A Pastoral Letter from Bishop Stephen
Bishop Stephen has written to the people of the Diocese of Lincoln, following the conclusion of the Makin Review four-step process.
Read the storyOn Christmas Eve last year, All Saints Church in Nettleham was filled with the joyous sounds of carols and the laughter of children as families gathered for a special Nativity Service.
The service, thought up by Lucille, a licensed reader at the church, was designed specifically for families with very young children.
Lucille, who meets with young families each week through her ministry at Ducklings – a church service for families with children under five – wanted to create a lively and meaningful worship experience that would include these families. Her vision was to develop an interactive nativity service that would engage both children and adults in the Christmas story.
The result was a atmospheric event where children arrived in costume and actively participated in telling the nativity story.
The adults joined in with enthusiastic carol singing, creating a vibrant and inclusive atmosphere.
The service concluded with a touching moment as each child held a (battery-operated!) candle while the congregation sang “Away in a Manger.”
The church was filled to capacity, with 150 people attending the service.
As families left, many expressed their hope that this special nativity service would become an annual tradition. Plans are already being discussed for Christmas 2025, ensuring that this wonderful celebration of the Christmas message continues to bring joy to the community.
For more information about upcoming 2025 events at All Saints Church, you can visit their website.