The
2006 Harvest Festival Service. |
| Once
again I find myself in All Saints' Church with camera
poised, ready to record for posterity the life and times
of a community that I consider it a privilege to live
in. The time I spend here in the church has increased
dramatically over the past two years and I ask myself
-just why that should be? I am not a deeply religeous
person but, yes, I do have beliefs and they are for
the most, in line with that of the Anglican Church..
East Garston Church has undergone many changes in recent
months. Changes that were necessary for several reasons,
one being of course the need to stem an ever downward
spiral in attendance figures. The basic idea here at
All Saints' is to create and sustain a more open - more
welcoming environment., especially where younger members
of the community are concerned. |
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I am happy to say that under the leadership of The Rev'd
Tony Cumberlidge "All Saints' Church" East
Garston continues to emerge from these changes as a
truly family orientated Church and as such, is an example
that other parishes would do well to follow. So I guess
I have in fact answered my own question as to why I
am spending more and more time here. |
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| The
Family Service concept introduced last year continues
to gather momentum and this year's Harvest Festival
Service was yet another very well attended, cross generation
event. The Church itself was decorated to a standard
that equalled - and in some cases exceeded displays
from previous years. The colours used were extremely
vibrant but the various arrangers had cleverly maintained
a clean, uncluttered, respecful look. |
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The service was conducted by Reverend Tony Cumberlidge
and the organist was Dr.Stephen Holmes. The Choir of
St. Michael and All Angels Church - Lambourn. were in
attendance throughout. East Garston Bellringers,
with Marcus Allum, the
ringing master for the Newbury branch of the O D G C,
preceeded the service with a spirited 25 minute
ringing programme. |
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The Hymns were chosen by parishioners Jo-Anne Rabbitts
: Joan Jefferys & Chris Tonge. The fourth
and final Hymn was the choice of local farmer David
Rabbitts. During this hymn, a collection was taken with
the proceeds from it going to RABI - The Royal Agriculteral
Benevolent Institute. |
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| The
Theme of this years' Harvest Festival Service was about
"Sharing" and the vicar's sermon utilised
the story of the feeding of the 5000 to demonstrate
the point very effectively. A dramatised bible reading:
Mark 6. 30-40 was presented by Victoria
Rabbitts : Thomas Highnett : Mick Highnett : Vig Sysamasudar
: and Alex Kelly. Reverend Cumberlidge cleverly
involved the very young by asking them to come to the
front of the church and sit on a rug to simulate a picnic.
using this example he was able to clearly relate to
them the meaning of sharing. |
Our
vicar's ability to deliver an interesting and animated
sermon that can put across a serious message - and still
retain a high and respectful degree of humour is a constant
source of amazement to me....and he appears to do it
all without resorting to notes. There
always seems to be a pensive moment just prior to a
sermon for Sally, the churchwarden as she is never quite
sure what will prevail. Those of you who attended the
service on Sunday will know that today's sermon was
no exception. For those that didn't, well...you will
never know just what you missed. |
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One
of points made to would be ringers is that you don't
have to be a religeous person to ring Church bells and
indeed a high majority of Bellringers are notorious
for disappearing out of the church Tower before the
vicar starts his address. East Garston Bellringers
- pictured here after they had all attended the service,
are clearly happy with their mornings' work. Reverend
Cumberlidge can be very proud of the fact that all eight
of his harvest ringers opted to stay. clearly another
sign of the changing times here in All Saints' Church. |
Donations recieved
for this years' harvest festival lunch will go to
the USPG.
For more information regarding the work of the USPG
please click on this link - www.uspg.org.uk
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| Life
is difficult for many people in Myanmar,
few parents can afford to send their
children to school, medical facilities
are scarce and finding enough food ia
a constant challenge. The Church is
reaching out by sharing the little it
has with those who are in even greater
need.
This year the USPG is sending over £100,000
to enable the church in Myanmar to live
the gospel in practical ways. This funding
is critical to ensure the survival of
mission work that includes schooling
for orphan children, training
for rural development leaders, primary
health care programmes and much more.
pictured
Left
The Reverend Saw Stylo in Myanmar |
|
Reproduced from
the USPG transmission quarterly
Newspaper
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| The
work involved in the preparation and planning of these
functions is enormous and everyone involved deserves
the thanks and appreciation of the parish, so on behalf
of everyone can I just say "Thank You Very
Much" for a job well done. |
Much has been
said with regard to the changes being made within
our Parish, and so
In closing I wish to leave the final comment to a
man who is obviously well
qualified to express an opinion on any facet of the
Church.
| "Like
the rest of the church, USPG is facing change.
Letting go of the past is never easy; staying
with what we know brings security and comfort,,
—We are rightfully fearful of what we
may lose when we leave it behind to embrace
new things, but without change we will perish
and die."
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The
USPG General Secretary;
Bishop
Michael Doe |
Reproduced
from the USPG transmission quarterly
Newspaper
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Photos
- Ken Tarbox.
Bishop Micheal Doe and Rev'd Saw Stylo. photos -
courtesy
of USPG transmission quarterly Newspaper |
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