We would like to wish you all a happy, peaceful and above all safe Christmas. We know it is a very different Christmas to the one we were hoping to have – particularly in our churches.

The churchwardens of Aldworth and Ashampstead have felt that in the light of the danger of the mutating virus and Tier 4 restrictions that they should close St Mary’s and St Clement’s for services over Christmas but we are so fortunate in the benefice in having a modern church at Basildon which is more flexible and safe.

So we are delighted that, as well as the many virtual services on offer, we are able to have two 'in-person' services on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Please make sure you contact 01491 672442 if you would like to come to these as numbers regrettably have to be restricted.

We do hope we shall see you, either virtually, or in person over the Christmas season – all services and links are listed below –

Christmas Eve: two Children’s events:

• St Mary’s Aldworth, 3pm: Decorating the Tree (outside)

• St Stephen’s Basildon: Children’s Service (Nativity costumes), 5pm (in the church).

Benefice Holy Communion, 11pm on Facebook or the Benefice YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXLfBukWFQBTV9y3p-whgcQ

Christmas Day:

• Benefice Holy Communion, 9am on Zoom. Link to join Zoom Meeting:

https://us04web.zoom.us/j/78126573106?pwd=TGZOckx5MUZlenlaZUYySmF1bWVMdz09

(Meeting ID: 781 2657 3106 Passcode: z84t0v)

• Benefice Family Service with Communion for Christmas, 10am (in St Stephen's church)

• Diocese of Oxford Church at Home service, 10 am Right Revd Dr Steven Croft, presiding and preaching here: https://www.oxford.anglican.org/coronavirus-covid-19-2/livestream/#tab-id-3

SERVICES in the benefice