FROM A SERVICE OF REDEDICATION ON SUNDAY 17TH OCTOBER 1999, TO MARK THE 800TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MAJOR REBUILDING OF ST LAURENCE'S CHURCH, LUDLOW IN 1199.
Child	We are in St Laurence's Church. Tell me about St Laurence. When did he live? Did he live in Ludlow? Why does our Church have his name?
Youth	Our Church hasn't always been St Laurence's. Eight hundred years ago it had another name. Its saints were Saint Philip and Saint James. Then they changed it to Laurence. So who was he? Why do we have his name? I don't think he was even English.
Man	You're right. St Laurence lived in Rome, and a long time ago it was too. Not eight hundred years, but twice that and more. He lived in what we call the third century. We do know when he died - in the year 262.
Woman	But this is the really important bit of the story: - Laurence was rich. Laurence was generous too. He cared about the poort people in the church, and widows and orphans, and sick people, and disabled. He looked after people who specially needed help. The bishop saw this, and put Laurence in charge. He made him the almoner. So St Laurence is a caring saint. That's what's important about him.
Youth	The story I've heard before was about how he died.
Man	Yes. I said that this was a time of persecution - and the Emperor ordered the Christians to hand over all their money, goods and things of value. Laurence said 'no way', and he gave everything away to his poor people. Then when he went to the Emperor he took the people with him, and guess what he said to the big man? 'You asked for the treasures of the Church: here they are'. And of course it was the people themselves.
Child	He had a nerve!
Youth	That was asking for trouble!
Man	Yes - and it was witnessing for Jeus. It was his Christian faith which told him what to do - and God gave him the strength.
Child	And they killed him? Didn't they burn him?
Man	Yes that is why he's always shown with a gridiron. The people, the martyre, who died for their faith were always shown with the sign of how they died.
Youth	So Laurence is a saint, and a martyr. Is that another reason to remember him?
Man	Yes. Christians have always remembered people who have followed Jesus even in dying for what is good and true and right. I don't think it's very easy for us to think of. But so many people have died.
Woman	Not just in the old days either. In this century too. We still need to witness to what is good, and for truth, and for humanity and human love.
Man	All the time. So you see, Ludlow has one of the 'saintly carers'. Laurence served Jesus by serving other people, even to the death.
Youth	Now I see it's not surprising that Laurence is remembered. But still Rome's a long way from Ludlow. Haven't there been any saints in Ludlow?
Man	Of course there have. There may be a few out there now. But most saints don't make the headlines. You've heard how Laurence did.
Woman	And actually, I think it's wonderful that there are churches all over the world that share his name, and share his story. We are Christians here in Ludlow. But it's good that we stand with followers of Jesus everywhere.