This week in our school community: 9 January 2026

Yours must be a work of love, of kindness, you must give your time, your talents, yourselves

 

Advent and Christmas Fundraising

A huge thank you to everyone who participated, organised and supported our fundraising efforts before the holidays.  Our Christmas Dress Up Day raised £645 for the charity, Save the Children.  The Christmas Market and Carol Service retiring collection brought in an amazing £987.14 - this money will be used to support the homeless in our area through work co-ordinated by Julian House and Help for Homeless.  All of this was in addition to the huge Christmas Hamper appeal each tutor group participated in, delivering presents to hundreds of children, senior citizens and vulnerable families in our community.  The founder of the SVP once said of our endeavours to support others: ‘Yours must be a work of love, of kindness, you must give your time, your talents, yourselves.’ – this was captured in so many ways over the last couple of months.  I’m sure there are many people who send their heartfelt thanks. 

Epiphany Blessing for the new year

I’m sure many of you are aware of the traditional chalk Epiphany blessing which has become more popular in the UK over recent years.  If you have some chalk, you might want to consider using the text below to invite the blessing.

• We mark the lintel of the door in chalk with the date, 2026.
• We add the initials of the names given to the three wise people who brought gifts to Jesus in his first home :
• C for Caspar M for Melchior B for Balthasar.

The three initials, C-M-B, also stand for the three words of a Latin prayer – Christus Mansionem Benedicat = May Christ bless this house

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation: by the guidance of a star you led the Magi to your child and by the light of faith you bring us to know Christ as Lord, the Messiah you have sent. Bless us as we use this chalk to mark our doors in your honour. May this home, be a dwelling place of faith, goodness, humility, self-control, mutual respect for one another, hospitality toward strangers, and loving obedience to your word. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Mark the top of the doorframe with 20 + C + M + B + 26. Remember that every time you come in you are asking God’s blessing on the life of your home in 2026.

Lord God of heaven and earth,

you revealed your only begotten Son to every nation by the guidance of a star.

Bless this place and all who inhabit it.

Fill us with the light of Christ,

that our concern for others may reflect your love.

We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen

Mr Robinson

Lay Chaplain