The evening service on Sunday, October 5th, was originally designated The Service of Thanksgiving Celebrating the Season of Harvest.

On the retirement of Prue Atmore, after over 20 years of headship at Feering (Church of England Controlled) Primary School, Mr Greg Waters had been appointed as the new headteacher to start in September 2003.  As Greg is a lay reader in the diocese, he was invited to preach the sermon at the 6pm service.

From little acorns do mighty oak trees grow and so it was with this occasion.  The diocese has recently produced a form of service especially designed for the commissioning of new head teachers into their schools and to welcome them into the wider community.  So it was decided to include this form of worship in the Harvest Thanksgiving.

Invitations were sent out to all parents, children and governors of Feering Primary School and also to representatives of community groups in the village.  The resulting service was a truly wonderful community celebration and welcome to Greg Waters.

The choir stalls were filled by the children in the school choir who sang their hearts out during the service.  Members of the usual Evensong congregation were augmented by many parents with their children, teachers and members of the local community - the church was packed virtually to capacity.

In the Commissioning service, the vicar and the Diocesan representative severally called upon each of the groups by turn to stand and promise their support to the new headteacher.   This was a most impressive event.  There then followed a symbolic handing over of the keys to the school by Mrs Atmore to Mr Waters and the keys to the church by Phyllis Fane and Jean Yems, the churchwardens.

The hymns selected for the service were a suitable mix of ones which were familiar to the children and ones better known by the adults.  The church resounded to the enthusiastic singing of all present.   As it grew dusk the colours in the east window glowed warmly and provided a beautiful visual background to the service which was taking place within the church.

Mr Waters gave the address in which he involved both the children and the older members of the congregation.  He made specific reference to the need to nurture and encourage the talents of the children in our care.  He also pointed out, from his own childhood experience, the long lasting effect that a few thoughtless judgements may have on a child's self confidence and belief in its ability to perform in particular areas of life and the school curriculum.

The service concluded with a blessing and final hymn.  As they left the church there were favourable comments from the congregation and thanks for the uplifting service in which they had taken part.  The local MP, Alan Hurst from Southend, had been invited to join the congregation and afterwards said how much he had enjoyed the service and what a delightful community occasion it has been.

Light refreshment was offered to those who were able to stay behind after the service.  Everyone expressed thanks to all the organisers and their pleasure in having taken part in such an unusual and memorable service.

Thus concluded a truly unique and long to be remembered service at All Saints' church.