ALLELUIA - CHRIST IS RISEN!

My aim was to be at Church for Easter Sunday and I made it!  

It was so good to be there - to be welcomed back by so many lovely friends - and it was a great “All Age” service.

Afterwards we went to the Cotswold village of Down Ampney, and after a muddy walk along the path near All Saints’ Church, we came back and went into the Church, making sure our feet were well wiped before we went in.

Most of the shots were taken on our walk, and in and around the church, except the top left, which is one of the banners in our Church.

The beautiful stained glass window in the middle row was commissioned to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the birth of Ralph Vaughan Williams, who was born in the village in 1872 where his father was the Vicar of All Saints’ Church. 

Even if his name isn’t familiar, you may recognise the tune for the Pentecost hymn, "Come Down, O Love Divine" the words translated by Church of Ireland curate, scholar and author Richard Frederick Littledale (wonder if he is any relation to Blipper, Mark Littledale), based on a work by the Italian mystic poet Bianco da Siena.  It was composed by Ralph Vaughan Williams in 1906 and he gave the tune the name “Down Ampney” after his birthplace.

It was so good to be out enjoying God’s creation on such a special day and we were really blessed that it didn’t rain, although the wind was quite chilly. 

Someone told me at Church after the service that I looked 100% better than I did on Good Friday - so that’s good to know - all I need now is to feel 100% better.  Hope you all have a great week.  Thank you again for your patience - I will try and get back to commenting very soon.  M xx 

P.S.  2 hours later and sitting down having our meal, Mr. HCB said I didn't say we heard 14 different types of birds on our Merlin app - what a treat!  A special thank you to WrenCottage for her recommendation - she should on commission! ;-)