General Chat

I trundled along to chapel this morning, expecting usual congregation (about 20, mainly elderly). And a cup of coffee and a chat after service to catch up with all the Ponytypandy news I have missed during week whilst I have been working in Swansea area.

First sign all was different was the road was lined with cars. And loads of people I had never met were chatting together round the entrance.

It was a baptism or christening. Minister had all his finery on and chapel was almost full with over 80 in congregation.

Really lovely surprise to see so many babies and young people in attendance. Both parents had attended Sunday School 25 years ago, and wanted little Ryan to have the same privilege. He was good as gold and a lovely baby. Minister walked round with baby Ryan like John Terry parades round with a trophy - full of pride.

Lovely and appropriate Mothering Sunday service and all happy faces at end. :-D :-D :-D

Thanks Ann, even so, you are really fortunate to have such a precious memento from your family. Something to treasure and hand on. :-D

Sorry Cynthia, my fault, he didn't write it someone else did and it was attributed to him.

But I am fortunate to have it for other reasons, three of my Grandparents have written or signed in it and a couple of Great Aunts, plus a few of my parent's friends who I knew and also two of Dad's shipmates from HMS Durban. And my Mum too. (calling herself 'wifey' Just cannot imagine her ever using that expression :-D)

Goodness me Ann, you're a very fortunate person to have that autograph book. Bishop Walsham How was a famous man and a great hymn writer too! Quite a lot about him on Google. I'd hold on to that book if I were you :-)

I think this is the right thread to add this.

I was recently given, by my sister, my father's old autograph book. One of the entries added in 1931 is -.

"You will never lead souls heavenward unless climbing yourself.
You need not be very far up, but you must be climbing."

Bishop Walsham How.

My grandma (b1888) used to be in service (from age of 8 till her 20's) around turn of last century.

She told me that it was often the only day that many girls and boys got to see their mothers and families. Christmas and Easter were busy times in family they were serving and family needed them. And no annual holidays as part of their contract - which was often 17 hours a day Mon-Sat and many hours on Sunday - just a few hours off for church and a bit of leisure.

So Mothering Sunday - chance to take mum a little present, meet siblings, tuck into a massive dinner as a family and spend a few hours of fun and chat catching up - was a really major day for all those in service. :-)

That me me laugh....well done Scozz :-D


Sylvia - I think you are right on all counts. I've added to Hayley's thread.

Mind you, I know more about the history of Mothering Sunday than I do about making Simnel cakes.......I don't like cooking ;-)


Over the last 4 or 5 years, our Vicar has asked me to do the presentation on Mothering Sunday. It's really hard work trying to find a different perspective on the same thing time after time but I think I've cracked it for next Sunday....I hope so anyway :-(

So glad I don't get asked to do it at Christmas and Easter........ ;-)

We went to a Trivia Evening last night.

Some of the questions were bible related.

Guess who was the only one in our group who knew the correct answers?



Me. The Pagan :-D

OK .................


does anyone know the answer to this question ...........

Hayley posted a thread on Mothering Sunday, basically about not wanting to receive bought presents from children.

Allan and I then got talking about Simnel Sunday, another name for Mothering Sunday, and Simnel Cake


http://www.genesreunited.co.uk/boards/board/general_chat/thread/1320691?page=1



I remember reading somewhere that the making and eating of Simnel Cake was particularly common in Lancashire


Is that true????? Any idea why?????



**
Simnel Cake .................. a rich fruit cake with a layer of marzipan or almond paste on the top, and sometimes also a layer in the middle of the cake. There are usually 11 round "blobs" of marzipan or almond paste spaced evenly around the top ............. they represent the 11 Apostles, minus Judas


I read somewhere that Mothering Sunday was originally called that because it was a day to visit the "Mother Church" of the parishes, also a day when servants were allowed to go home. It was also a day when there was some relaxation of the strict rules regarding what could and could not be eaten during Lent.

Simnel Cake fits into that "richer" food .............. and the fact that some servants would be allowed to make a cake to take home to their mothers.



sylvia

Such a frail old man he looked yesterday - much too frail to bear the weight of responsibility of papal office. I too hope that his retirement is peaceful.


There seemed to be such an outpouring of love and respect for him over the last few days and I was interested to see so many under 50's in the vast crowds.


Now we wait and see what happens and whom the cardinals choose. Mind you, some of those cardinals looked even frailer than Benedict, but I noticed quite a few young(er) men in those hallowed ranks.


Interesting times ahead and the church is by no means dead in the water.... :-D



Last night at our Compline service, we had a modern meditation from the perspective of Mary - sister of Martha - after the raising of Lazarus.

It does make me realise that, sometimes, we are just too busy talking and not taking enough time to stop and listen to what God has to say to us.


Have a good day..... :-D

Thanks for that post, Joy :-D

And amen to your thoughts, Sylvia :-D What a mammoth job for the next Pope.

I am sure I read yesterday that he will be reponsible for 1.2 bn Catholic communicants throughout the world. And I do think that very many outside the Catholic Church will look to him for wisdom and guidance.

Indeed ................


Best wishes to Benedict, Emeritus Pope, in his retirement.


Let's hope he can have a long, happy retirement.



and that the Cardinals choose his successor wisely.

Best wishes to Benedict, "emeritus pope" in his retirement.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21624149
Pope Benedict XVI has officially resigned, saying that he now "will simply be a pilgrim" starting his last journey on earth.

The pontiff, aged 85, was earlier flown by helicopter from the Vatican to his retreat at Castel Gandolfo, near Rome.

The college of cardinals, headed by Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, is now in charge of the world's 1.2 billion Roman Catholics until a new pope is elected.

Benedict vowed "unconditional obedience and reverence" to his successor.

Last Sunday afternoon, the old Wesleyan preacher in my chapel said something very interesting. He mentioned the year 1738 - and must have been later in that year after both John and Chales Wesley had their conversion experiences. Charles on 21st May (Whitsunday in an Anglican church service in City of Westminster - source needed) and John four days later in a midweek "German" Bible study in Aldersgate St, City of London led by Moravians.

Rev Charles Wesley was sitting in a tavern in the City of London with his very good friend and the finest 18th century preacher Rev George Whitfield. Crowds of people went past the window of the tavern and they were all going to hear Whitfield preach at a little publicised meeting round corner.

Charles could see that his friend George was becoming more and more nervous and agitated. "George. You are a natural preacher. The greatest in England. Why are you so worried about these crowds?. God will speak through you. Do not worry, my dear friend?"

"My dear Charles, I am concerned because the crowd wil be so large. Because if more than 5 people assemble to hear me, it will be disbanded by the police and there may be violence.

Apparently, 5,000 heard him, no police were called and it all went off swimmingly.

Wend :-D :-D

I have a lot of fun. I remember the last time very well. I went to a Labour Party jamboree and Mr Gaitskill came and had a word with me. How we laughed :-D ;-)

Wend.....I think you'll find John DOES have a good time - just not in the same way as you :-)


Dermot....it's a really unfortunate state of affairs for all Catholics in so many ways. I feel for all my Catholic friends as they must be feeling so rudderless and afloat in a vast ocean.

A good leader is essential for any organisation. Let's hope and pray that, when the vote is taken, the Cardinals choose the right man for the position. :-)

So, we'll have no say as to who might be the next Pope!

We Catholics in the UK are leaderless because it is not easy being God in human disguise. Man-made rules often determine the success or failure of a religion.

We are all swimming in the same swamp & the devil is loose again.

Fgs - have a bit of fun too John. We all feel ble@@y miserable sometimes, but hopefully we are strong and overcome it :-| :-(

:-)

What a thoughtful post, Sylvia/Cynthia :-D

I had a little thought today following on from the "I'll show you how to have a good time" remark. What is my favourite drink and what do I like eating most.

And, of course, it is communion bread and wine. Before I was a Christian I liked smoked salmon and Newcastle Brown. And a ciggy. :-D :-D Still like smoked salmon, but have not drunk Newcy Brown or smoked since 1984, just over a year after my conversion experience. And would hate them now.

When I was last in India 3 years ago, one of the waiters found out I was a Christian and invited me to his church. You cannot really say "is it Catholic of Protestant?" So we travelled out of Kovalam about 5 miles on a phwt-phwt ( a motorised cycle sort of thing) and it was a magnificent Catholic Church. No seats so we sat cross-legged on the floor. About 800 in congregfation and I was the only white face. Went up and took the wafer and the wine (yes, I know I shouldn't but it felt right).

My only problem was I was facing a life-size statue of Jesus on the Cross, pain of his face and blood streaming down. It seemed such a horrible and negative image. In my church the Cross is always empty, and we celebrate that - as Jesus defeated the enemy of death - so can we one day rise from death with him. :-) :-)

lolol - Sorry Cynthia - profuse apologies.
I blame the fact that I feel dreadful and have a temperature