Carolling at Hetton

It was our pleasure to arrange a carol service at Hetton Chapel in the Yorkshire Dales on the Saturday before Christmas. The building was purchased from the Methodists back in October, who had previously decided it was right to close back in 2019. The ‘steering group’ charged with running it had worked hard to arrange the room, provide drinks and cake, a warm and friendly welcome, and an appropriate selection of carols with a gospel message. I’ll confess to feeling a little apprehensive beforehand: would anyone come? Would it just be well-meaning Christians from other churches who fill the place? Thankfully, we had 120-130 present, around 80 of which were people from the local villages. We ran out of chairs and had to share carol sheets, but the singing was superb, the message appropriate and the atmosphere warm and welcoming. Regular, Sunday services will commence from the 12th January, and though they are unlikely to attract anywhere near these numbers, we have certainly got off to a good start.

Join me in praying for Hetton and the surrounding dale. While outwardly prosperous and contented, its people need Him who is the Light of the World.