60 anniversary

A packed house celebrated the CTSD’s 60^th anniversary on Sunday 19 October.

Churches Together extended a warm welcome to friends near and far to commemorate sixty years of ecumenical life, worship and service, meeting at Spalding Grammar School (PE11 2XH) where the Council of Churches first met, in the school library, on 16 February 1954.

Main picture, left to right: Ven Tim Barker, Rev Tony Kinnersley, Rev Peter Garland, Rev Steve Weatherly Barton, Rev Ian Walters, Pastor Kevin Taylor, John Hayes MP, Pastor Chas Sandhu, Rev Robert Sheard, Rev Dennis Brady, Rev Anthony Walker, Rev Alan Barker, Rev David Newlove, Rev David Curran and Rev John Bennett.

Welcomed by Kevin Taylor, guest speaker The Venerable Tim Barker, Archdeacon of Lincoln, former clergy chair of CTSD and current Chair of Churches Together in All Lincolnshire, drew on a rich variety of memories from Spalding and his early ministry to the delight of the massed congregations.

The opening greeting was given by Rev John Bennett (far right) in his capacity of chair of Governors.

A lesson was read by John Hayes MP, prayers by Rev Ian Walters and Rev Steve Weatherly-Barton.

Rev Anthony Walker's contribution was warmly applauded in recognition of his quarter century of ministry here.