Civic Service

We gathered at 3pm, or in our case 5 minutes late, we had not allowed time to park in the overflow car park.  The recently formed community choir were singing.  We heard about all the event that the town council and churches together have been running, from Street Pastors to litter picks, and very briefly from the youth town council.  We were reminded that we were 'the salt of the earth' and that it is our generosity with our time that allows others to experience God's love and that makes Billericay a very nice place to live.
We took a vow to keep it that way, and even to make it better:
"We pledge for the future before us;
to respect the fragile earth and defend all who are weak;
to promote the ways of peace and heal the wound of conflict;
to make the sacrifice of service and honour all that is good; to build a safer and securer future for our children and show reverence for the gift of life.
This we pledge in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen."
We sang some great hymns, which when led by the choir were even better, and verses 1 and three of the national anthem (I was hoping for verse 6).
It was very different, I have never been to anything like it before.  It was good to hear all that is going on in the town, and to realise that there is a close community beginning to develop. If there is another one next year I will definitely attend.