A Christmas Message from Reverend Caroline
Dear Friends and Neighbours,
Generations of people before us have searched for a Messiah, a Saviour to rescue us from the difficulties of this world. As we look towards Christmas we are reminded that God sends us messengers, Angels, to point the way forward, help us connect with each other and with Him through Jesus. This is the reason why we celebrate the birth of Jesus: we understand and have come to know Him as the Son of God; he was so at one with God that through him we can learn what the Father’s love for us looks like. The Father, God, yearns to be at one with us and for us to be at one with him. But this can only happen if we say ‘yes’ to the invitation, following the examples of the leading protagonists in the Christmas story: Elizabeth and Zechariah, Mary and Joseph, the shepherds and the Magi, all of whom opened their minds and hearts to God, to such marvellous effect.
The events around Christ’s birth were incredible; that is why people still get caught up in the story: when you begin to dissect all that happened, there can be no alternative other than to say that ‘truly a miracle took place’ leading to generations of people ever after telling and retelling the story, helping others to see what a difference following Jesus makes to all our lives.
This year we will again remember and tell the stories. There will be an invitation open to each of us: will we allow Christ to grow within us? Will we risk saying ‘yes’ when all the world around us pressurises us to say the opposite? But if we do say ‘yes’, there is the possibility that amazing things will start to happen. We cannot predict what or even how, except that through the power of the Holy Spirit Jesus lives on and continues to bring hope and light in a world that is continuously threatened by darkness.
May I wish you all a blessed Christmas, filled with hope, love and joy,
Caroline
Our planned services and other events in December, the Christmas period and January are:
6 December: Christmas coffee morning in the Hall. There will be stalls and gifts for sale. Tables for Hire £6. If you would like to hire a table to sell your own Christmas Crafts and Goodies, please contact Sue Smith at: 
suzanne.smith321@gmail.com
7 December: Holy Communion 11.00 am with Choir
14 December: Holy Communion, 11.00 am
14-21 December: Christmas Tree Festival. (See below).
21 December: Holy Communion with Bishop David, 11.00 am
21 December: Carol Service 6.00 pm, followed by mulled wine, mince pies and draw. Collection in aid of St Petroc’s Society. (Note change of date)
24 December, Christmas Eve: Crib Service 4.00 pm
24 December, Christmas Eve: Midnight Mass 11.30 pm
25 December, Christmas Day: Family communion 11.00 am
28 December: Team Service at Ladock, 11.00 am, with choir
4 January, Epiphany: Holy Communion 11.00 am with choir
11 January, Feast of St Ladoca: Holy Communion 11.00 am
17 January, Ladock Bells Open Day
18 January: Holy Communion 11.00 am
25 January: Holy Communion 11.00 am
25 January: Evensong, 6.00 pm
There will be a short service of Morning Prayer every Tuesday at 9.00 am, with the exception of 24 December.
The Church is open for private prayer every day, including weekends.
Please note that full details of online services and other events are on our website, www.ladockchurch.org.uk. Ladock Church is also on Facebook.
Christmas Tree Festival
The Christmas Tree Festival is going to be a great opportunity to see a wealth of trees imaginatively decorated 'Through the Ages' by the various village and church groups in the benefice. Come and view them between 10am and 4pm from 14th to 21st December. Entry is free though donations, (this year for the Bells Appeal) are always welcome. Refreshments will be available; you may leave a comment - including voting for your favourite tree - and also share a thought, wish or prayer for loved ones on our Prayer Tree. There will be friendly faces to welcome you, serve tea and answer any questions. If you want to know more now, or take part either decorating a tree or doing a two hour stint welcoming people, please get in touch with Jo Nicolle. jo.nicolle@btinternet.com or 07708495480. See you there!
Christmas Draw at the Carol Service
Once again, there will be a raffle at the Carol Service with all proceeds going to St Petroc’s. Wanted - Christmassy items to make up a hamper which will be first prize. Any contribution, however small, would be very welcome. Thank you. Leave your donations at church or email secretary@ladockchurch.org.uk for more information.
Remembrance Sunday, 9 November
A large congregation of all ages braved the atrocious weather by gathering at the War Memorial just before 11am to witness the traditional Act of Remembrance, the laying of wreaths by Churchwarden Jeremy Sharp on behalf of the PCC, Councillor Tom Cordingley-Clark for the Parish Council, Iain Butler for the Ladock Players, as well as by Vanessa Morcom, representing the family of R C Caff, one of the Fallen. This was followed by the reading of the Roll of Honour. Tom Cordingley-Clark read the Citation and his daughter Elizabeth read the reply. In the absence of our bells this year, the start and finish of the two-minute silence were marked by recordings of the chiming of Big Ben and the Last Post. A short service in Church was conducted by the Reverend Linda Whetter. The collection of £300 was passed to the military charity, SSFA.
Bells News
The bells will be back for Christmas but please note that the rededication service planned for 17 January has been postponed until 29 March (3.30 pm), as Bishop David has to attend Bishop Hugh’s installation service at Worcester Cathedral, now scheduled for the same day. We will be holding an informal open afternoon for donors, well-wishers and locals on the afternoon of 17 January instead. Please see the bells’ article elsewhere in this edition of the Ladock News.
Coffee Mornings in the Hall
There will be no coffee morning in the Hall in January, but please put 14 February in your diary as the date of the first coffee morning of 2026 as well as being Valentine’s Day!
Flower Festival 23 - 25 May
Entitled ‘Cornwall in Bloom’, the idea is that something is created from props, handicraft and flowers to depict a chosen title for others to come and enjoy. We are all there to help each other and it's certainly not a competition and no experience is necessary. The first meeting was extremely positive and lots of ideas were put forward, including a concert. It’s not too late to join in; come to the next meeting at 2pm on Thursday 15 January at School House (between the church and school).
Should you be interested but can't come along, please do call Shirley on 01726 882697 or email at shirleyasoper@gmail.com
Contacts
Reverend Caroline Husband Joe Sharp, Churchwarden
01726 337730 07816 317180
Email: rector@probusteam.com Email: Churchwarden@ladockchurch.org.uk
Rev’d Linda Whetter Sue Smith, Churchwarden
01872 530265 07900 070382
Email: lindaw23@outlook.com Email: churchwarden2@ladockchurch.org.uk
Vanessa Morcom, Safeguarding Officer
07980 938910
Email: safeguarding@ladockchurch.org.uk