I went food shopping the other day. I must admit that this isn't something that I do very often (Chris is our shopper!) but I was out for my exercise and thought I would pop into Booths and get a couple of things. Did I say pop in?... There was an orderly queue, safely distanced going all down the side of the carpark. I was there anyway, so I joined the queue. I was there for quite a while but quite enjoyed the experience as I had a good chat with the people around who were in earshot. The weather being dry, bright and sunny helped but I suspect that it might also have helped that I was wearing my clerical collar. I am in the habit of wearing my collar most days (under normal circumstances) but only wear it at the moment if I am taking a funeral that day. I do find that most of the time it encourages people to talk, or at least to say hello.
I miss the freedom of being out and about around town. It had become my habit, at least once a week, to eat breakfast in one of the cafes as it's a great opportunity to meet new people. I'm missing the routine of the church services and of course visiting people. In the meantime, I'm talking much more on the telephone, getting to grips with online worship and hopefully losing a bit of weight. Things could be a lot worse!
On the plus side, my emails are under control, my study is nice and tidy and the new website for St Alkelda's that I've been working on is coming along nicely. The path I've been building in the garden is nearly done (although I'm seeing stones in my sleep) and I'm now thinking about raising a small bedding area to grow herbs.
I'm also really thankful for the technology we have and we regularly catch up with our family on video calls. Things have come a long way...I remember way back in the 90s and selling the very first video phones (I used to work at the BT shop in Bradford). They were very expensive and the picture quality was poor and grainy. Nowadays, it is like being in the next room. And not only that but if we have Wifi, it doesn't cost us anything.
I have been really impressed with my congregations and how they are embracing technology. When we Zoom our church services and people's faces pop up on the screen, it really warms my heart. It may seem a little chaotic just before we begin our worship...that is fellowship. It is where we wave, smile and greet each other. Then we worship God. A cartoon is doing the rounds at the moment on Facebook - Satan is saying to God "With COVID-19, I closed your churches" and God's reply is "On the contrary, I just opened one in every home!". If you haven't tried worshipping online yet, do give it a go - if you're worried about being recorded or seen and heard , just stay on mute (we encourage people to be on mute during the worship time anyway) and don't activate the camera. That we you can still see and hear and engage with what's going on. How good is that?
I miss the freedom of being out and about around town. It had become my habit, at least once a week, to eat breakfast in one of the cafes as it's a great opportunity to meet new people. I'm missing the routine of the church services and of course visiting people. In the meantime, I'm talking much more on the telephone, getting to grips with online worship and hopefully losing a bit of weight. Things could be a lot worse!
On the plus side, my emails are under control, my study is nice and tidy and the new website for St Alkelda's that I've been working on is coming along nicely. The path I've been building in the garden is nearly done (although I'm seeing stones in my sleep) and I'm now thinking about raising a small bedding area to grow herbs.
I'm also really thankful for the technology we have and we regularly catch up with our family on video calls. Things have come a long way...I remember way back in the 90s and selling the very first video phones (I used to work at the BT shop in Bradford). They were very expensive and the picture quality was poor and grainy. Nowadays, it is like being in the next room. And not only that but if we have Wifi, it doesn't cost us anything.
I will bless the Lord at all times;
his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul makes its boast in the Lord;
let the humble hear and be glad.
O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.
Psalm 34:1-3
his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul makes its boast in the Lord;
let the humble hear and be glad.
O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.
Psalm 34:1-3
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