After months of non-use of our church buildings, it has been heartening to feel a frisson of movement back to some activity and for me, some of the highlights have not been Sunday worship, of which more later, but the weddings which have returned to the church calendars. As a churchwarden and musician, it has been good to see these return, but equally enriching to see how things have evolved. Having ‘done’ four weddings in as many weeks, these have ranged from churches packed out with guests to the simplest of ceremonies on a shoestring budget and with family only, the church decorated by the bride’s mum from the garden.Lockdown has truly showed us that small can be beautiful and less can be more.

On one Saturday I played to a congregation of 180 which sang louder and more lustily than any I’ve ever experienced – ‘Let all the world in every corner sing’ and ‘Guide me O thou great Redeemer.’ The volume was later explained by the groom’s Dad. Not everyone knew the hymns but had been sent YouTube links (a la Lockdown) and instructed to learn them and sing them! It charged my spiritual batteries to play to such vocal support and after loads of waiting for this wedding, the church was simply electric in atmosphere with a clearly loving couple delighted to be tying the knot. The choir was equally delighted to be back in the stalls.

Just days later, I was with the family of the next wedding, getting Harlestone church ready. The groom came and helped prepare the church for the 14 guests. No hymns at this ceremony, but carefully selected tracks played over the loudspeaker. Ed Sheeran’s ‘Tenerife Sea’ really did work as the bride came in. Then Psalm 23, sung by Jude Wilton, our popular village soloist, to Howard Goodall’s theme tune to Vicar of Dibley. With ‘Somewhere that’s Green’ – a love song from a famous musical to follow the blessing - and Panis Angelicus at the Registers, all accompanied on the piano, this was really a contrast to the Saturday before. And then there wasn’t a dry eye in the house when the newly married couple left the church to Mike Scott’s ‘How long will I love you?’, made famous more recently by Ellie Goulding’s hit. Check the words out, and I defy you not to be moved by the words which work for lovers as well as Christians in their relationship with God.

How long will I love you?
As long as stars are above you, and longer if I can

How long will I need you?
As long as the seasons need to follow their plan

How long will I be with you?
As long as the sea is bound to wash upon the sand

How long will I want you?
As long as you want me to and longer by far

How long will I hold you?
As long as your father told you: as long as you can

How long will I give to you?
As long as I live through you, however long you say

How long will I love you?
As long as stars are above you and longer if I may

How long will I love you?
As long as stars are above you

Both ceremonies were diametrically opposed in content. Both were equally charged with love, emotion, meainingand positive energy. Both showed how lockdown has changed our horizons – my horizons – on what we can offer wedding couples and show that our churches can, and are, moving with the times. Both weddings also brought about legacies with both families asking how they could contribute to the life of the church – not by necessarily by plonking money in the plate – but exciting talk of how they could assist with churchyard maintenance, gardening, cleaning, assisting with teas, organising fundraisers etc. I hope this enthuses you as reader, as much as it has me. It will take time to adapt to a post-covid era, but the future could be bright.

At the same time, the team of ladies has staunchly continued with the Sunday Afternoon Teas, which have been boosting the church funds, not without considerable effort and energy of Bobbie Austin and her teams. These will continue until the end of September and the ladies need a boost. Could you support by providing a cake or a helping hand?

Also at the same time, we are looking at our service schedule. The Rector has rightly insisted that we need a schedule that is sustainable for one priest, and we are committed to at least one service per month led by a priest. But she has also said that if individuals from the laity (non-priests) are prepared to be taught on leading simple acts of worship, then these will be permitted, and we intend to have such a said service in our church on every Sunday moving forward into the Autumn.

Whilst this activity is going on, there is much to challenge us and ensure that we keep our eyes on other horizons. The unfolding disaster in Afghanistan gives us much to be angry about, to challenge the way we view the world, and to ask ourselves how we might (yes, even we in Harlestone) contribute to any efforts to welcome refugees as better-late-than-never plans to offer refuge are made. We need to watch this space.

There is also activity at General Synod level with much talk of the role of the parish in the Church of England. Google GS2222 to keep up to date and don’t under-estimate the controversy of this as it revises what mission is and might be. It has been seen as potentially undermining to the concept of parishes at the expansion of more strategic hierarchy in the church. My fear is it will be lost in the maelstrom of other news.

The Archbishop of York has been quoted and misquoted recently, and it’s certainly worth an internet safari on his words and thoughts. In his Presidential address to Synod, he said

‘As we emerge from Covid, I believe we will find a simpler, humbler and bolder way of being church. Harder decisions lay ahead. But I am spurred on by the call of the Gospel and hugely encouraged by some of the research that is emerging showing the impact of the ministry of the Church of England during the pandemic. A recent report (‘Covid 19 and Communities’) affirms the key importance of church buildings and the Christian ministry which flows from them as sources, not just for solace and sanctuary, not just worship, but a whole host of other community uses.’

In the light of my description of the weddings, previous reports of what we’ve been doing in church, and the Archbishop’s comments, perhaps you can see why I have some hope for our parishes and churches, and for St Andrew’s as, like Noah and family, blinking in the sunlight as they emerged from the floods, we take a look at ourselves and the role of church and our church buildings, and how to sustain them. The immediate challenge at St Andrew’s is the integrity of the East window, which has gaps which show in light where we shouldn’t see light, and certainly will let in the rain. Our architect is providing a plan for us. The problem with our bells has been examined by Taylors of Loughborough, and the PCC has applied to the Archdeacon for permission to repair these after the wedding season and before the Platinum Jubilee in 2022 from funds in the bank.

As I conclude what I trust is a positive and hope-inducing report from this parish, I share with you part of the aftermath of the most recent wedding at St Andrew’s. The whole family turned up the next afternoon to help clear and clean the church and to make it ready for afternoon teas again. The wedding flowers were recycled into table centres and altar flowers. The Henry vacuum cleaner was pulled around the porch and entrance as the 4 year olds ensured all the confetti was sucked up, piece by piece. The secondhand books, jigsaws and cards display was restored in a hive of activity which was loud and fun. But then the real fun started for the four village kids ranging between 4 and 11. ‘Can we find all the 6 CCTV cameras?’, ‘Can we climb these stairs (into the pulpit?)’, ‘Let’s have a look in the safe.’, ‘What’s beneath the sanctuary floor trapdoor?’ (followed by a hesitant wide-eyed phone-torchlit expedition under the church.) A couple had by this time wandered into church – churchwardens from an urban parish in Notts, attracted by the commotion of kids, dogs, hoovers and clattering. Their curiosity meant that they, too, ended up down the crypt (amidst plotting as to whether we would close the trap door behind them.) I found the church has so many hiding places for kids’ hide and seek. We found juice to refresh the children after the dashing about. But the crowning moment was when, with Dad in front and churchwarden coming up the rear, we led the wide-eyed children up to the minstrel gallery into the first floor bell rope room, and let them see (and hear) the mighty bells in the tower. Spiders, cobwebs, dust, bats, spanners and ropes made it a special treat for the kids. But it was a treat for me too. During this wedding, I had sent pics to Liz, our PCC Secretary and she had commented how beautiful our church is. Seeing it through the eyes of the children reminded me of an extra special beauty and how we should be proud of this ancient building and be more childlike in our own appreciation of it. The children have told their Dad that they would like to come back to church to meet me, and I have had to tell them that I don’t actually live there – not least because I don’t like cobwebs.

But all this keeps me thinking how we can ensure that our church treasures are shared, seen and used to their full glory. Of course, in Sunday worship and in sustenance of the faithful, but equally important, by those who have yet to discover what it is we’re all aboutas a building and as a body of people. That’s our challenge.

Footnote – no children were harmed during the activities described above! The state of our clothing may be a different matter.

Sam Dobbs

Churchwarden