Easter Weekend Review

Easter weekend is a four-day affair here in the UK.  Our parish offered several ways of worshipping and celebrating the sacred memorial of Christ’s death and resurrection.  

 One of the annual Good Friday activities is called The Walk of Witness.  Congregants meet at a starting point—usually a church, then process through the community, stopping along the way at significant places, where scriptures might be shared, but there are certainly songs lifted up in the fresh air and then usually the procession goes to another church.  In our little parish, at the final stop, tea and hot cross buns are served.  It doesn’t matter if it is sunny or rainy.  People use the opportunity to be seen as Christians.   

On Good Friday “Maverick” went up to help friends work in their garden.  He was invited along to the Walk of Witness in their community.  Friday was an over-cast day, but not raining.  

 Meanwhile, I observed my usually Friday hours at work, finishing the weekly newssheets, printing out the hymn sheets and updating the parish website.  At 1.45 pm I finished my work and went to St. Mary’s for the Station of the Cross service.  The vicar uses artwork from a local Christian publishing house to set up the stations in the church.  The artist of this year’s posters also wrote meditations and prayers for each stop.  The meaningful and reflective service, which included music by St. Mary’s choir and congregational hymns, lasted about an hour. 

Maisy is no longer allowed to come to work with me.  But she is now old enough to be left in the bedroom instead of just her carrier.  She was glad when I arrived home about 3.30 pm—and really ready to go out for a walk.

On Saturday (4^th April) John helped other friends build a shed in their back garden.  I spent the day at home, working on the computer.  Oh, and taking Maisy out on a regular basis.  She loves to meet up with her other doggie friends if they are out.  So, she had two sessions off the lead, running with Foo and Divo. 

Sunday “Maverick” got up early enough to attend the 9.30 a.m. Easter Worship at St. Francis church and also come to the 11.00 a.m. service at St. Mary’s.  That was a very interesting service.  

 Just at Rev. Robin began his sermon, a member of the congregation called for one of the doctors to come to attend another worshipper.  St. Mary’s is blessed with four doctors in the house, and within a few minutes, three doctors—all dressed in choir robes—hurried down the aisle, and the other doctor joined them from one of the pews.  I know many people were praying quietly, whilst the dear patient was attended.  Paramedics arrived to attend to the ill congregant, which allowed Rev. Robin to continue with his sermon on the power of the resurrection.  The patient was taken to hospital by ambulance, being taken out while the creed was being recited.  I am sure the many prayers offered made a difference, as our dear friend was kept in hospital overnight, but only for observation.  From an e-mail sent out later in the afternoon, our dear friend was allowed home on Monday. 

After church, “Mr. & Mrs. Jay” joined “Maverick” and me at the Red Lion Pub for dinner.  The afternoon went quickly, as we enjoyed conversation, and watched children who had their faces painted, and overheard laughter from fellow diners enjoying the family holiday.  Easter was one of the busiest days for the pub.  Yet, with such good company, we didn’t realise how long it was taking for our food to arrive. 

Monday I took Maisy out for a morning run about 8:30 a.m. with Foo, Sophie, Cassie and Beau.  Their owners and I walked them from one end of the park to the other.  I was reminded of my absolute need for a pair of “Wellie” boots.  My Ugg boots got saturated, and my socks got soaked before I’d made it down the foot ball pitches once. Upon leaving the park, Maisy and I then went to buy a newspaper for our friend “Aimee” before we returned home.

"Mrs. Bee" and me.

“Maverick” and I had been invited to spend the day with “Mr. & Mrs. Bee.”  At 11.00 a.m. they picked us up.  “Mr. Bee” drove along some lovely country road, allowing “Maverick” to reminisce about his training rides.  The “Bees” wanted to take us to the pub near Henley-on-Thames that serves South African food, followed by a visit to Stonor House--one of England's oldest manor houses, also near Henley-on-Thames .  The sun was out and the car was warm.  Because the bushes and trees have not as yet burst forth with leaves, we could actually see fields and valleys that would otherwise be hidden.

"Maverick" and me

Eweleme Church

Our first stop was at St. Mary’s church in Ewelme Parish.  (It is pronounced U-Elm).  The church is the burial place of Alice Chaucer, (1404 - 1475), Countess of Salisbury and Duchess of Suffolk.  She was the benefactor of Ewelme, using her influence and wealth to build the church, a school and almshouses.  The steps leading out of the church take one down to the almshouses surrounding a courtyard.  If you’re interested in learning more of the history, the website ishttp://www.friendsofewelmechurch.co.uk/

Courtyard at Eweleme Almshouses

After wondering about and enjoying the church, we got back into car and drove to the White Hart Inn, a 1300s country inn with boutique rooms, a South African-inspired

White Hart Bar Lounge

menu and a cosy, wood-beamed pub.  It was charming, the service was excellent and the food delicious.  John enjoyed curried chicken and prawns, while “Mr. & Mrs. Bee” tried the bobotie.  I chose the grilled bream (fish).  “Maverick” and “Mrs. Bee” had Amarula Crème Brulée, “Mr. Bee” had banoffee pie, and I chocolate cake with chocolate sauce and ice cream.  My goodness, it was the best ice cream I’ve had in ages.  As we ate, we learned the manager was from Durban, South Africa, as “Maverick” is. 

Displayed in the wood-beamed bar/lounge was a lovely “Dog Portrait.”  Of course, I had to take a photo of it.  They also have a website: www.tmdining.co.uk/the-white-hart.html

Stonor House

We then took another road to The Stonor House.  Building of the house began around c1190 with additions added over the 850 years the home has been in the Stonor family.  Also included in the property is a chapel, a walled garden, a tea room and gift shop.  The rooms on exhibit are kept in pristine condition, and the walls are decorated with Old Masters’ paintings, as well as murals, sculptures and extraordinary furniture. 

Already known to the Stonor family, St. Edmund Campion, (martyred in 1581) was given refuge here in 1581 to print in the greatest secrecy a pamphlet describing 'Ten Reasons' why the historical Catholic faith should be preferred over the teachings of the newly Established Church. The rooms used to print this work can be seen, along with an exhibition describing St. Edmund Campion's life and death.  http://www.stonor.com/st_edmond.htm

As we finished our tour of the house, I was getting tired, and was also a bit distracted thinking of Maisy.  Yet it would have been sad to miss visiting this grand house and property.  I think I would like to visit again sometime, and bring Maisy, as she would love a romp in the great outdoors.

We arrived home about 5.00 p.m., which meant that the first activity was to take Maisy to the park for a run and to do her toilet.  Full of wiggles, thumping tail and doggy kisses, we were more than assured of her gratitude of being let out of the room and that she had missed us.

We thoroughly enjoyed having extra time to spend with friends, worship and rejoice in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ’s sacrifice and glorious victory over sin and death.

Serving Jesus, Author of our faith.

Lady Helene