| ST ELIGIUS is the patron saint of REME, the Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. Having never heard of him, I looked him up, and discovered that he is better known as St Eloi, and was a goldsmith before becoming a seventh-century French bishop. Thus he has become the patron of craftsmen like REME.
At their Arborfield Garrison, near Reading in Oxford diocese, the 20 or so young trainee craftsmen who make up the Soldiers’ Eligius Council come from a variety of Christian traditions to support each other and advise the Padre, the Revd Tony Coslett CF, on his work among their fellow-soldiers.
They have been raising money for USPG, conduct their own Bible studies, and have established a Soldiers’ Christian Fellowship. Recently, after some weeks of preparation, Padre Coslett handed over to them the whole of the Sunday-morning service (other than his own part as celebrant), including the sermon.
They read the scriptures and conducted the prayers, and two of them have had permission from the Rt Revd David Conner, Bishop to the Forces, to administer the chalice. The sermon was preached by Adam Coates (above, right), on the demands of faith and commitment in a world where such things are under scrutiny and attack. The music was played by the resident organist, but Craftsman Coates also sang, accompanying himself on the piano.
The congregation, as always in St Eligius’s Church, included retired army personnel, wives, widows, and families, who were impressed by the young soldiers, many of whom will soon be heading for Iraq and Afghanistan.
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