Cornwall Day 3 - Stained Glass and a Cross

Built between 1410 and 1434

A three mile walk, down and down toward the town and past the vast beaches of Cornwall, brought the SconeLady to church. As she approached the enormous tower, it suddenly began to clang with bells. People hurried inside where it would be warmer and protected from the brisk winds of autumn. For today, it was impossible to ignore: the chills had begun to settle in.

Stepping inside was like a coming home, so familiar was this place. The friendly greeter smiled and handed me the small hymn book, the printed readings of the morning and the liturgy. "It is nice to see you again!" said he. I found a spot to sit, one that would give me a good view of all that would take place this morning. For you do not want to miss any of it behind huge pillars. A huge pillar can prevent you from seeing any number of things that are interesting in church. There is the organist, playing with great gusto and talent up there on that enormous organ, there is the Processional behind the Cross (splendid!), the enormous red Bible from which the vicar reads the Gospel lesson - which is always brought forth with much gravity and incense - there is the sermon the vicar delivers from on high atop the tall pulpit, the Holy Communion with its opportunity and call to Repentance, and there are the Readings delivered by the laymen and women. All of it comes together in a marvelous hour of devotion I wouldn't miss.

And - I finally did it, Readers dear. I plucked up my courage and joined the congregants for a cup of 'tea or coffee, and cake' at the back of the church. I had not participated before probably due to a certain shyness, although I knew they would be enormously kind and chatty if I did. And they were, enormously kind and chatty. Everybody had a story about visiting the States. One elder gentleman told about how he owns a property in Florida, and spends 5 months there every year. And how the doctors there had taken such great care of his eyes during one visit. Then another gentleman said he had been in California when he had a massive heart attack and stroke, all at the same time! And how the emergency services took such good care of him, and how he was in surgery within one hour of the occurrence. And how since he had purchased insurance ahead of time, the $1.7 million dollars was all covered. Goodness! He was thoroughly jolly and still so happy to be alive that his entire aspect was one great smile. It was the sweetest thing.

I stayed back there chatting for ages. No one wanted to leave. The people, the chatter, the tea, and the cake were all so very satisfactory that I determined to join them every week. And strangely, I participated in not one, but two conversations about Rosamunde Pilcher! It just does not get any better, my friends, than that.

The only sad part of the whole thing was walking back out there and into the chill winds for that 3 mile walk back up the hill. Wow.

See you along the way!

the SconeLady

You can see the tall pulpit to the left