This morning our 10 am service was a Parish Eucharist celebrated by Father Stephen. This was the last Sunday of August and so the choir, and quite a few members of the congregation were still on holiday. The first reading today from the Letter to the Hebrews, and the Gospel from Luke were both discussing the behaviour of a good Christian. Much useful advice was given for a virtuous life, including two themes of Hospitality and Humility. Father Stephen continued this discussion in his sermon, concluding that true hospitality, to those who cannot repay you, with a humble approach to life is the way to the Kingdom.
There was coffee after the service and we were treated to Joanna playing Bach, Toccata and Fugue in D as we drank our coffee.

Next Sunday will be our Patronal Festival, as we celebrate the birth of our Lady.

  On a blustery and unseasonable Sunday morning we met at 10 am for Mattins. A good turn out of people, even though we are in peak holiday time, joined in and sang the canticles, some of psalm 103 and some familiar hymns. The choir is technically on holiday in August so there was no Anthem. There was coffee after the service and by the time we left for home the rain had passed on the brisk south westerly wind.

Our War Memorial with its red white and blue flowers

Details from some of our ancient grave stones

A beautiful sunny summers day this Sunday for our celebration of the beginning of the Eternal life of St Mary Our Lady. In the topsy turvy way of the Church calendar, we celebrate her arrival in heaven, some three weeks before the celebration of her birth, which we keep as our Patronal festival in September. In his sermon Father Stephen told us about the Events of Mary, a celebration in Lebanon where both Christians and Muslims, so recently waging a civil war against each other, come together and share a celebration of the life of St Mary, venerated in both religions, where all participants pray the Lords Prayer, and Muslim prayers together. The hope for the Middle East and for the world is surely to come together in prayer.
The choir is in recess at present so we sang a hymn during communion. There was coffee after the service.

This Sunday was the fifth Sunday in July, our service was a Eucharist, and the Choir sang the Sanctus, Benedictus and Agnus Dei in the setting by Herbert Sumsion. In his Sermon Father Stephen referred to the terrible events in France during the week. He quoted some lines from TS Elliot's Death in the Cathedral, about St Thomas A Becket which had been referred to by Archbishop Justin who concluded that 'Thomas is a sign to us of eternal hope'. The last Hymn 'God is working his purpose out' was particularly appropriate.

There was coffee after the service

Some of the beautiful flowers from Beth and Dan's wedding on Sunday afternoon.