Church Search III

New year - new beginnings. Hopefully that will be the case.

We tried the church 10 miles away (that we liked the website for) on Boxing Day. Arrived late owing to the snow on the road on the way. Bearing taht in mind we had a reasonably good welcome on the way in. Turnout seemed low, and the service rather dull in the hands of a curate. No signs of friends for our 10 year old, but a reasonable creche for our 2 year old. The sermon was good: Biblical with a godpel presentation. After the service ended, the curate went back to the microphone and announced taht he had just hear that Mr X had passed away. Everyone gasped - clearly this was a key figure in the church and his loss was a shock, particluarly to a number of ladies who became quite tearful and needed support. It was not the time to start expecting people to talk to us, so we left. Dissapointed and flat, but feeling taht it wsa probably not representative and that we should go back next week.

Which we did.

And it was much better. Twice the number of people. A band playing a wi=orship song as we went in - the words for which were very aspt for our situation. THe general service was much more Anglican than we are used to, but was still very good. Sunday school was still not on. I satyed in the crech this time, and found a lady doing a very good lesson - in a fun way - for the kids who were all paying good attention. A good sign! Communion wasa bit hard on my wife - their custom is to kneel at the altar rail, and my wife isn't that flexible! So she was rather awkward and sideways as she pseudo-knelt and struggled back up. Afterwards a couple of people welcomed us, and one in particular spent quite a long time explaining the various children's groups to us. Also, several posters had words on them which my wife felt were for her.

So all in all, it feels like the place where we will be in the medium term. It's too distant to rely on for the long term.

Every second Sunday of the month is their parade service, and we will probably take this opportunity to pursue our play church idea - starting his coming Sunday.