Christmas has been a busy time for churches and places of worship across the Diocese of Sheffield, but as we celebrate Candlemas today we’re looking back and highlighting a recent service which contained a surprise for (most of!) the congregation.
Over 600 people attended crib services at Holy Trinity Wentworth on Christmas Eve 2023 and there was a special moment towards the end of the first candlelit service.
Tom, who has been attending the Tuesday morning services at the church, stepped forward in front of a packed congregation and proposed to his girlfriend Briony. Happily, she said yes!
Revd Marie Raffay, Priest-in-Charge of Holy Trinity Wentworth, said:
It has been a pleasure to have Tom join our Tuesday morning congregation, so we were delighted to accommodate his request. I think the whole congregation held its breath as he waited for Briony’s response, and there was a loud cheer when she said yes. We are looking forward to getting to know Tom and Briony better and to celebrating their wedding in 2025.
You can read Tom’s engagement speech here:
First of all, I’d like to thank Reverend Marie and all of the organisers at this beautiful church, for once again delivering, an absolutely perfect service and allowing me to be a part of it.
My Father passed away at the end of October, ‘God bless his soul’, and since then, this place has become a sanctuary for me, somewhere I could seek refuge and find inner peace. I can’t thank the people of this church enough, for being so welcoming during the toughest time of my life.
This church has now become a very special place to me, and as such I would like to invite a very special somebody to the front. Bryony please come forward.
Bryony, you have supported me throughout the toughest times in my life. The love and support you have given me since God crossed our paths has been absolutely phenomenal and I could never thank you enough.
You have made me a much better man than I was when we first met, and I honestly feel, like I’ve met my eternal soul mate. Your loving and caring nature is what makes you so unique and you never fail to put a smile on my face when I’m feeling blue. I love you with all of my heart and I could not imagine a future without you.
So please, with God as my witness, will you do me the greatest honour?
(Close your eyes)
Will you marry me?
Congratulations to the happy couple, who will be getting married next year!