The Salvation Army - Christmas Food Hampers | Swale Foodbank - Christmas Collection | Carol Singing in Upchurch

The Salvation Army - Christmas Food Hampers

The hamper boxes are ready!

I know that with the help of Upchurch residents, UpARA and St Mary's / Uplift churches, they will soon be full of Christmas goodies for the four struggling families that are being supported by Swale Foodbank and the Salvation Army.

They have joined together this year to try and help vulnerable people through Christmas. You may have seen the posters. They are trying to fill over 400 hampers. You are doing your bit - bless you.

Please visit: www.giftofchristmas.co.uk where you can read what's happening and join their Facebook group with more info.

Swale Foodbank - Christmas Collection

As well as the hampers, with the help of Santa's little helpers, Sue and Georgina, I will be collecting all your Christmas gifts for Swale Foodbank at the bus stop opposite the church on Wednesday, the 6th of December, between 10:30am and 11:30am. If you could go completely Christmas, that would be fantastic.

If you are able to provide long-lasting Christmas-type food, for example:

Christmas Pudding

Christmas Cake

Tinned Ham

Christmas Treat Stockings

Tinned Cream

After Eight Mints

Christmas Twiglets and other savoury treats

Biscuits to go with Cheese

Nuts and Crisps

Squash and Drinks

Please bring your items in carrier bags.

We will then deliver them to the Swale Foodbank Warehouse, part of the Trussell Trust.

All donations are helpful, providing the food is long life and well within date.

We are also collecting new toys, gift sets and new hats, scarves and gloves if you would like to donate a gift. These gifts need to be unwrapped.

The Salvation Army will be running a pop-up shop where families known to them will be able to come along and choose a gift for each member of their family. 

I think that's such a wonderful idea.

Can you help?

Carol Singing in Upchurch

I haven't finished yet. I'm gathering groups for carol singing on:

Wednesday the 6th of December at Beckenham Park, between 5:30pm and 6:00pm.

Monday the 11th of December on the corner of Marstan Close and Chaffes Lane, between 6:30pm and 7:30pm.

Monday the 18th of December, opposite the church by the village Christmas tree, between 6:30pm and 7:30pm.

Please come and lend your voice. Or come and pop some coins in our containers.

All proceeds will go to the Swale Foodbank and The Salvation Army appeal.

God bless you - you have stood with those struggling for the whole of this year.

I have no doubt that you will stand with them through this Christmas too.

Thank you, and may God bless you ❤️

Gill Gay - Foodbank Co-ordinator

Email: gilliangay99@yahoo.co.uk

Holywell Kids Club - Christmas Holidays 2023

Booking is essential and is taken on a first come first served basis, please use Arbor to book if your child attends Holywell.

Children from other schools are very welcome, please message: 07706 002060 or Email: kclub@holywell.kent.sch.uk

Holywell Primary School

Website: www.holywell.kent.sch.uk

Nursery Days Christmas Fayre

Nursery Days Christmas Fayre

On Saturday the 16th of December 

From 10:00am until 12:00pm

At The Old School, Upchurch, Sittingbourne, Kent ME9 7AJ

Come along for traditional games, prizes, festive food, and bundles of Christmas cheer!

Telephone: 01634 376924

Email: info@nurserydays-upchurch.co.uk

Website: www.nurserydays-upchurch.co.uk

Upchurch Matters

Upchurch Choral Society Presents “Christmas Crescendo”

“Christmas Crescendo”

Saturday 25th November 2023

7:30pm in St Mary’s Church, Upchurch 

Entry £10, under 18s free

Our concert will include Missa Pastoritia in F by Karl Kempter - a first performance of this work in the UK!  Also, lots of seasonal music with some audience participation.

Please come and join us!

Refreshments will be available at the interval, courtesy of The Friends of St Mary’s.

For more information, contact UCS Secretary Sue Rossiter.

Tel: 01634 234780 Email: sue.rossiter1@outlook.com

Sue Rossiter

Remembrance Sunday 2023 - Upchurch

The Remembrance Sunday service was led by Revd. Julian Staniforth and took place in the Church of St Mary the Virgin on November 12th.

The Upchurch uniformed youth organisations paraded from Drakes Hut as the rain eased and formed a guard of honour along the entrance to the south door of the church.

At the service, a very full church remembered all those who made the ultimate sacrifice in WWI and subsequent conflicts for this Nation. Eight wreaths were laid in turn in the Lady Chapel. The wreaths were on behalf of the Church, the Mayor of Swale, The Royal Navy Clearance Divers Association, Ferques (our twin village in France*), Upchurch Parish Council, Upchurch Scouts, Upchurch Guides and the Upchurch Brownies.

The names of all those on the Upchurch memorial tablets in the Lady Chapel who made the ultimate sacrifice in WWI and WWII were then read out in the order recorded. At 11.00 hours, the bugler played the Last Post and the two minutes silence was observed.

At the end of the service, the choir led the congregation out to the middle burial ground. Wooden Remembrance crosses were laid at each of the five War Grave Commission graves by past members of the Armed or Civilian services. After the crosses were laid, all those present stood in silent Remembrance on what was a damp and dull morning only brightened by the autumnal foliage. This act concluded with prayers.

It was pleasing to see the village showing poppies on lamp posts, knitted poppies on the church railings and elsewhere. In the cemetery, a blanket of poppies had been erected guarded by two silhouettes of “Tommys” acknowledging the fallen. My Royal British Legion thanks to those responsible for these displays.

*Upchurch Parish Council sends a wreath to Ferques for laying on Armistice Day when the French remember their war dead.

“WE WILL REMEMBER THEM”

Hon. Alderman Gerry Lewin - Poppy Appeal Organiser

Telephone: 01634 366113 - 07946 996789 Email: lewing135@btinternet.com

Christmas Market with Santa at Upchurch Village Hall

Christmas Market with Santa at Upchurch Village Hall

Saturday the 9th of December

From 11:00am until 4:30pm

The Christmas Market, organised by the Village Hall Management Committee, is a fundraising event for the St Mary’s Church Bell Tower Restoration Fund.

Tea, coffee, soft drinks and cakes will be provided inside the hall by Upchurch WI, with burgers and wraps available from Butlers Butties van outside. Both are donating from their profits to the Bell Tower Restoration Fund.

Thanks to Upchurch Parish Council, Santa, in his sleigh with giant reindeer and elves, will be visiting the children at the Village Hall from 12:00pm until 2:30pm.

Last year's Christmas Market was a big success!

Don't miss this excellent village event this year.

Upchurch Matters