CHAPLAIN’S LETTER
The other Saturday a group of us from Holy Trinity attended a study day about ‘“Back to Church Sunday” at Christ Church Amsterdam led by Michael Harvey. Michael is a very entertaining speaker and we really enjoyed our day. One of the questions he asked us all during the course of the day really struck home and it is this: - when I am in church do I regard myself as a guest or as a host?
If you think about it there is a very big difference in attitude underlying this question. Basically, if you think of yourself as a guest than it follows that the people around you are there to look after you. Whereas if you think of yourself as a host, you are there to look after other people. So the next time you are in church, do you think of yourself as a guest or as a host?
Thinking about being a host, makes us much more aware of how we treat the people sitting next to us. If you are a host you won’t sit at the end of the pew so that anyone joining you has to climb over you. As a host you might decide to sit further in. As a host you won’t be irritated when people come in late, and glare at them. You will simply assume that the bus was late and give them a welcoming smile. As a host you will try not to mind if the small child next to you screams its head off, because that’s what babies are paid to do anyway! You will just look at the embarrassed parent with a sympathetic and encouraging smile and remember that you too where once that size! As a host you will notice when the person standing next to you can’t find the right page in the Prayer Book or doesn’t know which Hymn we are singing, and you will gently offer them your book instead. As a host you will of course turn to your neighbour at the end of the service, smile, introduce yourself and ask them whether they were going to stay for coffee. And as a host you could ask them if they would like to come over to coffee with you. As a host you will be delighted to get to know your new friend and particularly to get to know their name so that you can introduce them to someone else in the congregation at coffee.
Every church needs both guests and hosts but the important thing is that all of us should be in the business of changing from being a guest to being a host the longer we are part of the church community. So next time you are in church try and see yourself more as a host than as a guest. You will definitely become a blessing for others but in the process may well receive blessings yourself.
Fr John
4th JULY: ELIZABETH OF PORTUGAL (1271 – 1336)
fought disease and helped prostitutes
Elizabeth of Portugal could be the patron saint of all well-to-do-women who have compassionate hearts. As wife of Denis, the King of Portugal, Elizabeth became a byword for her acts of piety and charity to the poor. She founded convents, hospitals, and shelters for prostitutes. After Denis died she became a Franciscan tertiary at a Poor Clare convent.
As many of you will know, we have in our congregation a well published and much respected Dutch poet – Oeke Kruythof. Oeke has been a frequent participant at the Music and Flower Festival in the past and her contributions have always been well received. She has now had some of her work translated into English and she has submitted a number of her poems for the newsletter. This first is:
Angel
how would you describe an angel –
is it a he or a she
out of this world or
floating somewhere
just above the earth
surrounded by a blinding light?
whatever others may say
I now know for sure
the angel
is right here on earth
the friend
who doubles happiness
and halves the pain
the friend for all time
and everywhere
without a fault
so special
Oeke Kruythof
translation/transcreation: Jenny Narraway
WHAT’S THE BIG IDEA? - AN INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOKS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT: ROMANS
‘This Epistle is really the chief part of the New Testament and the very purest Gospel, and is worthy not only that every Christian should know it word for word, by heart, but occupy himself with it every day, as the daily bread of the soul. It can never be read or pondered too much, and the more it is dealt with the more precious it becomes, and the better it tastes.’ (Martin Luther)
Paul probably wrote his letter to the Christians in Rome in AD 57 at Corinth, on his third missionary journey, ready to return with an offering from the churches for poverty-stricken believers in Jerusalem. The original recipients of the letter were predominantly Gentile, although Jews would have constituted a substantial minority of the congregation.
Paul sets out to explain the relationship between Jew and Gentile in God’s overall plan of salvation. The Jewish Christians were being rejected by the larger
Gentile group in the church, because they wanted to observe dietary laws and sacred days. Paul begins by showing that both Jews and Gentiles are sinners in need of salvation. He shows how the life, death and resurrection of Jesus eternally affect world history and the life of every person on the planet.
This salvation, secured by Jesus, must be received by faith, as the example of Abraham shows. As salvation is not just about starting the Christian journey, Paul moves on to show how believers are freed from sin, law and death. This is made possible both through their union with Christ in his death and resurrection and by the indwelling presence and power of the Holy Spirit. None of Paul’s other letters states so profoundly the content of the gospel and its implications for both the present and the future.
The theme of the book centres on the Gospel of Christ: ‘I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."’(Rom. 1:16,17). He wants his readers to understand how they can be in a right standing before God (ie ‘righteous’) and live by faith (cf Habakkuk 2:4).
A LETTER FROM TENDAI IN THE USA
Dear friends,
I hope I find you well. I am fine and doing OK down here in Rochester, NY. I wanted to give you an update on the donations you made during the celebration of my PhD in March. Together we raised over 1200 USD. With this money, we were able to help 10 orphaned children (6 girls and 4 boys) from Globe and phoenix primary school in Kwekwe, Zimbabwe. All children received 1 year tuition fees and full school uniforms i.e. for girls: a dress, socks and shoes and for boys: a shirt, shorts, socks and shoes.
The teachers and the children at Globe and phoenix school would like to thank you all for your kindness.
I too am very grateful for all your help.
Lots of love and stay blessed.
Tendai
CTC CHILDRENS TRINITY CLUB CORNER
Hi there! Here we are in full Summer looking back on a good CTC year with lots of positive developments; new material for the younger children (4-11), and a new group for our older young people – led by Pam and running parallel, as regards themes, with what we do in main church. They have really taken-off and the sessions are drawing a growing number of young people.
In many ways – guiding the young people spiritually in this phase of their lives – is also a form of mentoring and helping them to reach their full potential in God as they explore the themes together.
For the younger groups - recognising God’s love, Commitment, sharing and learning, and serving - remain key elements in their spiritual growth and as ‘disciples’ – becoming as God made them to be.
When one door closes – another opens – and so it is that whenever there is a gap, a leader leaves, that a new one comes along. Prayers have certainly been answered and Gonnie Eijkelenboom is going to be joining CTC and working with the children. Gonnie was already an experienced teacher and has also worked with children in church. Welcome Gonnie!
Danielle informs us that the function of Child Protection Officer has been taken over, from herself, by Madeleine de Boer. It was decided that this task could better be carried out by a responsible person outside of Sunday School.
Please take note that there will be no CTC during July but they will be beginning again at the end of August – when the children are back to school. Till then – a Happy Summer Holiday!
Nicky for CTC
SAY IT WITH FLOWERS
In the previous newsletter you may have read about the Music and Flower Festival theme and the plans for some rather different flower arrangements this year. We hope you enjoyed them!
I have been asked to reveal some of the thinking and planning that went into them. The theme was Creation and the Environment, something not directly ‘churchy’ and not connected with the stained glass windows. We had five flower arrangers standing by, and we all wanted to rise to the challenge, and at the same time make something beautiful, fitting for the Dedication Festival of our church. Our solution was to celebrate different sorts of Renewable Energy – all coming from natural resources that are constantly replenished. The five arrangers each chose their own focus, and the detailed planning began.
This kind of flower arranging is a sort of ‘installation art’ in which colours and shapes are put together to suggest an idea, or evoke a mood, or tell a story. The materials are flowers and leaves, sometimes combined with fabric and ‘stage props’ to provide a backdrop or spell out the meaning. It needs careful planning, but there are always surprises on the day. A particular colour combination, the curve of a stem, flowers that are still in bud instead of full bloom – any of these may lead to a change of plan as the arrangement grows in your hands.
As I write this in early June, I do not know exactly how the flowers will look! However, here is what we thought we would do:
1. In the porch, by way of welcome, sunny-coloured flowers to celebrate Solar Energy.
2. At the back of the church, under the west window, a cheerful arrangement about the cycle of Growth and Compost. This is an arrangement that tells a story, beginning with real (but non-smelly!) garden and kitchen waste and a real weed
(carefully nurtured at home for the purpose) and ending with a colourful flower and vegetable garden growing on the church window ledge.
3. and 4. On each side of the arch in the church, two arrangements to celebrate the Power of Water and Wind. For Water, the flowers are arranged upside down at several different levels, like a rushing waterfall. For Wind, there is a row of Bird of Paradise flowers standing tall like wind turbines, and other plants blown sideways by the wind that seems to come out of trumpet-shaped flowers on one side.
5. In the sanctuary, two arrangements: Bread on the left (in warm, pale colours) and Wine on the right (in shades of red). A real, large loaf and a jug of wine (pouring out red cloth) are added. For any visitor, here is a celebration of the Fruits of the Earth, which ‘earth has given and human hands have made’. For some, the bread and wine may also become a source of renewed spiritual energy – ‘the bread of life and the cup of salvation’.
Pam, for the Green Awareness Group
The Flower arranging Team always welcomes new members (beginners or experienced). Please talk to Pam.
23rd PSALM FOR THE HARD-PRESSED STUDENT
The Lord is my real instructor and I shall not want.
He gives me peace, when chaos is all around me.
He gently reminds me to pray before I speak and to do all things without
murmuring and complaining.
He reminds me that he is my Salvation and not my school.
He restores my sanity every day and guides my decisions that I might honour
him in everything I do.
Even though I face absurd amounts of homework, quizzes, tests, unrealistic
deadlines, shortages of funds, gossiping students, discriminating teachers,
and a sleep-deprived body that doesn't cooperate every morning, I will not
stop - for he is with me!
His presence, his peace, and his power will see me through.
He raises me up, even when they fail to give me good grades.
He claims me as his own, even when the class threatens to flunk me.
His faithfulness and love are better than any A+.
His eternal reward beats every degree there is.
When it's all said and done, I'll be working for him a whole lot longer than
I'll be in school (even when it doesn't feel like it) and for that, I bless
his name!
Author unknown
OUR PILGRIM PLACES: HISTORIC CHRISTIAN SITES IN BRITAIN: IONA
Off the end of the Mull peninsula in the Inner Hebrides in Scotland lies a small island, Iona. It is situated a mile from the mainland and is little more than three miles in length and one mile in width. While it is very likely that Ninian (died c.430) brought Christianity to southwest Scotland around the year 400, we have much better historical records for what happened at Iona.
In 563 a boat arrived at the island bringing a group of monks from Ireland. They had braved the storms of the Atlantic Ocean since leaving the Irish coast and their arrival in Iona began a new chapter in the history of Scottish Christianity. Their arrival would also have important consequences for English Christianity.
The monks were led by Columba. He was born in county Donegal, in the northwest of Ireland, probably sometime in the 520s. By birth he was connected to Irish kings and he was schooled and trained in Celtic Christianity. Patrick had founded the Celtic faith in Ireland in the previous century and Columba was one of a number of outstanding monks and scholars that the Celtic Church produced.
Although the details are uncertain, Columba became involved in controversy about biblical manuscripts with another Celtic scholar, Finnian, who headed a monastery at Clonard. If the traditions can be believed, this controversy led to a local war and soldiers were killed. Columba was judged to be in the wrong and he was forced into exile. With some fellow monks, he left Ireland by boat, bound for Scotland, and landed at Iona.
It was indeed a momentous event. Although there is evidence that Ninian had evangelised parts of southwest Scotland, the inhabitants of the country, the Picts, were pagans when Columba arrived. For the next forty years Columba and his monks travelled and preached and catechised and evangelised much of the south and west of Scotland.
Iona was their headquarters and Columba founded an abbey there. The little island was soon recognised as a centre both of Christian spirituality and Christian learning. In Columba’s lifetime and in the centuries following, Iona, in spite of its isolation, became a place of pilgrimage. Columba and his monks established churches and monasteries, ordained priests and appointed monks according to the Celtic faith and customs they had learned in Ireland.
Continued next month. Dr Herbert McGonigle is Senior Lecturer in Historical Theology and Church History at Nazarene Theological College, Manchester.
PRAYER CHAIN
If you have any requests for the prayer chain, or if you feel called to take part in this ministry, please contact Anne Miechielsen
A THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH
Everything should be as simple as possible, but not simpler. Albert Einstein
Last month, we held our quarterly Healing Service during which, Fr John anointed those who wanted it with oil. At each baptism service, the candidate, be it a baby or an adult is also anointed with oil. You may have wondered what that is all about. The following article from the resources website explains the significance of this symbol.
SIGNS AND SYMBOLS: WHAT ABOUT THE OILS?
Oil has been used from the very earliest times and in the Bible God instructs Moses and his people, to use oil for light, to cook with, as offerings and to pour over people or their clothing as signs of blessing and anointing.
Oil is used in the church today, apart from lighting, for three specific tasks: Healing, Baptism and Confirmation. In recognition of this, a church usually keeps aside a different oil for each task. The oils are prepared and then consecrated or blessed by the Bishop, or someone of an equivalent standing in a different denomination, before being distributed throughout the diocese, or area of supervision. In many churches this will take place at a special service in the (pro) Cathedral often during Holy Week, just before Easter.
The oil is essentially no different from any other olive oil, but it is made special by being set aside specially for God's purposes. Just like the water used at Baptism is set aside and blessed for that task, so the oils are being set apart for their work.
The oil used today is normally good quality Olive Oil. As the oil is carried to the front of the Cathedral in glass containers it is clear that the colours of each are slightly different. This is normally deliberate to distinguish one from another rather than any symbolism being intended. The oil used at Confirmations, Oil of Chrism, normally has a fragrance added to it such as Friar’s Balsam or something similar.
This month:
Pour some olive oil on your hands and rub it in as you just contemplate the action itself and experience how it feels. Think of all the uses for olive oil - cleansing, soothing, softening, massaging and polishing. How does God do that to and for you? How do you, do that to and for other people?
Rev Dr Jo White
VOLCANO ASH
A recent letter that appeared in The Independent newspaper: “ Following the recent interruption to air travel, I find myself out of pocket, due to what I am informed is an ”act of God.” To avoid future financial embarrassment, please could you recommend an atheist insurance company?
25th JULY: ST CHRISTOPHER - PATRON SAINT OF MOTORISTS
The legend goes that Christopher was a Canaanite who lived in the 3rd century. He was a giant of a man, of fearsome appearance. At first he decided to serve the
devil, but when he discovered that the devil was afraid of Christ and his Cross, Christopher decided to serve Christ instead. A nearby hermit instructed Christopher in the Christian faith, and assigned to him a place near a river: Christopher’s job was to help travellers cross it safely.
All went well, and Christopher helped lots of people on their way until one day a child came along, and asked to be carried across. Christopher put him on his back and set off, but was soon staggering under the astonishing weight of this child. The child then told him that he was in fact Jesus Christ, and that he carried the weight of the whole world. The Christ- child then told Christopher to plant his staff in the ground: the next day it bore flowers and dates – confirmation that the child was indeed who he claimed to be.
After some time more of helping travellers cross the river, Christopher went to the city of Lycia, where he preached the gospel with such success that the Roman emperor (Decius?) had him arrested and imprisoned – especially when Christopher refused to sacrifice to the gods. Two women sent into his cell to seduce him came out converted Christians instead. So Christopher was beaten, shot with arrows and finally beheaded.
Christopher has been well loved of the English down the centuries. Many wall-paintings of him have been placed on the north wall of churches, opposite the porch, so that he would be seen by all who entered. There was good reason for this: as patron saint of travellers, it was believed that anyone who saw an image of St Christopher would not die that day. As the ancient saying goes: ‘Behold St Christopher and go thy way in safety’.
As a kind of daily insurance policy against death – this was so good that, in due course, St Christopher became the patron saint of motorists. There is even a church in the Javel area of Paris, where Citroen cars are made, that is dedicated to St Christopher. In modern times, with the increase in air and motorway travel, Christopher has remained popular. When in 1969 the Holy See reduced his feast day, there was a sharp protest in several countries, led in Italy by a number of popular film stars. If you ever travel in a taxi on the Continent, look out for a little St Christopher hanging from the rear view mirror beside the driver. Now you know why it is there!
THE MIRACLE OF THE MUSIC AND FLOWER FESTIVAL
Whenever we hold a barbecue, I become obsessed with weather forecasts! Of all the BBQs we have hosted, I reckon that well over half of them were very damp affairs. So, come the Monday of BBQ week and I am scouring the various websites for long-term predictions for BBQ day! Much the same occupied my time during the week before June 12th, our annual Music and Flower Festival.
On Monday, the chance of precipitation was estimated at about 70% if I remember right. That was a bit nail-biting. On Tuesday it had dropped a little and by Wednesday, the percentage was quite reasonable at about 35. Imagine my
horror on Thursday when it went up from about 40% in the morning to no less than 80% in the afternoon!
It’s odd, but under these circumstances, you want to believe the source that has the best prediction. “Oh, you can never trust the KNMI – the Daily Telegraph website is so much better …” which simply means that the KNMI prediction is worse! And talking about ‘believing’, after a while you can even begin to think that it’s just not fair if it rains on your parade! What nonsense!
We have been very lucky in the past (or was it more than luck – see my article last month) with the weather at our MFFs. In fact, one visitor this year actually remarked that she ought to take her holidays at the same time as the MFF because then she could be certain of good weather!
Well, 2010 kept the tradition alive. By Friday afternoon the prediction for precipitation was a mere 10%, as good as no chance of rain. Sunday seemed a little less promising, but as it turned out, we had glorious weather both days, even if Sunday was a little cooler.
Now, the 65 thousand-dollar question: was it a miracle? Of course not, but it might have been the opportunity for one. I am sure you have read Fr John’s letter at the beginning of this month’s Newsletter. Are we guests at church, or are we hosts? My own take on this is that we come as guests, invited and welcomed by the Lord God Almighty, but we become hosts, since he adopts us as his children and once members of the family, we have to be hosts as well.
Were we hosts this weekend? Did we use the gift of excellent weather to greet and welcome those who might never otherwise enter a church? Did we perhaps provide the Holy Spirit a tiny channel to touch the soul of one of our guests, that he or she might also become a host?
If we did, then it most surely was a miracle.
Harry
'HONKING' ENCOURAGEMENT
Why are some churches vibrant and growing while others seem to be struggling and discouraged? It maybe a difference in attitude. If the people build up and encourage one another, the whole atmosphere is optimistic. But a critical, negative spirit breeds discouragement and failure. Bruce Larson illustrated the power of encouragement in his book Wind and Fire.
Writing about sandhill cranes, he said:- “These large birds, who fly great distances across continents, have three remarkable qualities:-
[1] They rotate leadership. No one bird stays out in front all the time.
[2] They choose leaders who can handle turbulence.
[3] All during the time one bird is leading, the rest are honking their affirmation.”
Larson commented, “That’s not a bad model for the church. Certainly we need leaders who can handle turbulence and who are aware that leadership ought to be shared. But most of all, we need a church where we are all honking encouragement.”
During this past month, I have been unable to turn on my radio or TV without running into something about the World Cup. Even as one totally indifferent to football, I now know that this is the first World Cup to be held on African soil. I have tried to avoid exposure to the frenzy surrounding the competition, but to no avail. So I thought I would inflict it on the Newsletter as well! Enjoy! Ed
WORLD CUP FINAL
The World Cup Final takes place on Sunday 11 July at 7.30pm BST in Johannesburg’s Soccer City. As this is being written, if the FIFA World Rankings are to be believed, Brazil will meet Spain in the final. To realize their dream each team will have to negotiate the group stage, and then win a knock-out last 16, quarter and semi-final.
Brazil is the most successful team in the history of the World Cup. Not only have they participated in every World Cup; they have won the trophy an unprecedented five times. Spain who have vied with Brazil for first place in the world rankings since becoming European champions in 2008, are the perennial underachievers who have never even reached the final.
Up until 2002 when the World Cup went to Asia, it had alternated between Europe and the Americas and generally resulted in a winner from the host hemisphere – Brazil’s win in Sweden in 1958 being the only exception. In addition the host country has won the World Cup 6 times. None of that is very relevant as South Africa is one of the weakest countries in the competition – and none of the other African countries looks capable of being a serious threat.
All in all Brazil look to be the team to beat. They won the dress rehearsal – the 2009 Confederations Cup in South Africa. Last year Lucio, the Brazil captain, shared his hopes for 2010. “For me personally, [an ambition] would be to win the Champions’ League, because in the 2002 final, my team, Leverkusen, was not able to win. But without a doubt, my greatest goal will be the World Cup. Especially as I am the captain of a team which is coming together. Winning the Confederation Cup was a great experience. Winning that title was important, but being able to glorify God and show the world with my life that God cares for me and that I love him, irrespective of what will happen in football was even better. Without a doubt my great dream for 2010 is to win one more title with the Brazilian National Team”. Lucio has already won the Champions’ League so don’t bet against the double.
Already a World Cup winner, Lucio recalls, “2002 was a special moment. It was a time when I could see the hand of God in every day. I believe that God has kept me on the Brazilian National Team and has kept me involved in great competitions. We had the opportunity to thank God for the whole world to see. Without a doubt, this was more important than the title”. In the form of his life and with a deep faith in God, Lucio can approach the FIFA World Cup South Africa™ with confidence.
A WEEKEND IN LONDON
Some time back I agreed to help a friend bring her daughter back from a two year stint in London. She had arranged to borrow a van for the trip but was a bit worried about driving on the other side of the road. Of course, when I agreed to do this, I didn't realise that I would have spent the week prior to departure in the hospital, nor did I know that the daughter's boyfriend would be accompanying us. The boyfriend in question says he is a musician and it appeared that he would be accompanying us, on his ukulele. This instrument of torture had just been given to him and he had no idea how to play the thing, a fact that in no way deterred him from relentlessly trying. Eventually after repeated requests for him to put it down failed to have any result, the threats (most of which were anatomically impossible) started. However after we both started shouting at him at once, the message finally got through to his alleged brain and he quit, going into a sulk for the rest of the trip. When we got to our destination there was a very narrow driveway where I was instructed to park. I pointed out the fact that if we drove down it we would be unable to get out. The other two told me not to be silly and drive in, so I did. Then they discovered what I had meant: we couldn't get the van doors open because they hit the walls on either side. Backing up was lots of fun.
I had been told that the hotel my friend and I would be staying at was 'just round the corner'. These days I can't walk very far and for overnight stays I need my breathing apparatus. The hotel was up to the end of the street, round the corner, down the entire length of the next street and round another corner, then almost all the way to the end of the next street. Needless to say the hotel reception was one floor up, but fortunately our rooms were on the same floor. I declined the offer to go out to dinner with them as I was now too knackered. Well, that's what I said, the truth was, I suspected he would bring that ukulele with him.
Next day was a free day for me as the rest were loading the van and cleaning the flat. There was a Northern line tube station within my range so I decided to go up to town and visit an electronics shop in Tottenham Court Road. Easy really, just flash my Oyster card, board the tube, get off at Warren Street and the shop was what I define as a short walk. However when I got to the station I found it was closed and a notice informed me that currently the Northern line wasn't doing weekends, however there was a replacement bus service. Fair enough, I'd use this to get to Kennington and take the tube from there. So I waited for the bus and to my delight I found it was a free service! Of course getting through London traffic on a Saturday morning is a process that makes walking look fast, but eventually we drifted as far north as Balham. Here the driver revealed the interesting fact that the replacement bus service at no point connected with the tube system! However we could catch an over ground train here to Victoria. OK I could still use my Oyster card, but the platforms were up a steep set of stairs. Happily this leg of my journey went quite fast as we zoomed past all the slow moving traffic. At Victoria I changed to the Victoria line using my trusty Oyster card, but just as the doors were closing the train controller announced that we would not be stopping at
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Warren Street as the station was closed for maintenance. This, I think, was the point where I realised that the world really had it in for me. But there was a fairly simple solution, change to the Central Line at Oxford Street and get off at Tottenham Court Road. It was a bit longer to walk, but I could make it if I took it slowly. I did that and when I was about half way there I found that I could now really use a lavatory. Since public facilities have all but disappeared these days I popped into a pub. It was a fairly old building and the ceilings were at least twelve foot high. It goes without saying that the loos were on the first floor.
But eventually I got to the shop I wanted and began looking for a Freesat decoder box. As it happened there were few customers in the shop and we all kept being bugged by the staff trying to 'help' us. After a while I realised that it was easier to let one of them assist me and so I gave a clear description of the item I was after. It would appear that this particular assistant only worked there on Saturdays and knew roughly the same about electronics as I did about nuclear physics. First he tried to sell me a Freeview decoder, which was not what I wanted, and then spent ages finding the correct item. Of course when he did find it, it was the last one in the shop. He disappeared for an age looking for the box and when he found it the instructions were missing. He offered me a discount and I agreed, figuring out I could find the instructions on the Internet. At the cash desk they asked me for my postcode and I rattled it off. When we established that it was a foreign postcode the problems started. They could only sell it to me if I could produce my passport, it was in my hip pocket, and my return airline ticket. As I had come by surface transport, this was impossible. However, if I could go back to my hotel, pick up my return rail ticket and come back they could sell it to me. The thought of doing that journey another three times caused something inside me to snap and I told them what they could do with their goods, then left. A few shops down the road I got what I wanted; it cost a little more, but there was zero hassle over postcodes and the like. I then stopped at another pub for lunch and began my return trip.
All went well until I had to change onto the bus again. As I got out of Balham station I looked up and down the road for a bus stop. The closest one was on the other side of the busy junction. So I waited and crossed the road, but when I got to the bus stop I saw the little sign telling me it was out of service. So now I had to cross the road again and tramp miles down the road to find the working bus stop. The bus came and it was full, but I was still happy to see it. After a while I got a seat where I sat and sweated. It was a very hot day and London busses don't have air conditioning. We were making slow progress when the driver announced the bus was going out of service, so we all got off. As it happened the next two busses were also doing the same. So it was quite late when I got back to my hotel.
The next day I discovered that the boyfriend had annoyed everyone, including the landlady and so for the return trip the daughter took his ukulele from him (a fact that probably saved his life) and the poor lad had to sulk all the way home.
Jamie
Services at Holy Trinity Church, Utrecht
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