Fetter Lane, London - Feb 2025

As the first Sunday of Advent approached, we realised that our Christmas tree had seen better days - an upgrade was required. Luckily, the group that uses Studio 1 for its regular second-hand charity book and bric-a-brac sales had a stylish (we are in Chelsea after all) artificial tree among their donations which we were able to purchase for a song. And so we began the time of preparation.

Building on our collaboration with the Chelsea Salvation Army and our growing mailing list of local families with young children, we were happy to welcome back members of the Salvation Army's brass band. Having played to weary shoppers along the King's Road, they joined us and around 50 people for 'Carols in the Close' as we've come to call this event. As well as music, we offered simple crafts activities for the younger children, an impromptu Nativity play directed by Br Edwin Quildan, puppets and refreshments - warm fruit punch, mince pies and biscuits. And woven throughout was the story of the birth of Jesus.

The following weekend we, like many other Moravian brothers and sisters, focused on Christingle. A few of us gathered on Saturday to make around 30 Christingles which were lit the next afternoon, marking the 4th Sunday of Advent. Br Michael Newman, dressed in his Christingle jumper, led the service with contributions from both children and adults.

As we move through 2025 we'll be planning more half-term children's activities, a series of summer talks around the history of Moravian Close and our September Open House weekend. Our regular Friday openings, where neighbours and tourists can drop in for tea, biscuits and a chat, will continue through the winter, bleak or otherwise.

And before you know it - Christmas will be upon us!

Sr Cynthia Dize