Launton Lines Issue 267 January 2023

The Community Choir Christmas Concert held on 10 December in St Mary's Church, raised £720 which was handed to the church for its funds

The sopranos of the Choir and some members of the audience, taken from the Organ Loft

Robert Cornford

Members of the audience listen to a reading from Nikki Fine.

Robert Cornford

Most of the bass line of the Community Choir

Robert Cornford

Advent News from StMary’s

December has seen a great deal of activity in the Church since, in addition to our normal Services, we have enjoyed several extra events in the lead up to Christmas.

Early in the month we invited families to come to a Christingle Service which was held for the benefit of The Children’s Society. When the children had assembled their symbolic oranges, everyone joined together in a large circle while the candles were lit and we sang Away in a Manger.

Christingle service taken from the organ loft

Ben Smith

A week later the public-spirited Community Choir treated us all to a lively Christmas Concert:the Church was suitably decorated and in the interval mulled wine and mince pies were served.Our huge thanks go to all the volunteers who worked so hard to make such a success of the evening and who donated all the proceeds to St Mary's - see the first three photos of this story for the Community Choir at work.

The following week we anticipated Christmas with a Service of Lessons and Carols with a diverse choice of readings and music which was greatly enjoyed.

Christmas Eve saw our traditional Crib Service which welcomed many families. The Service told the Christmas story through a series of news reports with the children helping to assemble the Nativity scene, leaving the Three Wise Men to arrive at Epiphany in early January.

The Crib Service on Christmas Eve

The Three Wise Men wait to join the Nativity story at Epiphany

The Church was beautifully decorated with the first flowers in anticipation of Christmas.

Flowers on the font for Christmas

The month was closed with Communion services at Midnight on Christmas Eve and again on Christmas Morning.

As we prepare for the start of the New Year, we would like to wish everyone a wonderful 2023 from all at St Mary’s.

Celia Manderson

The winter light show in the roads of Launton caught the attention of many.

Matt Hill created a collage on the centre spread of the January issue from 26 photos he had taken: can you identify the location of them all?

Page 22 of the January issue

All photos by Matt Hill

Page 23 of the January issue

All photos by Matt Hill

Then a collection of photos from different sites round the village.

The postbox topper on Station Road dusted with snow: the penguins seem very much at home.

Ella Rayner

Santa and Max, Pally the pony and a minder, and Chanel the Elf at the Craft Fair in the grounds of The Launton Arms.

Jen Walker