FROM THE METHODIST MINISTER

Dear Friends,

The Advent season is a time of preparation in a double sense. It is a time when the cards are purchased and sent — when we've decided to whom we are going to send them - the cake is baked, the turkey is ordered, the provisions and presents are debated upon, and then bought, the decorations are decided upon, invitations are issued and accepted. But it is also the time when we prepare ourselves to celebrate and understand the coming of Christ. We begin on Advent Sunday, by remembering the cosmic and eternal significance of His Coming; we go on the following week to give thanks for Holy Scripture, the record of the Incarnation; we recall the forerunner, the one who "prepared the way of the Lord", John the Baptist; we come finally to dwell upon the meaning of the event itself, the mysterious birth of a baby in a stable, the cradle that already has the shadow of a Cross over it.

If we are honest about it - and we must be - then we will have to admit that it is the preparations that I first mentioned which are likely to dominate our thoughts. We are children of a secular age, and we can't avoid being caught up in its concerns. But it is the second kind of preparations that are ultimately more important. I hope and pray we may capture the true meaning of Advent, and by preparing ourselves properly, come nearer to, the true significance of Christmas.

Yours sincerely,

DENIS E. GARDINER.

ROUND THE SOCIETIES

Christian Fellowship

December meeting is "Edinburgh Tape". War-time friend of the Vicar, ex-Signals Officer Robin Finlay, M.B.E., now runs an extensive "Tape Ministry" from Charlotte Baptist Chapel, Edinburgh. The talks are topical and challenging; come and listen and, if you wish, discuss.

Please keep free Saturday, 7th January - the day of our New Year Party. It will be a real family party, with something for all ages, for the inactive as well as the active. Dancing, games and entertainment! Not only will you have an enjoyable evening but you will be making a contribution to the Save the Children Fund. Last year we were able to send £22 and we want to do equally well again. Tickets will be on sale immediately after Christmas. Come and support us!

W.C.M.

Mothers' Union

At the November meeting Mrs. Green welcomed the Rev. Evans, of Bredgar, who gave us an interesting talk, illustrated by slides, on his tour of the Holy Land. The well-known places of the Bible came to life again - the Mount of Olives, Jerusalem (now a city divided between Arabs and Jews) and perhaps the place that seemed the most peaceful, as indeed it may have always been, - the Sea of Galilee, with its simple and yet very impressive little church on the shore.

M.H.