A ROLLER COASTER OF A WEEKEND!!!!!!!

It’s been a real roller-coaster of a weekend. Yesterday I celebrated my Silver Jubilee with a Solemn Concelebrated Mass at St. Augustine’s Church, Rush Green. It was really lovely to see so many friends from far and near who came to share this occasion with me. Father Rowland Webb SSC preached a wonderful sermon and Father Martin Howse SSC, Father John Corbyn SSC, Father Gary Jenkins SSC and Father Donald May were the concelebrants. Pamela and Vicky read the Lessons and Ann acted as Intercessor. Brian and Joan, Lay Readers assisted with the administration of the Blessed Sacrament.

Before the service Brian Atkinson played the organ and he also played the final voluntary at the end; Jon Polden our Church Organist accompanied the Mass and the Hymns. Afterwards, there was a reception for a 100 in the Church Hall which had been prepared mainly by my wife Ann. My daughter and son-in-law provided champagne for a toast which was proposed by Father Martin who presented me with a card from the parish and a gift of the new Sacramentary which is to be published shortly. I then cut the cake which Ann had cooked and decorated.

Amongst the many guests were Michael and his wife Janet. Michael was one of my Choir Boys when I was the organist of St. Wilfrid’s, Cowplain way back in 1955. Since then Michael has had quite a distinguished musical career having been awarded the MBE in the latest Honours List for his services to music.

Many thanks to the Organists, the Choir, the Servers, the Readers, to Father Martin and my co-concelebrants, to the Churchwardens and PCC, to my wife Ann and her helpers, and to all those who took time out to come to St. Augustine’s on a Saturday afternoon to share this wonderful occasion with me.

 

CHRIS STEVENSON MEMORIAL CONCERT

There was a concert at St. Francis of Assisi Church, Barkingside this afternoon in memory of Chris Stevenson, Organist and Choirmaster of St. Francis who died very sadly last year. As well as his role at St. Francis, Chris was a member of the Ilford Choral Society, and Chorale Cantando and they took part, with St. Francis Church Choir in this varied and enjoyable concert. John Rippin was the Organist/ Accompanist; as well as accompanying the Choirs, John played two recital pieces. John taught Chris the organ when he was a youngster in Chingford. There was a retiring collection in aid of ORCHID – Fighting Male Cancer at the end of the concert and then refreshments were served in the Church Hall.