ST JAMES' CHURCH: Considerable activity took place over the past week at St James' Church where, on Wednesday evening last, the children of Harvington C of E School took part in a Christingle service. This, it will be remembered, has its roots in Scandinavia and involves the children in a procession in which they carry lighted candles held in oranges. It was clear that the young participants and the assembled parents and well-wishers who made up the congregation all enjoyed the whole experience greatly - and it certainly left the church smelling appetisingly of oranges. Then on Friday evening, the Harvington Singers presented their Christmas concert, entitled 'Tis The Season' and this, too, was very well attended. The fragrance of mulled wine, served in the interval along with mince pies, was added to the lingering scent of oranges and the whole evening had a very festive air. Everybody concerned was warmly thanked by the chairman Alan Hirst, and The Singers were thanked, in turn, by many supporters in the audience who were most complimentary about the continuing success of this ecumenical village choir. (They have again been invited to sing at Norton Church carol service on Sunday next which is a compliment in itself.) Saturday afternoon saw the WI playing host to members of the other WI's in the Avonvale group at their annual carol service, when the service was introduced by president Joyce White in the unfortunate absence of the Rector who, as was reported last week, is in hospital undergoing heart surgery. In her thanks to everyone who had contributed to the organisation of the event, Mrs White particularly mentioned the church organist, Mrs Lilian Rain of Lenchwick who, though not a WI member had been happy to give her expert services for the occasion. Finally, on Sunday evening, the church's own carol service took place at which the readers of the traditional lessons were representatives of several village organisations. The choir, augmented for the evening by members of The Singers was under the expert guidance of Julian Harris, a music teacher and choirmaster of considerable note in the Stratford area and a resident of the village who had invited several of his own choir members to join the service. The arrangements for the evening owed much to the part played by Mervyn Huggins, one of the churchwardens, who along with other lay members of the church will keep church activities carrying on as normally as possible during the Rector's absence. Readers may like to be made aware that there will be Holy Communion at 11pm Christmas Eve and again at 9.15am on Christmas Day administered by visiting clergy.
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