This morning our service was a Eucharist, celebrated by Father Stephen. October is a month with 5 Sundays, so the choir sang the Sanctus, Benedictus and the Agnus Dei from the setting by Darke in F. The Gospel reading was from St Luke and was the story of Zacchaeus, who was too short to see Our Lord over the crowds and climbed a Sycamore tree. Our Lord called him down and went to his house, where he gave up his life to follow the teachings of Jesus, 'for the Son of Man has come to seek out the lost'. Father Stephen enlarged on this theme in his sermon, of how lives can be changed in an instant.

The Choir sang Ave Verum corpus in the setting by Byrd as the Anthem. There was coffee after the service.



At 6:00pm we held our now traditional Eucharist of Remembrance for the Souls of the Departed. The names of those to be remembered were placed on the altar by Father Stephen, and the Choir, supplemented by guest singers sang the setting of the Requiem by Faure, in its liturgical context. The congregation were also given an opportunity to light candles of remembrance during  the distribution of communion. The Baritone Soloist was Peter Webster, who also conducted the Choir. The Soprano Soloist was Sarah Amos, and the Director of Music and Organist was Joanna Chivers-Gibbs. It was a wonderful solemn and beautiful occasion for this season of All Souls.Many thanks to Peter and Sarah for their wonderful singing, and to Joanna for all the organisation, rehearsal and playing.






Coming into view on the horizon is Advent, and we shall have our Advent Ring making afternoon in the Church Hall  on Advent Sunday the 27th of November. To be followed the next weekend by the Christmas Fair on Saturday 3rd of December, Dates for your Diary!