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Lunch after the service on the 6th July was a bring and share BBQ at Withyland Heights. This was the last "picnic lunch" for the summer. Click on the thumbnail to enlarge. Click the 'Back' arrow to return here.

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On Monday 4th August the funeral was held for Slim Partis in the local Baptist Church. As expected, the funeral was very well attended with about 450 people present.

The music team set a beautiful atmosphere before the service. The Pastor's wife, Katrina, wrote a poem about Slim especially for the occasion which she read out (see below) and then the pastor, Tim Cracknell, gave a short message based on the disciples being in the boat when the storm threatened, but they were able to experience peace because Jesus was in the boat. He explained how Slim had invited Jesus “into his boat” and Jesus had made all the difference. Katrina also read Psalm 23 whilst being accompanied by music from the keyboard.

For Slim:

We met in Gloucester Royal one warm summer’s afternoon –
Poor Lin was like a cat on bricks in the corner of the room!
She wanted us to meet you but was scared of what you’d say
Her worries were unfounded for you were well behaved that day!

We got on like a house on fire talking about the past
And the time spent by your bedside seemed to rattle by so fast;
That was the first of many times we’d come and chat with you
In the corner of your kitchen as we sat and had a brew.

Each Tuesday afternoon I’d bring you home-baked cakes to try
You’d hide them in your corner away from Billy’s searching eye!
We got to know you week by week as the stories would unfold,
And soon discovered when God made you, he threw away the mould!

We’d sometimes find you working in your garage out the back
And your vast knowledge of car engine parts never seemed to lack!
I learnt a new vocabulary sitting there with you
And no, I don’t mean swear words, for of those there were very few!

You talked about past holidays – your love of France and Spain
And hoped that you’d be well enough to visit there again;
But God had different plans though as he whispered in your ear
Inviting you to let Him in so He could take away your fear.

You had fought that still, small voice all your life since a young lad,
Thinking that you weren’t good enough, that your life had been too bad;
But Slim you were so peaceful on the day you let God in
And when you made that choice there was no one happier than Lin.

You see many have been praying that you would understand
How God has prepared a place for you in a bright and distant land;
How He wanted you to know Him, to feel his Father’s love
And I know we’ll meet again one day, in heaven up above.

Katrina Cracknell

Testimony of Lin Partis can be seen here. Foxvideo

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On Friday 12th September we held our Harvest Supper in the church. It was very well attended and a really tasty meal was provided. Well done to all who helped! Click on the photos to enlarge them and then click 'Back' to return here.

Eating means washing up! But there were plenty of willing volunteers.

After the meal a few songs were enjoyed by everyone.

Then we held a quiz,

and an auction of donated produce.