Published: 16/07/2008 00:00 -
Updated: 19/02/2009 00:34
CARSINGTON Water was the spectacular setting for a special Songs of Praise on Sunday when the congregation of more than 600 included 22 bishops.
This was the third Songs of Praise organised by churchgoers of various denominations from Ashbourne and Wirksworth areas and this year coincided with the visit of bishops to England for the Lambeth Conference which begins this week.
Derbyshire has a particular link with the Church of North India and its bishops, many of whom were at the Carsington service - they and their wives made a colourful splash in their clerical garb and saris.
Also present from the USA was the Bishop of Baltimore, while the Bishop of Derby, the Rt Rev Dr Alistair Redfern, and the Bishop of Repton, the Rt Rev Dr Humphrey Southern, took part in the service. Others present were leaders and churchgoers from the Methodist, Baptist, United Reformed and Anglican churches of the area along with visitors to Carsington Water.
Held in the amphitheatre area at Carsington Water the service opened with the music of the Brassington, Wirksworth and Middleton Band and a welcome from the Rural Dean of Wirksworth, the Rev Robert Quarton.
Following uplifting hymns and a call to worship, a further welcome and introductions were made by the Rural Dean of Ashbourne, the Rev Christopher Harrison.
Presentations were then made to the various Bishops of North India.
Following a youth sketch and more hymns, the address was given by the Bishop of Derby who spoke of the importance of meeting by water, a Christian tradition for thousands of years.
Also involved in the service were the Wirksworth Music Club together with their junior band.
To end the afternoon, a bring and share picnic took place in the sunshine with everyone invited to a drink or glass of Pimms.
A vote of thanks was given by the Bishop of the Eastern Himalayas, the Rt Rev Naresh Ambala, who said that it was one of the most enjoyable events he had ever been to.
One of the organisers, dealing with public relations and publicity, was David Monteith of Atlow, who said: "It was an incredible success, the organising committee having put together a seamless event. So many from Ashbourne, our own benefice of Hulland, Brailsford and beyond joined in to make it a brilliant day.
"Even if people are not great churchgoers if they hear a brass band and singing they are going to join in and if just a few decide to go to church after that we will have succeeded."
This was the third Songs of Praise organised by churchgoers of various denominations from Ashbourne and Wirksworth areas and this year coincided with the visit of bishops to England for the Lambeth Conference which begins this week.
Derbyshire has a particular link with the Church of North India and its bishops, many of whom were at the Carsington service - they and their wives made a colourful splash in their clerical garb and saris.
Also present from the USA was the Bishop of Baltimore, while the Bishop of Derby, the Rt Rev Dr Alistair Redfern, and the Bishop of Repton, the Rt Rev Dr Humphrey Southern, took part in the service. Others present were leaders and churchgoers from the Methodist, Baptist, United Reformed and Anglican churches of the area along with visitors to Carsington Water.
Held in the amphitheatre area at Carsington Water the service opened with the music of the Brassington, Wirksworth and Middleton Band and a welcome from the Rural Dean of Wirksworth, the Rev Robert Quarton.
Following uplifting hymns and a call to worship, a further welcome and introductions were made by the Rural Dean of Ashbourne, the Rev Christopher Harrison.
Presentations were then made to the various Bishops of North India.
Following a youth sketch and more hymns, the address was given by the Bishop of Derby who spoke of the importance of meeting by water, a Christian tradition for thousands of years.
Also involved in the service were the Wirksworth Music Club together with their junior band.
To end the afternoon, a bring and share picnic took place in the sunshine with everyone invited to a drink or glass of Pimms.
A vote of thanks was given by the Bishop of the Eastern Himalayas, the Rt Rev Naresh Ambala, who said that it was one of the most enjoyable events he had ever been to.
One of the organisers, dealing with public relations and publicity, was David Monteith of Atlow, who said: "It was an incredible success, the organising committee having put together a seamless event. So many from Ashbourne, our own benefice of Hulland, Brailsford and beyond joined in to make it a brilliant day.
"Even if people are not great churchgoers if they hear a brass band and singing they are going to join in and if just a few decide to go to church after that we will have succeeded."
