Weekly Newsletter 

Dear Church Family

How are your preparations for Christmas going?  Are they going well and you’re all sorted?  Or haven’t you started yet?  Is yours usually a last-minute panic?  Or is the very thought of it, for various reasons, just a bit too much?

Advent is upon us, with its call to a different sort of preparation, one of preparing our hearts afresh for the simplest, yet most wondrous, act of adoration and worship of the Christ child.  He who was in the beginning, who is at the centre of history, and holds all things together, draws near to us again.

 As we look towards Bethlehem, let’s do it with joyful expectation, and let’s be ready too, with clean hearts and hands to welcome Him.  Let’s give ourselves time to focus on that which really matters, give thanks to God for His love for us in Christ, and for the love we share in our families and church family.

Let’s also remember those for whom Christmas is not the best of times -Christ came for them too.

O come, O come Emmanuel…we wait for you.

Here are a few things you might like to know about:

  • Final reminder!  Our next Women’s Breakfast will be on Saturday, 6th December from 9am to 11am.  Come and join us for fellowship and encouragement, as well as a lovely breakfast, with other women of all ages and walks of life!  The theme will be “The Gift of a Woman’s Presence” – a celebration of the gift women are to one another and to God.  As part of the morning, we invite you to bring along one small everyday toiletry item such as soap, toothpaste, roll-on deodorant or shower gel to donate to Sateda, our local domestic abuse charity.  This is a wonderful way to share gratitude and bless a woman in need.   

  • The celebration of Bill Findlater's life will be held at Holy Trinity at 1pm on Saturday, 6 December.  Bill, with his wife Janet, led Sittingbourne Ichthus Congregation for many years.  You are very welcome to attend to give thanks for his life and ministry.

  • Exciting news!  Our Men’s Walking Group will be starting again in the new year.  Men – come along to Sittingbourne Wetherspoon’s at 8.30am on Saturday, 13 December to discuss where you would like to walk.  Have a chat with Phil on Sunday if you’d like to know more.

  • Love Laughter Lunch Café has now finished for Christmas and will be back at midday on Wednesday, 7 January 26. 

  • HT Stay and Play has also finished for Christmas, apart from their Christmas party, which is a ticketed event (sorry, we’ve sold out).  Stay and Play will be back at 10.00am on Thursday, 15 January 26.

  • Christmas – here are the details of HT’s Christmas 2025 services:

With love and prayers,

Mike and your Staff Team