A full-scale Angel, made from willow branches and light materials, created by church members in Swaffham Bulbeck, will be completed and in place for Advent Sunday.
The project is in response to the Revd Canon Max Osborne’s invitation to Anne-Marie Kerr and Ruth Blundell, to co-create an Angel in the locality.
Ruth is a member of the Anglesey Group church community and leads a ‘Prayerful Art Group’ in the Benefice (which includes Bottisham, Lode with Longmeadow, Stow cum Quy, Swaffham Bulbeck and Swaffham Prior). Anne-Marie is a specialist tutor in craft, technology and design, who works with community groups in Grantham, and is the originator of the Angel lightweight angelic creations. Anne Marie’s ‘Festival of 8 Angels’ installation project was held in St Wulfram’s, Grantham, moving to Beverly Minister in 2021, attracting the attention of local media and The Church Times.
Photo caption: A similar Angel, photographed here during an installation at Horringer.
Swaffham Bulbeck’s singular Angel has been created by Anne-Marie and Ruth, with the kind assistance of those curious and interested members of the local community.
Photo caption: Anne-Marie, Ruth, and community members work to create the lightweight willow design.
Ruth has chosen ‘Jophiel the Illuminator’ as the focus for the project. Jophiel, (meaning Beauty of God), is the angel of illumination - awakening inspiration, wisdom and joy. Guiding us more deeply into an understanding of ourselves, he leads us on our spiritual journey.
Photo caption: The Angel Jophiel: A work in progress - Anne-Marie hard at work on the wings.
The Revd Canon Max Osborne spoke about his hopes for the installation;
“I would love for our local communities to come and see the Angel, and hopefully, sit a while in the peaceful and prayerful space provided by St Mary’s Church.”
“I’m delighted that the first group to enjoy ‘meeting’ Jophiel will be RED 2 GREEN, a community group with autism and special needs, when they attend the church for their Carol Service and Christmas Fair on Monday 1st December.”
Later in Advent, children from local Church of England Primary Schools will visit for their own Nativities and Carol Services. The Church will be open and accessible to ‘Whomsoever may come,’ and the Angel will remain in place for all to see, from Advent to Epiphany.
St Mary’s Swaffham Bulbeck sits in an attractive setting, both church and village are steeped in history, the church itself being over 800 years old. One of the longest serving incumbents, Leonard Jenyns (1823-1854), was a great naturalist, who was offered a post on the Beagle expedition, but declined and instead recommended his good friend Charles Darwin! Hence, St Mary’s are deeply committed to wilding, ecological, and environmental concerns.
St Mary’s is currently enjoying a renewed flourishing and presence in the local community, as a focus for worship, performing arts and seasonal festivals. Jophiel will no doubt, also be a feature of the Vicar’s Christmas sermons!
Jophiel will be placed in the pulpit and backlit on Friday 28th November. All are welcome to visit, view the Angel and explore the church! St Mary’s will be open between 10 am and dusk, at 112 High St, Swaffham Bulbeck, Cambridge CB25 0LX.