POLDEN HILL GROUP OF WIs CAROL SERVICE
A fine Monday evening at the beginning of December and the church of St Mary Woolavington was filled with almost 100 members of the eight local WIs who make up the Polden Hill group and who had gathered to participate in a joint service.
President Teresa Hemms introduced Colette Jeff our County advisor and the Rector Kevin Wright who gave the opening prayers.
Each WI had been given a reading from the Bible and was asked to interpret it in their own way. What an inventive group they proved to be, with items ranging from Congregational carols, poems, sketches, stories and individual choirs.
As Middlezoy opened with a modern poem telling of the angel appearing to Mary, speaking of “breathlessly aerobic Gabriel diving under the lintel with wings swept back”, we knew we were in for a good evening. Puriton gave an hilarious up to date account of the journey to Bethlehem with heavily pregnant Mary booking seats for the Donkey Express on her Ipad. We were not surprised to learn there was no room in the Premier Inn or Travelodge but the Travellers Rest were able to offer the stable.
Westonzoyland gave us the opportunity to join in singing “Away in a Manger” with them before Shapwick entertained with their perplexed shepherds and one very vocal sheep. The shepherds changed into modern dress, coats, hats and wellies as Ashcott told of the visit to the stable and their shock when they saw the baby had red hair! Their contribution was all in rhyme.
Compton Dundon sang a beautiful new carol about the Star, which they had illuminated in a window of the church. Walton’s choir gave a professional rendition of Peter Cornelius' carol “Three Kings from Persian Lands afar”, followed by the thoughtful story of the Fourth Wise Man.
Woolavington's theme was “Peace on Earth and Goodwill to all Men”, which they illustrated with the choir singing Graham Kendrick's “O Come and Join the Dance which all began so long ago”, followed by a poem “Christmas greetings in six languages” .
Seasonal refreshments of coffee and mince pies, organised by Corena and Woolavington members were served and all agreed it had been a most enjoyable evening.
A fine Monday evening at the beginning of December and the church of St Mary Woolavington was filled with almost 100 members of the eight local WIs who make up the Polden Hill group and who had gathered to participate in a joint service.
President Teresa Hemms introduced Colette Jeff our County advisor and the Rector Kevin Wright who gave the opening prayers.
Each WI had been given a reading from the Bible and was asked to interpret it in their own way. What an inventive group they proved to be, with items ranging from Congregational carols, poems, sketches, stories and individual choirs.
As Middlezoy opened with a modern poem telling of the angel appearing to Mary, speaking of “breathlessly aerobic Gabriel diving under the lintel with wings swept back”, we knew we were in for a good evening. Puriton gave an hilarious up to date account of the journey to Bethlehem with heavily pregnant Mary booking seats for the Donkey Express on her Ipad. We were not surprised to learn there was no room in the Premier Inn or Travelodge but the Travellers Rest were able to offer the stable.
Westonzoyland gave us the opportunity to join in singing “Away in a Manger” with them before Shapwick entertained with their perplexed shepherds and one very vocal sheep. The shepherds changed into modern dress, coats, hats and wellies as Ashcott told of the visit to the stable and their shock when they saw the baby had red hair! Their contribution was all in rhyme.
Compton Dundon sang a beautiful new carol about the Star, which they had illuminated in a window of the church. Walton’s choir gave a professional rendition of Peter Cornelius' carol “Three Kings from Persian Lands afar”, followed by the thoughtful story of the Fourth Wise Man.
Woolavington's theme was “Peace on Earth and Goodwill to all Men”, which they illustrated with the choir singing Graham Kendrick's “O Come and Join the Dance which all began so long ago”, followed by a poem “Christmas greetings in six languages” .
Seasonal refreshments of coffee and mince pies, organised by Corena and Woolavington members were served and all agreed it had been a most enjoyable evening.