One last look

The thaw has set in and we have fog and the usual dampness - so here is one last look the wonderful winterland we had for Christmas.

Be Still

As if on cue, the snow is making a rapid exit with all the visiting relatives, food and excitement of Christmas day. We have escaped to the south coast and younger son has gone to visit friends - stopping off to surf on the way. The snow added a special magic to the celebrations. We were rather apprehensive about driving to church for the Midnight service as the temperature was dropping to minus 8 and the roads were like a skating rink. In other circumstances (before The Curate was a curate) I think we would have stayed at home but with The Curate taking the service, this was not an option. But the snow made it wonderful - deep and crisp and even to put it literally. I think The Curate learned a lot from this solo experience - about how lonely it can be out front - with no choir or readers. The church was pretty full, people had braved the ice and snow- many whom I did not recognise. The Curate found it hard going to get responses - and NEVER have sung responses if there are a lot of visitors and no choir to lead - painful!
I ended up going to the village hall service with The Curate on Christmas morning and there was a congregation of ten which made a very friendly, meaningful service. I really had all my preconceived ideas of a village hall service thrown out of the window and  enjoyed the experience. After the service, we stood and looked across the fields at the frost sparkling on the snow in the sunshine - it was beautiful. 

And so, both The Curate and I enjoyed this Christmas. I managed to crack my apprehension of reading in church and I feel that I am able to take part more in church life. Perhaps knowing that we will probably be somewhere else next Christmas, and that we will be living in one place and living a life centred on the Church, is strangely reassuring.

Our eldest son joined us for lunch ( thanks to the laptop and Skype) and we were able to talk and share the sight (but not the taste) of our Christmas pudding with his Australian girlfriend.We were able to show them the sun and snow outside and they were able to show us the rain in Paradise Waters.

Happy Christmas

Happy Christmas To Everyone - may it be a peaceful and very happy time for all.

It's Christmas Eve

This is the busiest time for many clergy, particularly those who have several churches under their wing. Everyone expects a service in their own church and many people do not want to travel - and this year it is made worse by the treacherous conditions of our pavements and roads. Spare a thought for the clergy who will be travelling between churches trying not to appear rude as they rush off to their next service even before most people's after service coffee has been poured. The Curate and I know of several clergy in this situation - with rural mission communities growing larger. The mission churches can be separated by some distance - and even if the distances are not great, the route is often along narrow, winding lanes . The narrow country roads do not lend themselves to speeding - even when there is no ice on the roads.
But there is no getting away from it - this is an exciting time. The Curate has a relatively quiet time compared to other curates that he trained with. Other than the sermon at the midnight service, his main service on Christmas day will be in a village hall where there is a very small congregation -and sometimes no congregation. He is not sure what to expect. How many people will venture out in this icy weather? Will others prefer to join a larger congregation down the road at the larger church? I am going to walk up the village church in the village where we live and maybe The Curate will join me there when he has finished. Not living in the parish where The Curate is attached has its disadvantages and advantages. I suppose I never feel I belong anywhere especially as I am only living on the North Coast part time. It reminds me of the times of being a Forces wife and the need to just get on with life however lonely and disconnected you are feeling. My thoughts and prayers are with all those families who are apart at this festive time.
 News update!
Telephone has just rung and it is The Boss (Vicar) to say neighbouring vicar has lost his voice - The Curate has won the whole of the midnight service. The readers have flu so I have won the reading. In at the deep end.
Telephone has just rung and it is the possible New Boss to arrange a meeting with The Curate to discuss the option of moving to his parish - nearer where I work.
It's all go today - The Curate is now embedded in his study for the day.

Classy Snowmen

Have you noticed that the traditional snowman is getting a face lift this year. I have seen pictures of snow men sitting on park benches and other original creations. We have a very large snow dog in a car park near us. In the spirit of the season I attempted a snow girl for our front garden. Not as easy as you would think - she has been snowed on and started to thaw so she is looking a little odd now. The Curate got quite carried away and suggested we should add wings from ice on frozen puddles and turn her into an angel.

THE DIGITAL STORY OF THE NATIVITY

This is a super fast version of the Nativity Story - very clever.

I have sat through several carol services with the Nativity being central to the service. Despite the story being the same, the interpretation by each school has been different. All the shepherds and angels have had unique charm and several have given impromptu performances that only add to the audience enjoyment - and their parent's embarrassment.

Public property

Now here's a thing. Why does everyone in the congregation think they know me and some greet me like a long lost friend when they see me? I struggle to remember people's names and struggle to keep my private life private - although The Curate would insist in including anecdotes from our family life in his sermons until I told him to stop. If I do recognise these people, it is often because they have been pointed out to me as people to be careful around. It is a strange life that we have joined. I mean who do you class as friends and who is only talking to you because you are with The Curate? On other occasions I can be standing next to The Curate and you would think I was invisible the way I am ignored. It all takes a bit of getting used to.