What a strange year it's been! A year like no other, lived in the shadow of events like Coronavirus and issues of racial injustice surrounding the murder of George Floyd. I don't think any of us could have imagined that in 2020 we'd launch a new site and be prevented from properly meeting together for most of the year.

We do really want to commend you as a church. They way people have cared for one another and adjusted to the situation has been quite remarkable. The staff team have adapted to delivering services online and supporting frontline ministries in being covid compliant. So many people have helped to continue spiritually feeding the church: from all the City Kids leaders who have delivered a weekly online service, and youth leaders running youth every Friday on Zoom, to everyone who contributed to around 6 months of City Daily videos. I could go on and on. But really we just want to say thank you. If you've led a Connect Group, or picked up the phone to someone who might be isolated, supported someone who's struggling or taken part in the telephone befriending service. Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou.

We recognise that this has been awful year for so many people. Many of us have struggled this year with isolation, feeling low or ill health. Some have lost a loved one and our hearts go out to you. Sometimes words aren't enough, but these are the best I can find in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4,

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

If you feel like you need help, please let us know. We'll do what we can to pray for you and support you. And over Christmas, if you are on your own, or have any issues, please do get in touch.

We also want to thank key workers whose workload has actually gone up this year: healthcare professionals, those in teaching and key service providers. We are so grateful to you for all that you've done to care for us and support people this year.

And there are things to celebrate: we did launch the Fishponds site; we've seen people coming to faith on Alpha; we have given money to support a church plant in Belfast and social enterprise in Mozambique; the giving to our church has stayed healthy (click here to see the report on the last financial year); we've launched Encounter (a next step meeting for people we meet through Streetlife and other activities); we've welcomed James Lee and Jamie Finlay into eldership; and key volunteers like Julia Binedell have joined the staff team on a voluntary basis. Again, we could go on and on. Suffice it to say, enjoying these kinds of blessings during a global pandemic isn't normal and is really quite remarkable. We are so grateful to God and give Him all the glory.

Our faith teaches us to count our blessings, to remember how blessed we are to be part of a church family, and to think of those who don't enjoy the same privileges that we do. This also spurs us on, as we look to 2021. There is a city to reach, there are people living in desperate situations who need hope and restoration in the face of ever-growing need. As a church we want to keep following Jesus, believing that he will lead us on in His mission to see lives transformed for good by the gospel.

Lastly, we want to wish you a Merry Christmas. Whilst our plans, like so much of this year, have been curtailed and had to adjust, Christmas isn't cancelled. Christmas is a reality, that 2000 years ago God Himself became incarnate. Hope dawned on the world, and like the sun rising and shining ever brighter, Jesus has risen! We pray that His light will flood our hearts and dispel the darkness all around us. Let's believe together for His continued grace and kindness, that He will do us and Bristol good in 2021.

With love and prayers,

Andy & Ben (on behalf of the elders of City Church)