Mayor’s Civic Service 2021 Seaford Baptist Church was the venue for a wellattended Civic Service on Saturday, 31st July 2021. It was a welcome opportunity to gather together after so many months of restrictions. Neighbouring Towns and Parishes were represented by their Mayors and Chairs. The District Council and County Council were also represented as were the Police and Fire Service. Peter White, Seaford’s Serjeant at Mace led the procession into the Church, followed by the Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex, Sir Peter Field and his wife Margaret, the High Sheriff of East Sussex, Miles Jenner and his wife Sally and the Mayor of Seaford, Councillor Rodney Reed and his wife Ann. The congregation appreciated the opportunity to sing with worship being led by Sally-Ann Fatkin, supported by Mike Kerry and Jenny Chapman. Great is Your Faithfulness and Praise Him you Heavens were appropriate songs of praise and thanksgiving. Laurie Holland, a member of Seaford Baptist Church, who with Keith Blackburn is a Freeman of Seaford, read the scripture, John’s Gospel Chapter 14, verses 1-7. Minister of Seaford Baptist Church and Mayor’s Chaplain, the Revd Andy Machin shared a reflection on the theme of Faith overcoming Fear. ‘Don’t allow your hearts to be gripped by fear, put your trust in God…’ Andy reminded us of the time in World War 2 when Britain was close to defeat with her army trapped at Dunkirk. King George VI called for a day of prayer on 26th May 1940, encouraging people to turn to God and plead for divine help. Millions flocked into churches across the land to pray for deliverance. Two events followed: a violent storm over the Dunkirk region grounding the Luftwaffe and then a great calm upon the Channel which allowed hundreds of tiny boats to sail across and rescue 335,000 stranded soldiers. Afterwards people referred to it as the Miracle of Dunkirk. There has been little mention of prayer from national leaders or the media throughout the pandemic but people of faith have continued to pray for release from its grip. Andy highlighted the vital role of the wider Church in helping the community through various voluntary works: the Food Bank in Seaford, Just Life in Brighton, the Chaplaincy team at Beachy Head,
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Waves in Seaford and The Cabin at Cradle Hill. People of faith remain vitally important to our social fabric. In his address the Mayor spoke of the comfort of faith and the importance of community in these challenging times. He assured all who were present or watching the live stream at home that they were in the thoughts and prayers of the leadership and congregation. Councillor Reed commended the many organisations who keep us safe and spoke about his Mayoral themes of ‘Stronger Together’ and the need to protect our natural environment. He reported that Council meetings for the last few months have been held at the church building to enable social distancing and live streaming. He gave thanks to all involved in the Council and the various organisations who have worked tirelessly through the lockdowns and restrictions. The Chair of the Youth Counselling Project, Julia Hancock was interviewed about that work during the service and a retiring collection was taken for the Project. A Cornish Cream Tea was served by volunteers from the Inner Wheel Club of Seaford with delicious scones generously donated by Morrison’s. The pleasure at being able to gather continued, with many of the congregation evidently reluctant to go home. Congratulations to Councillor Rodney Reed for taking up his second term as Mayor of Seaford. We pray for God’s wisdom and blessings upon him as he continues to represent Seaford and support various charity initiatives. Sheila White, for Seaford Baptist Church Photos: l-r Mayoress Ann Reed, Lord Lieutenant Sir Peter Field, Lady Margaret Field, Mayor Rodney Reed, Mrs Sally Jenner and Mr Miles Jenner, High Sheriff of East Sussex; Civic Service at Seaford Baptist Church. Photos by Keith Ross.
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