Palm Sunday

after the service, candles out...

We had a double start to Palm Sunday:  first in the hall, for those who wanted to walk around the neighbourhood; then in the church, for those who preferred a less strenuous start.  We came back together to sing hosanna,and turned our thoughts to the cross.

Palm Sunday asks us to engage very publicly with the contradictions of our faith.  At first we are eager to follow Christ and give him everything.  But then, we get a glimpse of what that really means, and run the other way:  yielding to the pressure of the crowd, giving in to our fear, betraying love, friendship and all our best dreams and visions.

So today, as we moved from ‘Hosanna’ to ‘Crucify’ we thought about how we all have a hand in the cross — how we are complicit in the cycles of violence that led to Jesus’ death.  We traced round our hands, and the children cut out hand prints.  We placed them at the altar, and committed ourselves again to walk with Jesus through death and into life.

preparing the way: paper for palms

Pancake Day

Pancake Day means celbration time at the rectory.  At first we wondered if anyone would come.  Mountains of lemons, vats of batter, and just the chef and rector… Then after a while, the doorbell rang.  One person.  Four.  Then everyone all at once, till we could hardly keep up with the pancakes.

No chance for photos then, so these come from afterwards:  pancakes done and most people gone.  Just a few of us lingering, talking, napping, reading.  It was a good night.  Thanks to everyone who took part — most especially our best dressed and most encouraging chef.

O Root of Jesse

O root of Jesse, you stand as an ensign for the peoples:
kings shall fall silent before you and the nations shall seek you.
Come and deliver us; Delay no more.

O Adonai

O Adonai, Ruler of the house of Israel,
you appeared to Moses in a flame of fire,
and gave him the law on Sinai:
come and deliver us with an outstretched arm.

O Sapientia

O Wisdom, proceeding from the mouth of the Most High,
filling all the world and ordering all things
with your strength and gentleness:
Come and teach us the way of truth.

All Saint’s Lunch

Thanks to everyone who helped make the All Saint’s lunch such a success.

… and for humouring the rector by joining in the Pumpkin Carving.

 

School Harvest

This year, Primary 2 & 3 helped to prepare the school’s Harvest Service by writing poems and drawing pictures.   It was the squirrel’s harvest, mainly, and we spared a thought for the birds too.

Cherries

tree tops filled with berries
but the squirrel wants cherries
but wait! here he comes
give him cherries
yum, yum!

Little Squirrel

Little squirrel, little squirrel
sitting in a tree.
He sees a nut.  What do I see?
Twirly squirrel, grabs it
munch munch munch.
It tastes so lovely,
he eats it all up.