To see us this week sitting on the wall outside the church one would have thought that we were back to normal – but no – we were pretty well socially distant, properly masked in a wonderful variety – even one of the children with a design of bananas!
In beautiful sunshine we were able to meet Andrea and contemplate her sermon which was based on our readings for the day being Matthew 19.15, Romans 13.8 and Ezekiel 33.7 which gave a huge amount of material from which to preach. Matthew wrote about the guidance Jesus gives for managing arguments and conflict within the church which considering that at that time there was no church as we understand it, seemed to imply that it was written some time later.
The theme of conflict resonates with our current situation – not of course in St Andrew’s where all is sweetness and light with a service graced by beautiful singing of our hymns by Laura. The first hymn was sung to the tune Jerusalem and not the two patriotic hymns where we have heard controversy over the last week but to the words of ‘Bring to the Lord a new song’ where there is clearly no suggestion of controversy. The soft singing of ‘Thy Kingdom come on bended knee’ provided the backdrop to the communion of the people and with a final ‘Ye Holy Angels bright’ the service concluded on such an upbeat tone which matched the day.
Our services will now continue as normal with a live Thursday Eucharist at 10.00 am, prayers in the garden on Tuesday at 10.00am and the service next Sunday at …10.00am! Plans are afoot tohold our AGM zooming around the congregation but first the vestry will meet to consider office bearers for 2021. Do come along next week and perhaps join us on the wall for some distant discussion! We convey our thanks to Robert and Tim for shepherding us into our safe pews all marked and now with a hymn book to follow the words. Progress!