Somewhat reluctantly we left our warm fireside to walk up Church Road through pouring rain to St Peter's for the special Advent Service. As we opened the door we were enveloped in the dark and mysterious candle-lit warmth of the church. How aware we became of the essentially mediaeval architecture of the building. To sit in the candle light and have time and space to contemplate and meditate is a rarity in modern worship.
The service took the form of a special Evening Prayer, which was a simple but effective setting ably performed by the choir and led by John Wilman as singing cantor. We even managed to worship using all five senses since as part of the liturgy the altar was censed. As the thurible was swung through the air, the scent of incense gradually permeated the church. So our prayer rose with the smoke of the incense.
This service was an excellent start to Advent and a reminder that preparation of soul and self in this penitential season is a far cry from the bustle and busyness of the world.
Averil Murray