Newsletter December 2025
Dear Friends,
Every year Christmas gives us a great sense of fresh hope and wonder. Jesus’s birth transformed the world: it changed lives and continues to change us. Jesus was born in the humblest and most unlikely circumstances, in a stable surrounded by animals. Jesus is the living hope that God is with us, through thick and thin. Jesus is the Christmas gift of God’s unconditional love and forgiveness. Jesus is the light of the world, shining through the darkest darkness, and keeping alive that flicker of hope and joy which can never be extinguished. The Christmas story reminds us that even if we are afraid, we too can experience a renewed sense of hope and joy. So let’s celebrate the wonderful news together!
Wishing you and your family a very Happy Christmas and a Happy New Year.
God Bless,
Clare
Revd Clare Coates,
Lead Minister for Hardwick, Dry Drayton and Caldecote with Childerley
clarecoates@lordsbridge.org
07818 618795
Caldecote Church – The little church with a big vision
Sunday 7 December
11am Holy Communion with Revd Clare
Sunday 14 December
3pm a traditional service of Carols and Lessons in the Long Barn at Childerley Hall, with seasonal refreshments after the service. Childerley Gardens will be open from 2pm with the Carol service starting at 3pm. All welcome.
Sunday 21 December
No service in Church – you are most welcome to join us in DRY DRAYTON at 11am for Morning Worship at 11am
HARDWICK Monday 22 December
4pm Christingle service followed by tea in the Cabin. Please book at events1@stmaryshardwick.org.uk with your dietary requirements.
Christmas Eve No service in Church – you are most welcome to join us in:
DRY DRAYTON 3pm Crib service with Revd Clare. Children are warmly invited to come dressed up as their favourite Christmas story character, and we will have a dressing up box available too!
HARDWICK 11pm Midnight Mass with Revd Clare.
Christmas Day
11am Holy Communion with Revd Clare in the Chapel at Childerley Hall
Zoom
Worship at Home – All Lordsbridge Zoom Service
Every Sunday, 11.00am. Join any time from 10.50am.
https://zoom.us/j/82311473640.
On Sundays where there is no service in our church, you are most welcome to join us at any of our services across the Team.
What’s On:
HARDWICK Christmas Tree Festival 13 and 14 December 3-5pm in the church with refreshments available both afternoons; donations gratefully received. There will be a Christmas Concert with carols on Sunday 14 December 5-6pm with the Eversden Brass Band. Proceeds in aid of St Mary’s Fabric fund and Jimmy’s Night Shelter.
Caldecote Women’s Prayer group Thursday mornings in term time at 9am on Zoom Women from Caldecote and surrounding villages are warmly invited to join us online, gathering in spirit to pray, reflect and lift one another up through prayers. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88137270141?pwd=pCvjk7eQrFqYX8GrvRP6JmMZKI9bYK.1
Meeting ID: 881 3727 0141
Passcode: 655934
HARDWICK
Tuesday Toddlers in the Cabin, every Tuesday in term time 10-11:30am
All welcome to join us for free play, craft, story and fun!
DRY DRAYTON
Saturday 6 December at 6pm Christmas Choral concert at St Peter and St Paul’s Dry Drayton by St Catherine’s College Choir. The programme will include choral and organ music from the Renaissance to the 21st Century. Tickets £15 and £5 (students and under 18s) to include wine/juice after the concert. Tickets can be reserved at https://drydraytonxmas.eventbrite.co.uk payment on the door.
Useful contacts
Church Warden, Stephen Coatescaldecotechurchwarden@gmail.com
Revd Claire Robertson, Lead Minister for Coton, Barton, Harlton and Haslingfield: 01223 874194; clairerobertson@lordsbridge.org
Revd Charles Fraser, Lead Minister for Little and Great Eversden: charlesfraser@lordsbridge.org; 01223 264974
Team Administrator:Mrs Emily Griffiths: thelordsbridgeteam@gmail.com
Lordsbridge Team Instagram: @lordsbridge_team
Lordsbridge Team Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/LordsbridgeTeam