On the 3rd May, it was the Fifth Sunday of Easter when at St Andrew's Church, we had our 10am Altogether Eucharist and where we focused particularly on the definition of Pilgrimage. In her homily,
Reader Rosemary clarified the purpose of these special journeys which can be of any distance and where friendships are forged in times when we can all quietly take in the elements of God's creation and not at a rushed pace when many travellers are blinkered as to what is around them. Rosemary singled out that prayerful lady who lived in the 14th century, namely, Julian of Norwich and whose Feast Day occurs on 8th May. Julian lived for a part of her life in a small room or cell within a church in Norwich where there were three small windows. She used these for observation and receiving sustenance. One window looked into the church where she could watch and take part in the services of worship. Another window provided a way for her to receive water, food and clothing, the basics of life. The third window looked out onto the roadway beyond where she could enjoy the passing pageant of God's world, such as, the flowers in bloom, the singing of birds and the ever changing seasons. These windows were vital to Julian when all three of them enabled her to share in a fellowship group and from which she drew inspiration purely from looking. This was her daily pilgrimage.
Rosemary then invited us to take just a few minutes to go outside to look at those things that had beauty and a purpose for maintaining God's creation. Alternatively, we could spend time in looking at any features within our ancient and beautiful church which drew our gaze, such as, the detail within the stained glass windows and the colourful arrangements of flowers and whatever else that took our attention. With everyone back in the pews again, concluding her presentation, we were asked to recall Julian and perhaps to put into practise three things, namely, worship, our everyday needs and to care for God's creation in the world. We must respond to God. There is such a thing as a static pilgrimage except it is never really static at all.
Reverend Liz read the Banns of Marriage for two couples who are getting married at St Andrew's this Summer. We were reminded about the importance of the APCM which is taking place this Sunday, 10th May, at 11:45am. At this time, we will be thanking those many people who actively look after us all in many ways, including the maintenance of the building, the planning of mission and outreach, our creature comforts and for creating an all inclusive and welcoming atmosphere. Special booklets have been provided, full of reports and statistics and thus reminding us all that running a place of worship doesn't 'just happen'; it is the result of a genuine team effort where there are those who don't mind being 'unsung heroes' but we try to make sure everyone is thanked and valued.
This Sunday, 10th May, there is 10am Parish Eucharist and Sunday School and at 6pm, there is our long established service, Sunday @ Six. That is of course, pm and not am!
Before this, on Saturday, 9th May, why not come along at 7pm, and watch a gloriously vocal, Saints Alive. This will blow the cobwebs away - metaphorically speaking. And it's free.
Finally, on Thursday, 14th May, it's Ascension Day with worship at 9:30am and 7:30pm, both of course, having Communion, celebrating Jesus' Ascension to Heaven. On Sunday, 24th May, it is Pentecost, the end of the Easter Season. There will be 10am Parish Eucharist, celebrating the coming of the Holy Spirit, the Birthday of the Church.