A church with over 60 people from the village of Easton and beyond, met together for a joyous Festive Evensong at St Mary’s church on Sunday evening rung in by the Easton bell ringers.

Sisters Jill and Lyn guarding the canapés…..

The service was led by Revd. Amanda Denniss (who preached on 1 Thessalonians) and LLM Gerry Stacey.  John Purver played the organ.  Amanda thanked everyone who helped the church to operate during the year and also made a particular thank you to the two church wardens Vanessa Rosewell and Theo Mezger.

A huge amount of effort had been made by the wonderful flower arrangers led by Penelope Kellie and by those who put out all the candles at great height.

Vanessa Rosewell spoke to thank all those who help the church to operate: the sidesmen and women, the DCC members, the flower arrangers, the bell ringers, those who lock and unlock the church, those who clean the church and polish the brasses.  Altogether a huge number of people enable things to happen.  Then Theo spoke about the work which needed to be done to maintain the church building: the Chancel parapet wall and Dormer Access Hatch and how this would totally expend the St Mary’s fabric fund.  He then moved on to discuss the very exciting development plan – for the construction of a loo and room for Sunday School and a kitchen.  Plans were at a very early stage, but already there had been significant pledges to start covering the cost.

Then as the mobile pews were stacked on either side of the nave, the drinks and canapés began!

Delicious canapés organised by Jill Croft and great conversations all round at this fantastic event of the church year.

Alex Pease