Every year we hold a church service on a Sunday near All Souls Day, for remembrance of loved ones and to comfort the bereaved. Invitations are sent out and it's well supported. People can light candles, and most do. I didn't, myself - it isn't part of my 'thing' - that is, I don't object and I sometimes have, but more because it would sometimes make me stand out not to and that would be unfriendly. It's all part of the 'having been to a Roman Catholic school' thing I suppose; to me, lighting a candle for prayer or in remembrance is a Catholic thing and not mine. I don't mind, it just doesn't mean anything. Today, I skulked at the back and so not lighting up wasn't noticed.
Last winter I never got the church heating quite right (we don't rely on candles). I had actually been given slightly misleading advice, which has now been clarified. So I turned it up full pelt for today and people were almost too warm. I've moderated it slightly now - should keep something in reserve for really cold weather. I also had to alter the time clock for the change to BST. I've no idea how. but I managed to make it think it was Saturday. It took quite some time to persuade it to change again. This is, of course, a Good Thing, because now I understand a bit more about how the system works. Yes, I am a relentless optimist. There is always a silver lining. Well no, actually there isn't - but one can still choose how to react to most situations.
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9 comments:
You had more success with that than I had with my internet nonsense then? Well done.
Well, it was only programming a time clock. It wasn't that smart...
Actually, I suppose one can say "Darn" in church. I self-censored needlessly there.
Is there no end to your talents? Attractive, intelligent, vivacious, and now a central heating guru. Marvellous.
Candles are not my thing either, but I try to remember that they can be helpful for others. Whenever I've organised services for All Souls, I've been surprised by how many people have used the candles/nightlights I made available.
Remember, Simon, I take all comments at face value and don't look for the hidden piss-taking, so in that vein, thank you darling.
Many of the people who come to that service aren't normally churchgoers and I think that in itself makes it meaningful to them. The lighting of candles is quite strongly significant to some - I've seen people in tears afterwards.
I'm not a 'candle person' either but I wouldn't say that's because I went to an RC school.
Toussaint is rather lovely in France because everyone fills the cemeteries with flowers - usually chrysanthemums. People travel long distances to tend family tombs and, unfortunately florists cash in on the custom and raise their prices.
Zero piss-taking intended. Fact-stating, yes.
Sandy, the nuns were very scrupulous in not trying to convert us and explaining the differences between RC and C of E - it seems to have made an impression on me! And yes, the All Souls tradition is one that I'd associate with the Continent, but that has been gaining ground here in the past decade or so.
Simon, *blows kiss*
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