It's Chriiistmaaaas!

Christmas is well and truly upon us - the presents are wrapped, the tree is decorated and the work Christmas parties beckon.

Speaking of Christmas parties, we had our own end of term celebration this Wednesday at Coffee Republic, complete with a special Christmas Quiz and festive 'speed dating' to get to know each other better. I know that the run up to Christmas is a busy time for many, so special thanks to those who made time to come along.

Details about our 2013 programme will follow after Christmas, but I can confirm that our first gathering after the Christmas break will be Wednesday 16th January at Coffee Republic. Further details to follow - its looking like an exciting term.

Many thanks for being part of our community this year - here's to even greater adventures in the months to come!

May God bless you all with peace, joy and fresh hope this Christmas,

Sam & Victoria, Sara, Lizzie and Elaine

Conneticut

Face hatred with love, and fear with courage. If surrounded by need, strive to be of service. Above all, be an agent for peace.

Today as always, our hearts are with those affected by senseless violence, which to varying degrees, is all of us.

Via Beware of Images.

End of term

No gathering this week, but do think about the issues we have been learning about this year while doing your Christmas shopping. Remember that where you spend your money is a vote for the kind of world you want to live in...

We will be having a final gathering of 2012 next week however (19th December), so come along and celebrate the end of a fantastic second year. There will be plenty of time to relax and enjoy each other's company, to reflect on what we have achieved this year and maybe even a Christmassy quiz. What's not to like?

That's at Coffee Republic on North Finchley High Road from 7:30pm on the 19th. See you there!

Festive cheer

Wow - we had a great evening on Wednesday - two dozen gifts donated, wrapped and labelled ready for the Bohemia's Christmas dinner for older people from local nursing homes.

Thanks to all who came, donated and made it such a success. We filled the front part of the pub, sparked some interesting conversations with other customers and will hopefully make a small but real difference in the lives of the old folks who get one of the presents.

Here's a few snaps from the evening...

   

 

Christmas at St Bs

Justice Matters is pleased to be associated with St Barnabas Church, Woodside Park. Here are some details of the many and varied Christmas events happening at St Bs over the coming weeks. Whether you normally go to church at Christmas or not, you will find a warm welcome and festive cheer at any of the following...

Sunday 16 December

11:00 - Community Carols at Tally Ho Corner, Finchley High Road

17:30 - Carols by Candlelight (with Japanese translation)

20:00 - Carols by Candlelight (with Spanish translation)

Sunday 23 December 

08:00 - Holy Communion

09:00 - Family Craft Morning

10.30 - Family Brunch in the Parish Hall

11.30 - Nativity and Carols

17:00 - Strawberry Vale Carols, Green Man Centre, Strawberry Vale

19:00 - meet&feast@7 with Communion

Monday 24 December

18:00 - Christingle

23:00 - Carols and Communion

Tuesday 25 December

10.30 - Christmas Day Family Celebration

St Barnabas Church, Holden Road, Woodside Park, London N12 7DN

Feltoe's Folk Carols 2012

Friends of Justice Matters, the fabulous Feltoe's Folk are performing another night of carols and cheer at the Elephant Inn, North Finchley this Friday (7th December) from 8pm.

Feltoe's Folk are a foot stomping seven piece band comprising of whistles/melodica/bodhran (Adam Dore), fiddle (Sarah Wu), double bass (Mike Dore), guitars (Andrew Feltoe & Chris Dore), cajon drum (Josh Hill) and vocals (Jo Dore, Chris Dore, Adam Dore)

Last year they packed the pub to standing room only. This year they've promised some great new reels you can sing along to, as well as old favourites.

Come along, bring a friend or two - all proceeds are going towards the great work being done at the North London Hospice, so bring a light heart and a heavy wallet!

Update

Just a quick post to remind you that we are partnering with the Bohemia pub in North Finchley to give presents to isolated older people this Christmas. Pick up a gift for a lady or gent (max spend £10 per gift) and bring it along to the Bohemia on Wednesday 5th December where we will wrap them together. Christmas jumpers and reindeer antlers optional...

This is a practical opportunity to bless our neighbours, support a local business and build community in our area so do make an effort to join us - why not invite your colleagues? Even if they can't came, they might still want to contribute a gift. All the information's on our website. Don't forget to say you're coming on Facebook too!

Plans are underway for our Christmas party - we'll circulate details as soon as they are confirmed.

See you on Wednesday!

16 Days of Activism

Tomorrow marks the middle of the 16 Days of Activism campaign - marking the days between International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Human Rights Day (10th December). Read our member Ann-Marie's latest blog in the Huff Post on the campaign and follow 28 Too Many's next 15 themed posts & tweets!

Do 'Like' the 28 Too Many Facebook Page if you haven't already to help them progress their cause!

"A total elimination of all violence against women and girls may be hard to imagine but each day I think about saving one girl from FGM. This means she is spared from a painful, traumatic and potentially fatal procedure."

Shared from the Justice Matters Facebook Page

Injustice in your pocket

Earlier this year we screened Blood in the Mobile, about blood minerals mined in the DR Congo and used in mobile phones. Now Friends of the Earth have done some new research into tin mined for use in smartphones - find out more and then take action!

Shared from the Justice Matters Facebook Page

Barnet PledgeBank

Another opportunity to make a practical difference to someone in the community this Christmas:

"Barnet Council will coordinate getting seasonal gifts to young carers, but only if 12 people will donate a gift."

http://pledgebank.barnet.gov.uk/donateagift2012

Shared from the Justice Matters Facebook Page