Categories: uncategorized
Date: 13 May 2005 10:22:47
Yesterday closed a book. A book that had been going on for 16 years and in a way will never be there for picking up again, except for a cursory scan of memorable chapters and images. Yesterday I went to the commissioning service for St Peter's ex-vicar now moved to Milford on Sea.
To be honest I could say loads about it. The church he has gone to is beautiful in a timelessly old fashioned sense. It has bells! A bell tower that works and is apparently a big draw owing to the fact that the ropes are pulled from ground level (I was told).
I could mention the fact that while Dominic was speaking someone from the new home church said in a stage whisper 'hasn't he got a lovely voice' and then later, 'hasn't he got a lovely smile'. I must admit I had missed them, smile and voice both, so couldn't disagree. Desperately scanned the order of service to see if there was a part where the outgoing church could object, but such an opportunity wasn't given and regardless of wants probably wouldn't have been used if offered...
Could mention that the traffic down was poor, leaving us three minutes late as we walked in, but they delayed the service until we arrived, bless them. Could mention that the coach we were on (44 people from our church made the 2 hour journey down, 44 back, fortunately, well, I think :~) Not aware that anyone did a headcount going off) broke down not once, but four times, but we did make it back in the end.. Could mention that we arrived back in Guildford at 12.40, as opposed to 10.30. I was, and am, a little tired, but thankful that the coach broke down on the way back, rather than the way there, for fairly obvious reasons.
Could say any of that, but would probably want to go into more detail. Suffice it to say that the service was lovely and moving. We left sad and happy. Sometimes I feel my scoreboard says Despair: 2, Cheer: 1 but I hope that there's time in the game to try and get an equaliser. Regardless, God Bless family Furness in all that God brings you. Everyone from St Peter's and associated groups (Good News in Guildford, school governors, ptas and the like) I'm sure wish you the very best and wishyou weren't there, but you know what I mean. One telling comment was when a local politician and I met and had a chat on the street. He said 'I'm sorry to hear of your loss' which seemed a definate way of looking at it, but of course our loss is someone else's gain, so who are we to keep treasures for too long?
Different subject: speaking for a short while by kind invitation from the Talking Hands Fellowship meeting at Kensington Temple (well, Friends House.. is that an associated building?) this Sunday about the book sometime from 1 to 4 p.m. If you would like to join me I'd be delighted for the support. Also aiming to go to Matins at St Paul's, but that's research, so you can guess one character that's back in book 2, and likely to have an increased role...
Currently listening to: OneHundredHours: Oh love, my love, which seems perfectly fitting in terms of mood and pace. Currently playing: Diddly squat, but if I had time it would be Yoshi.Current socks being worn: Currently bare footed. Still in Jimmie-jams. I know, it's late but there you go. Tired and cold ridden, me. Currently reading: Skeleton Key by Anthony Horowitz.