Welcome

We welcome you to join us this Sunday 11th December at 9.30am for our Family Crib Service with Liz and Colin Resch.

Services for the following weeks:

Sunday December 18th at 9.30am Holy Communion (CW) with Revd. Steve Delaforce and at 4.00pm Traditional Carol Service of Nine Lessons and Carols with Olga Harris

Wednesday December 21st at 7.00pm Jazz Carol Service of 8 Lessons and Carols with Revd. Steve Delaforce

Christmas Eve, Saturday 24th December at 4pm – A Christingle Service with Revd Colin Resch.

Christmas Day, Sunday 25th December

8.00am Holy Communion (BCP) with Revd Steve Delaforce

9.30am Family Communion Service with Revd Steve Delaforce

Upcoming Events

CRIB FESTIVAL OPEN CHURCH WEEKEND

Saturday 10th December – 10am to 4pm – and Sunday 11th December following the morning service until 4pm

We shall be celebrating the Christmas Season at St Leonard’s by decorating the church with a great many and varied Nativity scenes which you are most welcome to come along to see and share with us.

Mince pies, tea, coffee and a warm welcome await you.

SUNDAY 18TH DECEMBER AT 4.00pm

Traditional Carol Service of 9 lessons and Carols.

WEDNESDAY 21st DECEMBER AT 7.00pm

Candlelit Service of 8 Jazz Carols and Lessons – A retelling of The Infancy Narrative according to Luke.

Jazz played by the Charnwood Jazz Band with voices drawn Charnwood Forest and a special nativity item from Jazzy George on Blues Harp. Included in the programme will be unique jazz settings of The Magnificat and The Nunc Dimittis.

Mulled wine and mince pies and a retiring collection for The Children’s Society.

SATURDAY 24th DECEMBER – CHRISTMAS EVE CHRISTINGLE SERVICE AT 4pm

NEW YEAR’S DAY – SUNDAY 1st JANUARY 2023 AT 9.am ‘SING A SONG OF CHRISTMAS’

Sing your favourite carols and learn more about their remarkable individual histories.

With readings and poetry, it is sure to be a joyful occasion which will end with sparkling wine and Christmas cake.

We are a small Anglican Church in the Leicestershire village of Swithland. Men, women and children have gathered at the historic Church of St Leonard’s for hundreds of years to worship the risen Lord Jesus Christ. We seek to serve the Kingdom of God and the people of Swithland & nearby villages. We would love to welcome you to join us. Our services vary in style and content and you can find more information about this under the worship tab on the menu.

As 2022 closes we look  forward together with hope to the coming of the Light  and to celebrate and remember the Birth of Jesus our Emmanuel!
 Whilst many of us older ones may have fond memories of Christmas times past with family, exchanging small presents and eating oranges and chestnuts in front of roaring coal fires, the tradition of family get togethers prevails and thankfully can resume properly since the Covid restrictions are a thing of the past.  We also have an opportunity to remember those we have not seen for a long time and to reach out, and get out to them, with the milk of human     kindness.This year in the UK we have seen many ‘highs and lows’; the warmest New Year’s Day on record: 16.2C;  the highest July temperature of 40.3C ever.  The demise of one Prime Minister in the wake of Partygate, an opposition leader questioned over Beergate, and the election of two subsequent PM’s making a trio in just one year!  And if that’s not enough, a suspended         conservative MP choosing to become a ‘notable celebrity’ by hanging out in the Australian rain forest.  One can be forgiven for wondering what goes on in the lives of our leaders.  But turning to a true world leader, we sadly lost our noble and beloved Queen Elizabeth.  There was such an outpouring of grief and loss which brought stillness to our nation; and for a moment it helped to restore a sense of dignity and sobriety; may she rest in peace and may God grant long life to our King Charles.And at our various All Souls and Remembrance Services we have taken the time to be still and to remember our loved ones whom we no longer see.  May we take time to be still and to count the blessings we have each received over the past 12 months, the strength we have been given to face our daily lives, and to look forward to a fresh New Year with Hope and Confidence with    Jesus our Emmanuel at the helm.  May you have a Blessed Christmas, and as my dear late mother-in-law used to say; May your name be written in the Book of Life for a Happy New Year.
The Rev’d Steve Delaforce

Recent News:

  • St Leonard’s School Celebrates Harvest
    It was a delight to welcome the children and staff of St Leonard’s CE primary school into Church this afternoon for their Harvest Celebration along with Church members and parents. The children led the service which included the challenge to consider the food miles involved in getting food onto our plates. We were also encouraged […]
  • Church Open
    Following the announcement of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, I can confirm that our church building will be open for prayer from 9am Friday morning 9th September our thoughts and prayers are with her family at this very difficult time  Long live the king!
  • Thoughts and Prayers for Her Majesty the Queen
    I was concerned to hear of doctors’ worries for the health of our Queen. Please join me in praying for her and her family at this difficult time. Here is a prayer that you may find useful at this time:O God, who providest for thy people by thy power,and rulest over them in love: Vouchsafe […]