MAY 2015
EXTRA PAGES
New life at Easter by Liz Colvin, Heytesbury
photo Robin Culver
Palm Sunday transport – ancient and modern
Codford has benefitted from the attentions and ministry of two of our devoted and talented priests over the Easter period when our Team clergy, depleted by the Vacancy situation, have been working flat out. Palm Sunday at the end of March was to have been celebrated by the Bishop of Ramsbury but he fell ill and so the Revd Jane Shaw stepped in at short notice to oversee the service that really begins the Passion of Christ with his procession into Jerusalem. Here, it began with a prayer and welcome in St Peter’s before linking up with a donkey outside that led the choir and the congregation down the High Street in the rain to St Mary’s for the full
CODFORD DIARY Palm Sunday and Easter service. Almost a hundred people filled St Mary’s church and with Sarah Cordwent playing the new organ, which incidentally was blessed during the service, the roof was raised. In reality the roof remained in place but Jane Shaw conducted an uplifting service which was followed by a welcome cup of coffee before everyone departed for lunch. Easter Sunday saw almost as large a congregation back in St Mary’s to celebrate the Risen Christ and, arguably, the most important day of hope in the Christian calendar. This service was conducted by the Revd Adrian Pollard who not only involved members of the congregation in this joyful service but enlisted the assistance of half a dozen new-born chicks who were supposed to remain meekly quiet until their cue. Unfortunately, but amusingly, they were too young to obey instructions and began to cheep as the service started and did not stop throughout the hour long
celebration. Adrian Pollard also enlisted a group of children to assist him but who found themselves mesmerised by the livestock too and thus failed to hear their own cues. An experienced priest takes such things in his stride and the service went off very well especially as flying eggs were also used as props during the sermon. The young were encouraged to behave with the promise of an Easter egg hunt in the churchyard afterwards. It seemed fitting that the weather on Palm Sunday was dark, wet and gloomy and the churches similarly so, as Lent allows no flowers. On the contrary, Easter Day was bright and sunny and the flower arrangers had spent all Saturday morning adorning the church with a mass of yellow and green so it looked wonderful and felt wondrous on Easter Sunday. David Shaw
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GOOD FRIDAY AND THE EASTER EXPERIENCE
Twenty six children gathered at Sutton Veny Village Hall to experience Easter. Feet were dipped in paint, Easter Gardens were created and many Hot Cross Buns were kneaded, cooked and consumed! We then went into the church to explore the Easter story. Everyone went home with a sunflower seed to plant and grow, representing the new life that the resurrection promises for us all. Sue Bray
The ‘Great Sitting Down Game’ started with us all standing up. One after another we were designated: Matthew, Mark, Luke and “sit down-John”. It is both logical and random. Everyone was smiling. I’m not sure the same can be said of Diana (see photo on left). Caption competition, anyone?
Flowers by Liz Colvin
Photo Robin Culver
EASTER FLOWERS IN HEYTESBURY
Hot cross bun enthusiasts
Photos Roger Hammond
A LENTEN WALK IN THE LABYRINTH On Sat 14 March a motley group of walkers and dogs enjoyed the triple experience of an unusual circular Hot cross bun enthusiasts in action Photos Roger Hammond walk, stimulating conversation en route, and a number of hidden Geocaches along the way.
The mown labyrinth at Sutton Veny church photo Richard Jackman