Church launches free gift ‘wrapping service’ to ease the Christmas stress

A Nottingham city church is offering a special service to people in the Meadows, with its free gift wrapping session at the church this Saturday (20th December from 10.00am to 12.00pm).

Priest-in-Charge at St Saviour’s in the Meadows, the Revd David Hammond explained:” Anyone who turns up to church can have a minimum (depending on numbers who turn up) of five presents wrapped by volunteers whilst they sit and have a tea/coffee/hot chocolate. All wrapping materials will be provided free. This is our way to show the people of the Meadows that ‘God loves them’ isn't airy fairy but practical.”

David explained: “It’s not about being patronising but offering something in the tradition of Christmas free gifts, just like Jesus was a gift to us. Personally I'm a terrible wrapper, I always forget to buy paper etc and I'm often doing it late on Christmas eve, this is exactly what I'd appreciate for myself, so  as we try and do for others like we'd want them to do for us...”

St Saviour’s in the Meadows (on the corner of Arkwright Walk/St Saviour's Gardens NG2 2JU), also have a carol service the morning after on Sunday 21st December at 10.30am, when they will be joined by the Bishop of Sherwood, the Rt Revd Tony Porter. Other services include a midnight service on the 24th of December and a family celebration on Christmas Day at 10.30am. David Hammond said, “We’d love people to come to one of our services, but there's absolutely no obligation and no catch with the present wrapping service.”

Another Nottingham church, St James Porchester on Marshall Hill Drive, is stepping out with its nativity play this year and offering children the chance to meet the cast before the service at 11am on Saturday, 20th December.

Vicar, the Revd Philip Williams said: “Adults (apart from one baby!) will be dressed up as characters from the nativity story in or outside shops on Mapperley Top. Local school children are being invited to find all the characters – including shepherds, King Herod, Angels and Mary, who will be lurking around the shops in full costume, waiting to be spotted! All the children will receive a copy of the lifewords booklet 'meet the cast' just before the Mapperley Churches Together Carol Service at 11am.”

Many other churches across the county are organising carol services and seasonal events, for details see full list below:

Aspley, St Margaret
21 December -    All Age Nativity, 10am   
                         Carol Service, 6pm
24 December -    All Age Christingle Service, 4pm
                         Christmas Communion, 11.15pm
25 December -    All Age Communion, 10am
28 December -    Holy Communion, 8am 
                         Holy Communion, 10am    

Attenborough, St Mary the Virgin
21 December -    Nine Lessons & Carols, 6.30pm 
24 December -    Crib Service, 4.30pm  
                         Midnight Communion, 11.30pm
25 December -    Holy Communion (BCP), 8am  
                         Family Communion, 10am 

Balderton, St Giles            
18 December -    Carol Singing at The Oaks, 6.30pm
22 December -    Carol Singing around Balderton (starting at Dorewood Court), 7pm
21 December -    Parish Eucharist with Nativity Presentation, 9.30 am
24 December -    Christingle Service, 3pm
                         Christmas Eucharist, 11.30pm
25 December -    Holy Communion, 8am
                         Family Service, 10.30 am followed by Said Holy Communion, 11.15
28 December -    Festival of Lessons & Carols, 3pm

Barnby-in-the-Willows, All Saints
24 December -    Christmas Eucharist, 11.30pm

Beeston, St John the Baptist
21 December -    Carol Service, 6.30pm
24 December -    Christingle and Crib Service, 4.30pm
                         Midnight Mass, 11.15pm
25 December -    Said Eucharist, 8am
                         Parish Family Celebration, 10am

Bestwood, St Philips
21 December -    Carol service, 5pm
25 December -    Christmas day service, 10am

Bestwood, St Matthews
21 December -    Carol service, 6.30pm
24 December -    Christmas eve Communion, 11pm

Bilborough, St Martin of Tours
16 December -    Christingle Service, 6pm
21 December -    Eucharist with the blessing of the crib and carols, 10:30am
25 December -    Christmas Day Eucharist, 9:30am

Bilborough, St John the Baptist
21 December -    Carol Service, 6pm
24 December -    1st Eucharist of Christmas, 7pm
25 December -    Christmas Day Eucharist, 9.30am
28 December -    Holy Innocents united service of Eucharist, 10.30am

Boughton, St Matthew
21 December -    Nine Lessons and Carols at St. Matthew’s Church, 6pm
25 December -    Holy Communion, 8am

Bramcote, St Michael and All Angels
21 December -    All Age Christingle Service, 10.45am     
                        Carols by Candlelight, 5.30pm   
                        Carols by Candlelight, 7.30pm  
24 December -   Children’s Carols, 4pm   
                         Midnight Communion, 11.30   
25 December -    BCP Holy Communion, 8pm   
                         Christmas Praise followed by Holy Communion, 10.45am  

Bulwell, St John
21 December -    Family Worship, 10.30am 
24 December -    Crib Service, 4pm  
                         Candle lit Communion Service, 11pm 
25 December -    Family Holy Communion, 10am 

Bulwell, St Mary
20 December -    Churches Together Christmas Service on Bulwell Main Street, 10.30am 
21 December -    Holy Communion, 8am  
                         Holy Communion & Sunday School, 10am  
                         Lessons and Carols, 6.30pm
24 December -    Crib Service for young children & adults, 4pm
                         Midnight Mass, 11.30pm
25 December -    All-age Christmas Holy Communion, 10am

Calverton, St Wilfrid
21 December -    Service of Nine Lessons and Carols, 6pm
24 December -    Crib Service, at 6pm
                         Midnight Holy Communion, 11.30pm
25 December -    Holy Communion, 8.30am and 10.30am

Car Colston, St Mary
21 December -    Holy Communion, 10.30am
24 December -    Midnight Mass at 8pm

Carlton, St John the Baptist
20 December -    Xmas Workshop & Christingle, 2pm
21 December -    Parish Eucharist, 10am
                         Nine Lessons & Carols, 6.30 pm
24 December -    Midnight Mass, 11.30 pm
25 December -    Morning Prayer & Carols, 10am

Carlton-in-the-Willows, St Paul
21 December -    Christmas parade service, 10am
                         Christmas Lessons and Carols, 4pm
24 December -    All-age Christmas Worship, 4pm
                         Midnight Communion, 11.30pm
25 December -    Praise and Presents, 10am

Carlton on Trent, St Mary
23 December -    Carols, 7pm 
25 December -    Christmas Eucharist, 11am   

Carrington, St John the Evangelist
18 December -    Advent carol service at 7.30pm
21 December -    Parish Mass, 10am
24 December -    Traditional’ Crib service for all the family with carols and Christingle, 4pm
                         Midnight Mass with carols, 11.30pm
25 December -    Christmas morning Parish Mass for all ages, 10am

Caunton, St Andrew
21 December -    Carols, 4pm
24 December -    Christmas Eucharist, 11.30 pm  
4 January           Gift Service, 10.30 am    

Caythorpe, St Aidan
24 December -    Family Carols Service at Caythorpe Village Hall, 6pm  
25 December -    Holy Communion, 8am   

Chilwell, Christ Church
21 December -    Carol Service, 4.30pm & 7pm  
24 December -    Crib Service, 4.30pm
                         Midnight Communion, 11.30pm
25 December -    Holy Communion, 9am 
                         Family Celebration, 10.30am

Clipstone, All Saints
21 December -    Christingle, 4pm
24 December -    Crib Service, 4pm 
                         Holy Communion, 11.30pm
25 December -    Holy Communion,  9.30am

Coddington, All Saints
21 December -    Lessons and Carols, 6pm
24 December -    Midnight Mass, 11.30pm

Cropwell Bishop, Colston Bassett, Granby, Elton, Langar, Tythby, Cropwell Butler
21 December -    Carol service Holy Trinity Tythby, 11am
                         Carols by candlelight  St Andrew, Langar, 4pm
                         Carols by candlelight  St John the Divine, Colston Bassett, 6pm
                         Carols by candlelight  All Saints, Granby, 6pm
                         Carols by candlelight  St Michael & All Angels, Elton on the Hill, 6pm
24 December -    Crib Service St Giles, Cropwell Bishop, 4pm 
                         Holy Communion (BCP) St Mary's, Barnstone, 6pm
                         Carols by candlelight  St Giles, Cropwell Bishop, 6.30pm
                         Holy Communion (BCP) All Saints, Granby, 9pm
                         Holy Communion St John the Divine, Colston Bassett, 9pm
                         Holy Communion St Andrew , Langar, 11pm
                         Holy Communion Holy Trinity Tythby, 11.30pm
25 December -    Holy Communion (BCP) St Michael & All Angels, Elton on the Hill, 8.30am
                         All-age Holy Communion, St Giles Cropwell Bishop, 10pm

East Bridgford, St Peter
21 December -    Sung Eucharist, 9am 
                         Christingle, 4pm
23 December -    Christingle, 6pm
24 December -    Holy Communion BCP, 10am 
                         Carols by candlelight, 4.30pm 
                         Midnight Mass, 11.30pm
25 December -    Family Eucharist, 9.30am

East Leake, St Mary, West Leake, St Helena, Costock, St Giles, Rempstone, All Saints, Stanford-on-Soar, St John the Baptist
21 December -    Carol Service at Costock, 3pm
                         Carol Service at West Leake, 6pm 
24 December -    Blessing of the Crib – for the very young, East Leake, 3pm 
                         Christingle Service – for children, Rempstone, 3pm
                         Carol Service with Music Group, East Leake, 4.30pm
                         Carol Service, West Leake, 6pm
                         Carol Service with Choir, East Leake, 7.45pm
                         First Communion of Christmas CW, East Leake, 11.30pm 
                         First Communion of Christmas CW, Costock, 11.30pm
25 December -    Holy Communion BCP, East Leake, 8am
                         Parish Communion CW, East Leake 10am
                         Holy Communion CW, Rempstone, 9am
                         Holy Communion BCP, West Leake, 10am
                         Christmas Morning Worship, Stanford, 10am 
                         Family Service, Costock, 11am
28 December -    Holy Communion CW, East Leake, 9am
                         Benefice Communion Service CW, Stanford, 11am 
1 January -         Holy Communion CW, East Leake, 10am
                         New Year Service followed by Bring and Share lunch, Stanford, 12 noon

East Stoke, Oswald
21 December -    Carol Service, 6pm  
25 December -    Holy Communion, BCP, 8.30am

Edwinstowe, St Mary
21 December -    Lessons and Carols for Christmas, 10am
24 December -    Crib Service, 3pm
                         Midnight Mass, 11pm
                         Traditional Holy Communion, 8.30am
                         All-Age Holy Communion, 10.30am

Elston, All Saints
21 December -    Carol Service, 4pm
24 December -    First Communion of Christmas, BCP, 11.45pm
25 December -    Morning Prayer, 10.30am

Everton, Mattersey, Clayworth & Gringley-on-the Hill
21 December -    Crib Service in Mattersey Church, 9.30am
24 December -    Crib Service in Everton Church, 3pm
                         Crib Service in Clayworth Church, 4pm
                         Midnight Communion in Clayworth Church, 11.30pm
25 December -    Christmas Morning Communion Service for ALL ages, Gringley-on-the-Hill, 10am
28 December -    Holy Communion in Everton Church, 10am 

Flintham, St Augustine
20 December -    Carols by candlelight, 5pm

Forest Town, St Albans
21 December -    Traditional Carol service, 4pm
24 December -    Crib Service, 5.30pm
                         Midnight "mass", 11.30pm
25 December  -   Christmas Communion, 10am
28 December -    Parish communion, 9.30am

Gotham, St Lawrence
21 December -    Carols by Candlelight at Gotham Church, 4pm

Greasley, St Mary
21 December -    Carols by Candlelight, 7pm
24 December -    Crib Service, 5pm
                         Holy Communion, 11.30 pm
25 December -    Christmas Service with Holy Communion, 9.30am
11 January -       Christingle, 9.30am

Gunthorpe, St John the Baptist
21 December -    Carol Service, 6pm
25 December -    All-age Communion, 9am
28 December -    United Holy Communion service, 10am

Harworth, All Saints
21 December -    Service of Nine Lessons and Carols, 6pm
24 December -    Crib Service, 4pm 
                         The Blessing of The Crib and the First Mass of the Nativity, 10.30pm
25 December -    Family Communion for Christmas Morning, 10am

Holbeck, St Winifred
21 December -    Morning Prayer, 11.45am
25 December -    Family Service followed by Holy Communion, 11.30am

Inham Nook, St Barnabas
24 December -    Holy Communion, 11.15pm
25 December -    Holy Communion, 10.30am

Kilvington, St Mary
21 December -    Carol Service, 4pm
25 December -    Holy Communion, BCP, 10.30am  

Kirkby Woodhouse, St John the Evangelist
21 December -    Carols by Candlelight, 6pm
24 December -    Crib Service, 3pm
                         First Communion of Christmas, 11.30pm
25 December -    Parish Communion with carols, 10am

Kneeton, St Helen
21 December -    Carol service, 6pm

Lambley, Holy Trinity
21 December -    Traditional Lessons and Carols, 6pm
24 December -    Crib Service, 4pm
                         Midnight Mass of the Nativity, 11.30 pm
25 December -    Christmas Communion and Carols, 10am

Lowdham, St Mary the Virgin
21 December -    Nativity & Carols, 10.45am
24 December -    Crib Service, 4pm   
                         Holy Communion, 11.30pm
25 December -    All-age Service, 10.30 am 

Mansfield, St John
21 December -    Holy Communion, 8.30am
                         All Age Service, with Nativity, including "Little Fishes" Toddler Group, 10.30am
                         Carol Service, with Mansfield Male Voice Choir, 6pm
24 December -    Christingle Service, 6pm
                         Midnight Communion, 11.30pm
25 December -    Holy Communion, 8.30am 
                         All Age Christmas Day Service, 10am
28 December -    Holy Communion, 8.30am
                         Morning Worship, 10.30am

Mapperley, St Jude
21 December -    Community Carol Service, 6.30pm 
24 December -    Nativity with Christingle, 3pm  
                         Midnight Communion, 11.15pm  
25 December -    Christmas Family Celebration, with Holy Communion, 10.30am 

Newark, Christ Church
21 December -    Carol Service “Stars and Angels”, 6pm
23 December -    Christingle making in Church, 2pm
24 December -    Christingle Service, 4pm 
                         Midnight Service, 11.30pm
25 December -    Holy Communion Celebration, 10am 

Newark, St Leonards
21 December -    Carol Service, 6pm
24 December -    Crib Service, 5pm
                         Midnight Mass, 11.30pm
25 December -    Christmas Morning Eucharist, 10am
28 December -    No 8am Service, Family Eucharist at 10am 

Newark, St Mary Magdalene
21 December -    Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, 6pm
24 December -    Christingle, 6pm
                         Midnight Mass, 11.45pm
25 December -    Christmas Day Eucharist, 8am
                         Parish Eucharist, 9.30am

Normanton, St Matthews
24 December -    Crib Service, 4pm
25 December -    Christmas Eucharist, 9.30 am 

Norton Cuckney, St Mary
21 December -    Carol Service with the Exodus Singers - Mulled wine and mince pies to be served after the                
                         service, 3pm
21 December -    Crib Service, 5pm
                         First Communion of Christmas, 11.15pm
28 December -    Morning Prayer, 10am

Norwell, St Laurence
21 December -    Carols, 6pm
24 December -    Crib Service, 4pm 
                         Christmas Eucharist, 10pm 
6 January -         Feast of the Epiphany, 7pm 

Nottingham, All Saints, St Mary & St Peter
19 December -    Lace Market Carol Service, 1pm, St Mary's Church
21 December -    Holy Communion, St Peter’s, 8.15am
                         Carol Service, All Saints, 10.30am
                         Christingle Service, St Mary’s, 10.45am
                         Choral Eucharist, St Peter’s, 10.45am
                         Choral Evensong, St Mary’s, 6.30pm 
                         Taizé Worship, St Peter’s, 6.30pm
24 December -    Family Carol Service, St Peter's, 4pm
                         Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols, St Mary's, 7pm
                         Midnight Mass, St Peter's, 11.30pm
25 December -    Holy Communion, St Peter’s, 8.15am
                         Holy Communion, St Mary’s, 8.15am
                         Sung Eucharist, St Peter’s, 10am
                         Sung Eucharist, St Mary’s, 10.45am
28 December -    United City Centre Service, St Nicholas' Church, 10.30am

Nottingham, St Andrew
19 December -    Carol Service, 7.30pm
21 December -    Nativity Plus, 10.15am
22 December -    Book of Common Prayer Holy Communion, 11am
24 December -    Midnight Communion, 11pm
25 December -    Jesus' Birthday Binge, 10.15am

Nottingham, St Ann with Emmanuel
21 December -    Family Service, 10.45am
                         Festival Carol Service by Candlelight, 6.30pm    
24 December -    Midnight Communion and Carols by Candlelight, 11.15pm
25 December -    Family Service and shortened Communion, 10.45am
28 December -    Family Service and shortened Communion, 10.45am

Ollerton, St Giles
19 December -    Carol Service at St. Giles’ Church, 7pm
24 December -    Midnight Mass, 11.30pm

Ollerton, St Paulinus 
24 December -    Crib Service at St. Paulinus’ Church – 5.30pm
25 December -    Family Communion, 10am

Ossington, Holy Rood
21 December -    Carols, 6pm
25 December -    Christmas Eucharist, 10am
28 December -    Parish Eucharist (BCP), 10.45 am

Perlethorpe, St John the Evangelist
16 December - Carols by Candlelight, 6.30pm
25 December -    Holy Communion, 10.30am

Porchester, St James
20 December -    ‘Meet the nativity cast’ – live on Mapperley Top, 10am
                         Carols on Mapperley Precinct, 11am
                         Informal Carol service in the Church Hall, 3pm
21 December -    Memorial Service, 10am
                         Community Carols by Candlelight Service, 6.30pm
24 December -    Under 5’s activity service, 3pm
                         Crib service, 5.30pm
                         Midnight Communion, 11.30pm
25 December -    Christmas Day Celebration Communion, 9.30am

Radcliffe on Trent, St Mary
21 December -    Holy Communion, 8am     
                         Morning Service, 10am 
                         Carols by Candlelight (jointly with Methodist Church), 6.30pm 
24 December -    Nativity Service, 6pm 
                         First Holy Communion of Christmas, 10am  
25 December -    Holy Communion, 8am 
                         Holy Communion for All!, 10am  

Retford, St Swithun, St Saviour, St Michael the Archangel
21 December -    Holy Communion, St Swithun’s, 8am
                         Sung Mass, St Michael’s, 10am
                         All-Age Carol Service, St Saviour’s, 10.30am
                         Christmas Parade Service, St Swithun’s, 11am
                         Evening Prayer, St Swithun’s, 6.30pm
                         The Alternative Christmas Service, St Saviour’s, 7.30pm
24 December -    Children's Crib Service, St Michael’s,4.30pm  
                         Town Carol Service, St Swithun’s, 6pm
                         Candlelight Sung Mass, St Michael’s, 9pm
                         Candlelight Midnight Holy Communion, St Saviour’s, 11.30pm
25 December -    Holy Communion, St Saviour’s, 8am
                         Holy Communion, St Swithun’s, 8am
                         Family Christmas Communion, St Michael’s, 10am
                         All-Age Holy Communion, St Saviour’s, 10.30am
                         Christmas Sung Eucharist, St Swithun’s, 11am

Rolleston with Fiskerton, Morton and Upton
24 December -    Carol Service, Holy Trinity, Rolleston, 6pm
                         Midnight Mass, St Peter & St Paul, Upton, 11.30pm
24 December -    Family Eucharist, St Denis, Morton, 9am
                         Family Eucharist, Rolleston and Upton, 10.30am

Ruddington, St Peter's
21 December -    Carols by Candlelight, 6.30pm
24 December -    Children's Christmas Special, 4pm
                         Midnight Service, 11pm
25 December -    Christmas Service, 10.45am

Screveton, St Wilfrid
21 December -    Carols by candlelight, 6pm
25 December -    Holy Communion, 8.30am

Shelton, St Mary and All Saints
24 December -    First Communion of Christmas, BCP, 10.30pm

Sherwood, St Martin
21 December -    Carols by Candlelight, 5pm
24 December -    Crib Service, 4pm
                         1st Communion of Christmas, 11.30pm
                         Joint Service at the URC on Edwards Lane, Sherwood
25 December -    Holy Communion BCP, 8.30am 
                         Family Communion, 10am  

Shireoaks, St Luke
21 December -    Traditional Carols, 6pm
24 December -    Crib Service, 5.30pm
                         Midnight Communion, 11.30pm
25 December -    Family Communion, 10am

Sibthorpe, St Peter
21 December -    Holy Communion, 10.30am  
24 December -    Carol Service, 7pm

Southwell, Holy Trinity 
21 December -    Carol Service 6pm
24 December -    Church Nativity Service, 4pm
                         Midnight Communion, 11.15pm
                         Holy Communion, 8.30am
                         All Age Worship, 10.30 am

Southwell, St Mary the Virgin
17 December -    Emergency Services' Carol Service, 7.30pm
23 December -    Cathedral Carol Service, 7pm
24 December -    Morning Prayer, 8am
                         The Crib Service (Nave), 2pm
                         Choral Evensong, 3.30pm
                         Cathedral Carol Service, 7pm
                         Midnight Eucharist, 11.15pm
25 December -    Holy Communion with Carols (BCP), 8am
                         Family Eucharist, 9.30am
                         Choral Mattins, 11.15am
                         Said Holy Communion (Pilgrims' Chapel), 12.30pm
                         Evening Prayer with Christmas Music & Carols, 3.30pm

Stapleford, St Helen
21 December -    Nativity Play, 10am
                         Traditional carols and readings, 6.30pm
24 December -    Crib Service with Christingle, 4.30pm
                         Midnight Communion, 11pm
25 December -    Christmas Day Family Service, 10am

Stapleford, St Luke
25 December - Christmas Morning Worship,10am

Strelley, All Saints
21 December -    Carol Service, 3pm
24 December -    Christingle Service, 3pm
25 December -    Christmas Day Eucharist, 9.30am

Sutton on Trent, All Saints
21 December -    Carols with faith tea, 4pm 
24 December -    Christmas Eucharist, 11.15 pm
28 December -    Family Eucharist, 10am

Syerston, All Saints
24 December - Carol Service, 5pm 

Toton, St Peter
21 December -    Christmas celebration Soul Café 5.30pm
                         Traditional Carol Services, 8pm
24 December -    Christingle services, 3pm & 5pm
                         Holy Communion, 11.30pm
25 December -    All Age Christmas day service, 10.30am

Tuxford, St Nicholas, Weston, All Saints, Markham Clinton, All Saints
18 December -    Family Carol service, Weston, 7.30pm
21 December -    Carols around the crib, Tuxford, 3pm
                         Family Carol service, West Markham, 6pm
24 December -    Holy Communion, Tuxford, 8pm
                         Holy Communion, Weston, 11.30pm
                         Holy Communion, West Markham, 6pm
25 December -    Benefice Holy Communion, Tuxford, 10am 

Warsop, St Peter & St Paul and Sookholme, St Augustine
21 December -    Carol Service at Sookholme, 3pm   
                         Carol Service - Parish Church, 6pm
24 December -    Nativity (Powerhouse children), 4pm
                         First Communion of Christmas, 11.30pm
25 December -    Holy Communion, 10am

Whatton, Aslockton, Hawksworth, Scarrington, Orston and Thoroton, The Cranmer Group
17 December -    School Carol Service, St John’s, Whatton, 7pm 
18 December -    Carol Service, St Mary’s, Hawksworth, 7pm
21 December -    Morning Prayer, St Thomas, Aslockton, 11am                                                           
                         Holy Communion, St John’s, Whatton, 4.30pm
                         Carol Service, St John’s, Scarrington, 5pm
                         Carol Service, St Mary’s, Orston, 6.30pm 
22 December -    Carol Service, St Thomas, Aslockton, 7pm 
23 December -    Carol Service, St Helena, Thoroton, 7pm 
24 December -    Nativity Pageant, St Mary’s, Orston, 6.15pm
                         Holy Communion, St John’s, Whatton, 11pm
25 December -    Holy Communion, St Helena, Thoroton, 9am 
                         Morning Worship, St Mary’s, Hawksworth, 10am