The following is an edited version prepared by Gina Livermore of an address given on Whit Sunday in recognition of the many God given skills and talents which people use in the service of others in our community.

For those living here and those perhaps wanting to know more about Broughton, this really does sum up nicely what makes our community special in so many ways.

 It is divided into 7 sections which are:-

A CARING COMMUNITY. There are many in our community who offer the gift of welcome and hospitality. It's a sign of friendship and generosity. We thank God for those who provide coffee and refreshments at some of our services, and for those who homes are havens for people in difficulty or distress. We remember the "welcome" packs, distributed to new comers in our villages, and the efforts of our pastoral teams. We recognise too, the work of the Broughton Good Neighbours Scheme and the Mottisfont Community Spirit, all designed to help people in time of need, and to show we care. We thank God for the Broughton Old Friends organisation, but especially we give thanks for the skills of our doctors, nurses, vets, dentists and for the staff of our surgeries, and all others in the caring professions.

A JOYFUL COMMUNITY. We have so much to praise and glorify God for, and this is demonstrated in our Churches, through music and singing, as well as other ways which enhance the beauty of our buildings. We thank God for the skills of our musicians and organists - for our Church choir, for the children singing here today; for the Youth Choir and the Broughton Singers. We enjoy all the flowers and arrangements with which our Churches are decorated throughout the seasons - the Easter gardens, the Christmas trees and the Nativity scenes. We thank God too, for those who paint and draw and sew - for the Broughton banners and the beautiful kneelers in all our Churches; for actors and dancers, and all who entertain and amuse. We listen to the bells summoning us to worship; and remember those who keep the clocks, and raise the flags for us on high days and holidays.

A MlSSIONARY COMMUNITY. Our main partners in mission are of course, our friends in S Rwenzori and the links we have made through Education Uganda. But closer to home, there are many ways in which we can reach out to the wider community. A good example is our system of parish newsletters, and we give thanks for the hard work of the editors, and our distributors who go out in all weathers, to ensure a prompt delivery. We think too, of our village websites. We have a Community bus; and Village Halls, where people gather to join in leisure activities as well as organisations such as the WI. We have sports facilities for football and cricket, and a wonderful river for people to fish. We have the convenience of a village shop and Post Office; and establishments such as the Boot Inn and the Tally Ho where monthly breakfast meetings are held; and the Mill Arms in Dunbridge which generously finances the Acorn newsletter. We have gardens where the Crib scenes with the Holy Family are illuminated at Christmas time; where Easter egg hunts take place; and woods where walks are led through bluebells and other wild flowers. We have post people who deliver our mail; people who design and circulate our Christmas cards and others who mount displays of photographs and other memorabilia. We give thanks for all who take part in such wide ranging activities.

A PRAYERFUL COMMUNITY, essential for the spiritual welfare of us all. In the parishes we have a corporate life of prayer, which is enriched by the willingness of so many people to lead the intercessions. Most of our meetings and study days begin and end with prayer. We follow a diocesan cycle of prayer in which we pray for:all of the deaneries and parishes, and they in turn pray for us. We say the daily offices, morning and evening prayer which underpins all that we attempt to do in Gods name. We have a special place which is now affiliated to the Quiet Gardens Scheme, and we have recently undertaken two Prayer Days when many have come to experience a time set apart for God. Our habit of bible reading often leads us into prayer, and we are grateful for the people who offer spiritual guidance, as well as the books so kindly provided, which encourage a deeper understanding of our calling under God.

A RESPONSIBLE COMMUNITY. We are especially thankful for those who gifts and talents enable us to keep our churches not only open and functioning, but alive and welcoming. We have patrons and church wardens to lead us by their example; and PCC's to assist and support them; with secretaries and treasurers to oversee a lot of the administration. We have the help of sidespeople and readers; and those who lock and unlock the churches, often unheard and unseen. We give thanks for the efforts of all fund raisers, especially the "Friends" of the various churches, and, of course, all our benefactors. We are reminded of our children's comers, and those whose encouragement made them possible; the new room and improvements at St Marys; and the support of the National Trust at Mottisfont. And then in our wider community, we remember before God, those who hold public office - all our Councillors - Parish, Borough and County; those who teach in our schools and colleges; all lawyers, landowners and farmers; our police and fire-officers; and we especially pray for those on active service in the Armed Forces at this time. And then we have scribes who write up the chantry books and Baptismal roles, as well aslwho prepare rotas and ensure that our Church noticeboards alIe up to date. But most importantly, we thanks our vergers and those who administer the chalice during Holy Communion.

A TRUSTWORTHY COMMUNITY. This is a very particular ministry as here we have people who ensure that what we offer is ''worthy'' in the eyes of God. They hold a position of sacred trust and we acknowledge all that our sacristans, both past and present, do, in the week by week running of our Churches. They prepare the altar for worship; keep the altar linen fresh and clean; change the frontals and hangings; and ensure that the vestry has adequate supplies of all requisites. We also owe a tremendous debt to our brass cleaners and "holy dusters", as well as those who keep our churchyards mown and tidy. And then we have scribes who write up the chantry books and Baptismal roles, as well as those who prepare rotas and ensure that our Church noticeboards are up to date. But most importantly, we thanks our vergers and those who administer the chalice during Holy Communion

A WORSHIPING COMMUNITY. In recent years we have seen a marked difference in the way we offer our acts of worship, with much greater participation by the congregations. In some cases this has led to a welcome revival, and a freshness of approach. We are blessed here in our parishes by a strong team of very able and thoughtful worship-leaders who lead and prepare family services on a regular basis, but who also take a full part in running some of the less frequent services held on Shoebox Sunday and Mothering Sunday for example. In addition, we have a Women's World Day of Prayer Service in March each year, as well as our special services at Easter and Christmas. We run Bright Hour during the week and Rocky Kids for children after school, together with Godly Play and Coffee Club~ on Sunday mornings. Eight people are currently preparing for confirmation into full membership of our Church family. For we are all part of Christ's body, the Church called to serve Him, and each other, in our different ways. All in all we rejoice in the gifts God has given us.