The First Communion of Christmas takes place, on Christmas Eve, in St Michael’s Church, starting at 9pm. The seating at this service will be ‘socially distanced’. Again, we seek your support in asking that you keep your masks in place when singing carols during this service.
The following day, Christmas Day, there is a service of Holy Communion at Hamerton Church, starting at 9.30am Finally, a very happy Christmas to everyone.
Our thanks to those people who decorated St Michael’s Church. This was very much a case of people ‘doing their own thing’ and results were stunning. Thank you so much.
Sadly, it has been decided to CANCEL the Family Carol Service in St Michael’s Church, scheduled for this Saturday 18th December.
The decision was not taken lightly, but inevitable in the light of rapidly increasing COVID infections. We hope you understand the difficulty in making that decision but being safe came out as the top priority for our community.
Our Harvest Festival service last Sunday was the first at which the congregation could sing, albeit still wearing masks, for nearly eighteen months. The church was beautifully decorated, and thanks to all who did the decoration. The service was made up of hymns and readings, and taken by Revd Fiona Brampton. The readers were Mary Read, Sue Shepherd, Sylvia Hogg and John De Val. The only thing missing was the sound of the church bells. Hopefully they will be heard again in the not too distant future.
Garden Party at Crown Cottage
After the service, there was an opportunity for the village to come together at a Garden Party at Crown Cottage, organized by the Parochial Church Council. A special thanks to Sue and David for providing such a splendid setting. Proceeds after expenses will be given to The Green Backyard, a community allotment project in Peterborough. We were delighted to welcome a couple of members of the charity, who shared their ambitions for the future with us.
Thank you to everyone who came along and supported this delightful event – even the sun shone on us!
Services at St Michael’s Church
Now a sense of normality is returning to everyday life, this is reflected in services at St Michael’s Church. As many of you will know, we have taken the opportunity to re-assess the pattern of services, and these come into full effect in September.
Tuesday 7th September at 8.30am Morning Prayer
Tuesday 14th September at 8.30am Morning Prayer
Sunday 19th September at 4pm Evensong
Tuesday 21st September at 8.30am Holy Communion
Tuesday 28th September at 8.30am Morning Prayer
In September, we are re-introducing the monthly weekday service of Holy Communion, which takes place on the 3rd(third) Tuesday of every month. Please note that effective from this month, all Tuesday services will start at the slightly later time of 8.30am
Come and join our Gidding Community to enjoy a buffet lunch and drinks.
All are welcome at Crown Cottage Gt Gidding on 5th September at 12.45 pm. There will be market stalls selling locally grown plants, produce and homemade cakes.
Donations welcome
We really need your help. Donations of plants, produce or cakes will all be gratefully received.
We will use the proceeds to enable us to put on a really special lunch. Any surplus funds will be donated to The Green Backyard, a community allotment project in Peterborough.
Harvest Service For those who wish to attend, there will be a Harvest Festival service at St Michael’s Church at 11.30am. You are warmly invited by the PCC of St Michael’s Church: Fiona, John, Michael, Mary and Sue.
As restrictions ease, we are delighted to be able to re-instate our Tuesday weekday service of Morning Prayer. This is an informal service, lasting around 25 minutes, taken by our churchwarden John De Val. The first service is on Tuesday 8th June at 8am in St Michael’s Church, and everyone is very welcome. If you would like any more information, please contact John (293417).
Christmas this year will be unlike any previous Christmas. This also applies to Christmas celebrations in both our churches in the Giddings.
St Michael’s Church, Great Gidding
The Parochial Church Council explored the viability of a short Carol Service at St Michael’s, accepting the congregation would not be able to sing etc. We even found four people from outside the village to sing, socially distanced in the chancel. However, with the new COVID rules and Tier regulations, it was felt there were too many associated problems to ensure compliance with COVID rules, and keeping everyone (congregation and singers) safe.
There will be a Benefice Carol Service ‘online’ at 7pm on Christmas Eve. To join online please click on the benefice website: www.norleigh.org.uk
There will be no Midnight Communion on Christmas Eve this year. However there will be a short service of Holy Communion (no longer than thirty minutes) on Christmas Eve, to which you are all invited to celebrate the birth of Jesus. This service will start at the earlier time of 6.00pm.
If you wish to come to this service, can you please help us by informing John De Val of your intention to attend – this will be much appreciated.
You may either telephone him on 01832/293417 or email him
COVID requirements of masks, sanitizations, self distancing etc. will be followed.
Finally, the church will be CLOSED on Thursday morning (24th December) in order to meet the necessary safety regulations for our Christmas Eve service later in the day.
St John’s Church, Little Gidding
There will be no Carol Service at Little Gidding this year.
However it is planned to hold a service of Holy Communion on Sunday 27th December at 11am. However this is subject to completion of restoration work, and the appropriate Risk Assessment being carried out. Please check with the Gidding website nearer the time. Alternatively you can contact the churchwarden, John De Val (tel: 01832/293417).
