Advent Calendar To Spearhead Christmas Charity Appeal

Artists help to create the popular calendar at St Michael & All Angels

Twenty-four local artists have once again helped to create the popular Advent Calendar at St Michael & All Angels Church, as part of its Christmas Charity Appeal. Their artworks can be seen in the church and on its web site from today, December 1st, until January 10th 2016.

Round Robin by Jenny Sanderson

The originals 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.
People can open the doors themselves online where they will see 24 revolving stars.

Everyone is invited to look for the numbers under the stars and click on today’s date to reveal the picture. But they’re warned not to try clicking too soon!

Songs of Praise Awake the Morn by Sarah Wilson

The works will be sold by silent auction, culminating at a party in the Parish Hall from 11.30am on Sunday January 10th 2016. The artists have generously agreed to donate at least a third of the sale price to the Appeal charities.

This year, the Appeal proceeds will go in their entirety to St Michael's three charities for 2015:
• The Upper Room, feeding the community in need in West London
• Msaada, helping those in Rwanda become self-sufficient, and
• The Mulberry Centre in Isleworth, offering support to anyone affected by cancer.

“We’re very grateful to the artists and we hope people will give generously to this year’s Christmas Charity Appeal” says Fr Kevin Morris, the vicar of St Michael’s. “There are some wonderful paintings and we hope they’ll attract lots of bids.”

The collections from two of the Christmas services at St Michael’s – the Nine Lessons and Carols at 6.30pm on Sunday December 13th and the Children’s Crib Service at 4pm on Christmas Eve - will go to the charities. So will money raised by carol singers at Turnham Green tube station, from 5.30pm on Wednesday December 16th, and other events.

Each page is sponsored by one of seven local businesses: estate agents Andrew Nunn & Associates and Orchards of London; Fosters Bookshop; local TV company chiswickbuzz.net; Belinda Norcliffe Casting; Egham Lettings and home IT department Fingertips.

People who would like to contribute can also send a cheque (made out to St Michael & All Angels Church) to: St Michael's Christmas Appeal, Parish Office, Priory Avenue, London W4 1TX.
While visiting the Advent Calendar in the Church, people can also buy their Christmas cards at the Cards for Good Causes shop. It is open from 11am to 5pm Monday to Saturday, except on Wednesdays (1pm to 5pm). And until December 12th, they can also see the church’s World War 1 Remembrance panels commemorating 15 people from Bedford Park who died in 1915 and are remembered on the Church’s war memorials.

December 1, 2015