Tristan : Church News
Submitted by Tristan Times (Sarah Glass) 02.10.2007 (Article Archived on 23.10.2007)
More than one hundred communicants attended the service at St Mary’s on Sunday 23rd.September, when Bishop Christopher Gregorowski presided at the Eucharist and admitted four young people to their first Holy Communion: Rhyanna Swain, Jade Repetto, Janice Green and Kaitlyn Hagan.
Photo (c) James Glass (Tristan Times)
CHURCH NEWS
More than one hundred communicants attended the service at St Mary’s on Sunday 23rd.September, when Bishop Christopher Gregorowski presided at the Eucharist and admitted four young people to their first Holy Communion: Rhyanna Swain, Jade Repetto, Janice Green and Kaitlyn Hagan.
The Old Testament lesson from 1 Kings Ch.19 was read with clarity and confidence by Rhyanna Swain aged six years. The New Testament lesson from 1 Cor.11 was read by Lay Minister Lars Repetto, who also led the prayers. The sermon based on the Gospel of John chapter 21, which recounts Our Lord feeding his disciples on the beach, was given by Fr. Christopher Brown who was appointed Rector of St Mary’s parish in May of this year. The Servers were Dean Repetto and Julian Repetto, both of whom are members of this years Confirmation group. Following the service, the Bishop, together with the children, were photographed by Lay Minister Carlene Glass-Green at the front of the church. The Bishop along with Fr. Christopher Brown then visited the homes of the children where their families were celebrating this happy day. Particular thanks is extended to Ms Kirsty Green who selected and played the music for the service and to Bishop Christopher who wrote the poem entitled “First Communion” to honour the occasion.
FIRST COMMUNION
Rhyanna, Kaitlyn, Janice, Jade:
King Solomon was not arrayed
Like you, today, in lily white,
All innocence and pure delight.
Today you came to take Christ’s food,
To share his Body, drink his Blood.
The wafer filled your tiny hand.
And for the cup you had to stand.
Of course you couldn’t grasp in full
The mystery theological
Of elements transformed by grace:
But looking at each little face
I knew you understood far more
Than we whose hearts are hard and sore.
We pray for grace that we may be
Like you, in your simplicity.
Now, would you like some lemonade
Rhyanna, Kaitlyn, Janice, Jade?
Interment of Ashes
The ashes of Vivian Baker (nee Repetto) were laid to rest in the island cemetery in the grave of her brother Michael on Sunday 9th September following the Eucharist. In attendance was Vivian’s brother Mr Ernest Repetto and a large number of family and friends. It will be remembered that Vivian was among those members of the island community who remained in England following the volcanic eruption in 1961. It was always her wish that her ashes be returned to the land of her birth; her wish was fulfilled through the kindness of her close friends Paul and Geraldine Repetto who travelled to Tristan aboard the M.V. Edinburgh in late August of this year.
The Rev’d Patrick Helyer.
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