CHURCH APPEAL – LAUNCH SERVICE
Last Sunday afternoon, the 30th January 2005, the church officially launched its appeal with a service of praise, thanksgiving and dedication presided over by the Bishop of Gloucester, Rt Revd Michael Perham. The appeal is launched to raise some £335,000 so that the roof can be repaired and restored and the west end of church can be re-ordered to become a more welcoming and functional area.
It was lovely to see the church absolutely packed with a congregation and choir thought to be numbered in excess of 200 people. It was a wonderful occasion enjoyed by all present.
Along with the Bishop, we were pleased to welcome many distinguished guests at the service. Guests included the High Sheriff of Gloucester, Mr Simon Preston and his wife Penelope, the Dursley Town Mayor Tim Frankau, our local MP David Drew, the Financial Director of Lister’s Mr. Simon Lambert and his wife, Judge and Mrs Hutton, David Alexander, the Head of Rednock School and Bill Church, Head of Dursley Primary School
The structure of the service with prayers, reading and hymns was designed to underline our message of thanksgiving for what we have already and commitment to the future and furtherance of Christianity in the town and surrounding area. The singing was heartily entered into by everybody and the choir, who sang the Magnificat to Lloyd in A and the anthem “I was glad” by Hubert Parry (both composers directly connected with Gloucestershire), were on top form. As usual, Nigel’s closing voluntary, Finale (Symphonie no. 1) by Vierne, accompaniment and interlude music were masterful.
In his sermon the Bishop said that it was rather fortuitous that this service should fall at the time of celebration for Christ’s Presentation In The Temple (Candlemass Feb 2nd). Jesus, he said, was ever conscious of the place the temple played in people’s lives and how it was a focus for their devotion to God. He drew our attention to the fact that Candlemass can also mean a meeting and that the church needed to be a place where people could meet together both to worship and socialise and that God was not reserved just for the sanctuary of the church. Both these sentiments fitted very nicely with the appeal for the roof and re-ordering now launched.
At the end of the service, following the Blessing by the Bishop and the closing organ voluntary, Revd Tim gave a short and lively presentation on the details of what is proposed for the church by the appeal. He outlined a brief history of the church, which is very extensive, and reminded us of exactly how the church is already involved with the town and community. He went on to show and describe the work intended for the west end of church both from the plans and an artists impression including some financial matters regarding the expected cost breakdown and how it was intended to be paid for from the appeal. He concluded by showing how the work at the back of church could greatly enhance our mission in the town through contact, a space for welcome, a space for quietness and development of an area for children.
Afterwards, everyone enjoyed a glass or two of wine with delicious nibbles and cake whilst they made a closer inspection of the displayed plans and chatted amongst themselves and to the sidespeople.
You will be able to read a lot more about the appeal, its progress and events in future editions of this magazine, on the website and through the regular bulletins that will be produced, so look out for them. Please support us with your time, talents and contributions; should you wish to offer any of these then please contact either the Rector or one of the steering committee members through the Parish Office.