Following the service at St Nich’s on Canvey this Easter Sunday, I was invited to a very special service at St Margaret’s Church in Bowers Gifford.

It was a rededication service conducted by the Bishop of Bradwell to celebrate the restoration of the church by volunteers and church members following a senseless and devastating attack on the building by vandals earlier in the year. 

The ceremony involved holy oil and water and lots of incense. It was a very joyful service and I am pleased the Bishop encouraged the congregation to take photos and videos to remember the occasion.

A huge thank you to everyone who volunteered their time or made donations to support the church’s restoration.

On a day when Christians celebrate Jesus overcoming death and rising again, it was very fitting that we also celebrated St Margaret’s overcoming vandalism to rise again in service of our community.

(Photo credits to local Benfleet photographer Gilbert Hurree, and South Benfleet Essex County Councillor Andrew Sheldon)