In presenting the Order Bishop Will said “what a privilege it is to play a part in the service as we recognise and celebrate the inspiring work of those from across the diocese awarded the Order of St Richard. They, like the Saints who have gone before us remind us of Jesus’ call to serve which is the natural outpouring of the Grace freely given to each of us at Baptism”In receiving the Order Alan Thurlow (here with wife Tina) said “My appointment as organist of Chichester Cathedral in 1980 has given me the opportunity of spending over half of my life in what my wife Tina and I have come to regard as our home.“Along the way I have been very fortunate in having the opportunity to serve the diocese as a member of the Diocesan Advisory Committee and also as organ adviser. Through this I have come to know a great many of our churches, along with the devoted incumbents, churchwardens and PCC members who care so passionately about the maintenance of their fine and often historic churches.“It has been a real privilege to spend my life doing what is really my hobby.”In making the nomination St George’s churchwarden Alan Martin also wrote of the extra special place Alan Thurlow holds in our hearts here in Donnington. When the church lost its old organ Alan Thurlow was at my side helping to identify solutions , initially scouring the country for a second hand replacement until an insurance breakthrough meant we could have a new mechanical pipe organ built. Alan helped with identifying and vetting possible suppliers with his vast knowledge of quality manufacturers. He assisted with the specification and during the build travelled to the workshop in Luton to monitor progress and the standard of the build. We have been absolutely delighted that he has since become our own organist and makes Sunday services, Evensongs, festivals, baptisms, weddings and funerals very special for all concerned.
What a joyous evening as Bishop Ruth and Archdeacon Luke 'collated' and 'inducted' Rev'd Caroline to become the Incumbent of St George's.In her sermon Bishop Ruth remarked on the beauty of our church, a place of continual christian worship for over a millennium. In the long list of Incumbents Rev'd Caroline is the first woman, and how interesting that the service fell on 30th September - the feastday of St Jerome whose attitudes to women were very different to the contemporary teachings of the 5th century (even if somewhat short of today's accepted standards!)The Gospel reading was from Luke 9:45 (similar to Mark 9:30-37 from 2 weeks ago) and carries a warning or, as St Jerome would have it, 'Everything in it must have a sharp seasoning of truth' Bishop Ruth explained that here Jesus is frustrated at the disciples bickering yet again both over who amongst them was highest up the pecking order and their attitude to those outside their inner circle.It is a sharp seasoning of truth because we are all hard wired to position ourselves on a ladder built of comparisons with others; hard wired too to look at those outside our own circle with suspicion. Ladders and circles - things that undermine Christ's hopes for the worldThe opportunities and challenges we all face (see 'where next for St George's?') won't have changed because of last night's beautiful and timeless service, but it reminds us that whether a Bishop, Archdeacon, Incumbent or parishioner we all in this together.
