Sunday Trinity 1 – President of the mass and preacher on this the First Sunday of the longest season in the church calendar was Father Stephen Drakeley, priest-in-charge.

He suggested that after the major events of Easter and Whitsun, this quiet time afforded us an opportunity to indulge ourselves in a bit of reflective thought and contemplation of our spiritual life.

The mass began with the processional hymn “All my hope of good is founded.” Jane MacLennan read the first lesson from the first book of Kings chapter 18. Here we read of the prophet Elijah challenging the Israelites as to where their belief lay, with the Lord God or with Baal and ending with the proof the Lord is indeed God.

Part of the first chapter v 1-12 of Paul’s letter to the Galatians was the New Testament lesson read by Barbara Martin. This again centres on a differing of opinion. The churches of Galatia it would appear were deserting the gospel, propounded by Paul for a different version, which he set out to challenge the gospel message proclaimed by Fr Stephen was Luke chapter 7. This tells the story of the Roman centurion who sent a request to Jesus asking Him to heal a sick servant and the events that led up to Jesus being amazed by the soldier’s faith in His ability. This caused Him to say: “Not even in Israel have I found such faith.” The theme of Fr Stephen’s address was “Passing on news.” He began by summarising ways in which this had been done. He concluded by suggesting that we should be in the business of passing on news, our news – the good news – what Jesus said. Celebrating at the eucharist he was assisted as chalice administrators by Jane MacLennon and David Fittock, who were also the servers for the mass. Prayers were led by Linda Thomas and Barbara Martin; sidespersons were Frances Martin and Alan Bukac-Williams; organist was Matthew Seaton, church organist.

After the singing of the closing hymn “All for Jesus”, played as the Finale Prelude and Fugue in F by J S Bach.