Venting his fury at a potential rival, Herod plays a percentages game: he spreads the net of his anger widely; kills every boy under two in order to ensure he kills just one. He fails. Fury and anger usually do - though that is scant consolation to the mourning families of the innocent who suffer. Meanwhile Jesus, the Saviour who is saved, is visited by unlikely people: in this case, shepherds and foreign rulers.
 
The shepherds, virtual outcasts in their own society and looked upon with grave suspicion, hear a song of peace. It is deeply attractive, and it sends them to Bethlehem.
 
The wise men have followed a hunch in the form of a star. They are about to learn that all their maps are wrong. They will return by a different route.
 
Tyrants like Herod still strut about the world today, their vanity and hubris still causing havoc and misery. But the door of the stable at Bethlehem still stands open for those who long for peace and those prepared to have their lives redirected.
 
Might you be one of them?
 
Have an interesting Christmas!

Rt Revd Stephen Cottrell
Bishop of Chelmsford

We grieve with hope, because we believe that Jesus died and rose again.

​Cathy Hasler

St Peter & St Paul’s hosted the Team’s annual Bereavement and Memorial service in association with the parish of St John the Evangelist - Grays North.  With around 150 in attendance this special service gave everyone a chance to reflect upon, and give thanks for, the lives of those who passed away in the parishes over the last 12 months.  Revd Canon Darren Barlow presided over the service, Cheryl Ramballi read for us and Cathy Hasler preached, touching upon her own situation as well as reflecting on that of others. Revd Christine Williams and Revd Tony Burford led the act of remembrance and Revd Clive Russell (vicar at St John the Evangelist) led everyone in prayer.

It’s with great pleasure that we can announce that the Revd Charlie Kosla, who is currently Associate Priest of Church Langley, Harlow, has been appointed Team Vicar in the Grays Thurrock Team Ministry. The service of licensing will be held  on Thursday 11th January 2018  at the Beacon Centre, Chafford Hundred.

I am looking forward very much to getting to know many of you, joining the team at Grays Thurrock, working with the churches and especially ministering at All Saints. I originate from Leytonstone/Stratford where I grew up in a non-Christian home that had little connection with church, but it was in Essex where I found faith and later began to minister as a Reader in the church. Now ordained 18 years I have worked in this diocese and St Albans, and for the last ten years as Mission and Evangelism Adviser for Chelmsford diocese. My passion is for churches and Christians to reach out to their communities with the love of God in Christ and see lives transformed, every person is special to God and all of us can make this known in our communities as we pray for ‘doors’ to open.

Married to Ann who is a vicar in Harlow, we have three daughters, two grandsons and one granddaughter, so our house is sometimes transformed into what seems like a Wild ‘n’ Wacky venue. I love socialising, good coffee and good beer, so look forward to buying some of you a drink at the Beacon Centre soon.

God bless you and have a fantastic Advent and Christmas as we celebrate and proclaim the Good News of God with us.

Charlie Kosla