Christmas in the Western Dales 2023
The image featured on our Christmas Card this year comes from St Gregory’s Church, which you pass on the road from Sedbergh towards the M6. Designed by William Morris, it is admittedly Victorian in style, yet its message could not be more relevant for our world today.
In the Bible, peace means not just the absence of fighting, but the presence of wholeness and healing. When Christ was born in a stable in Bethlehem, God entered into this beautiful, yet broken, world and committed to work with us for its healing and restoration. God’s presence with us is at the heart of our Christmas celebrations.
We reflect this Christmas time on where we find peace, wholeness, and healing in our own lives, and pray for peace and justice to flourish in the wider world.
On behalf of the Western Dales Mission Community, may I wish you a very Happy Christmas and New Year. Please see below for our services at this special time of year.
Rev’d Andy Burgess
Western Dales Mission Community Leader
andy.burgess@westerndales.org.uk
Christmas Services
Saturday, 16 December
2pm – Carol Service (Holy Trinity, Howgill)
Sunday, 17 Dececember
8.30am – BCP Holy Communion (St Andrew’s, Sedbergh)
10am – Morning Prayer (St John the Baptist, Garsdale)
10.30am – Joint Service with Holy Communion (Cornerstone Community Church, Sedbergh)
10.30am – Morning Service (Dentdale Methodist Church, Dent)
12pm – Roman Catholic Mass (St Andrew’s, Sedbergh)
2.30pm – Holy Communion (St John the Evangelist, Cowgill)
2.30pm – Carols by Candlelight with Askrigg Ladies (Hawes Junction)
2.30pm – Carol Service (St Mark’s, Cautley)
6pm – Town Carol Service (St Andrew’s, Sedbergh)
7pm – Carol Service with Dentdale Choir (St Andrew’s, Dent)
Monday, 18 December
7pm – Carol Service (St John the Baptist, Garsdale)
Tuesday, 19 December
1.15pm – Dent Primary School Christmas Service (St Andrew’s, Dent)
7pm – Carol Service with Dentdale Choir (St John the Evangelist, Cowgill)
Wednesday, 20 December
9.30am – Settlebeck School and Sedbergh Primary School Christmas Service (St Andrew’s, Sedbergh)
11.30am – BCP Holy Communion (St Andrew’s, Sedbergh)
Friday, 22 December
7pm – Carol Service (St John the Evangelist, Firbank)
Christmas Eve, Sunday, 24 December
8.30am – BCP Holy Communion (St Andrew’s, Sedbergh)
10.30am – Joint Service with Holy Communion (St Andrew’s, Sedbergh)
10.30am – Holy Communion (St Andrew’s, Dent)
2pm – Carol Service (Low Smithy Chapel, Garsdale)
2.30pm – Carol Service (All Saints, Killington)
4.30pm – Nativity Play with Carols (St Andrew’s, Sedbergh)
4.30pm – Blessing of the Crib (St Andrew’s, Dent)
6pm – Christingle Service (Cornerstone Community Church, Sedbergh)
7pm – Carols by Lantern (St John the Evangelist, Cowgill)
8pm – Roman Catholic Mass (St Andrew’s, Sedbergh)
11.30pm – Christmas Night Holy Communion (St Andrew’s, Sedbergh)
Christmas Day, Monday, 25 December
9am – Christmas Day Holy Communion (St John the Evangelist, Cowgill)
9.30am – Christmas Day Service with Communion by Extension (St Mark’s, Cautley)
10am – Christmas Day Holy Communion (St John the Baptist, Garsdale)
10.30am – Christmas Day Service (Cornerstone Community Church, Sedbergh)
10.30am – Christmas Day Holy Communion (St Andrew’s, Sedbergh)
10.30am – Christmas Day Service (Dentdale Methodist Church, Dent)