In the graveyard there is an ancient prayer cross.
It dates from the 13 th Century and was a focus of prayer and the sharing of news long long before the church was built.
Yesterday the amiable and rotund Vicar with his sexy young curate in tow held a meeting around the cross to discuss the future options for St Michael’s.
I thought they looked a little like Batman and Robin in their black.
I was worried that few people would turn up, but was pleasantly surprised that in addition to the smattering of regular worshippers many of the non practicing residents of the village arrived.
A good thirty to forty people were stood or seated in between the gravestones and the cross.
I looked around from where I sat on the grass, my bare feet itching on the clover, Affable Despot Jason with Liv, Mrs Trellis with her surgical mask firmly in place, Pippa from the Rectory, many of the members of the Community Association and the Women’s Institute were there, Sailor John too as well as a smattering of younger people I didn’t know.
The numbers were encouraging
Some of the Villagers
Islwyn , the village elder, who had single hand idly transformed the new cemetery from disrepair to bowling green chic stood under the shade of the sycamore and made a strong speech about community spirit, as did Tim from Plas y Dre Ucha. Who I would like to introduce Chic Eleanor to. And there were many questions asked as the vicar gave us the four options the Church has.
It was a sobering listen.
1) The Church could stay as a Parish Church but that would mean a new Church Committee would have to be formed with the responsibility of raising their allotted share of money for the Diocese yearly. The upkeep of the Church coupled with these costs were guessed to be around 12 thousand pounds a year
2) The Church could be adopted by Friends of Friendless Churches who would keep the building but would show it as a sort of museum
3) The Church could possibly become a Pilgrim Church supported financially and physically by the village. In this guise it could still be used as a place of worship ( approx 6 services a year not including funerals ) but it could also be used for other purposes, such a meeting place, food bank, community venue or whatever to be used by the general community.
4) The Church could be sold off, although access and use of the graveyard would be carried on
Village Leader Helen , led the meeting and people were asked if they would like to volunteer their help to whatever choice they thought fitting.
I looked at my laburnum, standing tall , just off the path behind us.
And hoped that things will work out for the best.
