Earlier today, we were honoured to host a special service in the prayer room here at Soutlon.
The service was beautifully led by Reverend Jukes of Ss Peter and Paul, Wem, and we were especially grateful for the attendance of The Venerable Luke Miller DL, Archdeacon of London in the Diocese of London, a wonderful nod to St. Erkenwald’s history.
The Venerable Luke Miller DL, Archdeacon of London, with Reverend Jukes of Ss Peter and Paul, Wem, following the 2025 St Ekrenwld service at Soutlon Hall.
The readings chosen for the service beautifully connected the themes of salvation and mercy to our patron saint. These included:
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A text from the medieval poem St. Erkenwald (lines 249–257): The reading featured the grateful words of the resurrected pagan man after his miraculous baptism, with both the original Middle English and a modern translation. This poem, widely attributed to the Pearl Poet and surviving in a Shropshire manuscript, powerfully links the saint to themes of divine grace and local history.
Then he said with a sad voice: ‘May our Saviour be loved!
Now praise be to you, High God, and your gracious Mother,
And blessed was that blissful hour in which she bore you!
And also blessed be you, bishop, the remedy for my sorrow
And the relief from the terrible privations that my soul has lived in!
Because of the words that you uttered and the water that you shed,
That bright stream from your eyes, my baptism is accomplished.
The first splash that fell on me relieved all my pain;
Right now my soul is seated at the table for supper.Þen sayd he wyt a sadde soun, “Our Sauyoure be louyd;
Now herid be þou heghe God, and þi hende moder,
And blissid be þat blisful houre þat ho The bere in,
And also be þou, bysshop, þe bote of my sorowe
And þe relefe of þe lodely lures þat my soule has leuyd in.
For þe wordes þat þou werpe and þe water þat þou sheddes—
Þe bryȝt bourne of þin eghen—my bapteme is worthyn;
Þe fyrst slent þat on me slode slekkyd al my tene.
Ryȝt now to soper my soule is sette at þe table, -
Portia’s “Quality of Mercy” speech from Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice (Act 4, Scene 1, lines 180–201): The magnificent verses celebrating divine and earthly mercy were read:
The quality of mercy is not strained;
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest;
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes:
‘T is mightiest in the mightiest; it becomes
The throned monarch better than his crown:
His sceptre shows the force of temporal power,
The attribute to awe and majesty,
Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings;
But mercy is above this sceptred sway;
It is enthronèd in the hearts of kings,
It is an attribute to God himself;
And earthly power doth then show likest God’s
When mercy seasons justice. -
Psalm 125 (verses 1–5): This Psalm of Ascent, celebrating trust in the Lord, was also read, offering a meditation on lasting security and protection for God’s people.
We were warmly joined by invited laity from across the undivided church, marking a wonderful moment of fellowship and unity.
Following the service, we were delighted to raise a toast to St. Erkenwald with Silverhand Wine. This award-winning, organic, English sparkling wine is not only carbon negative but originates from the East Saxon territory historically associated with the saint, creating a profound and ethical link between the celebration, the geography, and our ongoing commitment to sustainability.
The Ashton family takes the duties of ecumenism that attach to Soulton’s profound association with St Erkenwald very seriously, making this gathering a particularly meaningful and moving occasion for all involved.
Soulton Hall at night from Epidaurus Court
View a version the St. Erkenwald Ecumenical Service Sheet.
