Alpha and omega

 I got to know the Rev Cecil Hyland when I was at the Theological College in Dublin, and have since discovered that he'd served his first curacy in Saint Nicholas'.  That was 1963-66.

So today was a great pleasure when Cecil and Dorothy came to worship with us.  It coincided with the presentation of some new furnishings and we were delighted that he was willing to do the dedication.  In his last year the new People's Churchwarden was the late Roy Scott, and the Select Vestry gave these items in Roy's memory.  

 A simple Alpha and Omega under a crown has been embroidered on both the pulpit and lectern falls.  This reflects the ascended Christ's self-disclosure recorded in Revelation 21:5-7.

And the one who was seated on the throne said, ‘See, I am making all things new.’ Also he said, ‘Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.’ Then he said to me, ‘It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the spring of the water of life. Those who conquer will inherit these things, and I will be their God and they will be my children.

 The book-markers have a simple cross design at each end.

 Both the falls have the embroidered words:

Presented by Saint Nicholas 

Select Vestry in memory of 

Roy Scott 2010

Now these will be stored away until after Pentecost!  On Ash Wednesday we change the colours to purple for Lent and then it will be the Easter white until the red of Pentecost.   Trinity Sunday gives one more outing for the white and then it's back to green for the remainder of the church year.  

It is lovely now to have the complete set of liturgical colours and generations will enjoy the beauty and symbolism of these items for many years to come. 

In thy journeys to and fro
God direct thee;
in thy happiness and pleasure
God bless thee;
in care, anxiety, or trouble
God sustain thee;
in peril and in danger
God protect thee.

Timothy Olufosoye