Christmas is a little way off but we wanted to let you know about a great project we want to support this year at G2.

Operation Christmas Child is an initiative of the Christian charity Samaritan’s Purse.  It enables individuals, families, churches, schools etc. to bring joy and hope to children in need throughout the world through gift-filled shoe boxes.

Judy Griggs from St Mikes is co-ordinating our efforts across the church this year.  Leafetes will be apearing soon, but we wanted to let you know so you can make plans for your family, small group etc.

For more information have a look at www.operationchristmaschild.org.uk

The date for brigning in our shoe boxes will be Sunday, 16 November.  More details will follow.  More information from Judy Griggs 01904 651781 or jude@griggs2.freeserve.co.uk or Christian Selvaratnam

Make sure you have the Thursday 13th in your diary (7-30pm). This is the G2 Christmas social. It is in the restaurant of the Next Generation Gym. It is a 3 course Christmas dinner for only £10 per person. It will be a brilliant event so stick it in the diary and we will see you there.

It is a great thing to invite people to. Not to lure them into church! Just to be friends and have a great evening.

How about thinking of who you could pay for? Is there someone you could invite who otherwise wouldn’t get to go to a Christmas party?

The rejesus website has set an interesting challenge which links well with “G2 Gives Up (commercial) Christmas.”

Two thousand years after he walked the earth, Jesus of Nazareth remains one of those most talked-about and influential people who has ever lived. In the pages that follow, we explore his life, character, teachings and followers. This Christmas rejesus has a challenge for you. How much kindness can you generate for under £10? Random acts of kindness meets the parable of the talents. Submit your ideas or read what other people have done.

Read more about how to do it here.

St Mikes Christmas Carol service is on Sunday 16th December 2007 and we need LOTS of stewards - about 60!

If you can help (and you’ll get a great involvement with the meeting) then drop us an email at info@g2york.org.

A great evening of Christmas carols, music, top-class drama and a stiring message from Andy Hawthorne from the Message Trust.

You are invited to join us for the all-services St Mikes Christmas Carol service - “A Gift of Hope.”

The details are:

Date: Sunday 16th December 2007
Time: 7pm. Doors open 6pm.
Where: York Minster
Cost: Admission Free

In the month of December we are going to be looking at the real Christmas story and applying the lessons to our lives. The idea is to move away from commercial, fairytale, westernised Christmas and engage instead with the reality that Christmas is quite a lonely and sad time for lots of people.

But we have great news to share with them!

So through individuals and cell groups we will be looking to share with other people and give to those who don’t have.

Send your stories in, share them at G2, and start dreaming BIG!