Putting the Fun in Fundraising!
A terrific service in Downton yesterday saw a whole packed chuch finding out where its priorities will lie in fudnign the future church in their village. I’ll let the local people have their say, and then show you the celebration cake!
Downton Village News
Sunday 17th January saw the Grand Launch of St Laurence’s Trinity FUNders –the FUNdraising team of St Laurence’s church in Downton. The service was extremely well attended and it had the feel of a wonderful family gathering overflowing in happiness. The total raised for the FUNd on the day via the collection, sale of cake and filled church-shaped collection boxes that had been made by the Sunday school children, was an incredible £3,150.00!! A tremendous thank you goes out for every single penny of this generous amount – a marvellous boost to the FUNdraising effort.
The FUNders were formed as a result of long term hope and prayer to open the church building to increased learning and social gathering for the wider community of Downton and surrounding areas whilst preserving the Christian and communal heritage in the centre of this historic village. The heating system breaking down was the catalyst to turn this hope into reality! The church dates back to the 12th Century and is to be found six miles south of the cathedral city of Salisbury.
Their mission statement is Saving the Past…Thanksgiving for the Present….Legacy for the Future… This is based on the fundamental need to encompass God, in all his forms, in their efforts – hence Trinity. The wordplay on FUN in the title meaning everyone should enjoy themselves at the same time as raising FUNds, along with the heritage mission statement initials reflecting those of St Laurence itself.
The Rector of the Forest and Avon team, Rev Frank Gimson presided at the service. The Venerable Alan Jeans, Archdeacon of Sarum gave a wonderful sermon listing the history of the church back through the centuries and then leading right into the visions for the future. The previous incumbent – Rev Michael Gallagher, now the Rector of St Bartholomew’s in Crewkerne, led the intercessions and Mr Robert Key, Member of Parliament for Salisbury read the thought provoking lesson.
At the end of the service the team leaders were introduced to the congregation and this led into a special Ribbon cutting ceremony by the oldest member of the congregation, Mrs Florence Corbin, celebrating her 100th birthday on 18th January. She was assisted by Miss Eve Lovell who is 1 year old this week and Mr Robert Plaskett who has been attending St Laurence’s since he was a lad. Robert first started ringing the bells when he was 13, he is now in retirement but the church and his family still keep him busy. He is Captain and Keeper of the Tower and a constant worker for the church. Downton Band accompanied the congregation with their usual musical expertise.
The service was followed by morning coffee and celebration cake that was made by volunteer bakers from the within the church family and was assembled into a replica of St Laurence’s church measuring 36” x 24” by Beverley and her daughter, Donna, of Beverley’s Creative Cakes in Downton. It all disappeared!! If you missed this service please look for future event advertisements in the local press and notice boards that will be placed in supporters gardens throughout the village.
A collection was also made in aid of the Haiti disaster fund – this raised around £230. Check out the cake! It must be something about St Laurence; remember the hedge church at Stratford-sub-Castle?
