WORSHIP
Our Sunday morning service was from 10a-12noon and marvelous every minute. Both the community team and the medical team received an incredibly warm welcome from the greeters and Canon Philip, their Vicar. The musicians were talented and engaging and we sang for almost half the service. A wonderful mix of traditional hymns and upbeat praise music.

Lay Canon Edward explained that worship recently in the parish is moving more toward a Pentecostal feeing, as the younger people feel more comfortable with that. The parish wants to be welcoming of all ages. I resonated with the same concerns on our U.S. parishes that are trying to balance worship preferences of many ages.

I was invited to preach today, and had fun with the longer time length, 20 minutes. To preach with a congregation and to be invited to celebrate part of the eucharist with Canon Philip was an incredible honor. The congregation was very responsive.

TREE PLANTING
As a remembrance of our visit, the parish Warden invited us to help plant three trees in the parish garden. The trees are helpful to the environment and also are shade for parish outdoor events.

TEA AT THE VICARAGE
All the teams were invited to tea and treats at the vicarage, as guests of Canon Philip and his wife.
On a personal note, I will treasure the invitation and privilege of serving at St. Christopher’s today. I am deeply reminded of our shared humanity, each person created in the image of God. Part of the homily focused on remembering to whom we belong – to God. And, since it was Trinity Sunday, and with amazing music, we talked a bit about possibly imagining the unity of God being somewhat like harmony in music.