remembrance

 

a church is not a building

A church is not a building, a church is a body of people who meet to worship and serve Christ. 

So here we are working together as one body in readiness for a wedding party from the village.  The congregation may be small but the team-work to get to this place has been brilliant. It's almost the end of Phase 1 of a major project to renovate the building.  There's a new kitchen, new toilet facilities and a fantastic oak-porch to welcome visitors, congregation and clergy alike.

Cob-webs are swept, pews are polished, the spiral staircase to the bell-tower is dusted down and Christmas decorations go up. 

We work alongside the specialist building and conservation team who've been carrying out the renovations over the past few months. They show us the medieval tiling hidden beneath a trapdoor close to the entrance. And as we pause to reflect we're reminded we're just part of the on-going procession of worshipers that stretches back over a thousand years or more.

One body in Christ.

service

 Three ladies with a life-time of service ...

a very special birthday - part two

Edna is strong, fiercely loyal ... and obstinate!  And we're here to celebrate her 90th birthday.

Edna is strong. She was widowed young, left with one daughter and another on the way. Her eldest daughter suffered a massive brain haemorrhage and subsequently committed suicide. Her grandson succumbed to Duchenne's Muscular Dystrophy, a terrible muscle-wasting disease.  But despite everything life has thrown at Edna she's shown enormous dignity, determination, grit and grace.

Edna is fiercely loyal.  Once you're a friend you're a friend forever.  She's always brought people together, and her birthday celebrations are no exception.

Edna is obstinate! Some time ago she gave instructions that should she fall unconscious prior to her 90th birthday she was to be resuscitated, but not afterwards. Well she made her birthday and in style!

Edna ... we love you!!!!