On the 26th of June 2022 Steve and Gill Eggleton travelled from Banham in Norfolk to the midlands where, at a church in the village of Wolfhamcote near Daventry, the newest artwork was being installed and commissioned amongst great fanfare and supporters from near and far.Christine Sanderson writes:
You remember that joyous energy and the music and you all singing together as a community – well you may not be as old as me so maybe yours was different – but the feeling of joy and community and the energy it brings would be the same. Wolfhamcote Church Installation of our Via Beata sculpture took place on Sunday afternoon in just such an atmosphere, led by the Gospel Singers of the New Testament Church of God in Rugby with Pastor Rowland Sunday and Rev Phil Price carrying out the Blessing of the Installation with a hundred of us singing the Gospel hymns in full voice. Our lovely old building was just full in every way. Thanks to all and especially the Gospel choir who led us.
The Via Beata is a newly created pilgrimage walk across Central England and Wales from Lowestoft to St David’s with a destination Way Station every 10 miles or so. In the fullness of time each Way Station will have its own unique sculpture appropriate to the history and site of the building and community. Wolfhamcote’s is a sheep in wood with a carved tableau through the eye and the 23rd Psalm as its message. All welcome to come and see it and to walk part or all of the Via Beata, which passes by the historic Church.
Steve upon his return sent out the following prayer and thanks message to the Via Beata supporters:The commissioning event at Wolfhamcote yesterday was simply amazing. We installed the art-work in the morning, and then had lunch with Christine and friends while ‘Fiori Musicali’ rehearsed in the church.When we returned to the church shortly after 2 pm, it was already filling up with people. By 3 o’clock, the church was full. It was a joy to see so many friends from along the Via Beata trail. They had come from all around, Brixworth, Leamington Hastings, Braunston and some all the way from Herefordshire. We also had a big contingent from the New Testament Church in Rugby, and some related churches from the Midlands. Now they knew how to sing! They had everyone on their feet in praise and worship. It was so moving to join is such glorious vibrant singing in that old church. Who knows what the outcome will be!We were also able to engage with some of the members of Fiori Musicali, who are an early music ensemble. They had a concert in the church at 6 pm. It was difficult to get everyone out of the church in time for them to set up, so there was inevitably an overlap of people. Please pray for this, Some of them were very interested in the Via Beata project.Please join us in thanking the Lord for this wonderful event. Let’s pray for ongoing blessing in that place, and in the hearts of all who had gathered with us yesterday.I realised, when I was preparing my talk, that the art-work celebrates the 23rd Psalm. I counted up th number of completed way-stations, and this is the 23rd. How about that?!