18th December 2023
The Town Council and Churches Together hosted the annual Town Carol Service at St Mary’s Church on Sunday 17 December 2023.
The church was pretty much full, which was good to see, and the carols included many national favourites, the service opening at 6pm with Once in Royal David’s City, and the congregation later singing God Rest ye Merry Gentlemen, Silent Night, O Little Town of Bethlehem, Ding Dong Merrily on High, Away in a Manger, We Three Kings, Good King Wenceslas and ending with Hark the Herald Angels Sing.
The choir, led by Terry Saunders, did a sterling job keeping everyone in tune and themselves performed a beautiful rendition of In the Bleak Midwinter.
The Rev Suzie Fryer, of Saint Mary’s Church welcomed everyone to the service, with the opening prayer read by Maria Lee of the United Reformed Church.
Christmas readings from the New Testament were read by Charles Anderson, Deputy Lieutenant of Essex and the King’s Representative at the service, Rt Hon Sir John Whittingdale OBE, MP for Maldon, Cllr Andrew Lay, Mayor of Maldon, Cllr Duncan Rawlinson, the Town Mayor and his deputy, Cllr Fiona Clegg, with Sarah Lornie from the Burnham Baptist Church completing the readings.
Rev Suzie Fryer then gave a short sermon, or reflection, with closing prayers by Rev Vera Wadman of All Saints Church, Creeksea, the Christmas Collect (a short prayer) by Ann Williams of St Cuthbert’s Catholic Church and the final blessing by Rev Fryer.
The congregation was then asked to join celebrants, guests and councillors for wine, mince pies and soft drinks.
The following pictures were taken by Cllr Nick Skeens:
