Fr David Manson, liturgical scholar and parish priest, came to Gidea Park on 20th September to speak about the ‘Dedication of a Church’. The ceremony was due to take place in the parish church in a few days’ time. Fr David made clear that the term ‘church’ refers not only to the building, but more importantly to the people gathered. The people come first, and in the early centuries due to persecution churches could not be built. The ceremony used to be known as ‘consecration’ and was extremely lengthy – perhaps five hours followed by pontifical Mass, and only clergy could be present. Following the liturgical renewal of Vatican II the ceremony is now more properly called a ‘dedication’. It dedicates the building for worship but also rededicates the people who worship in it. The dedication recalls our baptism and many of the rites found in the sacrament of baptism are reflected here. The people are sprinkled with water, the altar is anointed, and incensed as a sign of offering brought to God. Then the altar is clothed with white, and lights are brought to it, symbolising the light of God brought to us by Christ. Fr David reviewed the service with its readings and the prayer of dedication and preface. This was an excellent survey to prepare the parish for the dedication. (The dedication of the Church and anointing of the Altar will be filmed and made available on www.christtheeternalhighpriest.com)