2006 has been the year when a lot of people have stood up for their faith.  Christians haven’t been the only ones, but we’ve played our part.  In the final weeks of the year the numbers who have stood up for the BA employee who wanted to wear her cross at work have been magnificent, so have those who have defended church schools and the chaplaincy services in Worcestershire hospitals.   And they’ve been proud to do so.

Each year at Christmas around half of the people of England attend a church service; that most do that every year is proof that the services are moving and enjoyable, as well as sustaining our faith.

I’d like this Christmas to offer a special invitation to everyone who has stood up for their Christian faith during the year to join us.  If you’ve supported the chaplains, or the check-in worker or our schools – even if simply in your heart or your prayers – pop into your local church this Christmas and stand alongside many others doing the same.

And as we gather together in celebration of the birth of Jesus, may the love in the stable at Bethlehem be the love that stirs in all our hearts.

May God bless you for Christmas and the New Year.

Bishop David

ENDS.

The Diocese of Worcester is one of 44 dioceses in the Church of England. It covers an area of 671 square miles and includes parishes in the County of Worcestershire, the Metropolitan Borough of Dudley, and a few parishes in northern Gloucestershire, south east Wolverhampton and Sandwell.