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Service of Consecration, 2017The new Churchyard Extension was consecrated, on Sunday 28th May 2017, by the Bishop of Sherborne, Rt Revd Karen Gorham, in a special service. As services of consecration are historic occasions that do not take place very often, and it may be that some interested members of the parish would have been unable to attend, this is a brief account of the service together with some pictures.
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At the centre of the ground to be consecrated, a chair shall be provided for the Bishop, together with a table and a pen; the Petition for Consecration shall be presented to the Bishop with the words: “Reverend Father in God, we ask you to consecrate this ground for the burial of our people.”
The Bishop, seated in her chair, shall receive the Petition, and say: “I am ready to perform the Consecration, but first let the Sentence of Consecration be read.”
The Sentence of Consecration is then read, signed, and witnessed by two members of the Clergy.
Then the Bishop shall stand, and with her Pastoral Staff mark upon the ground the symbol of our faith, saying: “By virtue of our sacred office we do set apart this ground, and marking it with the symbol of our most holy faith, hereby consecrate it to be the resting place of the bodies of the faithful. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.”
Then shall the Bishop say “People of Wool and East Stoke, by virtue of our sacred office we have now set apart and consecrated this ground to be the resting place of the bodies of those who have departed this life in the faith and fear of God; in the sure and certain hope of the resurrection to life eternal through our Lord Jesus Christ. May the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be upon it, sanctify it, and keep it holy until the day of the Lord Jesus. Amen.” After which the Bishop, or some Minister appointed by her, shall say: “I heard a voice from heaven, saying unto me, ‘Write, From henceforth blessed are the dead which die in the Lord; even so saith the Spirit; for they rest from their labours.’” And prayers, including: O God of the spirits of all flesh, we praise and magnify your holy name for all your servants who have finished their course in your faith and fear; and we beseech you that, encouraged by their examples, and strengthened by their fellowship, we also may be found worthy to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light; through the merits of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen. Then shall the Bishop say: “O Almighty God, who has knit together your elect in one communion and fellowship, in the mystical body of your Son Christ our Lord: grant us grace so to follow your blessed Saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those unspeakable joys, which you have prepared for all those who unfeignedly love you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.” Then she will let the people depart with this blessing: “Unto God's gracious mercy and protection we commit you. The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face to shine and be gracious unto you. The Lord lift up the light of his countenance upon you, and give you his peace, both now and evermore. Amen.”
The Churchyard Extension was started in 2012Much work has been completed by our excellent maintenance team. You will have noticed, if you walk up to the end of Church Lane, that the path has now been laid to the new churchyard extension. This was paid for from the Holy Rood Building Fund.
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