It was back to normal yesterday with a full day’s work in the parish to keep me out of mischief. The morning was spent with Beryl Boughton and her close family preparing a requiem Mass for Ken. The service will be held on Friday 4th September at 1.30pm and it is expected to be quite an occasion. Everyone who knew Ken, and all church members, are warmly invited to attend. At noon the Angelus was recited with those who had been praying the rosary in church, after which Low Mass for S. Louis was offered at our Lady’s altar. It was nice to see Paul our church warden who, being a teacher on school holiday, was able to join us midweek.
I then returned to the vicarage to start preparing Sunday’s sermon and also work on the order of service for the Requiem Mass. After picking Jemima up from nursery there was just time to call on the Radley family. This was especially rewarding for Jemima who was given a lovely mini-trampoline which the Radley children have outgrown. She was so excited that she bounced herself silly till bed time!
In the evening six parishioners came over to the Vicarage to organise an exciting fundraising event. Mike Blande, a church member and drummer in a local cover band, has offered to perform a gig. The event will provide funding for the complete overhaul and restoration of our sacristan’s garden, opening up this resource to the pre-school and wider community. This restoration will be part of our larger ongoing project to transform our facilities and establish a thriving Community Centre. The potential of our little garden is huge, and we even considered the installation of simple out-door stations to aid devotion at the children’s easter workshop! We are hoping to secure a venue in the next week and produce the posters and tickets for this headlining event. After a few glasses of wine we came up with a name for the band and event: ‘Rockin’ the garden’ featuring ‘Barna-band & their backing sinners!’. Tickets will be priced at £5 in advance and £7.50 on the door and a buffet will be provided. It should be great fun – so put the evening of the 17th October into your diary ASAP!
And finally onto the title of this blog. As you can see from the lead photograoh, two of the social committee arrived on bicycles last night. Why? Because they are in training for the annual Church bike ride and will be raising money for S. Barnabas. I have decided that all Church members ought to choose one of two options in regard this event. Either get your bike out and join them, raising as much sponsorship as you can, alternatively become a sponsor of one of those cycling. Keeping the church afloat is never easy and every little helps- so I am delighted that Sarah, Eleanor, Michelle and Melissa are getting the ball rolling…..or should that be the wheels turning! A call for a certain Mr. Green to get out those awful tight clothes again this year?
