On the receiving end

No Sunday locum duties today, for the first time in ages, so I went with Clare to Saint Catherine's for the Parish Eucharist, and met Fr Phelim O'Hare, recently appointed as honorary assistant Curate in the Benefice Team Ministry.  He's also Chaplain to the Cathedral School and an RE teacher by day It's good that Fr Mark and Fr Martin have such experienced support in this very busy Parish.

Afterwards we went to the Riverside Market to shop for organic veg for the week before we ate lunch at home. Clare then went over to Bristol for a study group, and I acted as chauffeur taking 'Becca and Mair over to Christchurch Roath Park where 'Becca preached and Mair officiated. Altogether there were twenty of us there, quite a good number for a Parish Evensong these days. I don't suppose there was anyone in the congregation under sixty, apart from the two ordinands. 

They both performed in a relaxed way, with clear diction and good projection in an acoustically awkward environment, attracting appreciation from their audience, as the twin microphones dominating the lectern used were accidentally left switched off until after both Office and Sermon were over. 

In the congregation were at least two retired teacher trainers, who were both full of praise for what they had received. I had read 'Becca's sermon when she emailed it to me Tuesday last. She'd written it the thirty six hours since she was asked to preach, in an amazing flush of original inspiration. I loved the look of sheer enjoyment on her face as she delivered it, with lovely relaxed gestures and good humour. 

Near the end she opened her arms wide in mid statement. The 'wings' of her surplice hanging from her arms mirrored the gesture of the robed Christus Rex on the banner behind her in the sanctuary. One of those visual 'aha!' moments, when I wished I had my camera at the ready. I bet the congregation will remember that, consciously or otherwise. I was so glad to be there and on the receiving end - twice in a day for a change - and to witness the encouragement given to a congregation not having the easiest of times at the moment with its Vicar off sick again.