Christingles and Joyful Noise - 9th Dec 2018

Joyful Noise with their leader Kate Beare and Junior Chorister James Razzell who composed the carol, 'Jesus is born', sung by Joyful Noise accompanied by Ellie Beare  on a bell lyre.

The Rector, the Rev’d Canon David Tomlinson, said, ‘It was great to have over 150 children in church and to hand out 300 Christingles. Seeing the circle of faces illuminated by the lit candles on top of their Christingles is always special, and Joyful Noise, our young children’s singing group for children aged 6 -8 years old, sung a carol,  ‘Jesus is Born, composed by one of our junior choristers James Razzell.’’

A big thank you to Kate Beare who is stepping down from running Joyful Noise after 7 years. Kate started our youngest singing group for children aged between 6 and 8 in March 2012. Many of our junior choristers started in Joyful Noise. Kate is pleased to be able to hand over the group after Christmas to Anne Cass. If anyone has children who might be interested in joining Joyful Noise then please check out the choir page of our website or email music@stmaryssaffronwalden.org

Now in its 50th year, Christingle is a special, memorable celebration that takes place in thousands of churches and schools across the country.  The celebration is named after the Christingles that are lit during the service. Christingles are made from an orange decorated with red tape, sweets and a candle. The candle is lit during the service, symbolizing Jesus as the light of the world.   Each element of a Christingle has a special meaning and helps to tell the Christian story: the orange represents the world; the red ribbon (or tape) symbolises the love and blood of Christ; the sweets and dried fruit represent all of God’s creations; the lit candle represents Jesus’s light in the world, bringing hope to people living in darkness.

A collection amounting to £490 was taken for the Children’s Society to raise vital funds to help children who are facing Christmas alone and are unable to cope. More information about Christingle Services and the work of the Children’s Society is available at www.childrenssociety.org.uk.
A big thank you from the parents of Joyful Noise to Kate Beare who started our youngest singing group in 2012.