Until 4th January the St Mary's is filled with some wonderful exhibitions depicting Christmas Carols. Local groups have come up with some very inventive ways to show carols and their meanings. The exhibition is well worth a visit - its open daily from 9.30am to 3.30pm. Most days refreshments will be available.

A big thank you to everyone who has helped to make this event so great; those who made the exhibitions, our stewards and helpers.

The children of Sunday Club reminded us of the Christmas Story on Sunday morning be performing a Nativity Play during the Parish Eucharist. It was very moving to see this familiar story brought to life around the Church by our young people.

On the Saturday before Christmas fourteen members of St Mary's, including four of our young people, spent a couple of hours visiting four of the care homes in the parish to share Christmas cheer with the staff and residents and sing well-loved carols.  We were welcomed by The Laurels, Brooklyn House, St Edmund's Home and Fairland House and it was lovely to see the residents joining in with their favourites.  We'll be visiting three of these homes again in the days just before Christmas to bring the residents Holy Communion.

At Fairland House we were treated to a delicious festive buffet to round off an afternoon well-spent.  It was good to see so many of our friends and to be able to wish a happy Christmas to one and all.

As we crescendo towards Christmas there are a couple of not to be missed treats on Sunday. At the 10am Parish Eucharist our Sunday Club will be performing their nativity play. And the Traditional Carol Service at 6.30pm is one of the highlights of our year. Join the celebrations as we begin Christmas week.

The Sunday Club children are busy preparing for the Nativity Play on Sunday. Join us at 10am.

There was much excitement in the Church Hall on Saturday morning as St Mary's annual Grand Christmas Draw took place during Coffee and Chat (10am - 12 noon every Saturday).  One of our young Sunday Club members helped the Curate with the drum as the winning names and numbers were announced.

Over 5000 tickets for the Draw had been sold to parishioners, family and friends, and together we raised just under £1300 for church funds - a splendid achievement.  Every penny will go towards supporting the life and work of St Mary's, as all the costs of the Draw were covered by the generosity of those who supported the ten monthly raffles earlier in the year.

The lucky first prize winner received £200 cash, and other prizes included a ride in a Rolls Royce with afternoon tea for two, six bottles of fine wine, a luxury Christmas hamper, a hand-knitted Aran sweater to be made to the winner's requirements, and vouchers kindly donated by Sherbourne House, Ry's Bar and Grill and the Rose of India.

All the prize winners have now been contacted.

Many thanks to all for their generous support... and, if you didn't win this time round, there's always next year!

In preparation for the Carol Exhibition a group from Church have been working on an illustration for the Twelve Days of Christmas. Come and see all th exhibits between 19th December and 4th January.

Messy Church celebrated a Messy Christmas this morning. The day got off to a good start with bacon rolls and coffee, followed by some great craft activities including an edible nativity, decorating crowns, making angels, making lanterns for St Mary's Carol Exhibition and the chance to up-cycle boxes and bottles into something exciting using brightly coloured tape, glue and angel's hair.

The morning finished with a short time of worship where we reflected on the meaning of Christmas, singing some carols along the way.

Messy Church Attleborough is a joint venture between St Mary's and Attleborough Methodist Church.

Christmas came early on Friday as those who come fortnightly for the Community Lunch enjoyed a full roast turkey dinner with all the trimmings. Thanks were expressed to the volunteers who have helped out during the year with serving, washing up and all the other jobs which ensure the lunch runs smoothly.

​Most of those who come regularly for lunch would otherwise be eating alone. If you know someone who might be interested in coming to lunch please let us know.

Don't forget lunch is served by the Church on Christmas Day too. See here for more information.