It is always a great pleasure to welcome Bishop Roy of St Germans to St Andrew's Church, Stratton and on Sunday week, he came to celebrate a service of Confirmation and Commissioning. On his last visit in December 2008, he confirmed eight candidates and on this occasion, five more were confirmed, and there were three candidates for Commissioning as Local Worship Leaders. Presente­d by Fr David Standen, the confirmands were sisters Joanna and Polly Day, husband and wife Len and Heather Horton and their daughter Rachael Horton. All were supported by family, friends and a large congregation. Anne Day, mother of Jo and Polly read the lesson. Fr David read the gospel from St Luke, chapter 16 — familiar to all who read the Bible as the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus the beggar. Bishop Roy's sermon was based on Abraham's words to the Rich Man in Hades, who was asking for Lazarus, now in Heaven, to go to warn his brothers to repent and avoid his fate: "If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone rises from the dead." Bishop Roy exhorted the congregation to listen to their teachers and preachers, but more than that, "You are not here just to sit in the pews and listen," said the Bishop. "As Jesus sent His disciples out to spread the word, so I send you: the duty of all who are confirmed." Challenging words! After the Confirmation, Prayers of Intercession were read by Jean Tippett, Churchwarden, and the Eucharistic Service continued, the newly confirmed making their First Communion and the congregation joining them afterwards. After Communion, Bishop Roy then read the Act of Commitment and Commissioning and Fr David presented the three candidates, who were to become Local Worship Leaders: Yann Fanet, Geoff Day and Len Horton. They were welcomed by Bishop Roy as sharers in God's ministry in the Benefice of Stratton and Launcells. Bishop Roy gave the blessing and presented each of the newly confirmed with a lighted candle, leading through the Church and out the South Door, so they might "shine as a light in the world to the glory of God the Father." After the final hymn, wine and refreshments were served — St Andrew's enthusiastic cooks had been busy again — and Bishop Roy joined in the lively chatter as everyone relaxed at the end of another busy, but happy Sunday at St Andrew's.