Just Another Bank Holiday at St. Finnian’s

We spent much of the morning on Bank Holiday Monday tidying up the garden, as we had been away on a week’s annual leave. The grass needed to be cut, the weeds seem to have grown in abundance, and all the debris from the wind needed to be swept up.

As we pottered about doing these things, I was struck by all the unexciting and routine things that happen in the church, week by week. I spoke with a church warden recently about all the hidden things that happen before every service. Someone has to come early to open the doors, turn on the sound system, put up the hymn boards, unlock the gates and set out the Bible readings.

Someone has to prepare the PowerPoints, practice the music, tend the grounds, cut the grass and coordinate all those organisations and activities we hear announced at the beginning of the service. Someone looks after the technology and broadcasts the service to those who are ill in hospitals or nursing homes or in their homes. Someone arranges the flowers to make the place beautiful and welcoming, and other people provide that warm welcome that make people feel valued and cared for.

On Bank Holiday Monday, I borrowed the church lawnmower to cut the grass. After I had done the front, a former Glebe warden came around looking for it to cut the Garden of Remembrance. He took it away, while we turned our attention to the weeds and tidying up. Later, when I returned it, I saw the current Glebe wardens putting the final touches to creating much needed storage shelves in the church hall. What a fabulous job they have done.

Meanwhile, another team of people have been beavering away organising a community fun day to welcome the neighbourhood in to our church on Saturday 6th September.

Another team this week will distribute invitations to this event, others will visit church members who are not so well and pray for them. I met another volunteer who was setting up a room in the church hall for a funeral tea.

It’s quite remarkable to think of all these people doing these incredible things week in, week out. They are not looking for recognition or praise, but they  want to help and serve others. They want to let others know and experience something of the love of God they have experienced for themselves.

There are some great events coming up in the coming weeks.

This week, the Diocesan Bishop’s Bible Week is running in Holywood Parish Church from Tuesday to Friday each evening at 7.45 pm. A gifted Bible teacher, called Colin Smith, who currently serves in Chicago in the United States, is teaching about the ‘The Art of Contentment.’

On Friday afternoon, those of secondary school age are gathering at the Ice Bowl at 4.30 pm.

On Saturday morning, there is a work party to tidy the grounds from 9am-11am.

This Thursday afternoon, anyone who is free is welcome to help distribute invitations to the community fun day at 2.30 pm. We’re going to meet in the Prayer Room in the parish hall.

On Wednesday afternoon, the funeral service of Mrs Myrtle Dodsworth takes place in church at 12 noon.

If you have friends who are curious about faith and have questions and would like to explore them in a safe welcoming space, why not invite them to our Alpha course which begins on Wednesday 10th September in the coffee bar?

Look forward to speaking again soon and, to all our magnificent volunteers who serve us in such a variety of ways, dealing with correspondence, financial matters, praying and giving of themselves and their resources, thank you.

Much love,

Jono.