0:00:02 > 0:00:04More tea, Vicar? Yeah, go on, then.
0:00:04 > 0:00:06Vicars, pillars of the community...
0:00:06 > 0:00:07Are we high enough yet?
0:00:07 > 0:00:11..as English as tea and cake, and cricket on the village green.
0:00:11 > 0:00:14Nice to see you, to see you... Nice!
0:00:14 > 0:00:16But times are changing.
0:00:16 > 0:00:17One thing I am learning tonight
0:00:17 > 0:00:20is how many different words there are for a bit of a fight.
0:00:20 > 0:00:24Congregations are ageing, and faith is fading.
0:00:24 > 0:00:26People in this country do not go to church.
0:00:26 > 0:00:31So today's vicars are working hard to stay relevant.
0:00:31 > 0:00:35I think there is a gulf between the church and young people.
0:00:35 > 0:00:38In this series, vicars from Hereford,
0:00:38 > 0:00:40the Church of England's most rural diocese,
0:00:40 > 0:00:42let us into their life and work...
0:00:44 > 0:00:46..fighting to save community services...
0:00:46 > 0:00:49I really believe that this is where we should be putting our resources.
0:00:49 > 0:00:51..mucking in down on the farm...
0:00:51 > 0:00:53I'm worried there might be a stampede.
0:00:53 > 0:00:56..and getting into the festive spirit.
0:00:56 > 0:00:58It's the season to be jolly!
0:00:58 > 0:01:00It's all part of A Vicar's Life.
0:01:08 > 0:01:10Winter is approaching in Hereford...
0:01:11 > 0:01:14..where Vicar Ruth Holst is off for a manicure.
0:01:15 > 0:01:19She's offered herself up as a model for a trainee beautician.
0:01:22 > 0:01:23I'm going to Horizon,
0:01:23 > 0:01:27which is a training facility for 16 to 18-year-olds,
0:01:27 > 0:01:30who, perhaps, don't fit in to education.
0:01:32 > 0:01:36It's almost labelled as the bad kids' training centre,
0:01:36 > 0:01:39the bad kids' school, and it's really not.
0:01:40 > 0:01:42Hey, Vicky.
0:01:43 > 0:01:45With my youth work background,
0:01:45 > 0:01:49I'd really like to see if I can offer any help or support,
0:01:49 > 0:01:51and just get to know them a little bit better.
0:01:53 > 0:01:55- Hi.- Hello.
0:01:55 > 0:01:57- Are you Tyler?- Yeah. - Hi, nice to meet you.- Hello.
0:01:57 > 0:02:00- Nice to meet you.- Hiya, I'm Ruth.
0:02:00 > 0:02:0317-year-old Tyler started here a month ago,
0:02:03 > 0:02:06on a City & Guilds beauty course.
0:02:06 > 0:02:08- Can I just have a look at your nails?- You want to have a look?
0:02:08 > 0:02:09They're awful at the minute!
0:02:11 > 0:02:13Tyler has spent much of her life in care.
0:02:14 > 0:02:18How old were you when you first went into care?
0:02:18 > 0:02:20Um, I don't actually know.
0:02:22 > 0:02:24There is, like, different types.
0:02:24 > 0:02:25There's, like...
0:02:25 > 0:02:27foster homes, care homes,
0:02:27 > 0:02:30and then sometimes you can just go to, like, a respite,
0:02:30 > 0:02:32so it's, like, different things.
0:02:34 > 0:02:36I just got an apprenticeship.
0:02:36 > 0:02:37Oh, well done.
0:02:37 > 0:02:39So what would your, kind of, hopes be
0:02:39 > 0:02:41for when you get the qualification?
0:02:41 > 0:02:44And, hopefully, you get the job after the apprenticeship?
0:02:44 > 0:02:46I want to go to university.
0:02:46 > 0:02:47Yeah? And do what?
0:02:47 > 0:02:49Advanced beauty.
0:02:49 > 0:02:50Brilliant.
0:02:51 > 0:02:53I feel like I'm in a proper beauty salon.
0:02:57 > 0:03:02Tailored individual training is what makes this place so effective
0:03:02 > 0:03:04in helping young people like Tyler.
0:03:05 > 0:03:08But the centre is run by a charitable trust,
0:03:08 > 0:03:10and needs all the help it can get.
0:03:11 > 0:03:15It would just be really good if people understood what went on here,
0:03:15 > 0:03:19and valued what this place brings to the young people's lives.
0:03:19 > 0:03:22And we will see what we can do as a church, practically,
0:03:22 > 0:03:26actually to meet the needs of the community around us.
0:03:34 > 0:03:36It's early December
0:03:36 > 0:03:39and a heavy blanket of snow has fallen across the diocese.
0:03:43 > 0:03:47Four-year-old Edmund is enjoying his first-ever snowball fight.
0:03:47 > 0:03:49Ha!
0:03:49 > 0:03:53- Oh, no!- Almost as much as his dad, Father Matthew.
0:03:53 > 0:03:54Ha-ha-ha!
0:03:56 > 0:03:57Have you made an angel?
0:03:57 > 0:03:58Yeah!
0:03:58 > 0:04:00Look.
0:04:00 > 0:04:02Ha-ha-ha-ha! Ah!
0:04:03 > 0:04:04It's a winter wonderland
0:04:04 > 0:04:06in the Black Mountains.
0:04:06 > 0:04:08But unlike his dogs,
0:04:08 > 0:04:11the Reverend Nicholas Lowton is not in the mood for frolics.
0:04:13 > 0:04:15I, personally, hate snow.
0:04:15 > 0:04:17Because it's just a nuisance, as it's being at the moment.
0:04:17 > 0:04:19I don't mind it being up on the mountains,
0:04:19 > 0:04:21it's when it's down here it's not so good.
0:04:21 > 0:04:22But, no, that does look...
0:04:23 > 0:04:24..fabulous.
0:04:29 > 0:04:31There are two weeks to Christmas,
0:04:31 > 0:04:33one of the busiest times in a vicar's calendar.
0:04:35 > 0:04:38Of course, Christmas, if we are going to be pious about it,
0:04:38 > 0:04:40which I can be, um,
0:04:40 > 0:04:44Christmas begins on the evening of December 24th.
0:04:45 > 0:04:47I think what's sad for some people
0:04:47 > 0:04:49is that by the time Christmas itself actually comes,
0:04:49 > 0:04:51they're probably fed up with the whole thing.
0:04:51 > 0:04:54The Advent season is one of preparation,
0:04:54 > 0:04:59and prepare yourself does not mean getting all the shopping in,
0:04:59 > 0:05:00getting all the presents bought,
0:05:00 > 0:05:02and getting all the cards written.
0:05:02 > 0:05:05It means preparing yourself, um,
0:05:05 > 0:05:08for the great and wonderful message that we hear at Christmas time.
0:05:15 > 0:05:16Back at home...
0:05:16 > 0:05:19It's the season to be jolly.
0:05:19 > 0:05:23But there's not a bow of holly to be seen in the vicar's study,
0:05:23 > 0:05:26where preparations are underway for Craswall's Carol service.
0:05:29 > 0:05:31Well, we start with Once In Royal David's City,
0:05:31 > 0:05:35because if we don't there'll be some sort of international incident.
0:05:35 > 0:05:37We've then got See Amid The Winter's Snow,
0:05:37 > 0:05:39which is curiously prescient.
0:05:39 > 0:05:41Ding Dong Merrily On High.
0:05:41 > 0:05:43That's put in as a teensy-weensy bit of a joke, because,
0:05:43 > 0:05:46you know, it's going to be a disaster with 250 people singing it.
0:05:46 > 0:05:48Silent Night, Holy Night - that's OK. The First Noel.
0:05:48 > 0:05:50The First Noel, I actually hate.
0:05:50 > 0:05:52Because it's far too high, and it's...eurgh!
0:05:53 > 0:05:55I've put in, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.
0:05:55 > 0:05:58We always have that one, cos it's long.
0:05:58 > 0:06:00And if you're going to take a collection,
0:06:00 > 0:06:01then that's a useful to have in.
0:06:01 > 0:06:04And then we have Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.
0:06:04 > 0:06:06That's one carol service, isn't that good?
0:06:07 > 0:06:08So, all I need to do...
0:06:10 > 0:06:12..is another 250 of those!
0:06:12 > 0:06:13How much time have you got?
0:06:22 > 0:06:27Further north, in Much Wenlock, it's looking a lot more like Christmas.
0:06:27 > 0:06:30Could be good, just watch the tuning ever so slightly.
0:06:30 > 0:06:33And, as the choir rehearses for their carol service...
0:06:33 > 0:06:36THEY SING
0:06:36 > 0:06:38..it's starting to sound like it too.
0:06:40 > 0:06:43But whilst the church is keeping it traditional,
0:06:43 > 0:06:47Reverend Matthew Stafford prefers a less restrained look
0:06:47 > 0:06:49for the rectory.
0:06:49 > 0:06:51Come on, Santa, ho-ho!
0:06:53 > 0:06:55Merry Christmas.
0:06:57 > 0:06:59I mean, the lovely thing about the Christmas story
0:06:59 > 0:07:03is that we're reminding that God's love extends to all.
0:07:03 > 0:07:05God wants our light to shine.
0:07:09 > 0:07:11Right, the countdown to Wenlock Christmas.
0:07:11 > 0:07:14Five, four, three, two, one...
0:07:14 > 0:07:17Yes! It works.
0:07:17 > 0:07:20Setting up the piano is my favourite bit.
0:07:20 > 0:07:24Usually the choir at some point will come over Christmas,
0:07:24 > 0:07:27and they all gather around the piano and we all sing carols.
0:07:27 > 0:07:31So I like to make sure that the piano is just right.
0:07:34 > 0:07:37By the time you've gone through all the Christmas services,
0:07:37 > 0:07:40you're not overly sociable,
0:07:40 > 0:07:44so we like the fact that you just close that rectory door,
0:07:44 > 0:07:46get the dinner going, have a gin and Dubonnet,
0:07:46 > 0:07:48watch a bit of trashy telly,
0:07:48 > 0:07:52sit in front of the fire, and we're quite happy, aren't we?
0:07:54 > 0:07:58With Matthew devoting so much time to caring for others,
0:07:58 > 0:08:01his wife, Julie, is focused on care needs closer to home.
0:08:03 > 0:08:08Both their teenage sons, Conall and Oran are on the autism spectrum.
0:08:12 > 0:08:18Now that the boys are older, and can be left, you know, for a few hours,
0:08:18 > 0:08:21it frees me up to maybe help other families.
0:08:24 > 0:08:28Having children with learning difficulties, many people judge you,
0:08:28 > 0:08:31and judge the way you manage your children,
0:08:31 > 0:08:33or challenge how they behave or interact.
0:08:36 > 0:08:38I wouldn't have them any other way.
0:08:38 > 0:08:42And the reason why they are thriving is team effort.
0:08:42 > 0:08:46I have to say, it's my Julie that has given up her career
0:08:46 > 0:08:49to ensure that their needs are met,
0:08:49 > 0:08:51and we were very fortunate that we were able to do that.
0:08:53 > 0:08:55History is going all right.
0:08:55 > 0:08:59I used to say I didn't like history, but I've taken it back now.
0:08:59 > 0:09:03Oran is studying for A-levels, but like many a teenager,
0:09:03 > 0:09:04he needs a bit of a push.
0:09:06 > 0:09:10You know, you have autism, but you are a typical...
0:09:10 > 0:09:13- Teenager.- ..16, 17-year-old
0:09:13 > 0:09:19that grunts, "Urgh! What, Mam? What? What do you want, Mam?"
0:09:19 > 0:09:23I wasn't the brightest ticket in the box, and I don't mean that unkindly,
0:09:23 > 0:09:25- but I wasn't...- Academically able?
0:09:25 > 0:09:28But, I mean, it's a different kettle of fish for you, Oran,
0:09:28 > 0:09:29because you are a bright lad.
0:09:30 > 0:09:35You've got the potential to get three decent A-levels.
0:09:35 > 0:09:37Just give it your best shot.
0:09:37 > 0:09:38Just have a go.
0:09:38 > 0:09:44Just have a go. So that's why your dad is twitchy, because, you know,
0:09:44 > 0:09:46I don't want you...
0:09:46 > 0:09:49- To turn out like your dad! - THEY LAUGH
0:09:49 > 0:09:50I don't...
0:09:50 > 0:09:57I don't want you... Ha-ha, to make the same mistake as your dad did,
0:09:57 > 0:10:00- and not use...- Not waste your time...- Not use your time wisely.
0:10:08 > 0:10:10At Holy Trinity Vicarage,
0:10:10 > 0:10:13Ruth's boys are making the most of the snow.
0:10:13 > 0:10:15Yay!
0:10:15 > 0:10:19- Again?- No!
0:10:19 > 0:10:22But the vicar herself has had some bad news.
0:10:24 > 0:10:26Horizon training's lease has expired.
0:10:28 > 0:10:32They have to raise £55,000 to secure new premises -
0:10:32 > 0:10:34money they don't have.
0:10:37 > 0:10:39I can't believe it.
0:10:39 > 0:10:40I'm horrified.
0:10:41 > 0:10:46Currently, the plan is that they would like to buy some premises
0:10:46 > 0:10:49that are further down the road, but they need quite a lot of money,
0:10:49 > 0:10:53so we are trying to raise awareness of that, get people to donate,
0:10:53 > 0:10:55get them some way to raise this money.
0:11:00 > 0:11:04The training centre badly needs funds,
0:11:04 > 0:11:06but Ruth's keen to help in other ways too.
0:11:07 > 0:11:10Today, she is taking the midweek communion service
0:11:10 > 0:11:13for the faithful few.
0:11:13 > 0:11:17We get anywhere between five and ten, sometimes 12.
0:11:20 > 0:11:23- Good morning, everybody. - ALL:- Morning.
0:11:23 > 0:11:26I hope you're not too cold, and I hope you're in good voice.
0:11:28 > 0:11:33Amongst Ruth's congregation are people with life experience to offer,
0:11:33 > 0:11:34and time on their hands.
0:11:35 > 0:11:39One of them is Rita, who lost her husband three years ago.
0:11:41 > 0:11:44I just couldn't cope with going home to this empty seat,
0:11:44 > 0:11:48and this one day I just turned into the church,
0:11:48 > 0:11:49and I was having a real...
0:11:50 > 0:11:52..anxiety attack, really.
0:11:52 > 0:11:54And basically, they rescued me.
0:11:55 > 0:11:58And I've been coming here for the last three years, ever since.
0:11:59 > 0:12:03They teach them maths and English, and they teach them carpentry,
0:12:03 > 0:12:06and building work and catering, and beauty and ICT.
0:12:06 > 0:12:09The training centre needs volunteers
0:12:09 > 0:12:12to help its students with one-to-one support.
0:12:12 > 0:12:15Yeah, we're just trying to ask people to
0:12:15 > 0:12:16volunteer a bit of time.
0:12:16 > 0:12:19And Rita has already put her name down, haven't you?
0:12:19 > 0:12:21Rita is fantastic.
0:12:21 > 0:12:24Rita is the grandmother that everybody wants.
0:12:24 > 0:12:28I'm not sure she'd like me saying that, but she's just gentle,
0:12:28 > 0:12:30she's patient, she's got this lovely sense of humour,
0:12:30 > 0:12:34and this twinkle in her eye, so for her going to volunteer,
0:12:34 > 0:12:36it will just be a very gentle presence,
0:12:36 > 0:12:38just an encouragement and a support to those young people.
0:12:45 > 0:12:48In the north of the diocese, in Shropshire,
0:12:48 > 0:12:50there is a different kind of youth project.
0:12:54 > 0:12:56Tickwood is owned by Edward...
0:12:56 > 0:12:57Watch out!
0:12:57 > 0:13:00..who has transformed his family farm
0:13:00 > 0:13:02into an outdoor learning centre
0:13:02 > 0:13:04for young people with special needs.
0:13:06 > 0:13:07- Well done, Lewis.- Yeah.
0:13:09 > 0:13:12Edward is keen to get the church more involved,
0:13:12 > 0:13:14so he's called in local vicar, Matthew.
0:13:18 > 0:13:20I'm glad those snowballs are not stones!
0:13:22 > 0:13:23Brilliant.
0:13:25 > 0:13:28- THEY ALL SING - # So glad you're having... #
0:13:28 > 0:13:31Matthew already knows Edward from the church choir.
0:13:33 > 0:13:36Along with other skills, singing is encouraged here
0:13:36 > 0:13:38as a great way to boost confidence.
0:13:38 > 0:13:41THEY APPLAUD
0:13:41 > 0:13:44What we're doing, in this very small way at the moment,
0:13:44 > 0:13:49is practical experience in farming, in gardening, in cooking,
0:13:49 > 0:13:53and then for some of them it's doing a qualification.
0:13:53 > 0:13:55But a meaningful qualification.
0:13:55 > 0:13:58The aim is that the young adults that come here
0:13:58 > 0:14:01actually are better prepared for the workplace
0:14:01 > 0:14:04than your average young adult out of mainstream.
0:14:08 > 0:14:10Here you are, my loves.
0:14:10 > 0:14:13I just hope I'm doing it right.
0:14:13 > 0:14:15I'm worried there might be a stampede!
0:14:18 > 0:14:21One of the farm's most remarkable success stories
0:14:21 > 0:14:23is 27-year-old farmhand Ian.
0:14:25 > 0:14:27Here you are, Ian. You're going to have to show me what to do.
0:14:27 > 0:14:30Do I just have to sprinkle it along, do I?
0:14:30 > 0:14:31Yeah?
0:14:31 > 0:14:36Like Matthew's sons, Ian is on the autism spectrum,
0:14:36 > 0:14:38but he also has a severe learning disability.
0:14:39 > 0:14:43Ian had the most complex needs of anybody on the farm.
0:14:43 > 0:14:47He didn't really speak, he didn't look you in the eye,
0:14:47 > 0:14:50just completely within himself.
0:14:50 > 0:14:54But over the last two years, it's been staggering, the change in him.
0:14:57 > 0:15:00So much, in fact, that he's even picking up the bug for singing.
0:15:02 > 0:15:04Do you know Silent Night a little bit?
0:15:04 > 0:15:10- # Silent...- night - Holy...- night
0:15:10 > 0:15:15- # All is...- calm - All is...- bright. #
0:15:15 > 0:15:18- Wow!- Where's Simon Cowell when you need him?
0:15:18 > 0:15:21I know! I'd definitely vote for you, Ian, any day.
0:15:21 > 0:15:23Well done, Ian.
0:15:27 > 0:15:30This is not just about doing jobs, it's about social life,
0:15:30 > 0:15:33It's about talking. It's about him feeling part of the community.
0:15:33 > 0:15:35Yeah.
0:15:38 > 0:15:41With Ian's new-found love of carols,
0:15:41 > 0:15:45Matthew might have the perfect community occasion.
0:15:45 > 0:15:48Do you fancy coming to the carol service on Sunday night?
0:15:48 > 0:15:50- Please.- Please, half past six then.
0:15:50 > 0:15:51That's a date then.
0:15:51 > 0:15:55And then you can improve the quality of Silent Night, that night.
0:15:55 > 0:15:56That's good.
0:16:05 > 0:16:09I'm really quite speechless and humbled.
0:16:10 > 0:16:15We live in this age where we're quick to make judgments
0:16:15 > 0:16:18about people, and write people off.
0:16:18 > 0:16:23And here is a guy that's thriving, and making a difference,
0:16:23 > 0:16:25not only in his own life,
0:16:25 > 0:16:27but in the lives of other people
0:16:27 > 0:16:29by the contribution that he's making here at Tickwood.
0:16:29 > 0:16:32So, well done, Ian, all I can say.
0:16:44 > 0:16:48Nurturing challenging young people requires time and patience.
0:16:50 > 0:16:52Hello. I've come to read with Keegan.
0:16:52 > 0:16:55In Hereford, church volunteer Rita
0:16:55 > 0:16:59has arrived for her first mentoring session at Horizon training.
0:17:03 > 0:17:08She'll be working with 17-year-old Keegan, a gifted carpenter,
0:17:08 > 0:17:09who struggles academically.
0:17:11 > 0:17:13I can't read and write.
0:17:14 > 0:17:17Nobody's really got an answer for it.
0:17:19 > 0:17:20I wish there was one.
0:17:21 > 0:17:23They say I can't see the words, I can see the words,
0:17:23 > 0:17:27but I just can't put them in to, like,
0:17:27 > 0:17:30reading form, basically.
0:17:31 > 0:17:33But I'd love to just sit down and read a book.
0:17:38 > 0:17:41It's this kind of help that Ruth is hoping
0:17:41 > 0:17:43church volunteers like Rita can offer.
0:17:43 > 0:17:46- Hello.- How are you?- I'm Jeff. I'm the construction tutor.
0:17:46 > 0:17:48- Nice to meet you.- You OK?- Yes.
0:17:48 > 0:17:50Keegan, this is Rita.
0:17:50 > 0:17:52- Hello, Keegan.- Hiya. - Nice to see you.
0:17:52 > 0:17:55Yeah. She's coming to have a chat.
0:17:55 > 0:17:59I think there is a gulf between the church and young people...
0:18:01 > 0:18:04..but I do think the church needs to make that first move
0:18:04 > 0:18:06in order to bridge that gap,
0:18:06 > 0:18:09and to show young people that the church is not there
0:18:09 > 0:18:11for what they can get out of them,
0:18:11 > 0:18:14but the church is there for what we can offer them, and give them,
0:18:14 > 0:18:16and how we can support and encourage them.
0:18:18 > 0:18:21- Nine and three are?- 12.- Yeah.
0:18:21 > 0:18:23Keegan is studying maths today.
0:18:23 > 0:18:25- And add one more?- 13.
0:18:25 > 0:18:27So, three down.
0:18:28 > 0:18:32He can handle the sums, but he needs help with the instructions.
0:18:32 > 0:18:37Look at the example below, that's here,
0:18:37 > 0:18:40and try to answer these sums in the same way.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43So the example is 16 minus 4?
0:18:43 > 0:18:4512.
0:18:45 > 0:18:46Yeah.
0:18:46 > 0:18:48Two down, carry one.
0:18:50 > 0:18:54Our congregation have experience, they have skills,
0:18:54 > 0:18:55they have time to offer.
0:18:55 > 0:19:00And elderly people benefit from having an experience of the life
0:19:00 > 0:19:03that's within young people, so I really think it works both ways.
0:19:05 > 0:19:08He's very good at the practical stuff, I just hope...
0:19:10 > 0:19:13..it clicks with him eventually, the theory side of it all.
0:19:13 > 0:19:16He's got a really good future ahead of him.
0:19:18 > 0:19:22She was nice about it. She was actually helping me.
0:19:24 > 0:19:26If she does come back, it would be nice...
0:19:28 > 0:19:30..but I won't be shocked if she doesn't.
0:19:35 > 0:19:38Just down the road at Holy Trinity, it's a busy night
0:19:38 > 0:19:41for Ruth, Matthew, and the West Hereford team.
0:19:43 > 0:19:47Can you tell I've folded lots of service sheets in my time?
0:19:49 > 0:19:52Tonight, they are holding an auction of promises
0:19:52 > 0:19:53to raise funds for the church.
0:19:57 > 0:19:58£30? 30 bid.
0:19:58 > 0:20:0135?
0:20:01 > 0:20:03We've got tickets to Gloucester Rugby Club,
0:20:03 > 0:20:05a limited edition print,
0:20:05 > 0:20:07we've got a walk-on part in a pantomime,
0:20:07 > 0:20:09which I think is going to be quite a popular one.
0:20:09 > 0:20:11We've got a ride in a Porsche with a rally car driver.
0:20:11 > 0:20:14We've got meals, we've got tickets, we've got experiences.
0:20:14 > 0:20:16We've got loads of stuff.
0:20:16 > 0:20:1929? 30? 30 bid.
0:20:19 > 0:20:22One lot has caught the eye of Ruth's husband, John.
0:20:23 > 0:20:27A much-needed night out, complete with a baby-sitter!
0:20:27 > 0:20:30£40. In the middle there, seated.
0:20:30 > 0:20:32I'm trying to ignore how much money he's spending.
0:20:32 > 0:20:36Will anybody give me five? Selling at 50.
0:20:36 > 0:20:3932, thank you.
0:20:40 > 0:20:44Curate Matthew Cashmore is after a walk-on part in a panto.
0:20:46 > 0:20:47I'm having this!
0:20:48 > 0:20:50But someone else has his eye on the prize.
0:20:50 > 0:20:53His boss, team rector Rob North.
0:20:53 > 0:20:5580. Five.
0:20:55 > 0:20:56Ho-ho-ho-ho!
0:20:59 > 0:21:00You can have it.
0:21:00 > 0:21:04Going at 85, £85. 85 here. 85.
0:21:04 > 0:21:05APPLAUSE
0:21:10 > 0:21:12It's been a lot of fun.
0:21:12 > 0:21:13Made quite a bit of money.
0:21:13 > 0:21:17Um, yeah, and there's a good atmosphere, so...
0:21:17 > 0:21:20Yeah, I think it's gone really well.
0:21:20 > 0:21:21Thank you all very much indeed.
0:21:21 > 0:21:24You've been a wonderful congregation.
0:21:24 > 0:21:25LAUGHTER
0:21:31 > 0:21:33Hello, how are we all?
0:21:33 > 0:21:35- Excellent, thank you.- Good, good.
0:21:35 > 0:21:38With just six days until Christmas,
0:21:38 > 0:21:42Nicholas is getting a little more into the festive spirit.
0:21:43 > 0:21:46Tonight, it's the Craswall carol service.
0:21:47 > 0:21:50Hello there, how are we all?
0:21:50 > 0:21:52You are wonderful.
0:21:52 > 0:21:53Twice in one day, I note.
0:21:57 > 0:22:01It's the first time ever I've done carols here.
0:22:01 > 0:22:04So I thought it might be quite interesting
0:22:04 > 0:22:05to see what the response was
0:22:05 > 0:22:11and, from what I can see, we have a church which is embarrassingly full.
0:22:11 > 0:22:13It'll be lovely because, if the church is full,
0:22:13 > 0:22:15people are going to sing really loudly. Won't you, Janet?
0:22:15 > 0:22:17That's right!
0:22:17 > 0:22:18Let's get this show on the road!
0:22:20 > 0:22:26# Once in royal David's city
0:22:26 > 0:22:32# Stood a lowly cattle shed... #
0:22:35 > 0:22:38The funny thing about Christmas
0:22:38 > 0:22:42is that it's probably the one episode in the Bible
0:22:42 > 0:22:45of which people have some sort of knowledge.
0:22:47 > 0:22:49What would be really wonderful,
0:22:49 > 0:22:53would be if people knew more of the story of Jesus's life,
0:22:53 > 0:22:56Jesus's death, and Jesus's resurrection.
0:23:00 > 0:23:02For to us a Child is born,
0:23:02 > 0:23:05to us a Son is given.
0:23:05 > 0:23:07His name will be called Wonderful Counsellor.
0:23:08 > 0:23:14The Christian message is about a life of sacrificial love,
0:23:14 > 0:23:17culminating in the greatest act of sacrificial love
0:23:17 > 0:23:19the world has ever known,
0:23:19 > 0:23:22followed by the joy of the knowledge...
0:23:24 > 0:23:28..that death is nothing and Jesus is with us.
0:23:28 > 0:23:34Now, that is... The knowledge of that, can only be life-changing.
0:23:48 > 0:23:51In Shropshire, Much Wenlock's annual carol service
0:23:51 > 0:23:53is about to begin.
0:23:53 > 0:23:54When do I blow it out?
0:23:54 > 0:23:57At "Once in royal"? Or after "Once in royal"?
0:23:57 > 0:23:58- After you've gone in.- Yeah.
0:23:59 > 0:24:02It's a big night for the choir
0:24:02 > 0:24:04but sitting at the back of the church,
0:24:04 > 0:24:07it's an even bigger deal for Tickwood's farmhand, Ian.
0:24:09 > 0:24:12He's accepted Matthew's invitation,
0:24:12 > 0:24:15much to the delight of his boss, Edward.
0:24:15 > 0:24:19It's fantastic that Ian could come to such a large gathering,
0:24:19 > 0:24:21in close contact with lots of people...
0:24:22 > 0:24:24..and lots of noise, it's brilliant.
0:24:35 > 0:24:38Singing in church holds a particularly special place
0:24:38 > 0:24:40in Matthew's heart.
0:24:43 > 0:24:45I learned to read through singing.
0:24:48 > 0:24:50I didn't actually read till I was seven.
0:24:52 > 0:24:56And it's no coincidence that I actually learned to read
0:24:56 > 0:24:59by singing in a church choir,
0:24:59 > 0:25:01and that's why I love the New English Hymnal.
0:25:01 > 0:25:06# Bless all the dear children
0:25:06 > 0:25:10# In thy tender care... #
0:25:10 > 0:25:13Singing lifts people's spirits.
0:25:15 > 0:25:19And you go away feeling that much more refreshed,
0:25:19 > 0:25:21and have a greater perspective
0:25:21 > 0:25:23on what to and what not to worry about.
0:25:27 > 0:25:29The blessing of God Almighty,
0:25:29 > 0:25:31the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
0:25:31 > 0:25:36rest upon you and those you love, this day, this Christmastide,
0:25:36 > 0:25:38and always. Amen.
0:25:44 > 0:25:46So, thank you ever so much for coming, Ian.
0:25:46 > 0:25:50Take care. And you have a happy Christmas, all right.
0:25:50 > 0:25:51What do you say? Ho-ho-ho!
0:25:51 > 0:25:54- Ho-ho-ho.- Ho-ho-ho, hooray!
0:25:57 > 0:26:01I think we need to strive for a more tolerant society.
0:26:02 > 0:26:04Regardless of who we are,
0:26:04 > 0:26:08nothing should prohibit anyone being able to thrive,
0:26:08 > 0:26:12and make a worthy contribution to society.
0:26:29 > 0:26:34For many, Christmas is a time for reaching out to others.
0:26:34 > 0:26:36What do you call two happy mushrooms?
0:26:37 > 0:26:38Fun guys!
0:26:38 > 0:26:41Ruth and her colleagues are at a Christmas feast
0:26:41 > 0:26:44for Holy Trinity lunch club.
0:26:44 > 0:26:45Ready?
0:26:45 > 0:26:48Way-hey.
0:26:48 > 0:26:51It's a much-loved social group for church members,
0:26:51 > 0:26:52many of whom live alone.
0:26:53 > 0:26:55Why did the tomato blush?
0:26:55 > 0:26:57Because it saw the salad dressing!
0:26:57 > 0:26:58Oh!
0:27:00 > 0:27:03Oh, terrific, thank you very much. Thank you. That's wonderful.
0:27:05 > 0:27:08They've chosen to eat in the cafe at Horizon's training centre,
0:27:08 > 0:27:11as a gesture of support.
0:27:11 > 0:27:14And with the centre facing an uncertain future,
0:27:14 > 0:27:16Ruth has a little bit of good news.
0:27:17 > 0:27:19We've agreed that some of the money
0:27:19 > 0:27:22that we raised from the promises auction between the four churches,
0:27:22 > 0:27:26is going to go to help the work of Horizon training
0:27:26 > 0:27:28in this time when they've got so much need,
0:27:28 > 0:27:30and need to raise so much money for these new premises.
0:27:30 > 0:27:32So I'm really pleased about that.
0:27:34 > 0:27:37And trainee carpenter Keegan has a new mentor.
0:27:37 > 0:27:40I popped back in to see Keegan, and in the New Year,
0:27:40 > 0:27:43I'm hoping to see him at least once a week.
0:27:43 > 0:27:45And he seems a lovely lad,
0:27:45 > 0:27:48and I think we should get on well together.
0:27:49 > 0:27:51Let's have a toast to a very happy Christmas,
0:27:51 > 0:27:55and to all those who've provided for us today.
0:27:55 > 0:27:56Happy Christmas.
0:28:02 > 0:28:05Christian life is borne out in love.
0:28:06 > 0:28:07Full stop.
0:28:07 > 0:28:10So whether it's Horizon, whether it's homeless people,
0:28:10 > 0:28:15whether it's visiting, whether it's showing love to a bereaved person,
0:28:15 > 0:28:19it's all borne out of God loving us, through Jesus.
0:28:21 > 0:28:25A vicar's life is to be part of the community that you serve,
0:28:25 > 0:28:28and I could not imagine doing anything else.
0:28:28 > 0:28:30I absolutely love it.