Welcome to Tonia
A NEW communities minister has been installed at an Arborfield church last week.
The former Garrison Church of St Eligius was packed for the special service for the Revd Tonia Elliott led by the Bishop of Reading, the Rt Revd Andrew Proud.
For the event, the congregation was joined by local Christians from the surrounding churches in Finchampstead, California, Arborfield and Barkham, as well as friends of Ms Elliott from Greyfriars Church in Reading and her previous church, St Peter’s in Farnborough.
In her sermon, Canon Julie Ramsbottom, the rector of Finchampstead and area dean of Sonning, highlighted the importance of Ms Elliott’s appointment both to St Eligius, and to the wider Wokingham area. Using the story of Jesus meeting the Samaritan woman at the well from the Gospel of John, Canon Julie highlighted the importance of meeting people and sharing faith through everyday activities.
Bishop Andrew also used the service to formally read legal documents to license the church as part of the Church of England, rather than a military chapel. This means it can now hold baptisms, weddings, funerals and other services as any other Church of England church can do.
Music was provided by Rita Le Var, director of music at St Eligius. She led both the church choir and the Arborfield Singers, and also a band who joined the congregation from St Peter’s in Farnborough.