Easter Sunday - Dawn Liturgy

Mary stayed over with her friend Izzy tonight and so Thom, Sara and I got up at 4.30 a.m. (in reality 3.30 a.m. as we put the clocks forward at 2 a.m.) in order to drive into Salisbury and attend the Easter Dawn Liturgy service at Salisbury Cathedral.  We parked in Crane Street a little after 5.00 a.m. and walked to the west front of the cathedral where we were each given a votive candle and service sheet.  At 5.30 a.m. the clergy, including Bishops Nick and Graham, came out and a bonfire was lit on the green opposite the west front. The service began and we then all walked into the cathedral to the new font. There followed an hour and a half of liturgy which included baptisms, confirmations and communion.  For the second time in four days I was given the host by the Bishop of Sherborne (he having administered it to me on Maundy Thursday). Once more I saw my senior tutor and other members of the clergy I know including David D who had first suggested that Sara and I should become involved in our local village church in Winterslow after we had left Salisbury (we had worshipped regularly at the cathedral between 1996 and 2001). After the service we were invited into the cloisters for champagne and could have stayed on for breakfast but decided to get back.  Having taken communion in the cathedral none of us went to Winterslow Church this morning and we had quite a lazy morning - although I did cut the front lawn.  Sam and James with Wilf came over after they had been to Winterslow Church and had a glass of cava with us and a general natter.  We had roast beef for lunch and spent the afternoon being quite lazy and watching the TV.  It is quite sunny today but still bitterly cold.  I phoned Mum this evening.  She continues to be in good spirits.  She sent us a lovely Easter card which I shall treasure. She would like me to look into the loss of a Grimsby trawler in 1942 (S.T. Leo - GY36) on which a relation of her next door neighbour was lost.  I did some initial research which I gave her over the phone.  I will follow this up later.

A different kind of worship at St. Mary's

A church-free day today swapping St. Mary's Alderbury for St. Mary's Stadium, Southampton.  a big day for the Saints - a home game against Chelsea!  Thom and I arrived in Southampton at around 1 p.m. and I hobbled along (without a stick) from Rockstone Place to St. Mary's Street where we had our usual lunch of fish and chips.  We were in the ground just a little after 2 p.m. and the stadium filled up almost to capacity.  Saints scored first with an equaliser coming quite quickly after that from Chelsea - but not as quickly as the reply - 50 seconds later Southampton scored the winner - all in the first half.  Saints managed to keep the ball out of the net in the second half and secured a wonderful 3 points from the team which, at the start of the day, had been third in the table and currently are the European Champions!  Tonight, after Stoke failed to beat Everton, Southampton are 12th in the Premier League table - the highest position this season and the highest for over a decade. Feeling very elated tonight.  What a marvellous achievement considering Saints just a few years ago were bottom of League 1 with minus points!  There are calls, tonight, for Lambert to be signed up for England!  He is the top English goal-scorer in the Premier League.

Good Friday in Alderbury

This was a very different Good Friday to normal as there was no children's workshop, procession of the cross or children's ecumenical service in Winterslow - instead all these activities were taking place in Alderbury this year.  Sara is normally involved in the children's workshops but she has now resigned as one of the Junior Church Leaders.  I went over to Alderbury for the Good Friday liturgy with Debbie and we caught the end of the children's service which had been taken by Elizabeth.  It seemed lively and was well attended.  After the children and parents had departed we sat and listened to Jeremy Davies give a homily on Alexander Pope's poem - "The Essay of Man" which was quite erudite.  This was followed by the Good Friday Liturgy in which I and Debbie robed in our black cassocks and I played the part of Pilate (for the second year running) in the Passion Gospel. The service again was rather Roman in it structure and liturgy with three stations of the cross and prostrations before the wooden cross.  Back home, after the service, Sara and I chilled out and went to bed relatively early.

Maundy Thursday

This morning I attended the wonderful service of the Eucharist of the Chrism in Salisbury Cathedral when clergy and lay ministers from all over the Diocese have their vows renewed and the oil of baptism, confirmation and ordination are blessed.  Thee was a galaxy of clergy including the three bishops and priests and deacons all arrayed in white.  I saw two of my tutors amongst the clergy as well as a number fellow trainee lay ministers.  Following the service and a cup of coffee with friends and colleagues, I walked across to the Salisbury and Wiltshire Museum café for a lunch time meeting with the Chaplain of Alabare Care Homes and the secretary of Wiltshire Churches Together to discuss my possibility of becoming a Volunteer Chaplain to Alabare.  A really useful and productive meeting.  This evening I attended the Maundy Thursday agape meal and service at Farley which took place in three locations - a marquee in the church yard, the church hall and finally the church.  Mary, as part of Rockface, had a part to play in both the marquee (betrayal by Judas) and in the church (arrest of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane).  The service was punctuated with Latin refrains and I did feel that the supper could have been left to run a little longer before it became punctuated with formal liturgy. About 70 people took part.  I didn't stay for the vigil as I needed to get Mary back home.  Another busy day tomorrow - Good Friday.

Soup Lunch Meeting

Flurries of snow again this morning - the eternal winter seems to be continuing like Narnia!  I didn't feel too well this morning as I had a fitful night with my leg hurting.  I made myself a bacon roll and worked in the study until just before midday when I went to the Taize Office service at St. John's taken by Jeremy D.  The service lasted about 30 minutes and was attended by 19 - including four clerics and three lay ministers.  Following the service there was a soup lunch at Debbie's at 1 p.m. followed by a meeting to discuss, again, arrangements for the remaining holy week services.  This meeting lasted until 3.45 p.m. after which I drove to the Cash and Carry to buy 100 rashers of bacon for the Dawn Liturgy service (these I delivered to the Rockface Leader, Steve). This afternoon Sara took Mary down to Fordingbridge to have her "colours done".  Mary really enjoyed the session and it seems that she has a similar colouring as Sara - (Sara is Warm Autumn and Mary is Vibrant Autumn).  She will now know exactly what colours of clothing best suit her.  This evening I lit another log fire and Sara made one of her famous pasta cheeses. Sara, Mary and I sat down to watch a couple of Poirot episodes before going to bed relatively early - 10.30 p.m. 

Easter for Busy People

Will this wintry weather never stop!  We are rapidly approaching April and the weather continues to bitterly cold with snow in the north of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. It was announced this morning that ex-saints manager, Nigel Adkins, has been appointed manager of Reading. I am sure he will do well there.  Our loss is their gain.  They might do well at our expense!  I spent the morning working in the study and Sara managed to find a cheaper supplier for our oil - we are starting to get low.  We need just a tiny bit to see us through this cold spell.  We still have quite a few logs and other bits or wood around the place to keep our log fire burning.  In today's news, a family have had to burn all their furniture to keep warm as neither oil nor any other fuel can get through because of the severe weather.  The electricity lines are down in many parts of the country too.  At lunchtime Sara and I went into Salisbury.  I handed in my nomination papers for parish councillor (which were in order) and we attended a church service at St. Thomas's entitled "Easter for Busy People" conducted by the Rev. David Linaker.  We had coffee and biscuits after the service and then went to the bank and opticians before returning home.  It was nice to get back to a warm house.  Mary is not feeling well and has wrapped herself up in a blanket in the living room.  Curried mince for supper tonight and nice quiet evening at home.  Too cold to go out to the Taize service at Pitton.  I will attend the service at St. John's tomorrow.  Tonight we watched another Poirot story on TV and went to bed very early (10 p.m.).  I read another chapter of The Warden before turning out the lights.  I am in quite a bit of pain tonight - the pain radiating from my knee up to my hip and back. I found it hard to get to sleep and I am writing this up in the wee small hours of the morning.

Lodge Rehearsal

 Another bitterly cold day today - and another day of staying in with a warm fire blazing.  Mary spent the day with her friend Lucy in Salisbury - the end of a two-night "sleep-over" (I think it was more like a "two-night stay-up-all-night-over") and Sara went into Salisbury to pick her up.  This is the first Monday for over two-months when I didn't have a tutorial to go to. Instead, tonight, I attended a lodge rehearsal and committee meeting at Freemasons' Hall in Salisbury where we went through next week's agenda and discussed how we might make the lodge more attractive for new members.  This seems to be a problem throughout the country and not confined to our lodge or even Salisbury.  Tonight watched another Poirot with Sara - The Plymouth Express.

Palm Sunday at Wembley - Let's wave Haddocks!

Thom was up early for his Sunday paper round today.  I got up early too and went to Early morning Eucharist at St. John's where I picked up palm crosses for us.  The service was taken by Andrew who spoke about why Jesus came into Jerusalem on a colt and not a horse.  A quick breakfast of a bacon roll and Thom and I set off for London to go to the FA Trophy Final at Wembley.  We drove to Uxbridge where I parked the car in a smart residential area and we walked to the tube station.  I didn't take my stick and gently hobbled along - a bit faster than recently although my knee did hurt after such a long car journey (75 miles). We caught the Metropolitan line train to Wembley Park (the second time I had used the London Underground in three days).  It had been snowing as we arrived at Uxbridge and there were still flecks of snow in the air as we made our way to Wembley.  Arriving at Wembley we were greeted by hundreds of Grisby town fans many of whom were brandishing inflatable "Harry Haddocks".  There also seemed to be an equal number of Wrexham fans too.  It was bitterly cold and Thom and I went into MacDonald's for something hot to eat and a hot coffee to drink.  We sat with some Wrexham fans (a man and his two grown-up sons) who said that they had waited 40 years for today and had broken their skiing holiday in Switzerland to be at Wembley.  We got into the stadium in good time (where my bottle of water was confiscated - presumably in the hope that I would be tempted to spend an extortionate amount of money on their disgustingly priced beverages - I didn't!) and we found our seats behind the goal.  The football was pretty poor (certainly compared to watching Southampton) and the score was 0-0 at half time.  In the second half, Grimsby played better and managed to score first.  Unfortunately they gave away a penalty just 8 minutes before full time and so the game went to extra time (no further score) and a penalty shoot out which Grimsby lost handsomely - well not quite so handsomely.  Result, Wrexham won the Trophy and the Grimsby fans (and their Harry Haddocks) went away very deflated! We managed to get back to Uxbridge in good time - the train was not crowded at all - most fans going London-bound) and we finally got home at just after 8 p.m.  A lovely day out even if the result was disappointing.  Grimsby never fail to disappoint although as I am used to it now, it's not such a disappointment.  Thom has only seen them win once and only seen them score three goals in spite of going to dozens of matches.

Quartet

Up early again and off to Alderbury again to join the Staff Team for a further meeting to discuss the arrangements for Holy Week. Jeremy was in attendance this morning and we went through each of the Holy Week services with him to ensure that all issues had been covered. I was tasked with buying 120 rashers of bacon and 100 bread rolls for the Dawn Liturgy service from the Cash and Carry and also purchasing 50 palm crosses for the Winterslow Early morning Eucharist service on Palm Sunday tomorrow!).  I shall be attending that service but not the main Palm Sunday services as Thom and I are off to Wembley to see Grimsby Town take on Wrexham in the FA Trophy Final.  After the meeting I drove into Salisbury where I undertook quite a few errands including buying the 50 palm crosses at a cost of £9 from Sarum College.  Sara was at home today hosting the second of her Phoenix Card coffee and tea sessions.  When I returned home I had tea and cake (again!) and Richard and Linda came over in the afternoon. Richard is on Street Pastoring duties tonight before driving down to Cornwall for a couple of days.  Tonight I returned to Alderbury (I seem to be spending a great deal of time there either in meetings or leading services) with Sara to see the film "Quartet" which stars Maggie Smith, Tom Courtenay, Billy Connolly and Pauline Collins amongst others, at the Alderbury Film Club.  A great night out - only £5 each - and an opportunity to see a film which we both missed at the main cinema.  Very amusing in parts but also a really good story with great music. A must for music lovers and lovers of great mature actors.  Tom Courtenay was very impressive - one of my all time favourites - even if he does come from Hull!



In the Dentist's Chair - Again!

An early start and a trip to the dentist's this morning.  I drove to Sarum College, parked my car there and walked through St. Ann's Gate to the dentist's. I need to have a filling and Ann filled my tooth with a temporary filling.  I returned to Sarum College and woirked there for an hour and a half before driving to Alderbury to join Bev and Dave from Morning Star for the Lent lunch being put on.  This afternoon I had a bit of a lazy time watching the complete series of Michael Palin's Pole to Pole which I found enthralling. Tonight I attended the Team Choir pratice at Farley Church followed by an evening at the Lion's Head with Richard.  I am still not drinking alcohol and so I drove straight to the pub from Farley Church.

A visit to London - and Rev's Church

I was up at 5 am and made tea for myself and Sara.  I had a long day ahead of me with attendance at a seminar in London.  I drove to Grateley and caught the 0619 train to London Waterloo arriving in the capital at 7.30 a.m.  I had my trekking stick with me as I knew that there was likely to be quite a bit of walking around the city today.  I was attending a morning seminar at the offices of Clyde & Co. in Aldgate, commencing at 8.45 a.m. and my plan was to catch the Circle Line train from Embankment and give myself enough time for a cup of coffee before we started.  The journey started with a tube ride on the Bakerloo Line to Embankment and I was delighted to see a Circle Line train already in the station.  My delight turned to frustration and anguish when all the passengers alighted and an announcement came over the public address system to the effect that all trains were delayed due to problems further up the line!  I had to re-direct myself and caught a Northern Line train to Tottenham Court Road, a Central Line train to Liverpool Street and finally a circle Line train in the opposite direction to Aldgate.  This meant a great deal of walking underground.  I eventually limped my way to the venue where coffee and breakfast were provided.  An excellent seminar this morning I came away with much information on the forthcoming changes to employment law which I can send out to our clients.  I also met up with Claire who had worked with Sara at FP. After the seminar, which was in Hounsditch, I caught a bus to Shoreditch to have a look around the church used for the comedy series "Rev" (St. Leonard's Shoreditch) where I met one of the individuals who acts as verger.  I took quite a number of photos which I posted on Facebook.  I then caught a 242 bus to the Elephant & Castle and a tube to Lambeth north for a snack and coffee at The Hub, Oasis.  I hobbled back to London Waterloo Station from there and caught the 3.50 p.m. train back to Grateley arriving back home at 5.30 p.m. Another twelve hours out of the house.  Tonight at house Group we viewed the film Prince Caspian, the sequel to "The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe". To bed, tired but feeling that the day had gone well.  A trip to London is always something to enjoy.

Blood Test!

The day started with me going into Salisbury to visit the doctor's to have a blood test so that the doctor could see if that might provide a clue to my knee problem.  I parked at my usual spot in College Street and hobbled to the doctors where I was seen by Nurse Katie who is the daughter of the couple from whom we bought our house back in 1999.  I was pleased that I didn't faint although I really didn't like the idea of having blood sucked out of my arm!  I had a nice bruise tonight in the crook of my right arm where the needle had been inserted! After the test I walked to Costa Coffee and had a large cappuccino (no chocolate) and met Leif and his girlfriend briefly.  It was nice to sit down and have a quiet coffee on my own.  I returned to my car and drove to Alderbury for a Staff Team Meeting at Alderbury Vicarage.  The meeting was taken up with further discussions on the arrangements for Holy Week.  I was back home for a quick lunch (chicken soup) before my monthly meeting with Nils to discuss my training contract and team rota.  I didn't arrive back until after 4 p.m. A quiet evening in tonight.

Caked Out!

Sara was up early this morning making cakes - including a lemon drizzle cake which drizzled away - too much lemon I think.  Still, it was eventually eaten by Mary and Thom so avoided the usual fate of being turned into a sponge pudding with custard.  We had a full house of people this morning for Sara's fund-raising Phoenix Card morning for Mary's Cheerleading Group.  Si and Ilana came over and although I fully intended to spend a whole day at Sarum College, found myself spending the morning with Si chatting about Masonic business.  He has been notified of his appointment in October to Provincial Steward - well deserved and not surprising becasue of all his work in the Province trying to get new recruits.  I eventually left for Salisbury, full of cake and coffee, and spent the afternoon at College which was frustrating as the wi-fi kept dropping out and I didn't get anything like the amount of work completed as planned.   Mary had tea with her friend Lucy at her home just off the Devizes Road and after I had bought my rail tickets for my trip to London on Thursday, I drove over to pick her up and bring her back home. My knee is hurting again tonight and this miserable weather is really not helping my spirits. Not helped by the thought of a blood test tomorrow either.

A trip to Sussex

Bitterly cold again this morning. My knee is really hurting today.  As I was attending the  Sussex Annual Provincial Grand Chapter meeting this morning I dress in shirt and tie ready for the afternoon.  I had an appointment to meet a prospective lay ministry student from our curate's previous church who is due to attend the Selection/Discernment Conference at the end of May and who wanted some guidance on how to prepare for it.  I met her at Costa Coffee in Amesbury where we spent a couple of hours talking it all through over a large cup of coffee each.  I am sure she will get through with little difficulty as she has been doing quite a lot in her church over the past several years.  We said our goodbyes and I drove over to Worthing via the A303/A34/M27 meeting some flurries of snow on the way - nothing serious. Arriving at Worthing, I spoke briefly to Mum from the car phone before attending the meeting. I met up with a number of colleagues and friends at the meeting and watched as Roger Martin and others were appointed and invested with Provincial Rank.  There was also a short presentation from the Sussex Masonic Trout Fishing Society - a charity for disabled children. I left immediately after the ceremony (not staying for the dinner) and drove back to Salisbury to attend my evening tutorial at Sarum College - the last one in the Church History Module when we finished with more discussion on salvation and Vatican II.  Back home for 10 p.m. - just over 12 hours since leaving home this morning.

Pub Quiz Win - Again!

A bitterly cold day today with snow - heavy flakes falling.  We decided to go to St. Paul's this morning (Sara, Thom and me) as Thom had expressed a wish to try this evangelical Anglican Church.  We received warm greetings from a number of the congregation and Sara met up with a former colleague from Friends Provident who was also trying out St. Paul's for the first time.  We had an engaging speaker this morning who spoke about mission in Europe.  It is an interesting fact that Christianity is growing rapidly in Africa and South America - as well as China and other parts of Asia - but declining in Western Europe.  It really is time that we looked closely at why this is - a heavily secular society where consumerism abounds.  Interestingly enough, this has been the topic of two of my lay ministry modules - Mission in God's World and Church History and I listened intently although the effects of the codeine didn't help.  I called in briefly at Wickes on the way home to buy a new lock for the garage door.  I took in the old one which had "exploded" and they replaced it without quibble - it clearly had been defective.  I will now have to find time to insert it into the door. It was Pub Quiz Night tonight at the Lion's Head and our team - Last of the Summer Wine - was at full strength.  It didn't surprise anybody then, apart from ourselves, that we won by a 10 point margin!  We are now clearly the team everybody else has to beat.  The questions are getting less and less of the type we like - many TV questions tonight - but we still seem to manage it.  What a sad bunch of guys we must appear.  Because of my painful knee I drove to the pub and back (I am still not drinking alcohol anyway) which is usually only a five-minute walk.  A very busy day ahead tomorrow, with a visit to West Sussex. 

Great win for Saints; Disaster for English Rugby; Lottery win for me!

A cold wet day today. My knee continues to hurt and I did not relish having to walk the mile from where I park my car off The Avenue to St. Mary's Stadium this afternoon.  Two big sporting events today - Southampton are playing Liverpool in the Premier League and England take on Wales in the Six Nations at the Millenium Stadium in Cardiff.  We arrived in Southampton early as I knew it would be a well attended match and that it would take me much longer than the usual 20 minutes to walk to St. Mary's - in fact it took me 35 minutes - almost twice as long.  We called in at our usual chippy in St. Mary's Street before walking on to the game. Fortunately the rain held off long enough for us to get safely under cover in the stadium.  What a wonderful game - Saints were 1-0 up after five minutes and then went 2-0 up before Liverpool pulled a goal back just before half-time.  A third goal for Saints in the second half clinched the three precious points for the home side.  A brilliant and very important win.  Just like the last season when Saints were in the Premier League - and then went down - a 2-0 win over Liverpool.  Despite my painful knee, Thom and I were in good spirits as I hobbled back along the mile to the car.  We listened to the rugby on the radio and to England being thrashed 30-3 in Cardiff - the biggest defeat ever for England in the Six Nations. St. Edmund's RC Church, close to where we park the car was festooned with papal flags and bunting to celebrate the election of Pope Francis I.  We called in at Tescos on the way out of Southampton where Thom used the toilets and we both did the lottery. This evening I discovered that I had picked three numbers and so won £10.  A really good day - especially if you are Welsh!  Not if you are a Scouser!  Grimsby lost their home game today and so their chances of promotion back to league football are disappearing rapidly. 

A trip to Bookers'

An early start this morning as it was Ambassadors' Business Breakfast at Grasmere House Hotel.  I hobbled in with my knee still hurting quite badly.  Karen Janes was presenting this morning and did so in an extremely competent and professional manner. I left about 9.30 a.m. and drove over to Alderbury for coffee with Elizabeth and others at the Boundary Coffee Shop. After we had drunk our coffee I then drove Elizabeth and myself to Bookers' Cash and Carry to buy items for the Maundy Thursday agape meal - banqueting roll, plates, cups etc. all of which took back to Alderbury Vicarage.  I called in at the Lord Nelson when I got back to Winterslow ahead of Sara who is working there today and had a glass of lime and soda with Pete.  My knee was really hurting this afternoon and so I tried to rest it as best I could.  The codeine tablets don't seem to help the pain but they do make me feel drowsy. 

Lent Course comes to an end

A quiet day at home today resting my knee after a full day yesterday.  Did not do much at all today.  House Group tonight when we finished the five weeks of study of C. S. Lewis through the book "Not a Tame Lion".  Some difficult issues tonight - bereavement and suffering.  There were only five of us this evening which was quite understandable as at least two of the missing three would probably have found the topic quite hard for them.  We all agreed that this had been a good Lent course to do.  Next week we will watch the sequel to The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe - Prince Caspian.  This is an option which will round off the course nicely before we enter Holy Week.

New Pope - Francis I

Another very busy day today starting with Mid-Week Eucharist at St. John's, open coffee morning at the Team Office with the new Team Administrator, Cara, and then over to Debbie's in Cynthia's car for a Team Staff Meeting to discuss, once again, the arrangements for Holy Week.  I came out of the meeting feeling quite drained - there seems to be so much detail which is being discussed and I am sure it will all work out in the end.  I am saddened that the usual Good Friday ecumenism in Winterslow is being suspended this year as far as the Anglicans are concerned.  I had a bit of a break this afternoon and put my leg up to rest.  Great excitement at teatime today when at 6.06 p.m. (our time) white smoke was seen rising from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City.  A new pope had been elected - one day ahead of the earliest predictions. I had to attend a meeting of the Winterslow PCC at 7.30 p.m. this evening but was determined that I would not do so until the identity and name of the new pope had been announced.  At 7.20 p.m. we learned that it was the Argentinian Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Archbishop of Buenos Aires, who has taken the name Pope Francis I.  Great excitement everywhere and Thom was particularly interested in the whole procedure of the papal election.  By comparison, tonight's PCC was a rather flat affair - a discussion on the mission of the Clarendon Team.  On first impressions, I am impressed by the new head of the Roman Catholic Church and with our new Archbishop of canterbury, feel that both churches will get nearer to the laity and to people in general.  It really wouldn't surprise me if we don't see a Vatican III before too long.   More stuff to study!

Mistaken for a Roman Catholic by the Bishop

Sara went to Andover today with her colleague Manny to take part in the Andover Branch of Ladies Who Latte ("LWL" - not to be confused in the diary with Lay Worship Leaders).  I hobbled across to the doctor's surgery in Winterslow where I was kept waiting nearly an hour before being seen - I really wished that I had taken some work with me to do.  Shaz from Morning Star was there and we compared notes on the state of our knees!  I was seen by a middle-aged lady doctor whom I hadn't seen before.  She had with her a student who took copious notes.  I was examined on a couch and my right leg and knee thoroughly inspected.  They could not conclude any diagnosis and have requested a blood test and an x-ray (the latter requires a hospital appointment) to see if it might be gout, arthritis or damaged bone or muscle.  This evening I attended the commissioning of the new Chief Chaplain to Alabare Care Centres by the Bishop of Salisbury.  The service took place at St. Osmund's Roman Catholic Church which is only 500 yards from and in sight of the cathedral - yet was the first time an Anglican Bishop of Salisbury had ever set foot in a Roman Catholic Church in the city. It was a very enjoyable service and not without humour when the Bishop thanked me for inviting him to attend "my" church.  I politely informed him that I was an Anglican visitor like himself and I hoped that he would be licensing me as a minister of his church in the cathedral on 28th September!  We chatted briefly over cake in the parochial hall afterwards.  I also met the Rev. Steve Godwin whose preaching slot I had taken at Whadden recently I arrived back in Winterslow in time for this month's pub theology meeting in the Lord Nelson where Pete supplied us with sausages and chips.  Unfortunately, this month we only had four in attendance, all of whom are regular church goers, but apologies were received from the others who have confirmed that they want to continue to come along to future ones.  

Salvation

Woke up this morning with my right knee in excruciating pain and found it very hard to stand or to walk.  I took some pain killers but they did not seem to make any difference whatsoever.  The pain left me feeling very miserable and lethargic all day and I have to confess that I spent much of it moping around and probably feeling rather sorry for myself, although this afternoon I listened to a podcast about Vatican II in my study in preparation for my tutorial this evening.  After yesterday's busy itinerary I felt quite tired too so listened to the podcast in my study with my eyes closed - nearly falling asleep.  This evening I attended the penultimate of my tutorials on Church History and Doctrine at Sarum College.  A good session but not on Vatican II, as expected adI had been preparing for this afternoon, as it was felt that this would be more appropriate for discussion next week when a new pope is likely to have been chosen.  Instead we studied the rather heavier topic of Salvation and the various different theological approaches to it.  I was in much need of some lighter TV viewing when I got home!  Went to bed in pain even after taking some more pain killers. Sara had a doctor's appointment tomorrow and as she will be going to Andover has let me take it. 

A busy week (4th-10th March 2013)

It has been a very busy week and (Monday 4^th March – Sunday 10^th March) and this one post gives a brief summary of the entire week.

Monday 4 March 2013

This morning I drove up to Amesbury to meet my friend Lee Hill for coffee and to discuss the waning fortunes of Freemasonry in Salisbury.  We spent a couple of hours in Costa Coffee on the Solstice Park chewing the cud and discussed a range of ideas to try and energise life back into the Craft.  Many of the issues we are facing are not dissimilar to those we are also facing in the church -  the traditional way of doing things no longer fits in with modern day thinking and culture.  We also discussed Lee’s role as a protector of sites where metal is being stolen.  The problem is becoming quite an epidemic  as well as producing a danger to those involved in the theft and those it is affecting – railways, National Grid and so forth.  The cost to the tax payer is quite mind-blowing.

This afternoon was spent in preparing Complex’s books of account to go to the accountant in Frome later in the week.

This evening I attend the eighth session of my study module on Church history and Doctrine and we looked closely at the 20^th Century (leaving out Vatican II which we’ll cover next week). 

Tuesday 5 March 2013

Walked to Morning Office at All Saints Church, Winterslow this morning.  A pleasant walk as the temperature has risen a little although there was a hard frost on the ground this morning.  As Andrew was away today there were only two of us in attendance, Nils and myself.  This afternoon I had my eyes tested.  The opticians took detailed photographs of the inside of my eyeballs – not a very pleasant thing to see and left me feeling quite queasy! – and my right eye appears to have a little scaring – possibly from viewing a bright sun at some time.  My prescription has not changed much except for the right eye.  After the eye test I arrived at Freemasons’ Hall, Crane Street,  to listen to a dramatised lecture by Mike Lee on the Royal Arch story.  The Royal Arch executives from Wiltshire, Dorset, Hampshire and Somerset were all there. Each province takes it in turns to host this event once every four years.   Quite interesting.  There were about 80 Royal Arch Masons present and the dining room was full up for the dinner afterwards.  We ate pate and toast, roast beef with pepper sauce and cheese and biscuits.  A most enjoyable evening indeed.

Wednesday 6 March 2013

Sara did her usual stint at Morning Star and I went to Whaddon to attend the Mid-Week Eucharist and the Staff Team meeting afterwards which was devoted almost entirely to the arrangements for Holy Week.  There are so many issues arising out of these special events which need to be actioned.  For the first time, Holy Week is to be entirely a Team affair.  The meeting went on until 1 p.m. and I briefly called in at Matalan to buy another black long sleeved shirt before driving home.  Sara and I were going to see the film “Lincoln” this afternoon but as I was also attending Sarum Lodge tonight we took separate cars.  Sara has started, in earnest, to sort through the books in the family room and I called in at Sarum Books and delivered two crates of old books – some dating back to my O-Level days!  Sarum lodge had an attendance of 14 tonight – much different from last night’s event at Freemason’s Hall. Bryant Sanders gave three excellent orations about the first degree ceremony as well as a discourse on the two pillars at the entrance to King Solomon’s Temple.  We had another excellent dinner – soup, roast pork, crème brulee and cheese and biscuits.  We also had some Yorkshire puddings which had been destined for last night’s table (with the roast beef) but were forgotten.  They were eagerly devoured by the Sarum diners with their roast pork.

Thursday 7 March 2013

I journeyed over to Frome this morning to deliver Complex’s book of accounts to our accountants in that town.  We need to have a clear idea of how much Corporation tax we will have to pay following last year’s work.  After simply dropping the books off, I then drove the six miles to Westbury to have coffee and cake with Ashley and discuss the sermons we are both giving on Sunday.  We exchanged some ideas which I think will help us both.  I went into Sarum College this afternoon to put together the service for Mothering Sunday which I am taking at West Dean. This evening I led the fourth week of our Lent Group study of C.S. Lewis.  Around a very warm wood fire, we had a really good discussion about the meaning of pain and happiness and the use of our gifts.  Two of our group had decided to attend the second of Jeremy Davies’ Lenten talks at Pitton, but there were still five of us to keep the House Group going.

Friday 8 March 2013

I spent most of today in Sarum College finishing off the work on preparing for Sunday’s service – particularly writing the sermon which is over 1,800 words!  I finished work at around 5.15 p.m. and went over to the cathedral with another student to enjoy Choral Evensong.  Tonight Sara and I chilled out by watching the Nicholas Cage film National Treasure : Book of Secrets which we both enjoyed. 

Saturday 9 March 2013

This morning, I called in briefly at Pitton Village Hall, where Pitton Parish were holding a Table Top Sale.  It was quite a small event but I did have an opportunity of having a chat with one or two people – notably Mandy and Nils.  I then drove on to Farley and spent an hour and a half at the Team Choir practice being led by Jeremy Davies.  Some difficult passages for the basses of whom there were only two of us!  This afternoon was spent with Thom watching the football results coming in – Southampton managed a 0-0 draw at Norwich but Grimsby lost 1-3 at home to Kidderminster which is a body blow to their automatic promotion hopes. They really needed to win that game.  I went into Salisbury this evening to pick Mary and her friend Lucy up from her house off Devizes Road for a “sleep-over” at our house topping up the car with fuel on the way home.  A quiet evening in with me finishing off the service for tomorrow and then watching another Poirot episode with Sara.

Sunday 10 March 2013

 I woke early this morning (5.45 am) and took Thom to the shop to pick up the newspapers for his round.  In fact, on Sundays he earns a little extra cash by doing all the Sunday paper inserts.   Made a cup of tea on my return and then went back to bed for an hour.  I drove over to West Dean for 9 a.m. and Sara, Thom and Lucy followed on about fifteen minutes later.  The church was relatively warm and I robed in the vestry and sorted out the service sheets and hymns with Alan B and Jane H. There were 16 in the congregation this morning including my family and Lucy.  The service seemed to go well and flowers were handed out to the female members of the congregation.  There was no coffee afterwards this morning as the church needed to be prepared for a concert being given that evening by a Canadian Choir.

Sara took Lucy home and I returned home to prepare lunch – baked chicken fillets with mango sauce, roast vegetables and woodland strudel and ice cream to follow.  As it is Mothering Sunday I had a glass or two of wine with my lunch and this afternoon watched the England v. Italy rugby game (England won 18-11).  I phoned Mum this evening and she seemed really cheerful although the drugs she is presently on are about to run out and her doctor says he cannot get a fresh supply from anywhere.  My niece Hannah also telephoned me to thank us for her 18^th Birthday card and money. Richard phoned this afternoon to say that they had had £800-worth of oil stolen from their tank and he fancied an evening in the pub – at least it would be warm in there!  I wasn’t keen at first in going to the pub but felt I ought to go to do my “pastoral care” bit!  Pastoral care will be my next and last module before I am licensed. As the pub had been busy with Mothering Sunday families, Anton was closing at 10.30 p.m. which suited us both.  My right knee is hurting tonight – I hope it’s not arthritis.  It’s also very cold tonight too.

Evensong at Whiteparish - robed

I really found it hard to get up this morning.  I didn't sleep all that well and so dozed this morning.  Sara was up early to take Thom on his paper round.  Yesterday Sara picked up his spectacles which he needs to wear for reading and computer work.  They really makes him look quite intellectual and I think suit him.  He will wear them less than no wearing them and so his good looks aren't spoilt either.  As Sara and I are both short-sighted I always though that he would need them but ironically they are not required for that but rather for a touch of long-sightedness.  Sara went to All Saints Church this morning and I stayed at home with the children.  Mary spent the morning in bed and Thom working in his bedroom. I looked at my sermon again and decided to rip it up (metaphorically) and start again.  Much happier with the second version.  Whilst Sara was out I also attempted to repair the lock on the door between Sara's study and the garage with the result that the lock has now completely jammed and we can no longer open the door at all!  The house is secure but we can't get in and out either.  I think we'll need a lock smith or we will have to damage the door.  Tonight I took Richard with me to Whiteparish where I took Evensong - wearing my robes for the first time.  It felt strange as I put them on in the vestry and walked down to the back of the church in my cassock before the beginning of the service.  However, after I had also put on my surplice and started the service it seemed quite natural and also nice and warm too.  A couple of the congregation expressed approval that I was wearing robes - which goes with the tradition of Evensong.  After the service, Richard and I spent a couple of hours in the Lion's Head chewing the cud.  Went to bed at 11 pm.

A very disappointing day

A very disappointing day today!  The weather was cold again this morning and it seemed hard to get started.  Sara and Mary went into Salisbury as usual for the Cheerleading practice and Thom and I stayed in.  I worked on my service for Sunday but somehow I had managed not to save the work I had done previously and so had to re-write part of it.  fortunately as it is a Book of common Prayer service, most of it is in the book.  Thom and I drove into Southampton at lunchtime for the Saints v. QPR match with high hopes of snatching 3 points from the bottom of the table club and going up the table by three of four places.  We had a fish and chip lunch (in fact Thom just had chips as he had given himself a huge breakfast this morning) and we arrived at the ground in good time.  Saints started well enough but conceded a goal against the run of play.  They did manage to pull a goal back just before half-time and the teams went in 1-1.  In the second half Southampton just could not get going and conceded a second and winning goal for QPR.  The three points for the London club now gives them hope of surviving whilst Saints dropping 3 points means that our team is back in the relegation fight.  Feeling quite down this evening.  I worked on my sermon (about 800 words of it) when we got back home but as I went to bed tonight I really wasn't happy with it and may have to re-write it.  Went to bed early as I didn't particularly want to watch Match of the Day!

Cheese and Wine at St. Paul's

An early start today and a trip into Salisbury to attend the Ambassadors’ Breakfast Club.  A visitor this morning is involved in the same type of work as Complex Services Limited – the first time that another potential member has been engaged in the same business as us.  I stayed behind for half an hour in the lounge of the hotel and worked on my netbook before driving to Alderbury to deliver some products from Morning Star and having coffee with Alan, Ann and Jennie.  I arrived back home at 12 noon and did some work before walking to the Lord Nelson where I popped in for twenty minutes to see Sara and have a cup of coffee with a couple of villagers.  I spent this afternoon at the PCC Standing Committee Meeting at Sherston House next to the village school.  Tonight, Richard and I went to St. Paul’s, Salisbury and joined a Men’s Cheese and Wine Group discussing “Mature Marriage”.  A similar format to a seminar at Spring Harvest – plenty of wine (which I couldn’t drink) and cheese followed by an illustrated talk from a GP and a discussion afterwards.  On the way back home we popped into the Lord Nelson for a quick drink and chat before I dropped Richard back home.