‘My bags are almost packed…’

 

 

When I was a child we used to go on our annual holidays by car. More often than not a caravan stay was involved and Dad would pack the back of the car with duvets and pillows, spread out for me to have a snooze on. These exciting annual trips meant two weeks in Cornwall, Dorset or the Isle of Wight.

 

The boot of the car was packed with cases and bags, rather like a giant game of Jenga. As soon as we were on the road my Dad would call out ‘Oggy Oggy Oggy’ and our response was, of course, “Oy Oy Oy!’ It was a tradition that meant that the Ewington family holiday had truly begun.

 

Those car trips meant that the Shirley Bassey or Peters and Lee cassette would go go into the player and we would sing along to ‘Welcome Home’ (always guaranteed to make me cry now), ‘Hey Big Spender’ and ‘Goldfinger’, with accompanying impressions of Dame Shirley.

 

There was no SatNav to follow then and my Mum was a dreadful navigator. The Map would be spread before her, often upside down as she tried her hardest to get us to where we were headed.  One fateful evening we drove through London (no M25 then) and we viewed Tower Bridge four times…Eventually we found our way out of the capital and headed to the west country.

 

Th history of London always fascinated me and I didn’t mind at all but I could see that Dad was becoming mildly frustrated. I could hear the irony in his voice as he said, ‘Oh look, Tower Bridge… again.’

 

Dad also loved history and if there was a Cathedral, Castle or church in the vicinity of our holiday destination we visited it.

Dad and I would imagine the kinds of people that lived and worked in these ancient buildings and what their lives would have been like. Dad was a builder and was in awe of our the craftsmanship of those ancient architects and builders. He would want to spend time looking at how a building was constructed and marvel at the ingenuity of the builders.

 

Dad and I always use to talk about travelling to the Holy Land together but sadly we never got there. Dad was an avid follower of the television programme Time Team and loved to watch the finds being dug up and the reconstructions of the sites. He used to tell me that it was because he was ancient that he loved it so much!

 

Chris and I are headed away for a holiday next weekend and we are doing nothing as worthy as visiting the ancient buildings of Wiltshire. This holiday is being dedicated to rest and revival. We are having a few days in Center Parcs and Longleat and spending some time in their spa. We are due to be at the spa at 10am on Monday morning and by 10.35 dear reader I intend to be in that pool.

 

We have a week back at home before we head off again (due to my dodgy planning and forgetting that I had already booked a caravan in Devon) with the dogs.

We are going to stay on the edge of Dartmoor and intend to take lots of long walks with the dogs.

They both have their booster jabs tomorrow followed by their ‘pawdicures’ (nails clipped) in readiness for their holiday. Both are being bathed tomorrow which is always a mammoth task where Marnie is concerned. It takes two of us to heave her into the tub and out again. Chris and I end up wetter than the dogs…

 

Whilst I am away any ministerial enquiries will be dealt with by the Rural Dean, The Revd Marc Baker.

 

Bishop Hugh presided at Holy Communion in Devoran this morning. He used the ‘sermon slot’ to speak into the situation with the benefice. After he spoke he took questions from the congregation and spent time after the service answering questions and speaking to people. Many folk took the opportunity to speak to him and to share their views.

 

Bishop Hugh read the Banns of Marriage for Orlando and Alice before worship and the couple, along with parents were there. They were asked to stand up and give the congregation a wave! Please do keep them in your prayers as they prepare for their weeding on August 14th In Devoran.

 

After the service we shared food, tea and coffee together which gave me the opportunity to say a huge ‘thank you’ to all of our volunteers who helped to make Holy Week and Easter so meaningful.

Our offering of services and events could not happen without the time, dedication and loving service of our volunteers.

 

On Wednesday of this week the burial takes place of there late Mrs Geraldine Allen in Devoran churchyard. The service will be conducted by pastor Adrian from the Methodist Hub.

 

St Piran’s church held their APCM last Sunday. An APCM is like the annual general meeting of a church and it is where new members of the PCC are elected, officers are elected as well as Church Wardens.

Mrs Heather McCombie was elected to be the Churchwarden at Perranarworthal due to Mr David Simmonds stepping down. We thanked David for all of his hard work and time. He has been a gentle, kind and generous Churchwarden and I would like to personally thank him for all of his support.

Heather has been a Churchwarden previously and has six years of previous experience. I am sure that she will be a blessing to the church and to the Church Warden team. She has a calling from God to this role again which she conveyed to me clearly before standing for election. I pray that God sustains and upholds her as she steps into this important role.

 

As this week progresses so does my ministry and the packing of our holiday bags. I pray that our time away brings some rest and revival for Chris as he has not been in the best of health recently. We are looking forward to spending some time together and relaxing. The dogs have already decided which of their toys they are taking away with them and have chosen a box of snacks to pack.

I look forward to being with you all again upon my return and whatever the week holds for you I pray that it is blessed.

 

Revd Karen.