The Turning of a Corner

We came through the doors a little late, but the church folk looked kindly at us, eyes sparkling above their masks. 

"I'm so sorry," I murmured as the lady handed us a hymnal and pew sheet. Prayers and confessions were being read, and I realized we had missed the processional, a true highlight. "I must have gotten the time wrong.." But the lady smiled and said, "No worries! Come along in." 

We did, and soon forgot any mixup of times. Today was clearly the turning of a corner, beginning with a thanksgiving from the heart of Father Nick, who expressed it like this:

"This is my first thought for the week in a pew sheet for what seems a very long time. The world, St Ives and our church have changed considerably over the last 18 months through COVID. Some people we used to sit beside are now resting in the eternal arms of God. We have all aged and been changed in some way by the experience of lockdown.

"As we look to the future, it is good to remember that God was, and is and is to come. He is timeless, ageless and working out His eternal plan in our lives and I his creation. A plan to prosper us and not to harm us. We can trust in Him today, tomorrow, and forevermore. 

Amen.

They were finally able to sing today during the services - and did they ever! You could hear the joy of it in their voices, being allowed to express their love of God in the old familiar way. Having been bereft of it for a year and a half, they would never take it for granted again.

We Americans felt privileged to participate, not from a distance but up close, understanding because we had been through it too; the initial fear, the isolation, the loss of fellowship, the loss of loved ones, and the waiting patiently for God through it all. And He's never left.

Thank you, St Ia Parish Church. We saw and experienced the love of Christ through you, today, as you gathered, and confessed, and praised. "The wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. James 3:13

Such things can't be locked down.

See you along the Way!

the SconeLady

a doggie in St Ia Church