Triple tribute for this year's Lights Of Love dedication

Town Mayor Cllr Patrick Douart, accompanied by his wife and Mayoress, Maureen, performed the switch-on ceremony in front of Bexhill Hospital as dusk fell on Sunday.

Earlier, a large congregation had gathered in St Peter's Church for a service of thanksgiving and remembrance conducted by the Rector, the Rev Canon Dr Edward Bryant.

Similar services, also organised by St Michael's Hospice and St Augustine's Nursing Unit, were held simultaneously at the hospice, in Battle Abbey Square and in St Mary's Church at Rye.

Lights of Love is an annual means as Christmas approaches for the public to remember loved ones who have died through the services of remembrance and thanksgiving and in practical form by donations to further the work of St Michael's. These are acknowledged by having donors' dedications written on stars hanging from the Christmas trees.

The Old Testament reading at the Bexhill service was given by Dr Paul Wright. The New Testament reading was by the chairman of the League of Friends of Bexhill Hospital, Stuart Earl.

In an address, the Rev Jeanette Smith said everyone gathered for the services was present to celebrate the love they shared with someone who had been -and still was '“ precious to them.

"Death is a mystery. But Christianity teaches that life is stronger than death '“ and love is stronger than death.

"Christianity teaches that through this faith and the resurrection of Jesus Christ we may trust in new, resurrected, life for our loved ones and for ourselves.

"Because our loved ones are so deeply precious and special to us they touch us in our deepest self.

"They have affected us with their lives, with their insight and with the values of their lives.

"And this goes on happening. It does not stop because they are dead."

The central part of the service was the Act Of Remembrance in which the Rector invited the congregation in prayer to remember those they loved.

Hospice fund-raiser Jenny Tyrrell presented a book listing this year's dedications. The Rector lit a candle of remembrance and placed the book on the altar.

The poem, Last Parting, was read by Maxine Clist.

Prayer was led by the Rev Heather Standing.

Refreshments were provided after the switch-on ceremony in the hall at Bexhill Health Centre.