November is a real mixture of a month.

There are fireworks that thrill us with their colours lighting up the sky – though of course our dogs are less happy about the bangs!

Remembrance Sunday has us reflecting on war and loss and sacrifice. Which is really about the importance of memory and the duty not to forget what others have done.

And then right at the end of the month we reach the start of Advent. This is a season of hope and looking forward. In Whitwell I hope that there may be enough people willing to participate in the Advent Windows initiative which was so very popular last year.

Schools will be busy with their preparations for Christmas, as will our churches, as we get ready to tell again the Christmas story at carol and crib services.

Meanwhile I am pleased that two new initiatives are now under way.  In Preston, Ann Freeman leads a Sit and Stitch session on Tuesday mornings at St Martin’s from 9.15.  And Sulu Pike runs a Toddler Service at All Saints at 10.00am on a Tuesday.  All welcome!

With every blessing

Stephen