2009 Fête Special
The Annual Cedars Summer Fête day dawned bright and warm, but with a forecast of rain later. The decision to take on board lessons from previous years (when the Garden was used for a number of stands, which then had to be hurriedly moved indoors due to the wind and rain) and keep all the stalls in the main Church area from the outset, was vindicated. There was a nice steady stream of visitors throughout the day, with a great deal of interest being shown in the various stalls. The six mediums were almost fully booked all day for private readings, and the Spiritual Healing tent also proved very popular, with the number of clients reaching well into double figures. Special thanks must go to Don Gobbett who was on duty most of the day, ably supported by other members of the Church Healing Team. As I walked around during the day, I was very much aware of the ambiance of love, harmony, peace and tranquillity - true Spiritual beliefs. The final sums have not yet been done, but we are confident that the fête has again provided a welcome boost to Church funds. A big 'Thank You' to everyone involved - Organisers, Helpers and Visitors - without you all it couldn't happen. Throughout the day I was drifting around with my camera, capturing the moments, and have reproduced below just some of these images. (There were some suggestions made as to what I should do with my camera, but on both medical and Health and Safety grounds, I ignored the advice!)
	The Mediums
	........James Argue ...................... Rosemary Hunting ...............Brian Neal
	......Joyce Gobbett..........................Daphne Mason.................Athena Bird
Throughout the day, Barbara did a sterling job selling the draw tickets - if it wasn't me lurking behind you with the camera, it was her popping up inviting you to part with your cash!
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, .................Lou.of Angel Creations........................and..........................................Tania (Click on Lou's photograph to link to her website) brought examples of their crafts to tempt us, while Paul Antrill, of Dove Music made a welcome return to our fête with his fantastic range of CDs etc.
			(Still popping up!)
Paul records under the name of 'Ajna' (Click on Paul's photograph to link to his website)
Beverly and Diane (aka 'The Noise') did an excellent job running the 'Tombola' (She's here again, look!)		The delicious cakes and drinks on the refreshment stall were dispensed by Wendy and Denise with such charming smiles and friendly chat that the calorie count was forgotten!
The Church second-hand Books, CDs & Videos stand was managed by our own 'Brenda of the Books' (W H Smith - eat your hearts out!) (Guess who!)
An Oasis of calm in a busy day Many people took advantage of the opportunity to receive Spiritual Healing from the Church's own Healing Team. And, yes, even Healers themselves benefit from receiving healing.
'Sound Healing' with Rami Outside the Church, Rami offered a new experience to many of us, that of 'Sound Healing', which combined his unique talents with singing bowls and gongs, and his healing abilities. It was very enlightening, and I will share my own experience at the end of this report.
To learn more about Rami and his music, click here, or send him an e-mail.
I hope you have enjoyed this quick snapshot of our day. There are no doubt people who were helping that I didn't manage to catch on camera. All I can say to them is – thank you very much, sorry I missed you, and First round to you - I'll catch you next time !!! Love, Light and Peace to you all, Allan.
On a personal note........ Those of you who I see at the Church will know me as a fairly pragmatic sort of chap, not given to flights of fancy or having a vivid imagination, so my experience when receiving Sound Healing from Rami came as quite a shock to the system! If I may, I would like to share that experience with you now. I went to the area where he was operating with the prime intention of getting some photographs for this page. Having carried my camera up the slight incline to the rear of the church I was a bit breathless, so I accepted his offer of receiving some Sound Healing. As I sat down, I was very much aware that I was in a gazebo, yes, but sitting on the concrete floor of a church backyard in Ipswich, with the sheds in front of me, wheelie bins to my right and the toilets behind me! I chose to lie full length on the cushions provided, and closed my eyes and started to relax. Rami began by igniting what I now believe to be white sandalwood, and the aromatic smoke wafted around the gazebo. He then moved to the singing bowls, their gentle, almost imperceptible notes bringing me deeper and deeper relaxation. Almost immediately, I visualised myself in a beautiful mountainous area - I am not well travelled, and I can only liken it to pictures I have seen of Machu Picchu, in Peru - a level plateau high in the mountains. As I stood on this plateau, I was aware of the wide, deep valley to my right, and a further range of purple mountains beyond this. As I stood there, a figure walked slowly towards me, wearing a brown, monk-like habit, and as he stretched his hands out to me, white energising light came from his hands, bathing me in that light. By this time, unnoticed by me, Rami had moved to the gongs, their reverberating rhythm seeming to physically touch my body. As I stood on the plateau, bathed in the energising light, I became aware of a presence beside me. There has been someone very important to me come into my life recently, someone I have become very close to, both emotionally and spiritually, and as I looked to my left, she was standing there. She was wearing a long, shimmering silk, pale blue dress, a gentle smile hovered around her lips, and she seemed to radiate warmth and affection. I took her hand in mine, we turned towards the robed figure, and he beckoned us to follow him, along the plateau, round the mountainside to an area previously hidden from view. As we rounded the outcrop, we saw ahead a wide plain stretching out as far as the eye could see, rich in green grass, bathed in brilliant sunshine, with a well trodden path leading off into the distance. By this time, the gongs had reached a crescendo, and started to fade. When I noticed that the robed figure had disappeared, I realised that my journey had come to an end, and it was time to return to the present. I think that it was the slamming of the 'Gents' door that finally broke the spell! We must all, of course, put our own interpretations upon such visualisations, as indeed I will do with mine. I am just grateful that I was given this experience. Thank you, Rami, and thank YOU for allowing me to share it with you. Allan.