Recently, Celia and I had a few days’ holiday in Edinburgh. We tramped up and down the Royal Mile, saw the castle, visited the Museum of Scotland and I climbed Arthur’s Seat. The highlight, though, was probably the Royal Yacht Britannia, moored in the Edinburgh docks after a lifetime’s service to the late Queen and the royal family. It was a fascinating mix of country house leisure and strict protocol, scarcely updated since the 1950s when it was built. There were at least four different bars on board, to prevent different ranks from relaxing together, which might threaten discipline. Spirits were only available to the officers.

In the Army and Royal Air Force, chaplains (or padres) are given an honorary lower officer’s rank. One thing I like about the Navy, though, is that the padre automatically assumes the rank of the person he or she is talking to. To a humble rating, you’re another humble rating. To a vice-admiral, you’re another vice-admiral.

To me, this chimes in with the Christmas story we celebrate every year. God left the splendour of heaven to take on human flesh, to live and suffer and die alongside us, in whatever condition we find ourselves in. He took on the rank of the people he was with. “I didn’t come to be served, but to serve,” said Jesus, “and to give my life as a ransom for many.” This was the example he left us, and that he expected us to follow.

This is the last Village Voice, and the last of my monthly reflections. We’re so grateful to Rosemary Swift for editing it, and to Dorothy Wiles before her, and of course to the many distributors. You can continue to find news of Barmston Church on our website, www.achurchnearyou.com. You can also search for and like ‘Barmston All Saints Church’ on Facebook.

Services in Barmston Church will continue to follow the same pattern:

First Sunday of the month – Holy Communion at 9.30 am
Second Sunday of the month – Family Service at 4.00 pm
Third Sunday of the month – Holy Communion at 9.30 am
Fourth Sunday of the month – No service
Fifth Sunday of the month (if there is one) – Holy Communion at 9.30 am.

We’d love to see you there, and you can be sure of a warm welcome.