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'THANK YOU' From The Vicar of Audley

Posted By: David W.Eardley (Audley)
Date: Sunday, 14 March 2004, at 12:47 p.m.

From the Vicarage, Audley

To just about everyone, but especially to the Eardley Family,

The following prayer is based on the words of Sir Francis Drake as he sailed into Cadiz in 1587 to fight the Spanish fleet.
“O Lord God, when thou givest to thy servants to endeavour any great matter, grant us also to know that it is not the beginning, but the continuing of the same to the end, until it be thoroughly finished, which yieldeth the true glory: through him who for the finishing of thy work laid down his life, our Redeemer Jesus Christ. Amen.”

Close to 2,000 years after the Lord Jesus Christ laid down his life, the Eardley family members met in St James Church for a world-wide reunion. Under the inspiration of Jack Eardley it was a remarkable and memorable occasion. At that time it was conceived that a project should be undertaken to mark that event and the idea of doing a restoration work of the Church’s East window developed.

This was by no means an unnecessary project and it became clear during the progress of the work just how close this valuable artefact was to disaster. It staggered some that such work would require the sums involved to repair it. Yet those closely involved with the work will know the time consuming and demanding craftsmanship involved.

£30,000 seemed daunting and yet within 1 year of the fund’s launch, work was underway. within two years work was completed, and at the end of 2003 we were able to celebrate at the Christmas Concert the closing of the fund. That concert with its contributions by Denise Leigh, the Audley Male Voice Choir directed by Philip Broadhurst and accompanied by Ian Riddle and Audley Brass conducted by Kevin Birch was a fitting celebration. What had been begun had been brought to completion through the hard work and giving of finance, time, energy, labour, skill, gift and commitment.

There are those who could be singled out as significant contributors to this task. It may seem ungracious not to do so. Yet in this general letter it would cause embarrassment to some, who have worked quietly behind the scenes, and certainly not for the glory of having their name made known. These people know who they are and l would point to the gospel discipline that the true glory lies not in the honour of men but in the recognition of God who knows all the secrets of our hearts.

The only name I will mention however is that of Jack. It has been his unstinting commitment and inspiration that has surrounded all these events, I have been grateful for his friendship, and thrilled with the outcome.

So a very big thank you to everyone. You have all done well.

May the Lord Jesus Christ who has inspired worship in this place through the centuries, inspire your hearts and minds to know him and find in him the gift of life in all its fulness.

Peter Davies – Vicar of Audley