Exminster Methodist Church, Main Road, Exminster EX6 8BT
Email exminstermethodists@yahoo.co.uk, Minister: Rev Ben Haslam, Telephone (01392) 256716
‘News’
Exminster 10th Christmas Tree Festival
I
t
is difficult to remember a Christmas Tree Festival quite like it!
Illness struck just as the festival was starting and so many of our
helpers were unable to be there when they most wanted to come and be
a part of the weekend. However, in spite of illness, great support
was received from our congregation and many friends in the village
and area making the 10th
Festival a big success.
I
t
was lovely to see so many people of all ages coming throughout the
weekend to view the trees, some of them more than once. On the
Monday it was the turn of pupils and staff from Exminster Community
Primary School coming in yearly groups throughout the day and it was
also a delight to welcome the children and staff from the Pre-School.
T
his
year there were 1,500 knitted angels to give away during the
festival. They carried the message ‘Christmas
Blessings’.
All the Primary and Pre-School children were given an angel each.
We are very grateful to the team of knitters who through the year
gradually knitted such a magnificent number of angels.
T
his
time there were an amazing 49 lovely trees on display, all different
and clearly demonstrating a great deal of talent and inventiveness.
The large tree on which gifts were hung was a gift from Dartmoor
Christmas Trees who kindly give a number of trees to charity raising
events.
The total raised over the weekend was £1,216 to be divided equally between Action for Children and CHICKS charity. This now brings the total raised for children’s charities since the Festival began to over £10,700. Thank you everyone.
The first Exminster Messy Church was well attended by young and older people in the village who came to have fun and be creative through art and crafts and to discover more about Christmas. Following this we went into the church and sang an action song ‘My God is great big God’ and listened to Rev Ben talking to us about Christmas. We finished with a very enjoyable shared meal in the hall.
We will begin the spring term by focussing on creation and to remind us God is the creator of everything, including our own creativity. We will also look at how we can look after this world.
We say a big thank you to all those who have and are helping with the setting up and running this new project, including friends from St Martin’s and from Wonford Messy Church.
M
essy
Church logo © The Bible Reading Fellowship 2018
Moving day Coffee and Conversation welcomes anyone to drop in for a free tea/coffee and chat. With effect from this January it is moving from Monday to Friday. This will allow our minister Rev Ben Haslam to come along when he can. The first Friday session is on 4th January from 10.30 am till 12 noon.
Christmas cards We are once again most grateful to those who kindly delivered the ecumenical Christmas cards to the whole village in December.
St Petrock’s Thank you for the gift of clothes and other items which have been placed under the large Christmas Tree. In early January they are due to be sent to the St Petrock’s Centre in Exeter.