“Dear Friends,
Thank you for your support and offers of assistance at the public meeting held in St Michael’s Churchyard re the future of the church. The overwhelming feeling of the meeting from the forms filled in was that the community would support St Michael’s becoming a pilgrim church and would actively support it in its new role. That support means a great deal to us, so thank you.
Just a note to update you. On Thursday 29th, The Bryn a Mor Mission Area Conference voted to allow St Michael’s Church to become a Pilgrim Church. This decision has been forwarded to the Bishop and Diocese for them to discuss and to come to a decision. August tends to be a holiday month, so we probably not hear any more until the Autumn. But I will update you of any news.
Thank you once again.
Regards
David
Vicar”
The vicar phoned me yesterday.
He sounded as avuncular as ever and he showed no upset of my referral to him and his sexy young curate of being like Batman & Robin in my last ecclesiastical blog entry.
He informed me of the first official meeting which may lead to the Church being saved from closure and followed the call up with an email ( see above)
It looks like we are in the hands of the Bishop and so me thinks it’s time to make some community noise and start a publicity campaign.
I shall have a word with Village Leaders Ian and Helen about our move.
The Village Community Association is holding an alternative show on Saturday and are calling for entries in their “ What did you do in Lockdown? Exhibition”
I’m on nights , but I will make a few Gyoza Dumplings as my entry
It’s much more positive that a photo of myself , chugging McDonalds, and weeping in front of the tv.
I feel an appropriate entry for you would be a photo of you trussed up in your ppe equipment at work! Preferably from the end of a long shift! My hat is certainly off to you! x
ReplyDeleteI hope whatever happens to the church it remains a focal point of the village. The dumplings with a background photo of your "new" bedroom or art wall, perhaps. Although I do like Marksgran's idea of a photo of you in full PPE. After all, that's how you spent most of lockdown. xx
ReplyDeleteYes the PPE idea is a good idea
DeleteI feel you on the chugging McDonalds in front of the TV thing. Amazing how much of the shite you can eat. I went for feeling miserable and alone though rather than weeping though. Maybe I'll try the weeping next time, bit of a change ;-)
ReplyDeleteIt was a tough time Steph, and I’m not treating the memory lightly.it was one of the darker times I’ve ever had
DeleteSorry John. No offence intended.
DeleteNon taken xxx
DeleteHugs xxx
DeleteThought of you today when I did a sneaky double vacuum after emptying the cylinder bit. So satisfying (in case you were wondering the first pass seemed to have got most of it and I wasn't shamed by the amount of dust left on the carpet). A simple pleasure.
Village churches seem like monuments to a different age when people did not have Netflix. Sadly, saving them is usually all about delaying the inevitable endgame. Even so, good luck to Trelawnyd's church supporters.
ReplyDeleteFingers crossed
DeleteI s'pose I could Google it, but what is a pilgrim church?
ReplyDeleteIt’s a church which is supported by the community and kept open by them . It’s not officially one that has a regular service but can hold 6 a year not including funerals
DeleteAh i see, good its still being kept open.
DeleteYou have done a lot, gardening, painting, cooking, and of course work under challenging circumstances. You could hold a once a year fundraiser on the blog to support the church, how do you top going zip lining?
ReplyDeleteYes I think I will
DeleteHA HA HA HA - great one John. I can see all of us chugging McDonalds, and weeping in front of the tv.
ReplyDeleteI did enough of both
Deletei really hope they can keep it open. i think it is so important to find some use for it.
ReplyDeleteIt can be used for other community uses as well as a church
DeleteI think my message disappeared so I'll try again. I'm a day behind but wanted to comment on the date. So disappointing---reading along I was hoping he turned out to have rippling muscles, handsome features and a worthy date. However, I wanted to say well done, you didn't hang on trying to make a purse out of a sows ear, you realised it was not going to work. I was hugely disappointed too reading along. I hope there is a handsome, kind, interesting lumberjack out there in Wales for you.
ReplyDeleteHe was quite good looking , but rather self obsessed.
DeleteHow marvelous that St. Michael's will become a pilgrim church and remain useful to the village residents.
ReplyDeleteLove the PPE idea for your contribution to the coffee morning but also the dumplings and your lovely painted bedroom. Enjoy choosing!
Some sewing accomplished, wheels still turning!
Hugs!
Yes the PPE is a goer
DeleteIt's great news about the church.
ReplyDeleteYour dumplings will be star of the lockdown exhibition...but don't underestimate how many you will need. I bet there are others who tried new recipes...a special 'food' category would be popular!
Well, this sounds like good news about the church. I'm sure the Bishop will be supportive of the community -- at least I should think so. Love the lockdown exhibit idea, although I'm not sure what I would contribute to such an event. The photos I've been taking in the garden, I suppose?
ReplyDeleteIt’s sounds a bit of a cathartic experience
DeleteYou could perhaps make yourself a man John to wear your PPE gear-just stuffing bits and bobs to fashion into a scarecrow type thingy but much more handsomely manly x
ReplyDeleteJohn I am sure you are such a great asset to your village - they are lucky to have you.
ReplyDeleteI am glad the church building will still be used for the community. xx
ReplyDeleteI think it is a very good idea to allow your readers to send a donation through your blog if you are willing. Personally I have greatly enjoyed all your beautiful pictures of. It’s lovely interior, the glorious stained glass widows,,it’s grounds including the cemetery. So many comments you have made regarding the church,various parishioners and quite a number of happenings there have become an integral part of you and your story for me. I really appreciate the opportunity to play a small part in saving this important placefor the community. Mary in Colorado
ReplyDeleteIf I organise some sort of fund raising, I will be sure and involve everyone xxx
DeleteVicars and tarts.
ReplyDeleteAll vicar no tarts…..
DeleteMy cousin is a vicar. He drives a black Polaris Slingshot. His nickname is Reverend Batman.
ReplyDeleteThe full PPE is a good idea since you spent so much time in it.
Ooohhhh
DeleteGreat news about the church! The lockdown presentations should be fun for everyone. Putting a positive spin on things is generally beneficial. I bet some presentations will be quite humorous.
ReplyDeleteWe have many more hurdles to face, the next stage could mean veto
DeleteHope it will be possible to save your church. The lockdown idea is brilliant and should be fun. It was a dark time for so many people and humour is a good way to try to somehow put it into perspective and move forward.
ReplyDeleteWhats a pilgrim church?
ReplyDeleteSee my reply to Andrew above
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