Category Archives: Christmas

Coffee and Coping’s Christmas Walk

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Christmas Walk on 22nd December
Meeting 10.15am at The Maltings

Come walk with us! It’ll be about an hour and a half (a gentle 3.5km walk) or there is a shorter route for those that prefer it.

We are raising awareness of our little community building charity, celebrating Christmas, and getting out into the countryside and (importantly) talking.

Feel free to dress up in something Christmassy!

For more information, email admin@coffeeandcoping.org

NOTE: The Charity Christmas Film Night planned for 6th December has sadly been CANCELLED

Christmas Message

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We would like to take this opportunity, before setting the out-of-office, to send a Christmas message…

May the spirit of Christmas bring you PEACE,
The gladness of Christmas give you HOPE,
The warmth of Christmas grant you LOVE.
(Author unknown)

We know that the Christmas period can be a time of heartache and hardship for many, so if you are finding things hard we encourage you to reach out to groups/charities/organisations that can help:
* Mind Infoline (0300 123 3393) is open Monday to Friday, 10am to 6pm. It will be closed on 25 and 26 December 2023, and 1 January 2024.
* Age UK’s helpline (0800 678 1602) is open 8am to 7pm, every day of the year.
* CALM’s helpline (0800 58 58 58) and webchat, offering advice on coping with feeling anxious at Christmas, are open from 5pm to midnight, every day of the year.
* Samaritans (116 123) are open 24/7 for anyone who needs to talk.
* There will always be a warm welcome at The 3 Churches Benefice.

Thank you for all the support over the last year. We look forward to continuing to share local news and information, showcase local talent and support local businesses in 2024.

Happy Christmas!

The Three Villages Team

The 3 Churches Benefice Christmas Tree Festival 2023

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On Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th December, 2–6pm, The 3 Churches Benefice held a Christmas Tree Festival at St Mary’s Church, St Margarets.

St John the Baptist Church, Great Amwell
Woodland Beavers Colony
Hoddesdon Women’s Club
Bobtails Playgroup & Teddy Club
St Andrew’s Primary School
St Mary’s Church, St Margarets
Nativity Scene (close up) by Mary Youngman
Nativity Scene (Mary Youngman, Hertford Baptist Church)
Age UK
1st Stanstead Abbotts Brownies
St Andrew’s Card-Making Group
The 3 Churches Benefice Wednesday Coffee Morning
The Three Villages Magazine
Memory Tree
Craft Stall
View from outside

The church looked beautiful all lit up with the trees that had been provided and decorated by local groups and businesses. Powell Funeral Services donated the tree for St Mary’s and Gini Trower from The Wallen Garden kindly loaned two of her wonderful rooted trees. The amazing nativity scene at the altar, made by Mary Youngman and on loan from Hertford Baptist Church, was much admired by everyone. There were some delicious cakes, biscuits and mince pies; a raffle; a scavenger hunt for the children and some lovely craft items on safe.

Rev’d Sarah told us that the whole event was a brilliant success, with over 130 people going along to get in the festive spirit and over £450 raised. These funds will go towards the upkeep and work of the church.

The 3 Churches Benefice would like to thank everyone who helped: organising beforehand, providing and/or decorating trees, making cakes, volunteering as helpers, donating raffle prizes etc. It was a great team effort and there was some lovely feedback from those who came along.

Rev’d Sarah Forrest, Priest in Charge

The 3 Churches Benefice Christmas Tree Festival

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Christmas Tree Festival
2–6pm on Saturday 9th & Sunday 10th December
St Margarets’ Parish Church

This year, for the first time, The 3 Churches Benefice of Great Amwell, St Margarets and Stanstead Abbots are holding a Christmas Tree Festival at St Margarets’ Parish Church. We are hoping it will be a great success and an opportunity for us all, as a community, to get into the spirit of Christmas!

Entry to the Festival will be free, but seasonal refreshments will be available to buy for those visiting. We will also have a raffle. Please bring along cash (small change where possible). Any proceeds will go towards the work and upkeep of St Mary’s Church, St Margarets.

We look forward to welcoming you!

Rev’d Sarah Forrest, Priest in Charge

christmas-tree-festival-poster-2023Download

The 3 Churches Benefice: Advent & Christmas

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The 3 Churches Benefice has lots of wonderful services/events running over the Advent & Christmas period. Everyone is welcome to come along, follow the star and join the song!

Check out the poster for all the dates…

To download the PDF, click below…

christmas-poster-2023-v-2aDownload

If you have any questions, or would like more information about any of the services listed, please email admin@3churches.net.

The 3 Churches Benefice

A Christmas Carol at St James’ Church

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Where: St James’ Church, Stanstead Abbotts, Hertfordshire
When: Wednesday 29th November at 7pm

On Christmas Eve, Ebenezer Scrooge, a mean-spirited and miserly old man, is visited by the ghost of his business partner, Jacob Marley. Shown visions of Christmases Past, Present and Future he is offered one final chance of redemption… But will he take it?

This Christmas, audiences are invited to celebrate the festive season as critically acclaimed theatre company This Is My Theatre brings Charles Dickens’ classic tale A Christmas Carol to life in a stunning one-act adaptation.

Packed with charm, cheer and, of course, plenty of carols, our production is sure to spread joy and warm hearts this Christmas!

Written by Charles Dickens
Directed & Adapted by Sarah Slator
Music by Simon Stallard

Running time: Approximately 85 minutes

“Full of festive cheer… as faultless as ever!” – Lynn News

“Ramped up the festive feel-good with melodic carols and outstanding performances… Another 5-star presentation from this gifted team!” – Sussex Local Magazine

Tickets are selling fast!

Book your tickets now at…
https://www.thisismytheatre.com/stanstead-abbotts

Merry Christmas!

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The Three Villages Team wishes you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

For those of you who may be struggling during the festive season, we share this poem by Lorna Gibson:

If Christmas is hard,
If you’ve lost someone dear.
Just look in your heart,
And you’ll know they’re still here.

That star in the sky,
The light falling snow.
The robin outside,
It seems like they know.

If this is a time,
When you’re struggling through.
Just do what you can,
For what matters, is you.

There’s no need to be merry,
There’s no need to be bright.
Just do what you can,
It will all be alright.

© Lorna Gibson

Christmas Schools Art Competition

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Just before half term, we asked our local schools if they would like to get into the festive spirit a little early and enter our Christmas Art Competition. St Andrew’s Primary School and St John the Baptist Primary School said yes, so spent time creating some really wonderful artwork, with a selection of the best from across the year groups being entered to our competition.

The creativity shown by the children impressed us so much that we wanted to share the entries with you all…

Alice, Year 4
(St John the Baptist Primary School)
Andrei, Year 2
(St John the Baptist Primary School)
Calon, Year 1
(St John the Baptist Primary School)
Hadassa, Year 5
(St John the Baptist Primary School)
Lila, Year 3
(St John the Baptist Primary School)
Skyla, Year 6
(St John the Baptist Primary School)
Charlie, Year 4
(St Andrew’s Primary School)
Kai, Year 6
(St Andrew’s Primary School)
Hanna, Year 1
(St Andrew’s Primary School)
Emma, Year 5
(St Andrew’s Primary School)
Grace, Year 5
(St Andrew’s Primary School)
Harriet, Year 2
(St Andrew’s Primary School)
Olivia, Year 4
(St Andrew’s Primary School)
Hugo, Year 1
(St Andrew’s Primary School)
Noah, Year 5
(St Andrew’s Primary School)
Antonio, Year 4
(St Andrew’s Primary School)

The winners will be announced in the December Issue of The Three Villages Magazine, which publishes in a week’s time! So, be sure to pick up a copy to see the winning artwork on the outside and inside back cover.

Thanks go to all the children, their teachers/class assistants and the schools for taking the time to create some beautiful Christmas Artwork for us all to enjoy.

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