HAPPY EASTER

The fourth Easter Service  is done and dusted

Time to look back and reflect (having consumed a quantity of chocolate first) on the four busiest day's of the year.

Last evening we had the Easter Vigil with Bishop Alan performing Baptisms and Confirmations.

The Easter Fire was lit inside rather than as usual in the Churchyard, since it  was pouring and blowing a gale.  The saltpeter fire was a small flame compared with most year's blazing bonfires  but was quite adequate for the lighting  of the Paschal Candle.

Because the weather was so bad the church was very dark indeed, too dark to see our order of service booklets so it was with some relief that we reached the stage of lighting all the candles held by individuals before we had to sing.

The music was very good and the choir sang extremely well so the 2 and a half hour-long Service was well supported.

The Bishop's sermon was, as it always is, a good one with plenty of anecdotes as illustrations.  He also has a habit of leaving at least one piece of wisdom which tends to stick in the mind.  This time, talking about none of us being perfect he remarked that "every Saint has a past, and every Sinner a future".

We finished the third service with sore throats but lifted spirits.

This morning, day four, we had a very happy service with a lot of singing once more and this time, since it was once more pouring outside, the rector informed the congregation that the annual Easter Egg hunt normally in the churchyard would this time, be held inside the church since "the Lord rains outside".

We finished the service after the final blessing, when everyone thought that was it, by singing (very well, I must say), Hosanna Filio David.  As the choir processed out it was to loud applause.

Unusual, but very welcome, since the choir was by then 'on it's knees' with exhaustion rather than devotion.

A very good Easter.

Deo Gracias