On Tuesday afternoon, 8th November, 2016, Revd Scott McKenna and Sheila Bryer led a poignant Remembrance Service for over 50 people who sat around tables covered in red cloths and decorated with richly-coloured autumn leaves and poppies. Each table displayed a photograph of the various inscribed wood, stone and brass War Memorial plaques on the three walls in the North 
Transept of Mayfield Salisbury Church. And with our Orders of Service punctuated with Remembrance images, we were each given a sheet, an artistic souvenir, of all the names on these memorials, printed out in the shape of a cross - those from the various congregations which united to form ours and who lost their lives in the Great and other awful Wars. It was a most moving occasion with beautiful words, music and thought-provoking reflection. It may be of interest that the Mayfield Salisbury web-site has a section which gives the full list of names on the individual war memorials, also images.
This was the fifth and last Afternoon Service of 2016, and the fortieth since these very special gatherings began in 2008. Many in this afternoon congregation now find they cannot join Sunday services and they appreciate shorter mid-week Worship and also the opportunity to meet up with church friends. Many people have made these possible and this one was a milestone – and an opportunity to extend very grateful thanks to those who have officiated, accompanied on the piano, set out and decorated the tables, and made and served cups of tea and eats, not to mention the ‘welcomers’, all the drivers who have offered a supportive arm to the car and have transported to and from West
Mayfield in all weathers, and those who have attended, too. William Mearns, our church manager, and his deputies must be thanked - everyone is ever-willing to assist in so many ways and we extend our huge appreciation.We do not meet in more extreme winter weather. The first Afternoon Service in 2017 will be Holy Communion on Tuesday 14th March. Let’s hope by then Spring will have sprung !
Anne Sturrock
