October 2009

*Harvest Festival 2009* *Brownies Flower Arranging* The celebrations began with the 4th Brownie Pack coming into church to learn flower arranging and to help decorate the church on the Wednesday evening before.

Pat and Eileen demonstrate flower arranging to the Brownies		The Brownies hard at work creating their decorations.

... they were working in the nave - the chancel and high altar are behind.		The creations almost complete - each Brownie, all 25 of them, produced their own flower arrangement ...

Some of the completed flower arrangements on one of the shelves above the radiators ...			and a close up of another one.

The Brownies were encouraged to use ...	... fruit, nuts and seeds in their arrangements as well as leaves they'd brought in and some provided by the Flower Guild.
*Harvest Supper* St John's held a Harvest Supper in the church on Saturday 3 October, the night before the Harvest Festival service. As well as a supper of pumpkin soup, Ploughman's and apple crumble, there were a number of 'entertainments', some of which everyone was persuaded to participate in ...

Being led in a version of singing in rounds, singing Tie me Kangaroo Down Sport ...	... against Come Landlord fill the Flowing Bowl - don't ask!		The leaders of both part urging their singers on

Other entertainments included belly dancing ...	including a dance with veils - the performance was down at the west end of the church. Some of the Brownies' flower arrangements are visible in the background, along with the food serving tables.		Other entertainments included readings from Hardy and Laurie Lee - here from Cider with Rosie

"Rambling Syd Rumpo" with his own rendition and local variation of Widdecombe Fair	The final entertainment were the Epping Morris Men, seen here with a backdrop of the High Altar - they are in the nave - honest.		a particularly active member of the Morris Team in action.
*Harvest Festival*

The flowers at the foot of the lectern, complete with fruit and harvest loaf.	The basket of fruit and bread at the foot of the pedestal by the rood screen.		The pedestal by the rood screen, with heads of wheat amongst the autumnal flowers.

One of the Brownies going up to receive a certificate for their flower arrangements.	One of the tables of harvest gifts collected for the Manna Centre - a centre for the homeless that provides food, showers and clean clothes, health care appointments and employment support.		At Harvest Choral Evensong - the view through the rood screen to the high altar.
*Welcoming of Diana Lowry as reader*

Formal welcoming of Diana as part of the ministry team following her admission and licensing as a reader at Chelmsford Cathedral on the 24 October 2009. The Church Wardens have lay responsibility for the church, so are involved in the formal welcome of any new member of the ministry team. The choir are in the congregation as they moved down to the nave for the Gospel and return to the choir stalls at the Peace.
Bright and Light 2009

The Bouncy Castle early on, when there were few enough children using it to get a reasonable photograph.		Trying to spin plates, juggle and use a Diablo in the Circus Skills area

The fabric painting table with very popular snap on bracelets and mini balls to decorate.		Making giant paper chains, decorated with stickers, pens and imagination

the view up the South Aisle with several craft tables.	Painting hands and faces in the face painting area		the Dance mat and air hockey games

The wall of colour - made up of posters bought in	At the end of the evening, everyone gathered to watch a dance by Blaze and hear an address by Bryony		Bryony teaching everyone to walk in the light of Jesus

Blaze performing at the end - a group of young Christians who came together for the Bright and Light party		Blaze shouting how wonderful Christ is - the message of the Bright and Light party.