So much happened over this weekend – where to begin?
Perhaps with the wrapping of the choir stalls in industrial-strength cling film, to protect them from becoming rainbow-hued as poster paint flew – though mostly it flew onto the ‘canvas’. St Mary’s was becoming Messy Church for a day … and survived.
The 3m long canvasses had been stuck against the front of the choir stalls so that the children’s activity could go ahead in the chancel, without getting in the way of the Catering committee who were setting up for Harvest lunch for 40 in the nave at the same time.
Artists of all ages took part in the creation, from scratch, of two Wivenhoe scenes: the KGV 
playing field and the river front. The results of their efforts were quite striking and can be seen hanging on the wall in church – with a sneak pre-view here.
Another thing that was literally striking was the conker competition, being run outside at the same time. I noticed we had a “champion 
of the world” chalked up on the board (and the photo gives away who …). That is probably all we need to ensure a large number of participants for next year!
The apple snapping was quite tricky to accomplish. It didn’t help that the apples had been highly polished but successes there were. Well done the snappers, for their persistence.
What with the making of a fish mobile, the folding of origami baskets, the decorating of conkers, the colouring of stained glass window pictures and the glittering and glueing of anything at all, there was hardly time for story telling – but Thomas the Tank Engine and the Gruffalo still managed to get a look in!
The idea of the origami baskets is that they will go on the Advent tree for the All Age service in December. Each child folded a basket and wrote their name on it, and when they return in December they will find their baskets hanging on the tree, with a small surprise inside each one.
There are 22 baskets at the moment but the Sunday Clubbers will be adding theirs yet so the Advent tree should look very attractive.
Sunday Harvest festival service was packed: standing room only even before it began. Millfield and Broomgrove choirs sang beautifully, so well in tune and together, really impressive! And the songs were great, too.
This was the day the new Sunday Club met for the first time. They joined the congregation at the start of the morning service, bringing with them freshly baked loaves they had made, which were used for the Communion, and prayers specially written for Harvest which they read out themselves.
The floral decorations in warm autumn colours beautified the church and the Harvest tables were laden, with many of the gifts having come through the schools.
Overheard after the service: “What a lovely atmosphere!”
It was.
A number of photos can be accessed here; hopefully some more will be added soon.
