Winchester Diocese Christmas Message 2020

This has been a challenging year for all of us. We were looking forward to our usual meetings and Festival Services which regretfully had to be cancelled. Thank you all for rising to the challenges in your Branches and Parishes giving generously of your time making useful items for Baby Units, Nursing Homes, the Salvation Army Homeless project etc. and supporting your Parishes and Members where needed, and supporting the Mary Sumner House Appeal.

I thank you all for your patience and understanding when things have had to be put on hold!
It is with sadness that I have learned of members who have been ill and some who have died during the year, we remember them all in Prayer and ask for God’s blessing on them and their families.

As we look forward to Christmas and the New Year let us also look forward in anticipation that 2021 will be brighter and we will be able to resume our meetings, services, projects and fund raising.
In 2021 it will be 100 years since Mary Sumner’s death and the Mothers’ Union will be celebrating Mary Sumner’s Legacy. We hope that we will be able to hold special events in our branches and in the Diocese.

The Christmas celebrations around us seem to have taken off earlier than usual as people look for something good in their lives. As Christians, through Advent we look forward to the hope that the Christ child brings to our world. I pray that for you all Christmas will be a special time however you spend the day.

With blessings for a Happy Christmas and a Peaceful New Year.
With love in Christ.
Stella