This is a text-only version of an article first published on Wednesday, 24 August 2016. Information shown on this page may no longer be current.
CHURCHWARDENS Bill and Maggie Barnes (pictured right) met four years ago when Maggie was invited to the home group that met at Bill's house.
At that time Bill had been a widower for three years and churchwarden at St James the Great in Ruscombe, Berkshire, for one year.
Bill and Maggie Barnes Maggie had moved into Ruscombe after retirement to be near her grandchildren, but was often away as she cared for her elderly mum.
Over the four years they learned about each other through what was shared at the group, and didn't know that each of them was cropping up regularly in each other's prayers. When the churchwarden vacancy came up last year, Bill put Maggie's name forward.
Maggie received an email about this while she was in Jerusalem on pilgrimage seeking direction for this stage in her life, having recently lost her mum.
So the answer was pretty clear. Working together, Bill and Maggie realised how much their focus and priorities were shared.
As well as faith and family there was a deep empathy with those making the difficult adjustment to living alone after years of marriage.
So their early 'dates' included single friends, and with help from Simon and Bridget Howard, the vicar and his wife, this became a 'mature singles' group which now meets regularly for meals, walks and outings. The wedding ceremony took place in the 12th century church surrounded by the couple's families and friends.
They read Psalm 116 as a testimony to how our loving God had brought them through sad times to new joy and purpose, in the family of the church.
They said: "Having two churchwardens under one roof makes some things easier - but does make it a bit more complicated to take time away. "