Happy New Year, from the actual Rectory!
Today marks the beginning of a new chapter as my family and I have officially moved into the Rectory.
What a journey this Advent and Christmas season has been—filled with light, joy, laughter, community, and the profound presence of the Spirit.
We began the season with a heartwarming night of carols at the Turfcutter pub. The event was huge fun, raising money for our village school and bringing people together in jolly spirits. This festive atmosphere led beautifully into our Advent carols at Beaulieu Abbey Church, setting the tone for the celebrations that were ahead of us.
Christmas was marked by multiple services across our parish, each a testament to the love and faith of our communities.
St. Paul's, East Boldre hosted a lively carol service, with young people leading the way. Whilst the Nine Lessons and Carols at Beaulieu Abbey Church was exquisitely traditional and with some particularly marvellous readers, the Abbey was packed.
St. Katharine's, Exbury, on Christmas Eve morning saw the church full of village life. The singing was truly divine and lifted everyone's spirits.
One of the highlights of the season was the delightful, completely unrehearsed Nativity at 4 pm on Christmas Eve at BAC. Children came dressed as their favourite Nativity characters, creating a joyful chaos that brought smiles to everyone's faces. People travelled from far and wide across the South to join in the celebration and it was wonderful to see so many young people in particular.
As night fell, we gathered for Midnight Mass, where I had the joy of preaching from the pulpit for the first time. The message was one of hope: a reminder that life and Christmas are not always perfect—and were never meant to be.
Just as Mary giving birth in a stable was far from ideal. But out of the imperfection...comes truth... comes relationship...comes grace...comes life in all its fullness!!
Now, as we welcome the New Year and embrace the unity of becoming one parish, we look forward with hope and new beginnings.
As the days grow lighter and as the earth turns back towards the sun, let us hold onto the assurance that we have received the greatest gift of Emmanuel, and that God is with us always.
Wishing you all a blessed and bright New Year,
Rev'd Catherine
