The day dawned bright and sunny and the church was bright and warm to welcome the many visitors that had come to enjoy our service of Holy Communion. We were especially pleased to welcome Dr Colin Johnstone from the Diocese of Massachusetts in the USA. Colin was born in Cumbria but emigrated to the United States as a child. He was staying as the guest of Peter and Jenny Metcalfe and has links with the Maramba Deanery through his own Diocese in America.
Another group were people visiting Tony and Topsy Easteal. They all met in New Zealand a few years ago and were here for a reunion. Two of them are church organists and one a retired Baptist Minister. Linda and Peter Drew’s grandchildren, Morgan aged 5 and Mia aged 3 helped with the collection and bringing up the elements. Rev. Claire Lording gave a very thoughtful sermon on the subject of mans intolerance to both race and faith and received many congratulations for steering a central path through a very contentious theme.