As the afternoon closes in the 3-fruit marmalade has just been taken off the stove and needs to sit for an hour so it seems the right time to report on today’s adventures.
The morning began with my weekly early call from the UK and the first walk of the day was really pleasant with a distinct whiff of spring in the air. Yahoo!!
Just as I returned to the house my cell rang and Nick kindly offered me a lift to church. Although it meant only 5 minutes at home to gather up my belongings, I gladly accepted since I had packed 2 large bags with an eclectic collection of supplies for children’s ministry. Do other people go to church with an electric frying pan and a laptop in their bags? Of course there was also my packed lunch, knitting and shoes plus containers of flour, salt and oil because today we were making a new recipe for Communion bread.
Once at church I unpacked my collection of strange objects and set up the cooking station in the kitchen, then arranged the Lenten symbols on the mantle piece in the worship room. As the chairs began to fill up it seemed that perhaps there would only be the little ones today and I had visions of making the bread alone in the kitchen.
To my surprise, Ralph and Gaelle arrived just was our troop was heading upstairs for snack. It was super to see these two young people. Ralph is 14 and his sister 11 and faith conversations with them are always fruitful. Although English is their third language Ralph, particularly is eager to ask questions and to understand the Scripture of the day, it is such a joy to spend time with them.
We all enjoyed snack time and watched our story with the toddlers ( one of the videos from the 2015 Day Camp Program!!) and then the 3 of us crept back downstairs and into the kitchen where we were soon mixing and rolling out the dough and cooking it in the electric frying pan. As we worked we talked about the Parable of the Prodigal Son and discussed how all of us have characteristics of both the sons in the story but how God loves all of us and will always welcome us with open arms when we come to Him asking forgiveness. The time flew and soon it was the Passing of the Peace so we re-joined the rest of the congregation to share in the Eucharist. I look forward so much to this monthly opportunity of offering the chalice to my fellow congregants. The action is so simple and yet so extraordinary, every time we participate in the Lord’s Supper it is so moving to look into the eyes of each person while sharing the cup of wine. Young parents, often holding a small child in their arms, homeless people who are faithful attendees each Sunday, someone who has recently suffered a death in his family, visitors from other countries, all gathered for this liturgy.
After the Service Liz and I met over lunch to discuss Children’s Ministry and then it was such a lovely day that I truly enjoyed the long walk home.
There has since been another walk with Wil, the boiling of the marmalade (16 jars!) and a bit of work put in on the Pysanky. So the day has flown by, rich in a wide variety of activities.
A truly Blessed Sabbath.