Will it go ahead? What about the snow? Our friends and family might not make it! Will the Bishop get to Brentwood? - so many questions and so many worries. Brentwood was thick with snow; the paths were slippery and the weather forecast made it clear to us all that there would be a blizzard the night before and more snow on its way Sunday.

Then the miracle happened. The roads were clearer than days before; the weather turned – no more snow! All 20 Confirmation Candidates turned up and many of their family and friends too. The Bishop of Bradwell arrived and even had time to chat with the candidates before the service. The hard work and all the many preparations before the day paid off – after many study groups with June our Reader and myself, the twenty were ready. This was a Confirmation to be remembered.

There were four baptisms before the confirmations, which made our time at the Font even more poignant. Then, as each person presented themselves to the Bishop, the laying on of hands was slow and precise – it was as though the Bishop waited for the Holy Spirit to come before he commenced with the words “Confirm O Lord your servant….with your Holy Spirit”. The support of the entire congregation was wonderful – Ruth and her team of Sunday-school teachers had also planned for a longer service, which meant that the children came in smiling. The Girls’ Choir sang beautifully with the Men; they were polished and well rehearsed, yet the Holy Spirit sang through their notes too. Twenty more committed Christians were added to our number today – please continue to pray for them and please get to know them; they come with many gifts.

Our next Confirmation will be on October 17th this year – if today’s service inspired you to take this sacramental step too, please let one of the Ministry Team know. Fr Colin