Christmas at the Chapel.
The Chapel in the Garden is very pleased that their Minister Reverend Elizabeth Harley is returning this year to lead our thirteenth annual Yule service on Wednesday December 20th at 5:00 PM. Her Christmas service is a key part of the Winter ritual for many people in Bridport, and is an annual gathering where Christmas feels like it has really come. The Chapel fills with people of all ages, animals are welcome and there is often a surprise visitor of the four-legged variety. Mother Christmas joins them and members of the congregation are invited to read poems and prayers that celebrate this special season.
These services, that celebrate light in the darkness, include elements of celebrations from different faiths. The winter solstice and Yule, the Pagan holiday, are honoured. Pagans consider Yule a major time of celebration with the end of dark times both physically and metaphorically. It marks the return of the sun, when the days finally begin to get a little longer. It’s also a time to celebrate with family and friends, and share the spirit of giving during the holidays. Although the major Jewish holiday Hanukkah finishes on the 15th this year, we will hear from Jane Silver Corren the message of hope that it brings to us.
Reverend John Harley, a Minister at the Chapel explains “For many in our community these winter days seem particularly dark – with wars being waged across the globe, the cost of living crisis and the ongoing climate emergency. At the chapel we have a feast of services and gatherings planned – all are welcome to share the light and hope of this holy season and to come together in companionship and good cheer. We believe that religion is not a relic from the past but rather a whole attitude to life – a way of seeing beyond mere materialism and finding the gold and love at the core of our being.”
For anyone that may find December a difficult month, we have a soulful quiet service of candle lighting on the 15th December at 6pm.
The Chapel is holding many services over Christmas, ‘Tis the season of gold and midnight blue’ will be the theme of Rev John Harley’s uplifting Carol service on 17th December at 11.00am, which will be followed by a Bring and Share lunch at 12.00; there is always plenty to eat, and everyone is welcome. On Sunday 24 December at 4.30 pm, come to Carols in the Garden with Angelica Kennard. Bring lanterns, candles or torches to add to the Christmas glow.
The short Christmas Day service on Monday 25th December at 11.00 will be followed by mince pies and good fellowship. Its theme will be “Light in the Darkness” and Margie and Chris Savory, who will be leading that service, described how the service will reflect these times of trouble when we must seek the light of the spirit.
For more information please contact rev.eaharley@gmail.com or call Glenda on the chapel mobile 07566 751752.