Serving

This Easter has been a busy one, but at least the sun shone for the walk of witness through Mountain Ash. We had communion at the service afterwards and just before I had a poke in my back. ‘Marion says will you serve Communion as Chris isn’t here!’ I leapt out of my skin, but it was too late as Paul was already serving.

Afterwards, the muddle was sorted, but we had a big discussion about Easter Sunday,and how the new regime would like to change things. No longer very diluted blackcurrant cordial and odd bits of bread, but wine, grape juice and maybe some real unleavened bread. But things would stay as they were for present, after all none of the old deacons have actually left yet, nor have the new ones been inducted or even prayed in.

So, I was trying not to be nervous during the service, but it did make it difficult to concentrate, especially during the sermon as I was working the church in my head to see what way round I should go. Paul was great and called me to the front, after praying gave me the bread bowl and I took it round, trying to be reverent and slow. Many people made eye contact and said thank you, only a couple said Amen. Same again with the metal carrier of the little cups. Each time then took it from me and gave to me before taking himself. It was beautiful and simple and many of the old ladies said I did it well, I hope they weren’t just being kind!

It was only afterwards, I realised, what a privilege, honour and joy it had been to serve. That made up for being distracted from the so important Easter service.