Tower and Town, December 2025 (view the full edition)St John The Baptist, MinalI've found it surprisingly hard to think about our much-loved village church in terms of opportunities and challenges. It's felt a bit like commenting on one's children to others - neither wanting to boast about how marvellous everything is, nor wanting to point out their flaws. However, let's start with the challenges. As with all Grade 1 listed churches, there are times when it's worth dressing warmly for services in winter, although we've been exploring options and hoping to offer a much warmer church, very soon. Maintaining a historic building is also costly, with constant attention needed for repairs, accessibility and all the related paperwork. On a more positive note, the opportunities are widespread and St John the Baptist draws people in for worship, reflection and celebration. It's a friendly church and whether you want to come to a place of prayer and peace during the week or join us for Sunday services, everyone is welcome. A few years ago, we re-instated regular Sunday services at 9am and are blessed with a loyal congregation and a supportive community of bell-ringers, flower arrangers, coffee makers and chalice assistants. Baptisms, weddings and funerals are all poignant occasions, whether full of joy or holding great sadness but both have a place in our church. It's held fondly by the whole community and open every day, so do drop in as you pass by. It's also a fascinating building, with two pulpits, box pews, a 16th century tower, and a gallery built with 'benches for the poor', for those who couldn't afford pew rents. Those days are long gone, and now the choir serenades us from the gallery, during our Candlelit Carol service. Further opportunities lie within our wider community and amongst other ways, we reach out through the Village Fete, the Village Nativity, the Harvest Barn Dance, Lent Groups, our relationship with Willows Nursery, and most recently, a talk in the Village Hall about the history of our church. The church is made up of the building and the people ...but also so much more. At Christmas, we celebrate one of the most profound and uplifting moments in Christian faith: the birth of Jesus Christ. God chose to reveal himself to the world through his son, 'born in a stable so bare'. This speaks deeply to the simplicity and purity of God's love for his people. It is my hope and prayer that St John the Baptist Church, Minal, will continue to thrive as a place of prayer and worship for generations to come. Do come and join us. Canon Sarah Musgrave |