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A delicious church experience

Today Ben and I walked to St Augustines, a church of around 25 poeple near Anglia Square. The scene that met us as we walked through the door was a bit of a surprise - it was very open, with chairs arranged around the edge of the room in a circle. The first person to greet us was the pastor (or is he a vicar, being CofE?), Nicholas Vessey, who seems a very nice chap. A few other people said hello too.

The service began with a few notices, then one of the members of the church explained why she had made a gift of a 'singing bowl' to the church - this is something she discovered at Lidesfarne, and is struck to make a ringing tone to mark the beginning or end of sacred time or silence. So Nicholas began the service by stricking the bowl for a time of 'silence with children'! It was nice to have the children acknowledged and included in that way.

A few readings and songs ensued, followed by a short sermon about giving our how we want to clothe ourselves in Christ but often our earthly bodies and the things we need to do can get in the way. This struggle, whatever we struggle with in our earthly lives, is something we can give to God and through that be closer to him. Nicholas asked afterwards if anyone had any comments or questions at the end (no one did - he did say it's difficult to get people to participate in the Church of England!)

Some liturgy was used for communion, but not in a rigid way. I'm reliably informed port was used, it was a shock to take a mouthful of alcohol rather than sickly sweet grape juice!!

I felt very whole this morning. It's nice to not have to smile and make unecessary conversation with people we hardly know and who look uncomfortable when they run out of things to say. I like feeling complete - contended to be somewhere. Definately want to go back.

Johnson's baby lotion is better than church

10 things since last blogging

1. I finished Jamaica Inn, I can't believe [that guy] was the real baddie! Maybe the ending redeemed the book, but it was still sluggish in the middle.

2. Jodi Picoult is the most gripping author I've read in ages. The Pact is great, not the best writing but I couldn't put it down and annoyed Ben by reading it non-stop one weekend.

3. Wedding planning is harder than I thought. The current favourite idea is having a ceremony on the beach and having everyone bring a picnic for the 'reception' - how cool would that be! (Ok, so not so cool for the guests expecting a fully blown party, but if they want to pay for it...). All our hymn considerations were vetoed by mother-in-law-to-be on Sunday so we might have to rethink!

4. On Sunday we had a barbeque (mother-in-laws are mainly great, she gave us a cool little barbeque and brought all the food!) Ben enjoyed being the man of the house and left all the cooking to his big brother!

5. Orange broadband (formerly Wanadoo) have a great offer on at the moment to get free broadband when you have a mobile contract with them. We intend to take full advantage of that.

6. On Saturday Ben and I purchased one pink Tesco Value flying disc for 49p (not suitable for under 3s due to severe choking hazard - I'd like to meet an under 3 who can fit a frisbee in their mouth!!). We went on an adventure with flying disc and bottle of squash to Waterloo Park, which was pleasantly deserted in places. And thus we did enjoy the sunshine, but not the ensuing sunburn.

7. Humid, muggy weather is the most disagreeable thing in the world. But yay for thunder rumbling in the distance...

8. The 'friendliest church in Norwich', as I've heard it described, is lovely, but much too suffocatingly n-i-c-e. I agree with Ben that it's a once-in-a-seven-month-experience. And therefore Johnson' baby lotion is much nicer than church and I don't want to go back to any church ever again. Other than to improve my social life I don't see the point at all.

9. Ben started his new job with gusto two weeks ago, and is working late this week. I get to be lady of the house for a couple of hours, and it's nice to be able to make dinner before he comes home. I want to be a housewife!

10. I'm currently job hunting, I'm feeling totally undervalued at work and most definately under-paid. I have a second interview for a not so exciting job next week. In a perfect world I'd finish my proofreading course and set up my own amazing home business, then I'd get to be a housewife too, but it's ticking along far too slowly. Another reason why Ben working late ocassionally is good - I have some time to do (anything other than) proofreading!

PS YESSSS!!! It's finally raining properly!