This Sunday we met at 10 am for the Eucharist. Father Stephen was the Celebrant, and in his sermon he referred to the fact that this Sunday is often referred to as 'Good Shepherd' Sunday. He started off by telling us something of the life of a shepherd as described by Thomas Hardy in Far From the Madding Crowd. Jesus describes himself as the Shepherd of his sheep, and this Sunday is traditionally one where people are asked to consider if they have a vocation to the priesthood, or indeed to any other form of service to God.
We prayed for the people of Nepal as they struggle to cope with the earthquake. The Choir sang Ave Verum Corpus in the setting by Charles Gounod. There was coffee after the service.

Next Sunday at our Family Service we are considering baptism, all are welcome, but particularly the newly or recently Baptized



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On a beautiful sunny morning we came together for Sung Mattins at 10 o'clock. Our service was taken by Father Roger, as Father Stephen and Margaret are away at present. We had readings from  the Old and New testament in the King James Bible. Joanna is also away so we were fortunate to have Michael Walsh play the organ and conduct the Choir for 'This Joyful Easter tide' as our anthem.
Father Roger gave us an interesting sermon, tying together  Jesus in his Resurrection state, and Astrophysical properties of Dark Matter.
There was Coffee after the service and excellent chocolate biscuits.

The next Family Service on the 3rd of May will be a special service to celebrate the sacrament of Baptism, more details to follow.

We have had a busy and joyful Easter, starting with the services of  Holy Week. On Wednesday we had the Stations of the Cross followed by Compline. We processed around the Stations, with a reading, contemplation and prayer at each station. The evening office of Compline perfectly finished off this evening.
On Maunday Thursday we had the Eucharist of the last Supper, followed by the stripping of the Altar and the  Gethsemanie watch. We returned on Good Friday at 2:00pm for the service of contemplation of the Cross of Christ. This service of readings from the Passion gospel was accompanied by a number of anthems and motets sung by the Choir, and some congregational Hymns. The music and readings were very beautiful and moving.
On Easter Saturday the Easter Vigil started outside the Church with the blessing of the new  fire and the preparing and lighting of the new Paschal Candle. As the light was passed around among the congregation and every one moved into the Church the Light of Christ illuminated the dark interior. We heard readings from both the Old Testament and the New, we renewed our baptismal Vows, and then the First Eucharist of Eater was celebrated. This service has very ancient roots, dating back to the first centuries AD. Father Stephen told us that records of this service had been found in the Vatican, and the Service only re-introduced into the Anglican Church in 1969.