“Have a nice weekend! Doing anything special?” people often say to me. They forget what I do on a Sunday.
This weekend has been another busy one but a good one. We landed in Halifax on Saturday. We needed to check out the Minster as Lis is singing there next month. We then landed at a Michelin star pub, the Shibden Mill Inn, very near to where Anne Lister lived if you know her story. There was a superb vegan menu, the best vegan food I’ve eaten out. I really recommend it for a treat. It’s not cheap.
We then came back via Shelf and the Bradford ring road past Woodhouse Grove school to Harrogate and home. I often need time out before I can write my sermon on a Saturday and after a busy and often trying week it was good to have some time out.
Sunday morning took me to our LEP at Grewelthorpe. I love it that the majority of the congregation sit on the comfy chairs at the back which Kirkby chapel gave us! We plan to take the rest of the really uncomfortable pews out as part of a refurbishment. 11 of us shared a service on rejoicing in hope and communion at the end. I ended with the mighty Rejoice the Lord is king and was delighted David our organist played the triumphant bit at the end. I remembered dear Clifford Foster at Rye who always played it. Not many organists do.
Then on Sunday afternoon I led a baptism service in one of our most rural chapel which was full for it and a tea followed in a village hall. I love being at the heart of rural communities. It’s so important we are seen and involved as clergy people.
My evening service was cancelled as it was Fathers Day and I had no congregation! I spent some time sorting some issues and then we went to our beloved curry house in Bedale for tea and banter. The boys ask me lots of questions. This week’s belter was “Ian, have you ever done drugs?” And - “how drunk have you ever got?” I did share fellow Hartley students the Manchester City centre port story… :)
I love weekends here. They are full of fun and engagement. I wonder what this week will bring?
