Christmas is coming and Advent lights the way. Celebrate the overflowing generosity of God who so loved the world that he gave his only Son (John 3:16), as we celebrate God’s generosity the Gospel invites us to live and give generously.

Generous Advent is a creative opportunity to do two things:

• To celebrate the generosity of our God using the fabulous and resources, all freely available and adaptable
• To invite generous giving, as people are able, to sustain and grow the mission of ministry of our churches: “my gift to my church for our future”

1.Choose your dates

Generous Advent can be run over two Sundays, using the standard Generosity Week template, the first Sunday explores Generosity, the second Gratitude. You could host Generous Advent on the Sunday before Advent (“Stir-Up Sunday”) and Advent Sunday or on Advent One and Two. We’ve adapted the collects for the Advent season.

2. Design your programme

Below are the resources you can choose from to design your Generous Advent Programme. Use as many or few as you need to create a warm and reflective space for your church.

• Sermon Notes
  • Introduction to Haggai – download
  • Notes and Sermon for Christ The King Sunday – download
  • Notes and Sermon for The First Sunday in Advent – download

• Christ The King Sunday: Celebrate Generosity
  • Eucharist – Christ the King download as MS Word 
  • PowerPoint Slides for Eucharist download MS PowerPoint
  • Service of the Word – Christ the King download as MS Word
  • PowerPoint Slides for Service of the Word download MS PowerPoint

• The First Sunday of Advent: Celebrate Gratitude
  • Eucharist The first Sunday in Advent –download as MS Word
  • PowerPoint Slides for Eucharist – download MS PowerPoint 
  • Service of the Word – The first Sunday in Advent – download as MS Word
  • PowerPoint Slides for Service of the Word – download MS PowerPoint 

• Generosity Fika (Smaller Group Study with Videos) Preview here

Gather in a smaller group for an evening, or after a midweek service, for cake and coffee. Follow the outline for the session outlined in the document, using the videos linked below and reflect on how the story of Haggai and the rebuilding of the Temple helps us consider how we steward our church buildings, and our own finances. (Videos filmed and produced by Ruth Bayes)

• Generosity Fika Leader’s Guide
• Video 1 – The Bible Project: Haggai (5 minutes)
• Video 2 – A Fire That Sparked Transformation (first 7 minutes) & Rebuilding Well: A Conversation (remaining 20 minutes)

 

• Prayers

This pack contains images and instructions for creating beautiful prayer stations to help us ponder the generosity of our generous God in a tactile and accessible way. Created with the diocese of York, the stations are interactive, great for children, adults and family groups they help look at generosity through a seasonal lens.

• • Advent Prayer Stations

• All Age Activities
  • Stir-Up Sunday activity (week before Advent)
  • Jesse Tree activity

 

3.Signpost your events and prepare for a response!

Advent and Christmas will see many visitors in our churches. People enjoy carols by candlelight, crib and Christingle services, Christmas tree festivals and more and they value their church. So ‘go digital’ this Christmas. You can download the Generous Advent Logo and images below. Here are some top tips:

• Add your Generous Advent events to your AChurchNearYou.com page for those seeking to visit your church during the festive season.
• Post images of your activities to your church social media pages. If you make up the prayer stations, we would love to see how they look in your church setting.
• Pray about your planned programme. Churches are busier than ever, and it can be hard to find peace and quiet during the festive season. Pray that ‘the greatest story ever told’ reaches new ears, refreshes tired souls, and warms cold hearts.
• Finally, prepare to receive donations and gifts by;

1. Having your church contactless machine turned on!
2. Advertising the Parish Giving Scheme through posters, flyers and links on your social media (see the Parish Giving Scheme page)
3. Making sure people can donate you your church via your website/ACNY page using a link to your online giving provider, e.g. Parish Giving Scheme, GiveALittle, JustGiving.

 

The Joy of Christmas

Last, but by no means least, check out the comprehensive resources here. This is the Church of England’s annual advent and Christmas campaign and it has huge reach. The 2021 Christmas content was seen 27 million times on social media with 1.2 million views of online services. So, make these brilliant resources work for you as you share the good news of God’s abundant generosity with your congregation.

Condensation, damp and mould can occur due to a defect of your property like;

Condensation

Even when we can’t see it, there is moisture in the air. If the air gets too cold, it cannot hold all the moisture, and tiny drops of water appear on surfaces. Like how your mirror mists over when you have a shower, or take a breath on a cold day.  Unlike damp, it does not leave a tidemark, and mainly happens during cold weather.  Keep a look out in corners, near windows, or in and behind wardrobes and cupboards – especially if the walls are north-facing.  

Damp

If your home is not being properly protected from the elements, there’s damage to the roof or windows, you can see rising damp or you’re experiencing leaking pipes, this can create damp. In most cases you’ll notice a ‘tidemark’ on your walls.  If you cannot see any tidemarks or damage to your pipes and exterior of your home, then it could be condensation.

Mould

will grow in places with a lot of moisture, such as a leakage in roofs, pipes, and walls. Usually, you will be able to smell it or notice its green, black, and white colours on varied surfaces. Mould will thrive with moist materials to feed on, such as wallpaper, wood and carpet. Unfortunately, mould will continue to develop until it’s cleaned and removed. 

If you have any signs of condensation, damp or mould 

It is your responsibility to

report it| allow access to complete an inspection/repair| seek approval to make any alterations to the property, so we can advise and ensure that it does add to damp, mould and condensation problems.

It is our responsibility to

Inspect the property| diagnose and deal with the issue| let you know the course of the problem and provide you with advice.

Whether a home is showing signs or not, everyone can benefit from following some simple preventative tips to reduce condensation and the risk of damp and mould.

 

Tips to prevent high humidity and poor ventilation around the home  

Kitchen

When you’re cooking or boiling a kettle, try to keep the door closed to prevent steam moving around your home. Steam will collect on walls and windows and create condensation.

• Make sure your extractor fan is switched on if you have one.
• Cover your pans with lids when you’re cooking and leave your extractor fans on, you can also open your windows. Both of these will help to clear the air of any excess moisture.

Bathroom

• Condensation, damp and mould in the bathroom is caused by hot baths and showers that send moisture into the air. When you’re taking a shower or bath, make sure your extractor fan is switched on if you have one.
• If it’s warm enough and you can reach, you can also open a window to quickly get rid of the steam.

Around the home

• When possible and safe, try to keep your windows open to encourage fresh air to flow around your home.
• Try to avoid drying clothes inside or over radiators. If you can’t, then place the clothes on a rack in a room next to an open window and close the door. If the room has an extractor fan, keep it switched on until your clothes are dry.
• Try and keep your furniture at least 5cm away from walls to allow air to flow around it. You may want to keep soft furnishing away from external walls where moisture can collect.
• Try to leave your central heating on a constant, low setting for as much time as possible, or set the timer to boost the heating in the morning and the evening.
• Leaving moisture on surfaces will encourage mould to grow. Wipe away any condensation from windows and doors to prevent mould from growing.
• If possible, don’t overfill your wardrobes and cupboards as it increases the likelihood that warm, damp air will collect inside.
• If you have a tumble dryer, make sure that it is vented to an outside wall, or that the condenser is regularly emptied.

 

Heating

Heating your home can be a real cost pressure and put a strain on your finances.

To help keep your costs down and to keep your home warm and free of damp, here are some tips.

Take control of the heating and temperatures in your home

Use your heating controls, such as thermostats and timers, to heat your home without wasting energy.

• You can set your heating and hot water to come on only when required rather than all the time. 
• You should set the (TRV) in each room at a low level, then gradually turn them up until the room is left at a comfortable temperature. We recommend you set your thermostat to 21 degrees in the living room or the room you spend the most time in and 18 for everywhere else to ensure your home is sufficiently heated. The boiler will maintain these temperatures to ensure correct energy usage. Note: Turning a TRV to a higher setting will not make the room heat up any faster – that depends on the boiler size and setting, and the radiator size. 
• If you don’t need it, turn your heating off when you go to bed of away from home.
• If you can reduce these temperatures by an average of 1°C you could save £55 a year.
• If there are rooms you don’t us, turn down the radiators and close the doors.

Smart meters

measure how much gas and electricity you’re using and send those readings automatically to your energy supplier. You also won’t need someone to enter your home to read your meter.

Reduce draughts

• close your curtains at dusk to stop heat escaping through the windows and check for draughts around windows and doors. Note: Keep your curtains open until 3pm as in the thick of winter, the sun will often begin to set before 4pm. Therefore, it’s important to make the most of any natural sunlight coming into your house by keeping curtains or blinds open until around this time. Any light coming in will heat your rooms up naturally, and means your space may be less chilly when you draw your curtains to keep the heat in at night.
• use draught excluders, a cheap way of helping with heat that can leak out through gaps in doors and windows, which can often lead to a cold draught blowing into rooms.  It is thought that draughty doors can cause up to 15% heat loss in a home, which means that your heating has to work extra hard to replace it.  Draft excluders are long in length and made of an insulating material to drape along the bottom of your doors.

Close doors and windows

helps the room warm up quicker and retain the heat.  However, it is important to open the window a little when cooking or taking a shower.

Bleed your radiators

is a way to ensure that your radiators are working to their full potential.  

Air can become trapped over time in radiators, which makes them less efficient at heating up properly.

Switch off unused appliances

don’t leave appliances on standby and remember not to leave laptops and mobile phones on charge when you don’t need to. Most phones and small devices are fully charged within just two hours.

Don’t waste water

Only boil as much water as you need (but remember to cover the elements if you’re using an electric kettle). A dripping hot water tap wastes energy and can waste enough water to fill half a bath in less than a week.

Make sure radiators aren’t blocked by other furniture 

is vital to heating rooms up effectively. This is because the warm air can easily become trapped behind furniture, meaning your heating has to work extra hard to actually heat your rooms up. The trick to this is to leave a gap between things like your sofa or bed and the radiator. You’ll still be able to feel the benefits of the heating, while also letting the heat circulate around the entire room.

Get your boiler serviced

One way to keep your heating working as efficiently as it should is to arrange an annual inspection and service of your boiler. As boilers get older, they can become less efficient, which may result in higher heating costs.  This will be carried out by CH.

Frozen Pipes

Frozen pipes cause problems with heating and boilers when the cold weather arrives.

A tell-tale sign of a frozen pipe is if you turn a tap on during a period of freezing temperatures and you find that little to no water comes out.

How to prevent and resolve this common problem?

• The first thing to do is identify any taps that continually drip. Even a small trickle can lead to a frozen pipe when temperatures drop below zero. So don’t wait, report those issues to us now.
• You should also find out where your stop tap is – most are fitted under the kitchen sink – and understand how to turn it off so you can do step two.

Be prepared before temperatures drop

How to thaw a frozen pipe

• Turn off the water supply at the stop tap.
• Check any pipes that run outside of your property. If the pipe has burst, you will need to contact us, skip on to step three.
• If it hasn’t burst, slowly thaw the pipe by holding a hot water bottle or a towel soaked in hot water around the pipe. You can also use a hair dryer on the lowest setting.
• When it has thawed, reset your boiler by holding in the reset button for 10 seconds and waiting for the boiler to re-fire.
• If a pipe has burst

• Turn off the water supply at the stop tap.
• Turn on all your taps to reduce any flooding and soak up any escaping water with towels.
• Report it immediately.

Thawing a frozen pipe is a safe thing to do so long as you follow the tips 

• Don’t disconnect the pipe
• Don’t try to thaw it above waist height.
• Don’t try to access the pipe or other pipes within the boiler.
• Look out for ice on the ground where you poured hot water to thaw the pipe. This could make the ground below slippery.
• Never use a naked flame or blowlamp to thaw it.

Share the Gift of Joy this Christmas at Liverpool Cathedral

Join the Mother Church of our diocese for the season of joy, light, and togetherness, Liverpool Cathedral is ready to welcome you to celebrations filled with warmth and wonder. For generations, families, friends, and visitors from across the diocese have come together within our magnificent cathedral.

This year, the Cathedral invites you and all from across the Diocese to Share the Gift of Joy with the diocese… through music, worship, festive events, and unforgettable moments that bring people closer together.

 

Step Into the Magic with The Light Before Christmas: The Gift

From 28th November to 6th December, The cathedral’s iconic light show returns with a dazzling new experience. Now in its fourth year, this breathtaking light and sound experience returns with an all-new story: The Gift.
Through dazzling projections, immersive soundscapes and the Cathedral’s awe-inspiring architecture, discover a message of wonder, warmth and togetherness at the heart of Christmas.

Coffee and Carols – A Joyful Afternoon Together

2nd & 4th December | 1:00 pm – 1:30 pm

There’s nothing quite like carols to bring festive cheer! Join Liverpool Cathedral for Coffee and Carols, where you can sing along to traditional Christmas favourites and popular tunes in a relaxed, joyful atmosphere.

With delicious coffee, mince pies, and festive treats from the Welsford Bistro, this free event is the perfect chance to gather with loved ones, share in the music, and soak up the joy of the season.

 

Christmas Sequence Concert at Liverpool Cathedral

20th December | 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm

This special concert features a rich and varied programme, including much-loved pieces by Rutter, Wilberg, Howells, Lauridsen, and more – all set within the breathtaking acoustics of the Cathedral.

Enjoy singing along to well-known congregational carols, accompanied by the brass of the Liverpool Concert Orchestra, as the Cathedral fills with the warmth and joy of the Christmas season.

BOOK NOW

During the interval, treat yourself to teas, coffees, mulled wine, and mince pies, available to purchase from the Welsford Bistro.

 

Christmas Eve at Liverpool Cathedral – Share the Joy

Christmas Eve is a time for togetherness and at Liverpool Cathedral, they mark it with uplifting music, prayer, and carols that capture the heart of Christmas.

From family-friendly services to atmospheric evening worship, our Christmas Eve gatherings are filled with light, hope, and joy. Celebrate the birth of Christ and create treasured memories in the beauty of the Cathedral.

 

 

Make This Christmas Unforgettable

Join Liverpool Cathedral and Share the Gift of Joy this Christmas.

View Our Full Calendar of Christmas Events Here

Duggie Dug Dug’s Nativity Delivery – St Athanasius Church

28^th November | 6:00pm – 7:30pm

Duggie Dug Dug’s Nativity Delivery is a lively, family-friendly Christmas show that retells the nativity story with music, puppets, illusions, and plenty of laughter! Follow the angel Gabriel’s hilarious attempts to bring everyone together for the first Christmas. A joyful 90-minute performance (including an interval) that shares the true message of Christmas in a fun and heart warming way.

Booking is essential, secure your ticket here. 

St Giles, Aintree

Saturday 22nd November – Annual Christmas Fayre

12:00 – 3:00 pm in the St Giles Centre: Stalls, Gifts, Seasonal Produce, Father Christmas and more. 

Friday 5th December – Christmas Bingo

From 7:00 pm 

£6 a ticket.

Thursday 11th December – Liverpool Brass Band 

7:30 pm in St Giles Church 

£10 on the door – including mince pies and mulled wine

Saturday 13th December – Christmas Quiz

7:00 pm in St Giles Centre

Monday 15th December – Organ Recital 

3:00pm in St Giles’ Church 

Free event: donations in aid of Hallie’s Hub.

Monday 15th December – Grand Christmas Raffle Draw

10:30am Live streamed from church.

 

St Stephen’s Hightown

Saturday 29th November Christmas Fayre 10am -1pm

Sunday 30th November Taizé Advent Service 6pm

Sunday 7th December All-Age Eucharist, Toy & Gift Service 10:30am

Saturday 13th December Churches Together Nativity- Formby

Sunday 14th December 4pm Festive Afternoon Tea- Tickets £2.50

Sunday 14th December ‘Carols around the Tree’ 6pm

Saturday 20th December Breakfast with Santa 9:30am- Tickets £2.50

Sunday 21st December ‘Carols by Candlelight’ 6pm

Wednesday 24th December Christingle Service 4pm

Wednesday 24th December Midnight Eucharist 11:15pm

Thursday 25th December Family Eucharist for Christmas Day 10:30am

Sunday 28th December Patronal Festival Eucharist 10:30am

Wednesday 31st December New Year’s Eve Eucharist 10:30am

North East Hub

St Elizabeth’s Church, Aspull

Autumn Fair
Saturday 8 November, 11:30am

Crib Service
Wednesday 24 December, 4pm

Midnight Communion
Wednesday 24 December, 11:30pm

Aspull ‘Churches Together’ Nativity Trail
Starts from Aspull Library
Sunday 14 December, 2pm–4pm

St Stephen’s Church, Whelley

Carols Around the Tree
Tuesday 9 December, 6pm

Crib Service
Wednesday 24 December, 4pm

JEDS Food Pantry
Tuesdays, 9am–11am
Collecting food hamper items and presents for up to 100 families.

St David’s Church, Haigh

North East Hub Carol Service
Sunday 14 December, 6pm

Christmas Day Family Holy Communion
Thursday 25 December, 10am

 

North West Hub

Marsh Green Library (with St Barnabas Church)

Christingle
Friday 12 December, 3:30pm
All welcome! Family friendly.

St Barnabas Church, Marsh Green (Outside)

Open Air Carol Service
Wednesday 17 December, 6pm

St Francis Church, Kitt Green

Team Service – Advent Hymns & Carols with Holy Communion
Sunday 30 November, 10:30am

Lesson & Carols
Sunday 14 December, 4pm

Christingle
Wednesday 24 December, 4pm
All welcome.

Midnight Holy Communion
Wednesday 24 December, 11:30pm

Christmas Day Communion
Thursday 25 December, 10am

St Luke’s Church, Orrell

Churches Together Advent Carol Service
Sunday 30 November, 10:30am

Christingle
Sunday 7 December, 4pm

Community Carol Service
Tuesday 16 December, 6:30pm

Midnight Holy Communion
Wednesday 24 December, 11:30pm

Christmas Day Communion
Thursday 25 December, 10am

St John the Divine, Pemberton

Christingle
Monday 15 December, 3:30pm

Lesson & Carols
Sunday 21 December, 10:30am

Christmas Eve Service with Turkey Barms
Wednesday 24 December, 11am–1:30pm
Service with free turkey barms after.

Christmas Day Communion
Thursday 25 December, 10am

 

 

South Hub

St Andrew’s Church, Garswood

Christmas Fair
Saturday 29 November, 11am–2pm
Serving turkey rolls and mince pies.

Carol Service
Sunday 21 December, 9:30am

St Peter’s Church, Bryn

Christmas Fair
Saturday 29 November, 1pm–5pm

Carol Service
Friday 14 November, 10:30am

Christmas Day Communion
Thursday 25 December, 10:30am

St Luke’s Church, Stubshaw Cross

Toy Service
Sunday 7 December, 11am

Crib Service
Sunday 14 December, 11am

Christingle & Carols Service
Sunday 21 December, 11am

Christmas Eve Service
Wednesday 24 December, 8pm

St Thomas’ Church, Ashton-in-Makerfield

Christmas Fayre
Saturday 22 November

Wreath Making
Wednesday 26 November, 7pm – Sold Out
Thursday 27 November, 7pm – Tickets Remaining
£15 per person including all materials.

Christmas Craft Night
Thursday 4 December, 7pm–9pm (£3 per person)

Toy Service
Sunday 7 December, 10:45am

Ashton Lights Switch On
Sunday 7 December, 1pm–6pm
Church stall with crafts and activities.

Crib & Nativity Service
Sunday 14 December, 10:45am

Beacon Christmas Celebration
Sunday 14 December, 7pm

Mother’s Union Carol Service
Wednesday 17 December, 7pm

Blue Christmas Service
Saturday 20 December, 4pm

Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight
Sunday 21 December, 6:30pm

Christingle Service
Wednesday 24 December, 3:45pm

Midnight Communion
Wednesday 24 December, 11pm

Christmas Communion
Thursday 25 December, 10:30am

St Aidan’s Church, Billinge

Annual Toy Service
Sunday 23 November, 10am

Quiz Night
Friday 28 November, 7pm

Beacon & Sta’s4All Christmas Service
Sunday 14 December, 10am

Candlelit Carol Service
Sunday 21 December, 4pm

Crib Service
Wednesday 24 December, 4pm

Christmas Eve Holy Communion
Wednesday 24 December, 8:30pm

Holy Trinity Church, Downall Green

Trinity Girls’ Brass Band Christmas Concert & Carols
Saturday 6 December, 1pm

Christmas Celebration
Sunday 21 December, 3pm

 

 

East (Chapelfields) Hub)

St Peter’s Church, Hindley

Christmas Fair (at St Peter’s School)
Saturday 22 November, 11am–3pm
Free entry.

Christmas Tree Festival (at Church)
Saturdays 13, 20, 27 December (12pm–4pm)
Seasonal refreshments and children’s crafts. Free entry.

Christmas Bingo (St Peter’s Pavilion)
Friday 12 December, 6:30pm for 7pm start

Carol Singing at Hindley Tesco
Saturday 13 December, 1pm–3pm

Carol Service with Nativity (at Church)
Sunday 21 December, 6pm

 

West Hub

St James & St Thomas Church, Poolstock

Traditional Nine Lessons & Carols
Sunday 21 December, 6:30pm

Crib Service
Wednesday 24 December, 4pm
Light refreshments afterwards.

Christmas Day Service & Community Lunch
Thursday 25 December
Service at 10:30am, followed by free Christmas lunch. Booking required.

St Matthew’s Church, Highfield

Community Carols with a Brass Band, followed by Hotpot
Tuesday 16 December (time TBC)

St Paul’s Church, Goose Green

Christmas Concert with Age UK Silver Choir
Wednesday 17 December, 11am–2pm
Includes light meal and café time. Free.

Local Councillors Christmas Carol Service + Hot Pot Supper
Thursday 18 December, 7pm