If you live in Caldecote or Highfields, the December issue of the Caldecote Journal will be dropping through your letterbox shortly, and includes this note from our new vicar, Revd David Newton.

David starts in his new post as lead vicar in Caldecote, Comberton and Toft this coming Tuesday (5th December) – do come along to welcome him at 5pm at Caldecote Church. It’s the first part of a 3-part celebration including his licensing service at St Mary’s Comberton.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity here to say ‘hello’ before arriving. My family and I are very excited about becoming part of the village community at the start of December. I look forward to getting to know many of you in the months and years to come.

I write this from Ely, where we have been living for the last two years, and where I have completed my curacy – the initial clergy job. I came here with my wife, Sally, having married the previous year. Sally and I met as secondary school teachers down in Reigate, Surrey. Whilst here, she has been working as the Director of Education at the Cathedral.

Since being in Ely our family has expanded a little. Soon after moving in we were very blessed to be given a three-year-old black Labrador named Oreo. So, if you hear someone shouting loudly in seeming desperation for a biscuit, as Oreo (the dog) gets whiff of someone else’s ball, you’ll know why.

Last September (2016) our little boy Toby was born, who has been an exhausting delight. And we are expecting a little girl this coming February!

It is a huge joy to arrive as Christmas approaches. From my point of view it gives me an opportunity to meet many of you at Christmas services and village events.

More than that though, it is so often a time of community spiritedness. Amidst the dark and the cold, Christmas lights go up and fires are lit, carol singers brave the elements, and mulled wine warms hearts. The season is so often marked by a generosity and a ‘togetherness’, both of which echo the great truth of Christmas: that God, in his generosity, came to be with us, to bring light in the midst of our darkness.

I wish you all a very (early) happy Christmas.

Revd David Newton