Gifted : Christmas 2025

Dear Friends across the Northampton District

This Advent and Christmas, FEAST (Friends Exploring And Sharing Together) invites you as individuals, congregations, and as circuits to set a GIFTED Table in the midst of your community.

Whether you host a simple table, with tea and mince pies, or a festive feast for families, know that each table is valued and needed. Every gathering offers space to listen deeply, share generously and celebrate God's presence among us through the six seasonal themes of Grace, Invitation, Faith, Transformation, Encounter, and Discovery.

As you plan, know that the District Mission Team is praying for you, affirming your part in the District's Mission Development Plan: to be growing, evangelistic, justice-seeking, and inclusive. Your GIFTED Table will contribute to the wider and ongoing discernment journey as we seek to create New Places for New People.

Resources to help you set your GIFTED Table – All are downloadable PDFs on this page.

Here you will find everything you need to set your GIFTED Table :

Main Facilitators Guide

A fuller introduction to the background and vision of the Gifted Table, with a weekly menus of:

Icebreakers

Conversation prompts

Optional craft activity

"Live it out" action

A FEAST blessing.

Editable Planning Sheets

Microsoft Word versions so you can adapt, fill in, and share with your team.

GIFTED Table Grants

We recognise that creativity and generosity sometimes need a little practical support. To help bring your ideas to life, small "Gifted Table" grants are available:

£100 for a one-off event / £250 for running all six sessions

Deadline for applications is the 24th October

The one-page application form can be found here:

Printable Resources

Easy and ready-to-use handouts for your gatherings, both as weekly or bundled.

Words to the poem and the seasonal song

Weekly GIFTED table menu, so that your guests can see the shape of the session

GIFTED Table place setting, with words of welcome, and, on the reverse the biblical text for our gatherings (John 1:1-14)

The GIFTED Table Journal, (designed to be printed back to back) to aid you in recording your thoughts, feelings and prayers as you notice and nurture where God's spirit is already at work among you and your community.


Youtube channel for videos

GIFTED briefing held with Mission Enablers, which introduced both the Connexional GIFTED campaign and how our District's GIFTED Tables fit within that broader message of good news to a weary world during the Advent and Christmas season.

The Music Videos that tie in with the weekly theme are both here on the page and within the "Playlist" menu on the District YouTube channel.

Please be in contact

We would love to hear where and when you might be hosting a GIFTED table this Advent, and to share your stories and your songs across the Northampton District.

If you have any questions, ideas or dreams do get in touch with Rev Kim kim.shorley@northamptonmethodistdistrict.org.uk as she would be delighted to help you shape them into a reality, so that you and your community can gather as FEAST and celebrate all the gifts that this season brings.

Most of all you remember that :

You are a gift made in love.


Please do be aware that the documents below will download to your device once you have clicked on them.