I was awake at seven, and out of the house to attend the BCP celebration of Holy Communion with two dozen others at St Nicholas' Parish Church, before everyone else got up. A retired cleric, rather than the Vicar took the service, and told us that he was volunteering to cover the eight o'clock first Sundays of the month from now on. I don't think there's a Curate at the moment.
There's nothing quite like a BCP early service in a 15th century church with sunlight streaming in, birdsong in the background in Shakespeare's County, heart of Established Protestant England. Despite changes in appearance of the building and congregation, I get that special feeling, of time standing still. Maybe that's why it's relatively well attended. Eight o'clocks are not as well attended in Wales, apart from Cathedrals and Minster churches. In Canton Benefice the early congregation is usually half the size.
After breakfast, a walk into town for some shopping at Waitrose then lunch, before setting off back to Cardiff late afternoon. We got back just as The Archers was finishing on the radio. An enjoyable few days away, and a pleasure to be on the receiving end again, in the congregation on a Sunday.
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