Things ancient and modern

This morning I spent some time in St John's Otterburn with Howard Smith, bell advisor for the dioceses of Newcastle and Durham who came to mend the bell rope, which I embarrassingly broke on the third ring at my licensing service. The rope apparently had been rubbing against some stone work and finally, with an obvious sense of occasion, it gave up! 

I found out how to ring the bell properly (it is a chiming or drop hammer) and also that it was cast by Henry Watson of High Bridge Street Newcastle in 1856. 

It's working properly now and I hope I can be trusted with it again. 

All done - bell rope repaired

To Elsdon this afternoon for PCC meeting. By coincidence the new new lights in St Cuthbert's were completed during the meeting. There will be prayers and an act of dedication during Mattins on Sunday 22nd March

The wrought iron lighting chandeliers were designed by churchwarden Keith Maddison in the form of St Cuthbert's Cross.  They were made by blacksmith Peter Robinson of Siddington Smithy of Cheshire and erected by Burncliffe Electricals of Hexham. The lights can be switched on and dimmed by remote control. An imaginative and beautiful fusion of 'ancient and modern'.

I will add a picture of one of the chandelier crosses as soon as possible.
This picture was taken  as the scaffolding was moved to the final position.

A start ....

It's been a while since I wrote anything on my blog. Things have been very busy and exciting lately. Settling into and warming up the vicarage has taken up much of our time. Eventually the day of the licensing arrived and we had a wonderful service with many members of the Team Parish Churches in attendance, a number of local clergy and with quite a few from my previous churches in Ellon and Cruden Bay. Bishop Frank gave a sermon focussing on the grace of God, something we all need! Unfortunately, but hopefully not prophetically, I managed to break the bell rope after the third pull! Thanks to everyone who contributed to the delicious reception in the memorial hall afterwards. Getting into a routine now and it's good to be back at 'work'. First Sunday today, with two services; Holy Communion at Horsley and Mattins at Elsdon. At both I was made very welcome. Today's sermon is here if you want to read it. Or click on the link 'Sermon Archive' at the top of the page. 

The photograph is a snap of a moment at the back of church.