Parish Youth kicked off the Christmas celebrations by planning, preparing, cooking and serving a superb 4 course Christmas dinner for 40 members of the congregation. The girls, all aged 10 years and over, worked hard to decorate the hall and to showcase some of their amazing talents, with a selection of entertainment throughout the meal. With tap dancing, singing, piano recitals, jokes and interesting Christmas facts, they kept everyone amused, and left us all extremely thankful for these young people who enhance the lives of all those who meet them. Well done girls! The group raised £200 for church funds, and will meet next on 27th January 3-5pm.
‘Messy Christmas’ Church was indeed a bit of glitter heaven! With approximately 50 families enjoying an afternoon filled with glitter gloop, card making, Christmas magnets, reindeer food parcels, glitter play-doh, and writing letters to Santa! The children had an opportunity to sit in the ‘Christmas Prayer Chair’ and leave a special Christmas thought in Church to share with all who come through the doors this Christmas time.
The children took part in re-telling the Christmas story, with a message that the best gift we receive does not come in fancy wrapping paper or contained in a parcel but is knowing and learning about that tiny baby born for us all. Everyone enjoyed a Christmas Party Tea and look forward to the next messy event which will be in February (details to follow). A HUGE thank you to the marvellous messy team for their hard work and perseverance that is repaid tenfold seeing the delighted children throughout the afternoon.
Another thank you to Aycliffe Town Council who had recently donated £200 to this on-going mission work at St. Clare’s. “SHINE” Church and Community Children’s Choir held their Christmas Nativity Musical ‘Hey Ewe’ over the Christmas weekend – both Saturday and Sunday performances sold out and once again, this young vibrant group lived up to its name! This choir has a growing network of support and is extremely thankful for all those parents who helped over the weekend and during the very hectic month of December – the choir has sang for the Archbishop, opened two coffee mornings, sang at three Carol Services and then staged their production. Thanks must go to Santa who managed to call in and see the children after both performances to wish them a Happy Christmas and bring a small treat! A big commitment from parents, children and the choir team! The choir is able to donate £250 to St. Clare’s Church as a thank you for all its support. The choir will now break for a well-deserved rest, until Monday 14th January when practise begins again at St. Clare’s, 4.30-5.30pm. Any boys and girls aged 5yrs+ are welcome to come along and join us.
Finally, to start the New Year, KIDZFLICKS will be showing Ice Age 4 on Saturday 12th January, 2pm at St. Clare’s Church. Everyone is welcome. A massive thank you must go to all who work with the variety of children’s and young people groups at St. Clare’s – it is a big team effort and if anyone would like to join us you would be made most welcome.
For further information about any of the above groups, please contact Mrs. Helen McCormick on Aycliffe, 319002.
