“No longer do I call you servants… but I have called you friends.” (John 15:15)

On 22 November we crown the year with Christ the King. One week later, Advent begins. Both feasts ask a friendship question: Christ the King asks, “will you recognise me?” — and Advent asks, “will you make room for me?”

In a busy, connected-yet-lonely world, many of us have plenty of contacts but few true friends. Yet friendship sits at the very heart of God’s plan: He created us because He wants to live with us, and in Jesus — a King whose throne is a cross — He calls each of us His friend.

Before the shopping and the parties, give yourself one afternoon. Through seven moments in the Gospel of John, we will explore what true friendship is, the difference between friendships of convenience and friendships of virtue, what real freedom is for, and how to recognise Christ in the people around us — including the ones we overlook.

Come for the formation, stay for the tea — and leave with a four-week Advent plan that finishes at Christmas. Bring your spouse, bring a friend!