The sort of things we do are to keep an eye on all who are ill or housebound, and visit them, provide transport or meals where necessary, and send cards or visit people to cheer them up.  Most often, it works both ways: an elderly, housebound lady can be a joy to visit, and we come away refreshed and encouraged.  We try to help those with young families who can also become 'housebound'.  On Sunday morning our crèche enables those with toddlers to attend the service, and helps the children to grow up feeling part of our church family.  To encourage friendship and fellowship, we organise social activities from time to time, hoping particularly to involve those who are lonely or 'on the fringe'.  This year we have had country walks, with a shared tea afterwards, an evening of country dancing, and learning about our wider family in Zimbabwe, an outing to Dunham Park with wheel chairs, and a concert at the Bridgewater Hall.  Quite a lot of 'behind the scenes' help goes on, like decorating a room, moving furniture, sharing a meal or doing a shop. Our aim is to try to understand the needs of all our members and meet them in whatever way we can. 

Obviously, there are much wider needs, in the local area, and world wide, and where possible we do what we can to meet these, by collecting funds for specific needs, or giving practical help where we can. 

Jesus' makeshift cot was where the animals usually fed. The reason Jesus was placed in the manger was for compromise not for 'cuteness'. Perhaps the animals in the stable would have trampled him if he were laid on the floor. Perhaps there was just too much dung there! The Son of God was born in a dirty, stinking animal enclosure! And what was everyone else doing? Well we know the inns were all full that first Christmas, things don't change do they! The humbleness and low social position of Jesus was part of the message that the rest of his life was to demonstrate; God's good news for the poor.

"Glory to God in the highest" the angels said to the shepherds. Well the real angels have had some unpleasant jobs in the past you see and this was quite simply the best news they'd ever told anybody. Something wonderful had happened and the angels just couldn't keep it in; God's long foretold rescue plan for the earth had begun and it was worth telling people about.