This is where I'll be most Sundays in the year - probably not in August when I take holiday - but for the rest of the year Saint Nicholas' is my "home". Today, for the spring equinox, the sun was shining and I got some good pictures between the early service and the main act of worship at 11.00 am.
In the bad weather our numbers were at their lowest but now that the days are a bit warmer, brighter and frost free we're creeping back up to around sixty gathering week by week. I'm looking forward to Easter Sunday when we'll have an outdoor service at 8.30 am followed by a cooked breakfast - the works - bacon, egg, sausage, tomato, fried bread.... If you're in the area do feel free to join us and then stay on for the main service at 10.30 am. That's a half hour earlier than usual so that folk can get away in good time for family celebrations and egg rolling.
The morning I was in Saint Nicholas' and the afternoon in Saint Anne's, the cathedral in Belfast. This was for the Mothers' Union Festival service and to see the crowds attending was very encouraging. This congregation represented the churches in Connor Diocese and each branch had their banner which were processed in at the beginning of the service.
I had to take a picture of the Saint Nicholas' one, of course. And I managed to find one of our members so snapped a few photographs of her as well.
There aren't any shots from the THIRD church I was in. That's the neighbouring parish of Saint Thomas' and hosts a Bach Cantata every third Sunday.
The organist of Saint Nicholas' is the conductor of the Consort and the evenings are always full of wonderful music - tonight was better than ever and although I was exhausted when the worship started by the end I was refreshed and ready to come home to write a blog!
It's been a good Sunday, if a busy one. Now an early night because the incoming week is going to be unbelievably busy! Already I'm looking forward to my hour of quiet in Saint Nicholas' tomorrow over lunch time when I look after the Open Church.
Tonight we'll end with the lovely prayer of Saint Chrysostom which we had at Morning Prayer.
Almighty God, who hast given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplications unto thee; and dost promise that when two or three are gathered together in thy Name thou wilt grant their requests: Fulfil now, O Lord, the desires and petitions of thy servants as may be most expedient for them; granting us in this world knowledge of thy truth, and in the world to come life everlasting. Amen.
Book of Common Prayer
Morning/Evening Prayer
3 comments:
At the risk of this being a ridiculous question, where do you have your outdoor service?
Beside the parish halls in Cadogan Park - just behind the Fire Station. There is a semi-covered area like cloisters and we look out onto a grassed playing field. Do feel free to join us - just make sure you introduce yourself if you do!!! The halls are numbered 3-5 Cadogan Park.
Elizabeth, thanks for that info. We are often at the North coast for Easter, but if we are about we will certainly call over.
Also, even if you don't want to DO the challenge, maybe you would like to come for one of the meals, just to meet the rest of us? You'd be very welcome :-) There's something for you to think about!
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