A Letter from Rev Linda 

Rev Linda J Catlow
Superintendent Methodist Minister,
Stoke on Trent South Circuit
17/12/2020
God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel said, ‘Greetings, you who are highly favoured! The Lord is with you.’  Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favour with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.  He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants for ever; his kingdom will never end…
 ‘I am the Lord’s servant,’ Mary answered. ‘May your word to me be fulfilled.’ Then the angel left her.
Luke 1:26-38
I have enjoyed sharing in the Advent Study, A Strange Christmas. The coming of God’s Son was certainly a strange and life changing time for Mary and Joseph.  When Mary heard she was pregnant with ‘the Son of the most high’ (no pressure!), she probably did not did not feel worthy or adequate to take on the role of being the Lord’s Mum, but God is wise and knows exactly who to call.  It is Mary’s faith that helps her cope with the situation and she places herself fully into God’s hands. 
We find ourselves stepping into a ‘Strange Christmas’ this week and Covid19 has certainly been a life changing situation across the world.  Our restrictions in Tier 3 and the call to ‘stay safe’ means our usual Christmas celebrations are going to be different.  The 5 day window to bubble with three households enables some to be with loved ones they have missed but there is definitely an air of caution.  There are still some family and friends who we will not see.  This all brings a sense of inadequacy as we want to physically reach out to those we love and to those who are lonely at this time.  Let us, like Mary, place ourselves into God’s hands because the Lord is with us.  Let us walk into this week knowing that Jesus Christ was born - He came into this world bringing hope and light.   We still are able to gather online and on the telephone to celebrate Christmas and there is opportunity to invite loved ones to join us for these services. 
DIARY DATES
(All on Zoom or Zoom Phone unless other stated)
Join Zoom Meeting via the following link:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4775422768
OR PHONE IN on: 0203 4815 237, ID No. 4775422768#
Or  0203 4815 240, ID No. 4775422768#
Sunday 20th December 11.30am All Age Circuit Nativity Service
Join us as we journey to Bethlehem.  Come as you are, or find that Shepherd costume from last year; or your Wise Man outfit complete with Gold, Frankincense, or Myrrh.
Sunday 20th December 5.30pm CAROLS ON YOUR DOORSTEP: Premier Radio will be playing Carols for you to sing on your doorstep at 5.30 pm on Sunday 20th December.   This is an initiative from the Newcastle Upon Tyne Methodist Churches and they invite you to ask your neighbours to also join in.  So, pump up the volume!
Sunday 20 December 6.00pm for 6.15pm start Circuit Carol Service
Thursday 24 December 6.00pm Service for Christmas Eve led by Rev Linda Catlow
Friday 25 December 9.45am Christmas Day Service on WhyPay led by Rev Pam Roberts
Please contact the Church Steward at Blythe Bridge for WhyPay details
10.00am Christmas Day Service led by Rev Linda Catlow
10.00am Christmas Day Service on WhyPay led by Rev Jeff Short
Please contact Rev Jeff Short for WhyPay details
10.45am Christmas Day Service on WhyPay led by Rev Pam Roberts
Please contact the Church Steward at Broadway for WhyPay details
We will ensure you are kept up to date with any changes to services and events. 
If anyone has any questions or just needs to talk please contact your Minister or one of the Church or Circuit Leadership Team. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. 
God bless from Linda
On behalf of the CLT (Circuit Leadership Team)
Rev Linda:    Email: revlindcat@gmail.com  Tel: 01782 848699
Circuit Administrator, Glenn: office@stokesouthmethodist.org.uk  Tel: 01782 847489