A single bell tolled every few seconds across Abingdon Market Place today from St Nicolas Church. The church was full, and the churchwarden found extra chairs from somewhere.

There seem to have been a lot of funerals recently. Yesterday was a day of two funerals.

In the morning, Trinity Church held the funeral of John, one of our congregation. He was a steward who was always wanting to help and described as ‘a lovely man’.

Later in the day, Christ Church held the funeral of former Mayor and former Chair of the Vale of White Horse District Council, Councillor Margaret Crick. Alongside her family and friends were the Mayor, the town mace, and many current and former councillors who had served with her over the years. One told me how important she was during Covid in her role as Chair of the Vale, when she had a direct line to the minister.

There were also two funerals at All Saints Church just over a week ago, both for members of their congregation. Both were well attended. One was for Michael who had been a church minister in Africa and who finally settled in Abingdon to be near family. The other was for Derek, the former Chief Executive of UKAEA. His grandson said, “The world would be a much better place if everyone were more like Grandpa,” and someone else said, “Curiosity was his superpower.” People filled the church, church hall, balcony and foyer for Derek’s funeral.

Abingdon is small enough to have many overlapping circles of people. Someone you recognise from one part of the town turns up at the funeral of someone you never realised they knew. It is interesting to discover the connections between these seemingly distinct people.

The thanksgiving service at St Nicolas today was for Evelyn, a member of Abingdon Artists. Some of her paintings were displayed at the front. She was one of the familiar faces who often helped at events at St Nicolas. You may have known her too, even if you don’t know the name.