Gaye Hailstone is an Anna Chaplain in the Diocese of Norwich. She is based in Brundall at the Yare Valley Group of churches. Gaye writes:
Here in Brundall, our craft group have been busy creating Christmas ornaments. Each of the residents in our five care homes received one, plus a Christmas card from everyone at Yare Valley Churches. We delivered them when we went into the homes with the nativity story and carols this week.
Just one look at their smiling faces was the best Christmas gift anyone could wish for.
Peter, pictured on the far right of the photograph, thanked us for making his first Christmas on his own without his wife so special.
Carols often take people back to the happy days of childhood, as they remember singing them in school or church. Our hope is that our carol services will have reached many who might not otherwise have been able to engage with the Christmas story this year, and that they not only enjoyed the story and music of the season – but were reminded that they are still remembered and are part of the church family and that they are loved by their Father God, who sent the Christ-child to live among us on that first Christmas over 2,000 years ago.
Wishing you all a peaceful Christmas filled with love, hope and joy.
Gaye Hailstone
Anna Chaplain with Yare Valley Churches