
This will still be going ahead as planned.