Post date: Aug 09, 2016 5:52:50 AM
"... And to pay The Minister of Letton Church, one Guinea for a sermon in The Church on 29th October, yearly, forever".
Extract from the will of Elizabeth Freeman, 1810.
St John-the-Baptist’s Parish Church, Letton, was given a unique and historical bequest by Mrs Elizabeth Freeman, the sister of the landowner of Letton Court, in her will of 1810. Mrs Freeman left £300 to the Church for an annual sermon - but there is no record that such a sermon has been preached in living memory. Since the bequest clearly stated "forever" the current Rector and PCC of Letton feel moved to revive the this tradition in recognition of Mrs Freeman’s wishes and benevolence.
Thus, for the first time in over a century:
A sermon will be preached in Letton Church
on Saturday 29th October, 2016
as requested in Mrs Freeman’s will.
The Service will begin at 3 pm
and the sermon will be given the
Reverend Sean Semple, by the Rector of Letton,
It is intended that the Freeman Sermon will again become an annual event and that clergy from near and far will be invited to “earn the Guinea”. At the end of the short service, a poll will be taken to decide if the Minister’s sermon actually deserved a Guinea...! This will be followed by afternoon tea for all and Freeman Commemorative mugs will be available for sale.
Come and help us decide if our Minister has earned his Guinea. ALL WELCOME - including Bishops, Deans, Vicars, Curates, Readers, public speakers, those who value upholding local traditions, those who enjoy voting, and those who appreciate a FREE AFTERNOON TEA!