New Parish Priest

Hello from Noël and I.

We moved into Kinoulton Rectory from Flintham at the beginning of October and we still have a few boxes to unpack! Talking to others who have moved this appears to be quite normal and in fact several folks tell me they still have boxes unpacked and they moved house years ago!!

I was born and brought up in Nottinghamshire attending the Cotgrave Church of England School and then Bingham Toothill. Before being called to be a Priest I worked in administration and Human Resources for The West Midlands Fire Service. My ministry training was in Nottinghamshire and I have worked as a priest in and around Newark, since my ordination.

Noël is a Yorkshire man by birth and has worked as a teacher in Nottinghamshire since the early 70’s, latterly as Headteacher at the Norwell Church of England School until he retired a few years ago.

We have four grown up children Aimee, Claire, Nathan and Felicity. Aimee is a teacher like her Dad, Claire a Civil Servant, Nathan a Chef and Felicity a doctor. We have four wonderful grandchildren, the eldest is at school and the youngest just a year old.

This is the time of year when the children become very excited as Christmas is not that far ahead. This is the time when the church remembers the wonderful birth of Jesus over 2000 years ago in that stable in Bethlehem. Elsewhere in this magazine, and on the village websites, are the details of the church services we are holding at this very special time of year. May I take this opportunity to invite you to come along and join us at one (or more) of our services maybe the Christingle, a Carol Service or Midnight Mass?

We need to keep in our thoughts though what Christmas is all about. It is about the birth of Jesus Christ, our wonderful saviour and redeemer, over 2000 years ago in a stable in the little town of Bethlehem. That really is something to be excited about as well as all the fun, enjoyment and sharing we shall all have with our family and friends.

However we all need to spare a thought for those less fortunate than ourselves, those who may not have a family, or even a home, to share Christmas with. Then there are those who are ill, housebound, in hospital, those who have to work and those who for one reason or another cannot get home to be with family and friends this Christmas. Maybe that person lives next door or across the street?

And finally if you find yourself reading this in the New Year, and like so many of us find that the New Year Resolutions have somewhat slipped. Then please take heart from Jesus our Lord who must, I think, be the only person ever not to have let a resolution slip for He said “I will be with you for ever”.

Noël and I wish you all a very Happy Christmas and New Year.

Yours in Christ

Reverend Maggie Woodward

I can be contacted by phone on 07527 227023 or at Kinoulton Rectory on 01949 81183