Jubilee joy in the Diocese
Church congregations throughout the diocese put on their party hats over the Jubilee holiday weekend to celebrate with the rest of the UK.
Royal fever hit the parishes with lunches, parties, family events and services all part of the Jubilee celebrations … that even the rain could not dampen.
At Codsall, the Sunday Big Jubilee Lunch (pictured) went under cover in the village hall when the rain came, but that didn’t stop the 400 attending having a memorable time, taking along picnics and taking part in quizzes plus sharing memories of the Queen’s coronation.
A new choir was formed just for the occasion.
The event was organised by a community group led by Reverend Simon Witcombe of St Nicholas' Church.
He said:'It went really well - I was amazed so many people came considering the weather.
'We managed to fit them in - just - and people really joined in.
"Everybody helped out and when they all sang Jerusalem it was really moving.'
He added: 'Lots of different people from the community got involved including the Brownies, Guides and Rainbows and that was important - we wanted it to be a community event.'
Reverend Priscilla Slusar said there was a "great community spirit".
'"I think it's typically British - both the weather and the spirit", she added.
The Big Lunch Choir was conducted by Codsall resident Dan Street, 21, who is studying Technical Theatre at London's Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
He said: "We had nearly 70 people in the choir and we've never done anything like this before.
"I had one person come up to me and say they had always wanted to be part of a choir but had never had the confidence.
"I think the community spirit was what was overwhelming for me."
Choir member Dianne Hughes, of Church Road, Codsall, said: "It was lovely having a community choir of people from the whole area joining together for a celebration.
"People came to the choir that we'd never met before, including people who said they couldn't sing and we all had a great time."
AT ALUMWELL in Walsall residents celebrated with a multi-faith, multi-cultural, fun day.
Members of Jamia Mosque and parishioners from St John’s Church held joint prayers at the community centre on Scarborough Road, Walsall to mark the special day.
There was live music, a performance by children from the local Muslim community, stalls to buy Jubilee memorabilia, fun activities for youngsters and food from around the world.
St John’s Vicar, the Revd Gennie Evans, said the event attracted people of all faiths and none.She said: “It‘s was a great day for everyone in Alumwell. As a community we wanted to show our appreciation of the Queen’s service and mark her special role as the head of the commonwealth, where she represents people of numerous faiths.’
TWO neighbouring churches in Blakenhall, Wolverhampton staged a Community Fun Day for local residents. St. Luke's Anglican Church and Christian Life Centre (part of the Apostolic Church) have built strong links over the last few years, and this was their latest joint venture.
The event took place on the Bromley Street open space and featured a variety of activities and displays including bouncy castles, dance workshop, traditional races, a fire engine and fairground organ, and barbecue. The afternoon was rounded off with the Diamond Jubilee Grace, a toast to the Queen, and a strawberry cream tea.
‘It was a great occasion,’ said the Revd Richard Espin-Bradley, vcar of St. Luke's
