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Crib Service - Christmas Eve 2005

The Church was crammed again on Christmas eve for the annual Crib Service. The Nativity Play was called The Rat's Hat and told the story of the birth of Jesus from the perspective of a family of rats who lived in the stable at Bethlehem. There was a large cast of young people acting this year and everyone put in a fine performance. A huge THANK YOU to all those who took part, acting and narrating; to those who helped backstage with costumes, props and staging; to the band for providing atmosphere and accompanying the carols; and to Richard & Neelam Mathams for bringing along nine-day-old baby Arbella to be the baby Jesus at the end... [Click on the thumbnails below to see full size versions]


Sophie Turrell as Mary, Dominic Adams as Joseph and 9-day-old Arbella Mathams as Jesus...	Shepherd Tom Jordan and lamb...	June Hooke played one of the Wise Men...

Nicole Hook was a fluttery robin in the Creation scene...	Rebecca MacLean was a right little angel...

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Booklet on Ernest James Wythes

Detail of the organ commisioned and given to St John's Church by Mr Wythes... Our series of booklets about St. John’s has been enhanced by a new publication. Tony Harvey, our Church Archivist has written about Ernest Wythes, the great benefactor of St. John’s.

The booklet tells of Ernest Wythes' involvement in the building of St. John’s and of his generosity, not only in the many gifts he made to beautify the interior, but also in ensuring our Church was completed with the long planned-for Tower (also the subject of another booklet by Tony Harvey). Tribute is paid to the shy and gracious man who did so much to give Epping such a magnificent Church Building.

Copies of the booklet are available from the Church and from Copped Hall, price £1.50p.

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Ordination to the Priesthood - 3rd July 2005

The Barking Area Ordinations to the Priesthood took place at St John's on 3rd July 2005. Our very own Carol Smith - Team Curate - was ordained to the priesthood and we then celebrated with a wonderful Bring & Share lunch in the Rectory garden. [Click on the thumbnails below to see full size versions]


Carol is ordained to the priesthood by the Bishop of Barking	The newly ordained priests are presented to the congregation	having a chat outside church afterwards...

Bishop David enjoying a joke...	modelling the stole given to her by the congregation	"My wife and I..." Brian says a few words

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Team's 10th Birthday

We celebrated the Epping District Team's 10th Birthday with a joint service at St John's, followed by a Bring & Share lunch in the Rectory Garden. [Click on the thumbnails below to see full size versions]


one of our younger members enjoys the grub....	a smart lady from Coopersale models the latest in costume jewellery	serious picnicking under the pear tree...

a lady in pink gets chatted up by the Curate's husband...	a spectacular save by Adams - spot the ball...	a delicate operation...

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Youth Group goes to St Paul's

At the beginning of February, the Junior Church leaders and 12 children went to St Paul's Cathedral, travelling on the tube.

We ate our lunch in the gardens there before pausing for a photo on the famous front steps. Then we looked around the Cathedral, using observer's sheets which had been provided for us by the Cathedral staff, before climbing the 550+ steps up to the very top gallery, where we saw stunning views across London, in all directions. After coming all the way down again, we made our way home to Epping, via the Cathedral shop.

This was a memorable trip, and we are grateful to the extra helpers we had on the day.

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