Bohemia Village Voice

Organist for 40 years, Frank Jenkins

A service of thanksgiving was held on Sunday, Jan 31st, to mark the ending of regular worship at St. Peter’s (recounts Sheila Shepheard). The decision by the church council to request closure was described as a courageous step, although necessary in the context of the required reduction in the number of churches in the town. As a geographical landmark and as a significant Christian influence in the neighbourhood over many years, the church will be sorely missed, and there was a sense of sadness and loss at the ending of an era. But the predominant flavour of the evening of Jan 31st was one of celebration. The church was well filled as the service was introduced with a welcome by the Rev David Fentiman, who has been running the day-to-day life of the church in recent months. The Bishop of Lewes, the Rt Rev Wallace Benn, led the Service of Eucharist and preached. He spoke on the words of Simeon when he saw the Christ-child, ‘Lord, now let your servant depart in peace….for my eyes have seen your salvation’; reminding us that endings bring new beginnings in God’s purposes for his people.
The Archdeacon, the Ven Philip Jones was present, as were our MP Michael Foster and his wife, together with numerous clergy and well-wishers from local parishes.  The Rural Dean, the Rev Chris Key was joined by some members of St Peters in giving appreciation and recollections of the church; the church’s reader, Sheila Johnston read a lesson and the organ and keyboard were played, as for many years past, by Frank Jenkins [pictured].
It was a pity about the heating, but the chairs were extremely comfortable; the hymns were sung with hearty enthusiasm; the refreshments afterwards were delicious, and we came away encouraged and inspired; there’s life in the old church yet!
Few if any changes take place quickly in the C of E, and St Peter’s will still be holding services on important days in the Church Year, for some months, as listed on p. 4.

Sheila Shepheard