Ascension : From St Mary's Church
Submitted by The Islander (Islander Editors) 22.09.2011 (Article Archived on 06.10.2011)

Many on the island will have met David and Gill...

St. Mary’s Church

Ascension Island 

Many on the island will have met David and Gill, the delightful couple from England who travelled here expressly to present the Museum/Heritage Centre with a very remarkable album of photographs of Ascension Island taken in the late nineteenth century.

An interesting morning was spent with them, studying the photographs and  church records relating to their family, who lived and worked here over one hundred years ago. How easy it would have been for that treasure to have been discarded, sold off at auction, or clung onto in a bottom drawer gathering dust. Instead, their public-spirited action has enabled others to enjoy a remarkable collection and ensure it’s preservation for future generations.  It was Saint Luke,writing in the first century, in his letter to ……………who says, “ It is more blessed to give than to receive.”  How true that was for David and Gill who told me of the great joy they had every day on Ascension Island whether it was checking the records or visiting the cemeteries. They were given such a generous welcome and lots of gifts and wonderful memories; their experience is summed up in the words of our Lord, “ The measure you give is the measure you will receive, pressed down and running over.”  How different  this is to those youngsters who recently smashed their way into shops in the U.K ,looting and grabbing as if the world owed them a living. How hugely different to the attitude to that of David and Gill who gave with no thought of reward, but because they wanted their treasure to come home to those who would value it.

It’s the attitude in people which makes life meaningful and enjoyable , or painful and unbearable. There is much talk these days about peoples’ rights and what they are owed but there is a need for greater emphasis to be placed on people’s responsibilities and on what they can and should give to others. It is people like David and Gill whose generous spirit makes all the difference.

Many thanks to Gill and David from all at St.Mary’s Church, Ascension.

This Sunday: Family Service— 4th. Sept. 2011

The service for Sunday will be a celebration of the Holy Eucharist with Father Chris Brown. The service will start at the usual time of 10.30am.

Have a safe and blessed week.

Church Wardens: Mervyn Isaac 6230 and Alan Nicholls 6232