Getting the timing right

Well, we were promised a seriously hot day, but in the morning it started being cloudy and humid as it has been over the past few days. Then in the afternoon, the sky cleared of cloud and mist and a fierce hot wind picked up. Just the kind of conditions to encourage a fast spreading blaze.

I was up before the alarm saying morning prayer, and ready to go by a quarter to nine. A baptism party of twice the size of the regular congregation was expected at San Pedro, so we were granted the opportunity of using the main church which seats a couple of hundred. It was necessary to bring all our liturgical kit up from the downstairs chapel - not just the communion vessels, but the little electronic organ, the screen and projector to work with Jean's laptop. 

There aren't enough books for an occasion like this so words for worship have to be displayed on screen, but there's no good place where everyone can see, including me. The church is big and voice amplification is vital. I couldn't see the screen and not step out of range of the microphone, so it was an awkward juggle. The font is in a place of its own to the left of the altar. No microphone there, but the parents and godparents had a sheet with the rite of baptism on it, and participated fine. The rest of the congregation had the words on-screen, and it all worked out, although the baptism party, all dressed in white, like the toddler who was the candidate, were rather chatty for most of the service. Nothing I've not been used to at St German's over the years. It all worked out happily as intended, and I was able to slip away at eleven to reach Sotogrande by eleven forty five.

I was greeted with surprise there, as if it was expected I might arrive late due to the baptism. I explained I'd chosen hymns and tailored the readings and sermon to reduce the risk of over-running. This can be done without haste, but it requires extra work, and as a locum pastor I have time to think about this and make an effort to get it right. Great when it works as intended.

When I got back, I cooked some chicken bought yesterday, to go with the last portion of lentil and veg stew. After a high pressure morning, and a satisfying lunch, a siesta was essential. The hot wind was too fierce to think of going for a walk until it calmed down. Except that it didn't. The wind kept blowing, making the house moan with every gust but as the sun went down it turned from a hot wind to a cooling one, which was quite pleasant when I went out for a late paseo along the shore.

Kath is spending the weekend with Clare and has decided to stay on until Tuesday and drive Clare to the airport to catch her flight. What a lovely thing to do!