The Special Sunday Mass with Bishop Crispian

St Stephen’s Church, Oliver’s Battery was almost full to capacity on the third Sunday of Easter, April 26, as Bishop Crispian Hollis concelebrated mass to mark its 40th anniversary.
As well as many of the regular congregation, there were also worshippers from other parts of the parish of Hampshire Downs, and visiting guests including the Anglican vicar of nearby St Mark’s and St Luke's, the Rev Mike Gardner.
The entrance hymn was On the Journey to Emmaus, organist Kate Smith, and after the greeting by Canon Paul Townsend, Bishop Crispian sprinkled  the congregation who sang O Living Water.
Karen Murtagh read the first reading, Tasha Dean sang the psalm, and David Slinn the second reading before the Gospel by the Rev Gardner.
In the Bishop’s homily, he emphasised the importance of the community that was St Stephen’s and how everyone embraced much of the work which might be done by a priest if there was one present full time.
He welcomed back the children from their liturgy and they explained that they were carrying paper flames, or candles, to represent the memory of people who have worshipped at St Stephen’s over the past 40 years.
The bidding prayers were read by Nicky Whiles, and the communion song was Come and Eat this Bread.
Before the final hymn, We Walk by Faith, Clare Robinson, read greetings messages from former priests including Monsignor Nick France, and Fathers Andrew Chandler, Kevin Delaney, Chris Rutledge, David O’Sullivan as well as Bishop Peter Doyle of Northampton, who regretted his absence, due to a prior Confirmation engagement at Eton College!  The Rev Gardner presented the St Stephen’s community with a card signed by members of his own worshipping community.
There was also a short symbolic dance, entitled “Christus Resurrexit, We meet Christ, We walk with Christ”, performed by four teenagers, Elizabeth Hickson, Abigail Robinson, Mary Tutton and Sophie
Egerton-Kemp, choreographed by Julia Bray.

Brian Mustoe and Clare Robinson