congregation of burning logs...

This gem from a summer sermon given at our church by Joanne Howard, a "resident historian." 

"Rev. David Barnes served as our Minister for an amazing 57 years. Physically and mentally, he outlived his ability to serve but remained among us after his successor, Samuel Deane, was called as our minister. Parish records seem to show an allocation of 109 pounds for Rev. Barnes expenses. Rev. Deane, our most prolific historian wrote: ‘Rev. Barnes spent the last years of his life sitting in front of a fireplace, wrapped in the warmth of a shawl, and preaching his old sermons – verbatim – to the congregation of burning logs.’

Blessings (and thanks Joanne!)