Monthly Letter
BETHLEHEM – the city of the First Breakfast

December 2024

Today Bethlehem is a city in the Israeli-occupied West Bank of the State of Palestine, about six miles south of Jerusalem. It has a population of under 30,000, mostly dependent (when there isn’t a war on) on pilgrimage tourism.

While for many hundreds of years it has been a city of Arab Christians, Bethlehem now has a majority of Arab Muslims. While it is still home to a significant population of Palestinian Christians, this community has dwindled significantly, from about 85 per cent in 1950 to about 10 per cent today. Bethlehem has become encircled by the notorious wall and by dozens of illegal Israeli settlements, which significantly hinder the ability of its citizens to access their land and livelihoods, which has contributed to the exodus.

In Hebrew Bethlehem is בֵּית לֶחֶם Bēṯ Leḥ em and in Arabic is بيت لحم BaytLaḥm.

The Arabic name for Bethlehem literally means "house of meat", while the Hebrew name for the city literally means "house of bread". Isn’t it a wonderful coincidence that Jesus, the Bread of Life, was born in a place called “house of bread”? That’s why when I receive the bread (and wine) – the Body (and Blood) of Jesus – in Communion at Christmas I don’t think of it as sharing in the Last Supper, but in the First Breakfast.

A very Happy Christmas to you and yours,

The Very Rev Geoffrey Marshall

Church Services

29
Dec

Gathered Communion Service at Smalley Church 10:30am preceded by Breakfast in Smalley Church Hall at 9.30 am

Sunday 29th December 2024, 9:30am to 11:30am

05
Jan

Holy Communion

Sunday 5th January 2025, 11:00am to 12:00pm

Forthcoming Events

Community Catch Up

13th January 2025

Details →

Children's Church is always available at the Sunday morning service in both Morley and Smalley churches.

Open Gardens - the UK National Directory

This website was conceived by two keen gardeners who organised Open Gardens in their own village for a number of years, and is run voluntarily by them with the help of a few committed gardening friends.
https://www.opengardens.co.uk

Fundraising

To make a donation to Morley Church please use our fundraising page on EasyFundraising.org.uk
Safeguarding

As a church we take safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults very seriously. If you have any concerns or queries, however small, please contact our vicar Rev. Kate Plant 01332 834928 / kateplant2610@gmail.com or Chris Doyle Safeguarding Officer 01332 881235 / christineann123@btinternet.com or Safe Guarding Adviser Lisa Marriott on 01332 388678 / lisa.marriott@derby.anglican.org.