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Vicar's Letter: “My Dear Friends, I sincerely hope you
have spent a very happy Easter, and that all those who joined in the Services
at the Parish Church realized the truth Easter is meant to teach us, viz.,
the doctrine of a Risen Saviour, and not that we believe in a dead Christ.
On Monday, before Easter, 90 candidates were presented to the Bishop for the
solemn rite of laying on of hands. Out of that number 32 were from Bunbury,
and 17 from Calveley. It is my earnest prayer that all will become regular
communicants, and not, as the manner of some, ‘forsake the assembling of
themselves together’ in the appointed way. On Easter Day 119 partook of the
Holy Communion.
The Church had been beautifully decorated, and our best thanks are due to the
following ladies who so kindly gave their time and services: Mrs. Gordon and
friends, Mrs. Townend, the Misses Blain, Beckett, Bailey, Cawley, Ardem,
Woodward and Woolley, and also to Mrs. Gordon's gardener, Mr. Trickett, who
assisted in the work of decoration, and who worked for several days in making
the various wreaths that were used.
At all the Services there were large congregations. The musical portion being
ably rendered by the Choir, who did fulljustice to the careful training of our Organist, Mr. Taylor.
A very handsome pulpit Antependium specially worked for the occasion was
given by an anonymous donor.
Through the liberal offerings which had been received on Thursday evenings at
the close of each Service, in a box provided for that purpose, new Markers
for the Bible and Altar Book were used for the first time. The sum collected
amounted to £2 11s 2d. Flowers were kindly lent and given by the ladies
already mentioned, and also by Mr. R. Brocklebank and the Misses Royds.
Let us one and all pray earnestly that the joy of Easter will abide in our
hearts, and that we shall not forget the great and solemn fact, that as
Christian people and believers ‘we have been buried with Christ in Baptism’
and also ‘if we are risen with Christ, we shall seek those things that are
above, where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God.
Again thanking you one and all for your help and interest,
I remain,
Your affectionate Friend and Vicar,
Sydney Powell TOWNEND.”
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