CHRISTMAS was celebrated with an Evening of Words and Music for Christmas in the parish hall on the Saturday before Christmas.

Among the carols there were songs and readings with mince pies and hot punch. The event was free and was arranged by Stephen Watkins and Jenny Taylor.

St Peter’s Church was decorated with a huge tree and the pulpit and columns were splendid.

The service of Nine Lessons and Carols was held on the Sunday with the church choir leading the carol singing.

Revd Sue Irwin led the opening prayer and gave the blessing and read the final lesson from St John’s Gospel.

The choir sang Infant Holy and an anthem He shall be named Jesus by Caleb Simper, with solo by Lyn Snook.

The lessons were read by Jonathan Slade, Julie Brassington, Joan Smith, Sheila Lynes, Frances Betts, John Mason, Neville Radburn and Chris Ramsden.

The prayers were led by Ian Gane. During coffee and mince pies following the service the team of Powick Handbells rang a Christmas medley.

Midnight Communion was celebrated on Christmas Eve with 90 people attending and again the choir led the singing. The Advent Ring was lit with the fifth candle for Christmas Day.

The service on Christmas Day was led by Meg Allsopp with carols, and the readings by Lindall Brown (who also played the organ at all services), Thea Wild and Chris Ramsden. Julia Davis gave the talk.

On Sunday, December 30, a 4inFaith service of Communion was held at St Peter’s Church, and the New Year Service of Epiphany takes place on Sunday at 11am, followed on January 13 by Plough Sunday.

Powick Ramblers will meet on Friday, January 11, at the Admiral Rodney, Berrow Green, at 10am, for a fourmile walk led by Garth Lowe (01886 833362). Recent walks have been extremely muddy – come prepared!