ROWBARTON Methodist Church was decorated with vases of daffodils for the 61st Daffodil Rally of the Bridgwater and Taunton Federation of the National Ecumenical Brotherhood and Sisterhood Movement.

The congregation comprised members from churches in Bridgwater, Taunton and Pawlett, each person being asked to wear a daffodil to enhance the colourful event.

Rowbarton Meeting member, Mrs May Lawley, Federation president for two years, welcomed the congregation and Mr David Wood was the organist. She also warmly welcomed the speaker, Mrs Zena Edmund-Charles MBE, national president who had travelled from London.

She introduced the first hymn Thine Be The Glory and followed this by leading in prayer.

Miss Valerie Hill, conductor of a group of church members who had learned the expertise of belle-plates, then led them in a selection of tunes in this delightful lighter form of handbell ringing.

The Sisterhood Charter was read on this occasion by Mrs Judith Varnham, immediate past Federation president, which outlined the aims and Christian principles of the women's part of the national movement.

Psalm 105 vv 1-7 chosen by the speaker, was read by Mrs Lila Lilley of Pawlett Sisterhood.

The Rowbarton secretary, Mrs Beryl Jiggens, read the Roll Call for the congregation to stand when their church was named.

All Glory Laud and Honour was the next hymn, and this preceded the Offering with the prayer given by Mrs Madeline Budd of Rowbarton.

The King of Love My Shepherd Is was sung before Mrs Lawley introduced Mrs Zena Edmund-Charles for her address. She began with her personal thanks to all for the prayers and good wishes during her serious illness last year from which she was not expected to recover, and she praises the Lord for having done so.

Her main theme was taken from her chosen reading, and she urged her listeners not to be shy to tell others of their own faith and the way their lives could be changed when they accepted Jesus and gave their life over to Him to lead them.

She asked listeners to go home, sit quietly and read again her chosen words in Psalm 105 vv 1-7 and to praise God continually for all His benefits.

The service concluded with the hymn For The Beauty of The Earth, chosen by the speaker, before the Blessing was said and Mrs Lawley invited everyone to stay for tea and fellowship.

A bouquet of daffodils were given to Mrs Edmund-Charles to take back to London, and others given to helpers of the afternoon. The remainder of flowers were laid on a table so that anyone could help themselves to a few to take home with them.

A gift token was also given to Mrs Edmund-Charles in appreciation and thanks expressed to Rowbarton for this enjoyable event.