A special service was held at St Nicolas Church this Thursday evening, 21 August, to remember John and Jane Blacknall, who both died on this day in 1625 during an outbreak of plague soon after King Charles I came to the throne.

John Blacknall left money for the upkeep of St Nicolas Church and to help the poor of the town. A tradition of leaving bread on his tomb for those in need was re-enacted at the service.

The Blacknall monument, which shows John, Jane, and two of their three children, was put up by the Blacknall charity in their memory.

The monument has been carefully restored for the 400th anniversary of their deaths, thanks to donations from the legacies of the late Doreen Barnes and the late Andrew Birks.

Father Paul Smith led the service, with a sermon by the Bishop of Dorchester, Gavin Collins. The service used words from the early 1600s, including the King James version of the bible, and music by composer Orlando Gibbons, a contemporary of John Blacknall who also died in 1625, sung by a choir.

In his sermon, Bishop Gavin spoke about John Blacknall’s generosity, reminding the congregation that the good things we have are given by God are to be shared with others.

It’s part of church life that ministers and deacons come to serve for a time, and then are called to move on. After ten years in Abingdon, supporting both All Saints and Trinity churches, Deacon Selina has touched the lives of many within the churches and far beyond. (Revd Georgina, seen here with her, has recently arrived.)

Selina became more widely known in the town when she served as chaplain to Mayor Gwyneth Lewis and championed the Mayor’s chosen cause, Reducing the Risk, a charity supporting those affected by domestic abuse. She led the Civic service and helped at the town’s Remembrance Service and the Fair Service, and supported many individuals in ways that only they will know.

Yesterday, a farewell service was held for her at Trinity. It was a joyful occasion that reflected the breadth of her ministry

Attendance: 114 adults and 10 children
Collection: £385.55 raised for Reducing the Risk

The service featured a diverse selection of music chosen by Selina, from a Māori love song (Pokarekare Ana), to a Zambian blessing, an 18th-century hymn, a farewell song composed by the Toddler Group, and a lively children’s song with actions (Our God is a Great Big God).

Revd Keith Underhill described Selina as being like an iceberg: the congregation saw just a small part of her ministry — leading services, baptisms, and funerals and church groups but much more happened beneath the surface. She supported schools, advocated for people in court, and was a compassionate presence for individuals going through difficult times. One person said how her mum lit up when she talked with them about what mattered to them.

There were refreshments, and a large cake to be cut in the Conduit Centre afterwards, and presentations from All Saints, Trinity, and the Wantage and Abingdon Methodist Circuit. Now it is time for Selina to take the next step in her journey. She leaves with our thanks and prayers.

On Friday, Trinity Church in Abingdon was prepared for its 150th anniversary celebrations. For the first time in many years, the north transept (top left in the photo) was opened up, creating enough space for the occasion.

Saturday saw a commemoration service. Over sixty names were read aloud, with candles lit in remembrance of those who played a part in the church’s past.

Sunday (today) was a homecoming. Former ministers and members returned, joined by friends from other churches in the area. The Mayor of Abingdon, Cllr Rawda Jehanli, led a procession that included previous ministers, local church leaders, and guests such as the great-great-grandson of John Creemer Clarke — whose vision and generosity helped establish Trinity Church 150 years ago.

The thanksgiving service involved hymns, prayers, and reflections, with many voices contributing to the celebration.

Here at the tea afterwards is the Mayor of Abingdon with Revd Malcolm Atherton, minister at Trinity from 1995–2005, and Revd Georgina Bondzi-Simpson, current minister of Trinity and All Saints.

Here Revd Paul Smith, from St Michael and All Angels, and St Nicolas Church in Abingdon, leaves a message in the visitors’ book.

Many thanks to Neil, who led much of the organisation of what was a fitting celebration.