The Rector, Fr. Paul, led the Eucharist services on Sunday, the fifth after Easter, also known as Rogation Sunday.
The custom on this day is for the congregation, led by the cross and church choir, to go in procession around the outside of the church building, stopping at the south, west, north and east positions, where the Rector would give blessings and thanks for all industries and nature, also for the souls buried in the churchyard.
Due to the inclement weather, the Rector, Fr. Paul, together with the congregation, repeated the same prayers with responses inside Jeffreyston Church before the morning Eucharist service started.
The readings were Acts 10.vv 44-48 and the first letter of John 5.vv 1-6. The Gospel reading was John 15.vv 9-17, where we read of the Love of God.
In discussing the readings, Fr. Paul highlighted verse 12 of the Gospel reading, 'This is my commandment, that you love one another, as I have loved you'. Father Paul sai that we should love each other as Jesus loved us, for he loved us enough to give his life for us. He advised that we read 1 Corinthians chapter 13 for a reference.
At the end of the service, Fr. Paul was proud to show the sunflower pots and colourful brochures with worksheets which had been made in the Sunday School, to highlight the 'Love of God' as the theme of the day. The children were given rapturous applause due to their attendance in such awful weather.
Afterwards, William summed up the friendship and love of God in the clearly spoken closing prayer. On May 31, Cream Teas will be held in the Jeffreyston Church Hall between the hours of 3 and 5 pm, with all money raised to be for each of the churches in the parishes.
Thanks were expressed for all who supported the Bingo evening held in memory of Tony Arthur. The sum of over £250 was raised for church funds. The services for this Sunday, May 28, are: 9 am - Eucharist, East Williamston; 10.30 am - Eucharist and Sunday School, Jeffreyston; 12 noon - Eucharist, Reynalton; 6 pm - Evensong, Loveston (when we will remember those who died in the Loveston mining disaster).