A time to celebrate at All Saints, South Wimbledon

On Sunday 11 June, the church community at All Saints, Wimbledon laid their traditional carpet of flowers for the Solemnity of Corpus Christi to celebrate the day of thanksgiving for the institution of Holy Communion.

Chris Maurice, Churchwarden at All Saints said, “Work to lay the flower carpet began three days prior to Sunday, when the greenery and designs were laid out. Then, from 6am on Sunday morning, the petals – provided by the congregation – were arranged so that the scent and colour was at its best for the service. This year’s theme was ‘his mercy is from age to age’ –the Holy Spirit blessing and accompanying every fruitful encounter between different generations: between grandparents and grandchildren, between young and old.”

Following the celebrations for Corpus Christi, just three days later, on Wednesday 14 June, the church hosted the visitation service for the Archdeaconry of Lambeth, during which the congregation witnessed the taking of oaths by those appointed to be churchwardens for the coming year. The mass was celebrated by the Venerable Simon Gates, Archdeacon of Lambeth who also preached.

Chris added, “A large catering operation by members of the All Saints’ congregation ensured that everyone had their fill, and it was a great pleasure to be able to share time with so many people from other churches.”

The gathering was followed by an ecofestival and picnic in the churchyard, with music, storytelling, poetry, and facepainting, and a nifty One Pot Garden stall by the Yoko Forum.