General Chat

Beautiful frontage to the cathedral and so good that the council have not allowed buildings to spoil the view.

We may pop over this week to see the exhibition.

I don't get there very often Guinevere but I love it up by the cathedral and always find it very peaceful. It's one of the oldest places of its kind in the UK

Beaitiful cathedral - we had a day in Lichfield before Christmas.
Fabulous lunch at Chandlers as well.

If anybody is interested there is a fantastic exhibition by the (superb in my opinion) artist Ghislaine Howard at Lichfield cathedral of the stations of the cross

Palm Sunday it is indeed John.

People were handed a palm cross with their service book this morning and, at the beginning of the service, we held them aloft whilst a prayer of blessing was said.


No sermon but a reading of the passion narrative from St. John's gospel. It was done in dramatised form with several people taking part. At the same time, there was a powerpoint presentation to one side, quietly showing the various points from the narrative.


We have a quiet service each evening of Holy Week, culminating in main services on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and, of course, Easter Day itself.

It's all go.........................but I absolutely love this time of year......

Palm Sunday and start of Holy Week, folks.

This was the day when Jesus was most popular on earth. When he began his descent down into Jerusalem (lit: city of peace) amidst crowds of wellwishers strewing palm fronds in front of him riding on an ass - the basest and most stubborn of creatures.

And how would be be greeted by his own religious colleagues in the city of peace? Story continues till Friday this week. Any contributions to Holy Week will be very welcome indeed.

For us Christians it goes on a bit further beyond Good Friday. For the first time ever, death is not the "last great enemy" of mankind. But don't want to spoil story too much ;-)

In parts of Wales, this Sunday is tradtionally called Flowering Sunday (Sul y Blodau) when graves are tidied and strewn with flowers to mark the end of winter. Suspect that tradition may be postponed to Easter Sunday or following week in many areas due to a metre of snow in some parts :-(

I certainly hope so John..........I certainly hope so. :-)

Both ceremonies sound fantastic. Cynthia. Missed them both unfortuntately. They look two such ordinary men to me - both quite humble.

Perhaps in the plan of things that is what is needed. Two nice down-to-earth men who can heal divisions in their churches, get to grips with the bad things that have happened and move the catholic (small c) church of Christ forward to be more relevant in 21st century than it was in last quarter of 20th. :-) :-)

Well, that was an interesting week!

A new Pope and a new Archbishop of Canterbury both officially installed.

I'm all 'ceremonied' out.... :-D


Being retired has it's good points - as we were able to watch both ceremonies right through.

Both were spectacular in their own ways - lots of colour and movement, music and dancing, readings and prayer.

It was good to see representatives from all around the world at both ceremonies - clergy and layfolk, young and old.

I found it especially poignant to see the Rabbi's from the Jewish faith there, especially as we approach Holy Week.

The youngsters who were involved in both services were wonderful - especially the young Christian Sri Lankan girl who, in beautiful sari, 'challenged' the Archbishop as he entered Canterbury cathedral.

Both of these men give the indication that they are 'new broom's and I find that quite exciting for the future of the faith.

Both of these men need all the prayers we can offer ........... :-)

I never cease to be amazed at how many hymns were written by people who were suffering the most dire illness or despair at the time.


So much pain and anguish leading to so much hope. :-)

Good for your Vicar, Cynthia. I pray he can carry on for many years depite his ill health.

I often think of poor Robert Murray M'Cheyne, the hymnwriter. He died very young (30-ish, I think) and was very ill latterly. But insisted on carrying out his duties to the end.

His demeanour was very impressive. There is a story of a man being converted as M'Cheyne struggled down the aisle towards the pulpit. :-)

I have just read something M'Cheyne wrote shortly before he died in 1843:

"As I was walking in the fields, the thought came with almost overwhelming power, that every one of my flock must soon be in heaven or hell! Oh, how I wished that I had a tongue like thunder, that I might make all hear; or a frame like iron, that I might visit every one, and say, Escape for thy life! Ah, sinners! you little know how I fear that you will lay the blame of your damnation at my door."

I can imagine that the grant is more than welcome John - it all helps. Seems as though you had a good day all round and I love the Minister's sense of humour with the hymn number..... :-D


Our Vicar is having his cataracts sorted this week - he needs to take care of his sight as he is diabetic. He also has chronic kidney disease, so it's wonderful how he manages to cope with such a busy parish. Lots of good team work helps though. :-D

I think it is about £300 p w to keep our chapel going. But we have just received a £17k grant from the Coalfields Regeneration Fund to improve our heating and that brought a big smile today.

Also, our local preacher Brian, who died in December aged 77 gave us a grant to buy books. And his widow and all his family were in chapel today. It was a wonderful service by our Minister - mainly contrasting lives of two Bible characters before they became Christians. The pious and wealthy Saul of Tarsus and the rather flighty Mary of Magdela. And how Jesus made them both pious and holy. He also prayed for Justin Welby, Pope Francis and the Irish on St Patricks Day.

The last hymn was 303 and seemed to be an extra one. As we came to it, Minister said "that is not a hymn number. Just the score from yesterday - to remind us of a wonderful day. :-) :-) :-)

We had our Spring Fayre today and, as usual, I went along to support.

Lots of stalls, lots of people and, I've discovered, lots of money raised.....£2,073 to date. Pretty good going in these cash-strapped days so I'm really pleased for all those who worked so hard.

Mind you, it costs over £1,000 per week to keep the church running...... :-(

Well, I think I need to research further into Pope Francis

The more I hear of him in the 'media' the more I like him.

Again....we'll see

Gins I think that is right. He does seem to be someone who can communicate. He has that common touch and I thought "charisma" - whatever that is. But some leaders have got it and some haven't.

I think the Polish Pope was like that. And hopefully Pope Francis the First will be the same. :-D

In that Chinese takeaway in Llansamlet tonight, an arch Protestant (me) and three Chinese men were united in wishing him well :-D

Pope Francis....seems to be much more 'a person' than the last Pope

We'll see.............................

Isn't it flamin' well typical!!

A manic day........arrive home from the launch of an autism service in our area and, within minutes, a visitor arrived.....our friendly RC priest friend.


We chatted for so long about many things....especially the papal situation....that I ended up going to the chip shop because I was going out again at 7. :-S


Then, of course, the 'white smoke' appeared and I was torn between going out and waiting to see who the new Pope was......I hopped about from one foot to the other but, in the end, decided I must not delay any longer......so I missed the first glimpse.


Ah well, he looks and sounds reasonable enough but I think it's a huge job for a man of his age........he will need all the prayers we can offer.......

The thing is ....................

Jorge Bergoglio came second to Joseph Ratzinger when the latter became Pope Benedict.


so it shouldn't have been that much of a surprise ..................... against him was his age.


But he has always been a Pastoral priest ............... and that apparently was what the Cardinals wanted.

:-D :-D

Looks like Cynthia was wrong - I did not do my homework.

Apart from his advanced years, Pope Francis sounds like a very good choice. Thanks Sylvia for filling us in on his background

I stopped off in Llansamlet (Swansea) tonight in a Chinese take away. Just me and three staff watching the news unfurl. All 3 were excited. "His name is Georgio and it is a surprise" said one :-D Surreal moment.

Until he said his name was Georgio, I was 99% certain they had chosen Cardinal Angelo Scola, Archbishop of Milan. According to my "i" newspaper this morning, he had already secured 55 votes of 77 required.