Christmas activities round up

Christmas will be with us before we know it. If you’re on the lookout for some festive events, churches around the Diocese of Gloucester have lots of options for you.

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1 December until Christmas: Tuffley Christmas Windows

Together in Tuffley, at St Barnabas Church, are doing Tuffley Christmas Windows supported by the Church in Tuffley (St George’s Tuffley, English Martyrs RC and Grange Baptist). Community volunteers are decorating windows in their homes, to add to a big advent calendar map that you can follow. Each night of Advent, a new window display goes up. A great way to have some fun when you’re walking the dog or getting out for a bit of fresh air. They’re currently looking for volunteers to decorate a street-facing window in the Tuffley area and if you sign up early enough, Father Christmas might visit your completed window.

1 December until Christmas: Churches Together in Cirencester Christmas Nativity Trail

There will be twelve stations in shops around the town centre, each containing a display of stars and a key Bible verse illustrated by primary
school children and church children’s groups. The children at Stratton School will be taking part so do take the opportunity to join in when you are in town and see their artwork. Paper copies of the explanatory trail leaflet will be available from Cirencester Town Council Information Office at Bingham House, 1 Dyer Street, Cirencester GL7 2PP. The trail details can also be obtained via a QR code from www.ctinc.org.uk from 1 December.

1 December until Christmas: Angel selfies at Coney Hill

If you’re feeling saintly and want to make sure of a place on the nice list this year, head over to St Oswald’s Church in Coney Hill. They’ve put up an angelic backdrop that’s perfect for all your festive selfies! The angelic wings come in both adult and child-size, so everyone has a chance to capture the perfect picture before dropping into church for a bit of quiet reflection.

The church will also be sharing some of the joy of the season on 12 December when they take to the streets with the Nativity Truck, a lit-up pickup truck carrying a cast of nativity characters, belting out Christmas carols as they cruise through the streets.

The Revd James Faragher said, “What better way to celebrate Christmas than to focus on our good side! None of us are angels, but thankfully that doesn’t matter to God, he loves us anyway!”

Share your selfies using #coneyhillangels

1 December until Christmas: Life-sized nativity at All Saints, Newland

The church is open seven days a week from about 7.30am to around dusk (5 pm). If you’re out walking in the Forest of Dean over Christmas and wanted to pop in and see this life-sized nativity in the ‘Cathedral of the Forest’, you would be most welcome. There is a Christmas Day Holy Communion at 10.30 am in the church.

11 December: Canal-side Carol Service

A traditional Christmas carol service at Saul Junction on Saturday 11 December at 6 pm, with the Frampton Silver Band. There will be mulled wine and mince pies provided by the Stroudwater Group of Churches after the service – bring your own torch.

11 December: Christingle making, refreshments and soup lunches and

12 December: Christingle service at St John the Baptist, Great Rissington

Join us for a family-friendly Advent service! Make a Christingle in the middle of our Christmas Tree Festival.

11 December to 7 January: The Christmas Story Trail at Gloucester Cathedral

Follow the family-friendly trail around the Cathedral to learn more about the Christmas story and meet the characters by hunting for the miniature displays.

14 December, 6 pm: Carol service in The Ridge Pub on Windyridge Road, Wyman’s Brook, Cheltenham

A robed choir will lead carol singing in the pub – booking needed, contact the pub for details.

11, 17, 20 and 21 December: Cathedral Christmas Experience at Night (Ticketed)

Everything looks and feels just a bit more beautiful after dark in the Cathedral at this time of year. Enjoy the decorated Cathedral by night with live music provided by our Cathedral musicians and friends. Tickets are £5 per adult, £3 per child (5-16 years) and will be available to book on the Cathedral website from 10am on Monday 22 November.

Download the full Gloucester Cathedral Christmas events brochure here —>

17 December: Christingle service at St Stephen’s, Cinderford (Belle Vue Road)

A traditional Christingle service (the one with the oranges and the sweets and candles!) to raise money for the Children’s Society and make children’s lives better.

19 December 6 pm: Traditional Carol Service at St Mary Magdalene, Rodborough

19 December: Wild Worship Nativity Trail at 3.30 pm at St Mary’s, Woodchester

This is event is outdoors and everyone is welcome.

17-19 December: An exhibition of cribs and trees at Lower Cam Church

The church will be open for viewing on Friday and Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm, and on Sunday from 2 pm – 4 pm. Drinks and biscuits will be served. The Candlelit Carol Service will follow at 4 pm. If you have a crib or a tree you would like to share with us, please bring it to church on Thursday 16 December between 10.30 am and 3 pm. Angels are also welcome! Trees should be no taller than 4ft high and decorated as you wish. If you choose to use lights, please make sure they are battery operated.

22 December: Carol Singing at The Railway Inn, Newnham on Severn

Come and sing – and have a drink at the same time. The Revd Rachel and Tina at The Railway would love you to come and join in and share some Christmas spirit.