Greetings: We hope you had an enjoyable Christmas and wish you a happy, healthy and peaceful New Year
Highlights of 2025
1. Fran helped to organise a Lent Retreat which entailed some study and reflection for an hour or so each day and meeting weekly with a spiritual director. This opportunity was made available to all churches in the town. We met as a group at the beginning of Lent and again at the end.
2. Our main focus during Christian Aid Week 2025 was to organise a team for the 70k Challenge. 8 of our church members responded and joined the team. Some cycled, some walked and one included some swimming. The team raised £1343.40
3. In 2025 we appointed a Pioneer Pastor, Lydia Harrison. This was a culmination of prayer and discussion and making an application for funding using the New Places for New People project which is available nationally. We were the first in the district to put in a successful bid. We are grateful for this opportunity to make a difference. Lydia started work in August and her contract is for 5 years.
4. Rev Fran will have completed 5 years as our minister by late summer. We are happy that she has agreed to the invitation to extend her stay for a further two years.
5. We hope by now that you have absorbed our revised mission statement which explains why the church is here and what its purpose is. This was discussed and thought about over a few meetings.
’Toll Gavel United Church where people, faith and justice matter’
We have also thought about how this can be put into practise in detail and a written plan is available which we should all become familiar with. Please ask Fran. John or Sarah for a copy if you want one
6. The Guides centenary was celebrated in October. A former member of our Guides, Rachel Hawkins who is now a Methodist minister was invited to lead the service which was very well
attended by many people who have a connection with our church Guides. Well done to them. Let’s hope they continue to flourish.
7. Festival of Christmas. The weather stayed fair and so a full event was able to take place. The church was very busy all day and we calculated that over 700 people visited, watched the
Christmas entertainment and most helped to use up our supply of refreshments. There was hardly anything left. Well done to Christine, Sally and Elaine for all the planning and organising on the
day. The entertainment was of a very high standard and well received. Thanks to everyone who helped on the day and supplied refreshments
Toll Gavel United Church where faith, people and justice matter 