Petertide was
celebrated by a weekend of activities at St. Peter’s.
On Saturday, the
smell of newly-baked bread filled the Cottages as the children made rolls, later
used for Communion. Upstairs there was great activity where dozens
of glittering fishes were fashioned and symbols representing incidents in
Peter’s life were constructed. Thanks
to Kate Collins and her team for their efforts.
The sight of two
beautiful new banners, one on either side of the chancel arch, welcomed us on
Sunday morning. These have been designed and embroidered over the past months by
our excellent team of banner-makers – Veronica Biddle, Pat Long, Barbara
Mears, Liz Read and Helen Taylor
On entering church,
each person was handed one of the decorated fishes. We each added our names.
.The fishes were then collected by the children who placed them together in a
net symbolising our following of Jesus.
The Brownies had also
been busy making an altar frontal showing scenes from Peter’s life.
The hymns were led by
Sally Marlow and her enthusiastic music group. The music also included a new
anthem-“Hymn to St. Peter”- written specially for the occasion by John
Wright. Melanie Smallwood gave a
“farewell” performance of “Laudamus te” from Bach’s B minor Mass, as
she was moving from Leckhampton with the family later in the week..
The children,
promoted to the choir stalls for the occasion, sang a song, taught by Helen
Wright, telling the story of Peter catching fish and following Jesus.
There were enthusiastic “splashes” from the younger children!
Following the
celebration service, the cottage garden was the scene of a presentation to Anne
Dowdeswell and an appreciation of her work at St. Peter’s. She goes with good
wishes for her future ministry at
Helen Yates and the
Social Committee had ,as usual, organised an excellent lunch with strawberries
and cream to follow. Sally Marlow
and her “band of merry men” provided a musical background to the
festivities.
Altogether it was an
enjoyable weekend with many examples of team work in evidence.
Thelma Martin July
2010