The Animals Went In Two By Two

Graham had prepared a sermon on Noah's ark,- complete with a hand-out of coloured pictures downloaded from Wikipedia- on the understanding that the children's organisations would be filling the front pews. I don't know why, but they didn't show.  Nothing daunted, he gave out his sheets, had us singing "The animals went in two by two", then addressed himself to the non-existent children- even appealing to a couple of them by name (cleverly remembered from the last time he was here). It was all very jolly and post-modern and- unless I'm totally misreading the mood-  people entered into the spirit of it and enjoyed themselves. That's something I like about this church; it doesn't take itself too seriously.. Really, I think I need to forget my theological prissiness- accept that I want to be with these people- and just get stuck in.

Here's one of Graham's pretty pictures. It's from the Nuremburg Chronicle of 1493

St Lizzie's

Talking about Reddish (as I was a couple of posts back) here's St Lizzie's as it is today.



And here's the old rectory- now used as offices by social services.



Graham and his family lived in the main part of the house- and I and my family lived in the servants' wing- which is the sticky-out bit to the right. A new rectory has since been built in the grounds- destroying the lovely, big, square lawn where my kids used to play.