Civic Service at St Mary’s, Thame

It was a real pleasure to be in Thame this afternoon for the Mayor’s Civic Service at St Mary’s Church – a beautiful, uplifting occasion that perfectly captured the spirit of civic life in Oxfordshire.

Many thanks to Andy Gilbert for the kind invitation. It was lovely to see Bernard and Sarah Taylor (Sarah, of course, being a former High Sheriff), Mark Lygo, and a good number of the Chain Gang from around the county – with a few familiar faces from just across the border in Buckinghamshire too. The welcome could not have been warmer.

St Mary’s itself provided a glorious setting for the service. Christian worship has taken place on the site since the seventh century, when Bishop Birinus brought his mission to this part of Oxfordshire from Dorchester-on-Thames. The present church, with its soaring arches and wide nave, dates largely from the thirteenth century, and still carries the quiet dignity of eight centuries of community and prayer. The 16th-century tomb of Lord Williams of Thame – founder of the school whose pupils sang so beautifully today – stands as a reminder of the deep roots between faith, education, and civic service in the town.

The service itself was a joy. Mike Reading, the Rector, gave a thoughtful and inspiring sermon on civic responsibility – a gentle but powerful reminder of what it means to serve one another and care for our communities. The music was exceptional, with students from Lord Williams’s School offering moving performances, including a hauntingly beautiful rendition of Amazing Grace, with solo verses that filled the church with warmth and light.

I was especially delighted to see Harriet, Thame’s Youth Worker from Thame Youth Projects, again – we last met nearly six months ago at the Breakfast Conversation I hosted in Thame. It was wonderful to hear her speak about the work being done to support young people in the town. Marie from the Red Kite Family Centre also spoke with warmth and passion about the vital support her team provides to families. Appropriately, the collection taken during the service went to support both organisations.

Afterwards, we lingered over excellent cakes and friendly conversation – the kind of simple fellowship that says so much about the life of a town like Thame.

Thame at its best: a town where faith, service, and community come together – just as they have at St Mary’s for more than eight hundred years.

Thank you again to Andy, Mike, Harriet, Marie, and everyone who helped make the afternoon so special.