I had some sympathy with the staff of John Lewis in a recent documentary, planning the next Christmas as soon as this one is over – we all make notes from one year to the next, this went well, that could have been better; we count attendance at services because it gives us a clue about numbers for the future. And there’s an enormous sense of relief if it all went well (and it did!) Everyone responsible for any set of volunteers will have thanked and congratulated them for their part in it – whether they were decorating the church, welcoming congregations, making coffee, serving at the altar or keeping the church open between-times. I’m glad to say we did manage to have the church open on Boxing Day and the Monday Bank Holiday, something not as noticeable as the glorious celebration at the Carol Service and our big Christmas services or the wonderful decorations but nevertheless appreciated in a small way by a steady stream of visitors.
However I suspect a number of those leaders of volunteer groups may be putting pen to paper, or keyboard to e-letter, in the new year to ask for more help. The flower team have started off with an appeal this month which you can find further on in this issue.
What does January hold for us in 2016?
The Christian year which began at Advent saw us taking on a series of readings which we are invited to come together to discuss on Saturday 9th January in church with a view to setting up a further course of bible study.
Lunchtime events kick off with an Organ Recital by David Moore on Wednesday 6th at 1pm. This is a rare treat so we hope you will all come and enjoy his performance. The programme for lunchtime events, Literary and Musical, up to the summer is available in this issue.
Our Community Choir starts again on 14th January – rehearsals are held every Thursday at 7.45pm and new members are always welcome.
And of course 2016 is the year Father Stephen retires. It seemed comfortingly distant when he first announced his plans but now we have only four months left before his final service on 1st May. In that time there will be a special concert on 21st February and a drama evening on 1st April. And the churchwardens are planning some discussions with us all about what happens next – see their letter below.
Restoration
The more eagle-eyed among you may have noticed that we have had some restoration work done on our white altar frontals lately. The one with the crowns has been put on a new frame and is much improved (if much heavier) but the really sklled work has been done on the older embroidered one. This frontal dates from about 100 years ago and has suffered much in that time, particularly from the days when the clergy celebrated facing the altar instead of behind it and rubbed against it. The fringe at the bottom had quite worn away in the middle where feet had regularly touched it and a lot of the gold couching had come loose. The net used to cover it since the 1980s, though essential protection, gave the impression of seeing it through a mist. Looking at it now you can hardly tell there is netting there, so fine is the fabric and such a good match for the damask. All the loose goldwork has been stitched back in place, stains removed and the fringe carefully replaced. This was made possibly by a legacy from Anthony Hutton – Sari, a skilled needlewoman herself, would surely approve.