Tag Archives: christmas

Posted on by
Reply

We gathered last night on the longest night of the year, on our Winter Solstice, for our Christmas Divine Service in Chawton. It was a beautiful service of readings, prayers, the singing of carols, and the lighting of the Advent candle for LOVE by Malcolm. We also had special readings, which were beautiful.

We thanked many people last night for their service and help throughout this year. Sue and Carole both received bouquets for their wonderful hospitality and baking. They have taken things to a whole other level. This was so well deserved. We have been spoilt!

We thank Graeme, who sets up the chairs and generally helps with the setup for our gatherings and also takes our offerings. Of course, Julie and Lisa both run our music. Thank you so much. We thank Nerina, who does so much behind the scenes with membership and many other things. We also thank Alison for booking our mediums and managing our social media. We thank Chris Elliot for working as our Treasurer, and both Steve Lidett Williams and Nerina Dannat for their roles of Vice Presidents.

We thank the chair rotation team also, as they lead proceedings and help keep us in line. We thank our wonderful healers, who were on hand again last night to help. Thank you to our committee members, who are all actively involved in the smooth-running of this church. We cannot forget to say a huge thank you to our visiting mediums. Their dedication to working with spirit helps so many. We are so glad to welcome them to our little church, and we thank our President, Rob Harvey, who runs and oversees our church and the events connected. Rob also runs two clairvoyant/healing circles in addition.

We are a family, a Spiritual family, imperfect but passionate about our community and the community beyond.

​

Prayer of the week.

Please pray with gratitude for those with lighter bodies, the angels, the helpers, and the healers. They understand our plight. They are our champions. We understand they work tirelessly to help us along our path, while not interfering with our gift of freewill. May they be blessed for all that they do.

​

This Christmas will see many with their families, but some alone. Some with the sting of fresh loss, some further along that path. Some with illness, worry, and loneliness. Many in this world are suffering right now. Many other kinds in this world also suffer along with us. This experience is not always for the faint-hearted, yet we have a gift, a boy child who brings us goodness, light, understanding, and healing. May we focus on the very real reason for this season of joy. So, among the tinsel and mince pies, pause and remember your loved ones are closer than you think, and all is well, so allow your heart to be filled with Love from Above. We are on a journey together. Alton Christian Spiritualist Church wishes you a Happy and blessed Christmas of Joy and Love, and a Peaceful and very Hopeful and Happy New Year

We will reconvene on Wednesday, 7th January, on Zoom, and in Chawton on the 11th January.

Watch our calendar.

Posted on by
Reply

Reindeer have become synonymous with Christmas time. They are a very unique deer, native to parts of Europe, Scotland, Asia, and North America. The males and females grow antlers, unlike any other deer. The males lose them in autumn during the mating season, but the females keep them to protect their young. Their antlers are huge and so account for their particularly majestic look. Their eyes are not bad either, allowing them to see ultraviolet light and spot predators more easily. Their special noses can allow them to warm that cold air.

Folklore has them travelling, pulling Santa’s sleigh throughout the skies of the world, but they can actually travel very long distances. In North America, they are known by a different name. Caribou. Whatever the name, we enjoy them as a beautiful feature on our cards and calendars during the Christmas and winter season.

What a night Sunday!! It was our Carols and Panto gathering, and probably the wackiest service of the year. We sang our favourite carols, heard some lovely, humorous readings, and then it was time for the much-anticipated pantomime. This year, it was Alice in Wonderland. Steve Lidgett Williams played an Alice Cooper kind of Alice, while Rob Harvey was The Evil Queen donning Freddy Mercury regalia. As if that wasn’t enough, we had Sarah Dorgan as The White Rabbit and the Mad Mad Hatter, Alison Keogh as the Mad March Hare, Graham Searle as a Dozy Dormouse, as well as a playing card. Chris Elliot was our Cheshire Cat, and also a playing card, and Virginia Gordon was a caterpillar and a playing card, also. Chris Shore narrated the buffoonery. We also had Santa and the Elves coming by. Thanks to Julie, Nerina, and Sue.

We thank our readers and prayer people, Ailette lit our Shepherd’s candle for JOY, and Lisa ran our music. Carol and Sue brought us some delightful Christmas baked goods with mulled wine to wash them down with. It was a very festive night enjoyed by all. Thank you Everyone for all the work and effort!!

PRAYER OF THE WEEK

Please pray for Peace around the world.

Calendar up later!!

Have a beautiful week, everyone, and slow down.

Posted on by
Reply

Sorting out my Christmas decorations, I came across a faux sprig of mistletoe. Associated with Christmastime, this parasitic but evergreen plant that grows on some deciduous host trees has a rich tradition of folklore and myth, where it was often thought to represent Peace and Love, whether among the Romans, the Druids, or the Norse ancient culture.

The name Mistletoe actually derives from the Anglo-Saxon phrase ‘ Dung on a Twig.’ Delightful. This is no doubt the way in which the seeds are spread by birds eating those juicy, waxy, white berries. In this era, she is mainly known for the tradition of kissing beneath her boughs. This tradition was started in the Victorian age, when every time a couple kissed beneath her, a white berry was plucked, but when the berries were gone, they were gone, and you were definitely out of luck. She is toxic to pets and plants, but she is a blessing to birds, deer, squirrels, and even butterflies in the depths of winter.

Spencer Rose was in the house Sunday night, and we had an amazing evening as we celebrated the start of Advent. We were joined by some from Basingstoke Spiritualist Church, and the cross-pollination felt wonderful.

Spencer’s address was so inspiring, and the energy was off the charts. He went on to bring simply wonderful messages to some. Thank you, Spencer, for your laughter and spirit. What a lovely evening! We thank Chris Elliot for chairing our evening brilliantly, as well as those who gave beautiful readings and prayers.

Ken spoke about the Advent candles, and Sue came up and lit our first one for Hope. Thank you, Sue, also for the hospitality. Lisa worked on our music, and our healers stood by after the service. The setup, breakdown, and washing up are always taken care of by our family in record time. Thank you!

Prayer of the week

Please pray for all the victims of the terrible floods in Asia. We think of our own kind, but also the animals and all life affected. May help come and life be restored.

Calendar up next.

Slow down amid the decorations and shopping, and take a moment.

‘Tis the season for a reason.

Have a beautiful week!