Canon David Miller, assisted by the Rev Dorothy Noakes, presided at parish communion on the first Sunday in Epiphany, which places emphasis on Jesus’ baptism in the River Jordan by John.

Lay reader Betty Booker took this as the theme for her sermon, pointing out that the crib is still in place with the Magi having replaced the shepherds, but, already, scripture has leapt 30 years to the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, when it was made clear that he had come to fulfil and complete God’s purpose for mankind. Marjorie Searle read the lesson, Andrew “Jake” Holyer led the prayers and the organist was Richard Berry.