Several groups of visitors, who were more willing to offer feedback than the regulars are - and were indeed distinctly complimentary
The return of a newcomer from a week or two back, who expressed her intention of coming again and didn't bolt when I suggested that I might drop in and see her after the hols.
A sermon that somehow carried within it (for the preacher at least) the friends who had been part of its production - making them feel very close throughout the morning.
And - the highspot of the day - the most fantastic offertory at Church on the Hill!
You remember that we are in the grip of all sorts of anti flu procedures?
Communion in one kind, a really thorough wash in warm soapy water and a quick squirt of hand gel before I consecrate.
So the sacristan up the hill asked me when I would want the water - and I said
"Oh, at the offertory...I'll just wash in the same place that I would normally do the token lavabo".
Cue an offertory procession comprising the elements, the gifts of the people AND a large red plastic washing up bowl.
The Herring and I both lost it completely for a few moments - it's amazing how long even the shortest aisle can seem as you battle with hysteria.
When the Archbishops' guidelines were first published there were some rather wonderful nonsense emails circulating about the correct liturgical use of gel etc
This morning, we enacted one of them!
Thank you God, for the gift of laughter :-)
LOL! I do hope the rest of the congregation shared your amusement - too awful when you get the giggles when you're leading the service (been there, done that! All too recently!).
ReplyDeleteGlad you have had a great morning.
That has to be the funniest thing I have heard in an age. Thank you!!!!
ReplyDelete"O Lord, we give thanks to thee for this warm soapy water...of thine own have we given thee..."
will be LOL'ing all day over that.
That is so funny. We use a loaf rather than wafers and I have taken to using hand gel before breaking it. It does look rather out of place at the front of the church though!
ReplyDeleteWe found that when two administrants of the bread are both gel-washing at the same time it is slightly worse to accidentally do it in time (as if choreographed). Chuckling in the congregation will be noted.
ReplyDeleteWord verification = prollac (drugs for very common people)
Why take part in all this 'to do'? Germs have always been about - reasonable care is all that has ever been needed. I'm so glad I live in an area where communion is of both kinds for everyone as it should be: two different churches on the past two Sundays and everything (thankfully) as normal in both.
ReplyDeleteRosemary - sadly there doesn't seem much room for manouevre in the face of instructions from both Archbishops AND Diocesan Bishop. It is, I agree, a nonsense...Nobody was specially fearful before, and if anything the current situation is increasing worry rather than diminishing it, but I took oaths of obedience "in all things lawful" and though I might find this rather tedious, I can hardly claim it is unlawful. Theologically, it's OK...I'm used to ONLY giving the wine to some of the sick who cant swallow, so this is simply the other aspect of the same situation....But let's just hope it's over soon, though I fear it may be unlikely.
ReplyDeleteThanks for replying - I wasn't meaning to suggest that you individually should do anything 'unlawful' but I'm very glad I live where the Diocesan Bishop has a different opinion :-)
ReplyDeleteI have such an image of you and a giggling Herring...
ReplyDeletewho would expect the words "the correct liturgical use" and "gel" would be found together.
ReplyDelete"who would expect the words "the correct liturgical use" and "gel" would be found together" - not me, however at Christmas we did have the official ceremony of the handkerchief - it had to be seen to be understood in all its mystery.
ReplyDelete