Sunday, July 19, 2015

Somerset in golden sunshine...

...and a very crowded Mass: a local family had gathered in force with friendsandrelationsfor a baptism. It was alas clear that many of those involved were completely unfamiliar with attending church and didn't know what to do. They sat and talked loudly and the priest had to appeal for silence before Mass, and then explain about what was going to happen. The drama - that really is the right word - of the anointings and baptism did hold their attention, and there were two little girls in my pew who knew the Lord's Prayer and said it very nicely (their mother latest said they sometimes attend the URC church: a lovely family). But the general mood among most of the visitors was one of  slightly chatty bafflement, not so much about what was going on but about being there at all. A sense of unfamiliarity with it all, as though  candles and stained glass and reverence and Host and Chalice were somehow unconnected with their lives and of no special importance...

There's a great mission field in Britain...


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