Today has been a full day and its not yet over! This morning, after my office, I took Jemima to ‘Barna-babies’, our mother and toddler group. Hayley joined us once Benedict had been fed which released me for my usual Thursday morning round of sick communions and parish visits. I am thankful to Michael Smith who also went out to the sick with the sacrament in his role as parish pastoral assistant.
At lunchtime I drove to Sevenoaks to pick up Fr. Ivan and escort him to the Rochester Forward in Faith meeting, known as ‘Chapter 17′. The journey was welcome as it gave us time to share news and catch up. The trusty satnav then took us to St Augustine’s parish in Belvedere where Bishop John Broadhurst had said Mass. Thanks go to Fr. Clive and his parishioners who put on a splendid lunch. Pate & bread, lamb stew and vegetables, trifle, cheese and biscuits were washed down with wine, fizzy water and coffee. Delicious!
After lunch we welcomed + Michael Nazir Ali and his chaplain Fr. Tony to our meeting. Our discussion centred around events in the national and international church and we ended with a blessing. It was then time to return to the Vicarage where my joy at discovering Jemima finally wants to use the potty….turned to despair on discovering she makes this decision as a bout of diarrhea strikes!! No more will be said about this matter- save that I need counselling for post traumatic stress!
Once finished blogging (and mopping) my next chore is to prepare a fire for the church book club which meets with Hayley at the Vicarage tonight. I myself will be meeting the treasurer and churchwarden to prepare materials for our forthcoming stewardship campagin- it will then be time for Mass. After that a few parishioners are accompanying me for a beverage or two in order to ‘wet the babies head’. What a wonderfully full but enjoyable day! Any captions for the photograph?
Perhaps Jemima was just passing comment on the state on the Church of England!
‘prepare a fire for the Church Book Club’ – what sort of books are you burning ?
No caption yet, I’m afraid. But I do like the idea of ‘preparing a fire for the church book club’. Now that IS reactionary.
+ Michael prepares to amaze everyone with the table-cloth trick….
A fire for the church book club…….which ones will you be burning?
Great minds………
What a pleasant and light-hearted change from some of the empty polemics of the thread regarding the vandalising of your church – Have a good weekend, even if it is the busiest time of week, particularly as we approach Advent!
How about “The first three joys that Mary had…” – very Festive
+John is saying “If Fr Ed picks another picture of me for a caption competition……….”
+John looks like his having a kip!!