And then at last it is time for the Vigil.
We learned a while ago that this service is never going to draw crowds here...so have adapted our pattern, replacing the formality of readings from the lectern to a small and scattered congregation with a gathering around a "fire" to tell stories in the dark. There were 22 of us in the Lady Chapel and together we told the story of God's action through history from creation and the Fall, via the Exodus (NOBODY could remember all the plagues, though we tried very very hard) and the prophets...
2 wise and reflective little girls enhanced our story-telling considerably - and were wonderfully solemn and excited as together we lit the holy fire outside and then the Paschal candle....
The Herring of Christ(TM) made a splendid job of carrying it into church, through our lovely west doors, and of gradually lighting our candles on the way...The candle safely planted, I launched into the Exsultet - one of the joys of the liturgical year. Somehow it always feels as if I am the first person ever to sing it, as if this amazing news is NEW to the world...
I love it - so have naughtily never remonstrated with deacons who claim that "singing isn't their thing" but just rejoiced in the privilege.
Alleluia!Christ is risen!
He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
And now we are all excited joy...The Gloria from the B Minor Mass blasts though the church...lights are switched on everywhere - and we realise just how splendid the work of cleaners, polishers and flower ladies has been.
We go to the font to renew our commitment to Christ - and I soak everyone as best I can, after an urgent request for rosemary....
Damp and delighted, we proclaim the resurrection with all our might - then send up rockets, rousing sleepy birds from the churchyard yews as we tell the neighbours in Church Road
"He is risen indeed! Alleluia!"
We learned a while ago that this service is never going to draw crowds here...so have adapted our pattern, replacing the formality of readings from the lectern to a small and scattered congregation with a gathering around a "fire" to tell stories in the dark. There were 22 of us in the Lady Chapel and together we told the story of God's action through history from creation and the Fall, via the Exodus (NOBODY could remember all the plagues, though we tried very very hard) and the prophets...
2 wise and reflective little girls enhanced our story-telling considerably - and were wonderfully solemn and excited as together we lit the holy fire outside and then the Paschal candle....
The Herring of Christ(TM) made a splendid job of carrying it into church, through our lovely west doors, and of gradually lighting our candles on the way...The candle safely planted, I launched into the Exsultet - one of the joys of the liturgical year. Somehow it always feels as if I am the first person ever to sing it, as if this amazing news is NEW to the world...
I love it - so have naughtily never remonstrated with deacons who claim that "singing isn't their thing" but just rejoiced in the privilege.
Alleluia!Christ is risen!
He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
And now we are all excited joy...The Gloria from the B Minor Mass blasts though the church...lights are switched on everywhere - and we realise just how splendid the work of cleaners, polishers and flower ladies has been.
We go to the font to renew our commitment to Christ - and I soak everyone as best I can, after an urgent request for rosemary....
Damp and delighted, we proclaim the resurrection with all our might - then send up rockets, rousing sleepy birds from the churchyard yews as we tell the neighbours in Church Road
"He is risen indeed! Alleluia!"
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