As you know I am retired. Although I have been in demand for taking services in the eleven years since I retired I am gradually taking a back seat or rather a seat in the pews rather than the stalls.
Today I went to St Mary's Church at Claxby, high on the Lincolnshire Wolds. It's a church where I have celebrated the Eucharist many times but today I was in the congregation while Revd Elaine took the service. It's quite an odd feeling: it was good to sit and enjoy the worship without worrying if everyone is OK but I was well aware that Revd Elaine would be dashing off to another church to lead worship and normally I could have relieved her of one service.
But she was helped by Kathy a Reader in training. In the Church of England we call our lay preachers Readers. Kathy is getting towards the end of her Reader training and today she preached the sermon. A long time ago she asked me to be one of her special supporters so I pray for her, and, from time to time I check on her. Today I was helping her by listening carefully to her sermon so I can give her some feedback.
In eight weeks Kathy will be admitted to the Order of Readers. As a sign of her office she will wear a blue scarf over her cassock and surplice. She'll be great!
That is an interesting peek into the world of readers, which sounds like a much needed program. It allowed you to take a seat in the pews instead of helping out by leading a service. Fun note, in our church we don't have pews, we have folding chairs.
ReplyDeleteHello. I was last in Claxby in 2015, I wrote about it on my blog. Is the Old Rectory next to the church still derelict? Such a lovely building, a shame that it was abandoned. It needed someone to restore it.
ReplyDeleteI don't think it has been restored yet. Claxby is a lovely village.
DeleteThank you. I might visit again.
DeleteI can just imagine how different it was to sit and listen, but how wonderful that you are Kathy's mentor and so willing to give her guidance.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.