‘For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.’

(Isaiah 9:6)

Christmas is a time of giving. Most people exchange gifts, piling up presents under the Christmas Tree, putting them in stockings by children’s beds or engaging in secret Santa with colleagues at work or as groups of friends.

There is nothing, particularly Christian about doing this at this time of year, the Romans used to do it as part of their December festival of Saturnalia. What Christianity brings, however, is the idea that by giving to one another we echo, the great theme of Christmas, God’s gift: “to us a son is given.”

But to whom is God’s gift given? People often say to me, ‘I’m not religious.’ Such a statement is designed to deflect any attempt to draw them into the faith or church, but it also assumes that Christianity is only for certain types of people, that God’s gift is only for those who fit into a particular category.

This is far from the truth. The Christmas story emphasises that God’s gift is for everyone. Mary and Joseph, a young couple are the first to be told about the coming miraculous birth. When Jesus is born, they take him to the temple and two older people, Anna and Simeon, celebrate his arrival. God’s gift is for the young and old. It is also for the poor. We see this when the angels proclaim the message to poor shepherds, doing arduous shift work on a hillside. Finally, it is for the rich and people from all nations. The wealthy Magi, foreigners to the Jews demonstrate this as they make a supreme effort to celebrate God’s gift.

The Christmas message is about God’s gift to us – to all of us. The only question is will we unwrap the present or leave it sitting there until next year?

Paul Worledge

Christmas Break

Daily Prayer – the last one will be on Saturday 21^st and they will restart on Saturday 5^th.

Coffee Morning –   restarts on Tuesday January 7^th.

Community Meal – restarts on Tuesday January 14^th .

Beth Keenan

As many of you know Beth has been off ill for the last week. There is some really good news behind this. She and Tom are expecting another child in the summer of 2025! However, the bad news is that Beth is suffering from Hyperemesis Gravidarium, which is an extreme form of morning sickness, a medical condition needing hospital treatment and medication. As a result, Beth has been signed off work for the coming weeks. Do uphold Beth, Tom and Toby in your prayers over this difficult period.

NEW YEAR’S EVE LANTERN PARADE

Grand Finale to the Ramsgate Lumiere sets off from St George’s

On New Year’s Eve in the afternoon, Tuesday 31st December, St George’s will be the gathering place for the grand finale of the new Ramsgate Lumiere. The parade organised by GB Carnival will set off from the church at around 4.30/4.45pm and head down the High Street, through the harbour and onto the Ramsgate Main Sands beach. St George’s Regeneration Officer Jemima Brown is looking for volunteers to pull the St George’s lantern.

The 4 people needed to walk with the lantern should be strong enough to work together hold the weight of it, in pulling it uphill and stopping it from sliding downhill. Helpers would need to arrive at the church at 4pm

Is this something you can help with please? If you are interested in helping out and being part of the St George’s team in the parade please contact Jemima directly on 07971 782 477.

The parade is meeting at the church from 4pm and moves off at 4.45pm. The event will go on for just under 3 hours so we should be all finished by 7pm.
You can also get involved in making lanterns at the final workshops being held on the following dates:-
Saturday 28th December, 2 – 5pm, St George’s Hall
Sunday 29th December, 2 – 5pm, St George’s Hall
Monday 30th December, 2 – 4.30pm, St George’s Church

 

Church Finances Update and Appeal

As we come to the end of the year, we have been looking more closely at our church finances. The bad news is that at present we are heading for a significant deficit in 2024 of around £14,500. Stripping out the hall running costs and Project 200, it costs nearly £30,000 a year to run St. George’s. Much of that, around £18,500 is covered by the generosity of people’s giving through planned giving, donations, money in the collection plate and the gift aid we can claim on these donations. We will write to people asking them to consider their planned giving to the church in the New Year, but it would be really good if we can significantly reduce this year’s deficit.

Could you consider giving a one off gift to the church before the end of the year to help us reduce the deficit? We know many people are struggling financially, but if you have the means to give generously to the work of the church this year, it would be a great help. You can give by putting a cheque in an envelope in the collection or online using this link: stgeorgechurchramsgate.uk/donate/

Christmas Baroque Concert

Thank you to all who helped put this on. It was a fantastic event, with around 80 people attending. It raised over £350 in profit for the church.

Vision 2030 – Please respond by the end of the year

If you weren’t able to come on Monday night and missed the livestream, you can still watch it here. You can find the Vision 2030 document here. We are asking people to give us feedback on the vision using this simple and short online form by the end of the year. Then we will review the Vision and agree how to move forward at our PCC meetings in January.

Links to Share:

Some deeper reflections on aspects of the Christmas message:

Magi: Where did the wise men come from?

You’ve probably heard they weren’t really kings, but the wise men or magi had some impressive royal connections. Far from being one-off royal visitors to the infant Jesus, the magi had a long history of involvement with monarchy, crossing paths with illustrious kings including Cyrus the Great of Persia, Alexander the Great and the Roman Emperor Nero. Read more…

Share some food: the anti-dote to despair

Reflecting on an appeal for toys over Christmas, this writer reflects on joy and how to find it. Read more…

Finally, let’s pray that we can celebrate God’s gift this Christmas and share it with all.

Yours in Christ

Paul Worledge

(Priest in Charge, St. George’s Ramsgate)

 Weekly Calendar

Sunday 22^nd December – Fourth Sunday in Advent

Eucharist (St George’s, 9:30am) – Reading: Luke 1:26-38

Monday 23rd   

Carol Singing at Ramsgate Care Centre, 2:30pm

Tuesday 24^th             

Traditional Carol Service (St. Luke’s Church), 6:30-7:30pm

Midnight Service (St. George’s Church), 11:30pm-12:30am

Wednesday 25th          

Christmas Day Communion (St. Luke’s Church), Luke 2:1-20, 11:00am-12:00pm

Sunday 29^th – First Sunday of Christmas

Eucharist (St George’s, 9:30am) – Reading: Luke 2:41-52

Saturday 4^th January

Prayer Meeting (St. George’s Church) – 9:30-10:00am

Sunday 5^th – Second Sunday of Christmas

Eucharist (St George’s, 9:30am) – Reading: Mt. 2:1-12 & Eph 3:1-12

Online Forms

Under the ‘Contact’ tab on the website, there are now three forms that you can use to help us in managing the church:

• Events Application Form. Use this if you are organising a church event that needs a church room booked, advertising or ticketing.
• Submit a Notice. Use this if you want to ask us to include a prayer request or other notice in the church notice sheet or email.
• Maintenance Reporting Form.Use this to report any non-urgent issues with our buildings or grounds.

St. George’s Website

• What’s On – a page which lets you know what is happening this week and gives information about upcoming events.
• Notices – You can read the latest notices on this page.
• Sermons – Read a transcript of a recent sermon or watch the YouTube version recorded at St. Luke’s. There are now videos for all the sermons over the summer.

Safeguarding Training

If you volunteer in anyway at church the national authorities are strongly encouraging you to take at least the Basic Module in safeguarding training once every three years.

If you have not completed the training in the last three years, then the module can be completed online and takes about ninety minutes. You can access the training by following this link. You will need to first register, to access the training. Once the training is completed, you will be sent a certificate. Please forward that certificate to James (office@stlukesramsgate.org), so that we can keep records of who has done the training.

‘May the King live for ever! My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions.’

(Daniel 6:21-22)

The story of Daniel in the Lion’s Den is a powerful narrative filled with terrifying beasts, trickery, spying, manipulation, disobedience, and the intervention of an angel sent by God to save Daniel’s life. You may notice that the events in chapter 6, where Jewish exiles face the threat of death but are miraculously saved, are similar to those in chapter 3 involving Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. In that chapter, they refuse to worship a statue and are saved from a fiery furnace. The differences, however, are the people involved, what the exiles are asked to compromise on and how the Kings respond to the Miracle.

In the Chapter, God is sovereign, and Daniel is loyal. Daniel’s boldness is evident as he continues to pray to God despite a royal decree against it. This act of defiance illustrates his determination to disobey unjust laws that conflict with God’s commandments, even when the cost of his disobedience is to be thrown into a den of lions. Daniel is gracious and joyful even in the face of threats, and he responds to the King kindly. God’s sovereignty is evident as He protects Daniel from the lions, demonstrating His power over earthly authorities and fierce, wild animals.

Daniel’s unwavering integrity in worshipping the God he knows to be true is a profound example for us, showcasing the importance of standing firm in one’s convictions while remaining kind and respectful to all.

Beth Keenan

Church Finances Update and Appeal

As we come to the end of the year, we have been looking more closely at our church finances. The bad news is that at present we are heading for a significant deficit in 2024 of around £14,500. Stripping out the hall running costs and Project 200, it costs nearly £30,000 a year to run St. George’s. Much of that, around £18,500 is covered by the generosity of people’s giving through planned giving, donations, money in the collection plate and the gift aid we can claim on these donations. We will write to people asking them to consider their planned giving to the church in the New Year, but it would be really good if we can significantly reduce this year’s deficit.

Could you consider giving a one off gift to the church before the end of the year to help us reduce the deficit? We know many people are struggling financially, but if you have the means to give generously to the work of the church this year, it would be a great help. You can give by putting a cheque in an envelope in the collection or online using this link: stgeorgechurchramsgate.uk/donate/

Carol Singing in Town Centre, Saturday 14^th December, 12pm

Churches Together in Ramsgate are going to gather in the town centre (outside Timpsons) for carol singing, Bible reading and handing out candy and fliers promoting Christmas services. If you can join us, please just turn up!

Service of Remembrance, Saturday, St. Luke’s 6:30pm

This Saturday, 6:30pm at St. Luke’s. A chance to come and remember and give thanks for the lives of loved ones who, who we will be missing this Christmas. Find out more…

Christmas Tree Festival

The Christmas Tree Festival is now open! From 2-5pm every day this week up until Sunday 22^nd. Do encourage friends, family and neighbours to pop in for a visit.

Ramsgate Lumiere at the Sailors’ Church, 12^th-15^th December

Part of Ramsgate Lumiere, a special feature in the Sailors’ Church will be Kinetech Design’s SUPERNOVA sculpture, commissioned for Clerkenwell Design Week, draws inspiration from the Elizabethan ruff. Its folded facets echo the pleated garment, created using Kiriorigami, a Japanese technique combining folds and cuts.

Sailors’ Church carols are at 3pm and repeated at 5pm on Friday 20^th December.

Advent Doors, St. George’s, Monday 16^th, 3-6pm

On Monday 16th December St George’s will participate in the annual Ramsgate Living Advent Calendar, Advent Doors. Please join us from 3pm until 6pm for soup, hot drinks, mince pies and music. The Christmas Tree Festival will be open so the church will be looking extra wonderful!

Christmas Baroque Concert, St. George’s, Monday 16^th December, 7:30pm

Tickets available online or from Paul in church. Do join us for lovely Baroque music in the setting of St. George’s Christmas tree festival.

Vision 2030 – Please respond by the end of the year

If you weren’t able to come on Monday night and missed the livestream, you can still watch it here. You can find the Vision 2030 document here. We are asking people to give us feedback on the vision using this simple and short online form by the end of the year. Then we will review the Vision and agree how to move forward at our PCC meetings in January.

Links to Share:

This week two contrasting on screen offerings…

Conclave the movie

An ecclesiastical election, conducted behind closed doors, by a group of old men hardly seems a subject for a riveting thriller. Yet, back in 2016, Berkshire-based novelist Robert Harris thought otherwise. Conclave became an international best-seller. Now it’s been turned into a movie. Read more…

Cheeky Pandas Christmas Resources

Looking for exciting resources to help children engage with the Christmas story? This series from the Cheeky Pandas includes four videos, each looking at Christmas from a different perspective.

Resources to help you plan children’s group sessions around the videos can also be found in the ‘Downloads and Resources‘ section of the site.

Finally, let’s pray that we can live daring lives for Christ.

Yours in Christ

Paul Worledge

(Priest in Charge, St. George’s Ramsgate)

Weekly Calendar

Sunday 15^th – Third Sunday in Advent

Eucharist (St George’s, 9:30am) – Reading: Daniel 6:1-23

Monday 16th               

Prayer Meeting (St. Luke’s Church) – 9:30-10:00am

Craft Group (St. George’s Hall, Soup Kitchen) – 2:00-3:30pm

Baroque Concert (St. George’s Church) – 7:30-9:30pm

Tuesday 17^th             

Prayer Meeting (St. George’s Church) – 9:30-10:00am

Coffee Morning (St. George’s Hall) – 11:00am-12:00pm

Community Meal (St. George’s Hall) – 5:30-7:00pm

Wednesday 18th          

Community Soup (St. George’s Church) – 12:00-2:00pm

Saturday 21^st           

Prayer Meeting (St. George’s Church) – 9:30-10:00am

Community Soup (St. George’s Church) – 12:00-2:00pm

Service of Remembrance (St. Luke’s Church), 6:30am-7:30pm

Sunday 22^nd – Fourth Sunday in Advent

Eucharist (St George’s, 9:30am) – Reading: Luke 1:26-38

Online Forms

Under the ‘Contact’ tab on the website, there are now three forms that you can use to help us in managing the church:

• Events Application Form. Use this if you are organising a church event that needs a church room booked, advertising or ticketing.
• Submit a Notice. Use this if you want to ask us to include a prayer request or other notice in the church notice sheet or email.
• Maintenance Reporting Form.Use this to report any non-urgent issues with our buildings or grounds.

St. George’s Website

• What’s On – a page which lets you know what is happening this week and gives information about upcoming events.
• Notices – You can read the latest notices on this page.
• Sermons – Read a transcript of a recent sermon or watch the YouTube version recorded at St. Luke’s. There are now videos for all the sermons over the summer.

Safeguarding Training

If you volunteer in anyway at church the national authorities are strongly encouraging you to take at least the Basic Module in safeguarding training once every three years.

If you have not completed the training in the last three years, then the module can be completed online and takes about ninety minutes. You can access the training by following this link. You will need to first register, to access the training. Once the training is completed, you will be sent a certificate. Please forward that certificate to James (office@stlukesramsgate.org), so that we can keep records of who has done the training.