Mothering Sunday
Right in the middle of Lent we have a time of respite – Mothering Sunday. Flowers are allowed in those churches who maintain a strict Lent. For those who fast, it is a time when a little relaxation is permitted. Such relaxation provides encouragement to face one of the most emotionally draining parts of the church’s calendar – Passiontide and Holy Week. Read the rest of this entry »
Lent 2
We are well into the penitential season of Lent, the run up to Holy Week and Easter. The church takes on a sombre aspect – vestments are purple and the liturgy omits the gloria. Flowers are prohibited in church for all but Mothering Sunday. Read the rest of this entry »
Hapus Dewi Sant
Today is St David’s day, the patron saint of Wales. I shall be wearing my leek (a felt one!) with pride. No one knows why the Welsh wear leeks on St David’s day. The saint himself is usually represented standing on a mound with a dove on his shoulder. In that respect, a leek is less messy.
St David’s reputed last words were ‘Be joyful, bothers and sisters. Keep the faith and do the little things you have heard and seen me do’. He was a wise man: it’s the little things that make the difference.
Dewi Sant gweddia drosom ni.
2nd before Lent
As the liturgical calendar continues its relentless progress towards Lent, we began to get into the Lenten mode by having an inordinately long service, at which I was serving. Read the rest of this entry »
3rd before Lent
As it was the first Sunday in the month, the 3rd Sunday before Lent was celebrated with a family service with the new junior choir singing. As ever, it was an eventful service. Read the rest of this entry »
Epiphany 4
I had a lucky escape yesterday. There are three churches in our parish and I serve at one of them. Yesterday, the rota threw everything into chaos. I was down to serve at another church at which I have attended two services. I have never served there before; I don’t know where anything is and to cap it all, the service was being conducted by a visiting celebrant. Read the rest of this entry »
Epiphany 2
I wasn’t serving this Sunday so was able to listen and digest without worrying about whether all was running to plan. At least the panics and omissions were limited to the sermon and that, thankfully, is never my responsibility. Read the rest of this entry »
Epiphany 1
Or: three wise men and their associated camel.
Sunday last was the first Sunday after Epiphany, but as Epiphany fell on a Saturday this year, our church celebrated the festival a day late. Read the rest of this entry »
It shouldn’t happen to an altar server
Here you will find occasional posts about my experiences as an altar server at a local parish church. Being an altar server is a form of service, which is an important part of Christian life and practice. Read the rest of this entry »
