St Michael & All Angels Christmas Charity Appeal

Bidding for online auction of paintings from Advent Calendar starts on Christmas Eve

Picture by Liz Butler

St Michael & All Angels Church is making its annual Christmas Charity Appeal and this year the church’s three charities are - The Upper Room, The Amber Trust and WaterHarvest .

The charities are highlighted in the St Michael’s Advent Calendar,on the theme of ‘Opening doors for people in need’.

Every year since 2008, St Michael has displayed 24 original pictures in its Advent Calendar, both in the church and online, where people can click to open the doors on computers and mobiles. The pictures are created, in alternate years, by children from the church community and local artists. This year it’s the artists’ turn and their pictures will be auctioned after Christmas, with at least a third of the proceeds being donated to the Appeal.

The Vicar, Father Kevin Morris, says, “I hope you’ll give generously to our carol-singers and that you also enjoy our Advent Calendar. As well as acting as a focus for our worship in the run-up to Christmas, the pictures publicise our annual Charity Appeal. This year they have been created by 24 local artists and we’re very grateful to them.”

The original artworks are displayed in the church on a beautiful Advent Calendar frame, created by local artists Jim Cox and Glynis Porter. Every day until Christmas Eve, another door will be opened.

Robin by Pat Schaverien

They will be sold in an online auction, starting on Christmas Eve when the last door is opened, and closing at a party in the church, after the morning service on Sunday January 5th 2020.

Each artwork will have its own auction page and there will be mobiles and tablets in church on the 5th to make sure that everyone is able to place their bids.

Father Kevin says: “We think this is a wonderful way to celebrate the season. This church plays a central part in community life here in Chiswick, and the Appeal builds on our tradition of outreach and mission within our community. Collections from two of our Christmas services – Nine Lessons and Carols on December 15th and the Children’s Crib Service on Christmas Eve – are going to the charities, as will money raised by our carol singers at Turnham Green tube station. You can also donate online, put money in the green Advent jar in the church, or send a cheque to the Parish Office.”

This year, the appeal proceeds will go in their entirety to:

• The Upper Room, feeding the community in need in West London
• The Amber Trust, helping blind children fulfil their potential through music
• WaterHarvest, helping bring safer and sustainable water to people in rural India
  

St Michael’s is very grateful to the artists who have created pictures; to the local media and
sponsors, whose names can be seen on the Advent Calendar pages; to Alastair Cassels, who
designed and runs the St Michael & All Angels website; and to all those contributing to the Appeal.

Read more about St Michael’s at Advent and Christmas.

This page is sponsored by Express Property Services who support community initiatives in Chiswic

December 20, 2019