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Advent & Christmas
During Advent Fr Simon offered a weekly service of prayer and reflection concerned with
preparing for Christmas. This was held in the chapel and proved most helpful for those
who attended.
Our Nativity Presentation made its appearance on the second Sunday in December and
as in previous years was penned by our creative writing expert Pat Abrams. Unfortunately
we did not have so many children this year so had a higher involvement of adults.

Anniversary
In 2017 the vicarage and chapel in Bryanston Road will have been in use by St Michael’s
for 25 years. This is an invaluable resource, the chapel being used for services, meetings
and social events. The Wednesday morning service is now attended by around twenty
people, and we have been delighted to welcome our friends from St Alphege to this
weekday Eucharist.

Worship

We have been very fortunate in having bequests given specifically to enhance our
worship. Some of this money had been put towards a set of stoles, mainly for use in the
chapel, but with the school in mind as well. They were designed to reflect the style of the
new stained glass windows so add greatly to our worship.

Helping
At Christmas time we major on two charitable causes. We invite our members to sign a
congregational Christmas card and make a donation. This year we decided to donate any
money raised to St Basil’s who mainly help young homeless people to get a start, and
with projects in Solihull this is very close to home.
Secondly, as we have done over a number of years, we collect items for suitable presents
for the children of prisoners in Birmingham Prison, who would otherwise have a bleak
time. Our thanks to Sandra and Tim Bett who mastermind this. There were sufficient gifts
this year to need extra transport. The centre at the prison are always most grateful for
our gifts.
Finally a very happy and blessed New Year to our readers.
Paul Smith

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