On Sunday, 23rd March 2025, the Church of Our Lady & St Edmund hosted Abingdon-on-Thames’ Civic Service for the year 2024/25. Led by the Mayor, Councillor Gabby Barody, the service celebrated inclusivity and community groups.
The Civic Party entered to “Crowded Table” by The Highwomen. Father Jamie McGrath opened the proceedings with prayers, followed by a welcome from the Mayor. Reflections were shared by the Mayor’s multi-faith and humanist chaplains: Deacon Selina Nisbett, Dr Hamid Al Shejni, and Pat Winslow (read on her behalf by the Mayor). The church choir performed Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer.
The Mayor introduced local groups making a difference, including Host Abingdon, Pranic Healing, Thames Valley Roller Skating Club, Abingdon Breastfeeding Café, and Open Doors.
Thank you to Martin Wackenier for the photographs.
Pranic healing…..oh dear, what next, fortune tellers?!
There’s another civic event tomorrow which hasn’t had much publicity: the “Annual Town Meeting” is at 7pm in the Guildhall. It is not a Council meeting – any Abingdon electors can come and ask questions. The agenda and reports are here:- https://www.abingdon.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Agenda-Abingdon-Annual-Parish-Meeting-2025-1.pdf
Yogic flying anyone?
Maybe it should be Panic Healing? I could do with a bit of that, especially after watching the news.
We don’t want to be the next usa, religion should be personal and wiped from society functions. sorry to any religious offended by that but it’s what i think.