Midweek ministry movements

We remembered the martyrdom of Dietrich Boenhoffer at yesterday morning's Eucharist. For me as a young man his testimony in words and deed was challenging and influential. It was also the birthday of St Andrew's Lay Reader Linda's, and ouple of false startsof Peachy, one of the church's founding members, still going strong at ninety four, and living here over sixty years. After singing Happy Birthday to Linda, Jim and I went and visited Peachy, sang her Happy Birthday along with her carers, then gave her Holy Communion.

There was a table and a pair of chairs for the kitchen to bring home at lunchtime. The table had to be assembled, and the assembly instructions unclear, but after a couple of  false starts I succeeded. It occupies the space just right and gives us an extra work-space, as well as a convenient place to eat breakfast. We're now getting into a habit of walking on the beach in the early evening. Each day there are a few more holidaymakers sitting out on the sand, a few more youngsters playing, enjoying freedom from school somewhere else in Europe. Schools here haven't broken up yet.

Today, I made my last trip up to Coin for the time being, to celebrate the Eucharist for half a dozen faithful and drink coffee together afterwards in the Cruz de Piedra restaurant nearby. Then, back home to cook lunch, and start work on addresses for the Good Friday Vigil at the Cross in St Andrew's. Co-incidentally, as I started work, I received an email from Linda with the first drafts of her addresses for the service. Yesterday I received Caroline´s draft addresses for the Good Friday service she'll be conducting up at Alhaurin. Me, I'd love to be in all places at the same time, but the next best thing is to be part of a team with a real feel for what they are engaged with, and knowing the Gospel is being served by our shared efforts.

There was a ministry team meeting at six, so Clare and I walked down to town at four, did some shopping and walked on the beach beforehand. It was my last meeting with the team before I leave, two weeks today. They have continued to meet throughout the interregnum, recognising the importance of doing something more personal than exchanging emails about rota assignments and lectionary changes. If the chaplaincy remains in good heart it's because of their willingness to share the oversight, and ensure everyone involved understands what is happening. I hope that whoever is appointed as Chaplain understands how fortunate he is to inherit this quality of status quo on which to establish a ministry.