THE festive adornments began on last Friday when Pat Edwards, a volunteer from Tye Green Lodge, with whom the church has established a great working relationship, came and painted a nativity scene on one of their front-facing windows. Marilyn Pearce, Pastoral Leader at St Stephen’s, said “It’s amazing! What a talent!”.

On Sunday, the congregation spent two hours creating decorations and using them to dress the inside of the church, alongside preparations for their Christmas Fayre which is this Saturday, 7th December between 10am and 2pm.

Karen McIndoe, Licensed Lay Minister at St Stephen’s said “Our Annual Christmas Fayre is a great opportunity for us to welcome the community into our church and share the joy that Christmas brings. As always, we will have a wide selection of stalls where you can purchase gifts, enjoy a cuppa and cake or play games with family and friends. And we hope that this will also be an opportunity for the community to gather and sense and share something of the wonder and welcome of God. Everyone is welcome.”

St Stephen’s will also have their annual memorial tree outside the church from Saturday, upon which the public can hang tags in remembrance of loved ones who are no longer with us and remain in our thoughts and prayers  at Christmas.