All Saints Day began with a family service in St. Michael’s church. Shap led by Diana Middleton. Lessons were read by Sheila Parsons and Doreen Lee, and the organist for traditional hymns of the season was Janet Wood.  In her address, Mrs Middleton spoke about three saints; St. Michael, St. Patrick and St Therese whose relics have recently been touring the catholic churches.

In the afternoon a service of Thanksgiving and Remembering was held. As the congregation gathered they were given a slip of paper on which to write the name of any they wished to have remembered in the service and they received a candle for each name. The service was led by Revd Beverley Lock; a passage from Isaiah promising that God will overcome death was read by Elsie Davidson, and one from St John’s Gospel describing the raising of Lazarus was read by Phyllis Brown.

In his address Revd Martin Dew said that grief is a human response to great loss, and it means that we have had a close meaningful relationship with another human being. He told a story by Cindy Ryan a grief counsellor in America who recalled a grief group she had led, where everyone had had their lives shattered by the loss of a loved one.  Some years later she met with some of them and asked if they still met as a group, they did – to go line dancing! When we allow God to be present in our lives amazing things can happen. 

Prayers were led by Jean Scott-Smith, then a basket containing the names was carried to the chancel steps, as the names were read out people lit their candles and placed them into a cross-shaped framework; as they returned to their seats they were handed a sprig of lavender and rosemary.  Elaine Allison read a passage called ‘What is death?’ by Bishop Brent.  Following the service refreshments were served in the Morning chapel.