article_snippet.sent: As the congregation of St Peter and St Paul Church filed in for the Easter Sunday service, thoughts naturally turned to the meaning of sacrifice.
article_snippet.sent: But little did they know it would be put into action by a choir moments later.
article_snippet.sent: The 55-year-old, who had been at the 14th century church in Lavenham, Suffolk, for 17 years, was given notice to leave following an apparent falling out with senior figures.
article_snippet.sent: The letter handed to worshippers said:
article_snippet.sent: Chorister Gillian Smith, 67, who has sung at St Paul Church for 30 years, said:
article_snippet.sent: At the end of the day it is not a very Christian attitude that has been shown to Stephen,’
article_snippet.sent: Church warden Graham Patrick said:
article_snippet.sent: ’ John Howard, a spokesman for the diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, added everyone ‘wish him well in the next phase of him career.