Vicar’s Article: Summer in the Parish

Summer has finally arrived – or at least we hope it has. I’ve been playing the ‘Hokey Cokey’ with my wardrobe: “You put your warm clothes in, you take your cool clothes out; in, out, in, out…” and so on!
The church calendar, however, marches on regardless. Summer events are planned with unwavering optimism, gazebos are dusted off, and someone, somewhere (usually Malcolm Hague) is wondering whether 200 sausages will be enough for a barbecue.
It’s also the holiday season. Congregations thin out as folk head for the seaside, the countryside, or a three-hour queue at the airport (and a longer queue to exit the destination airport!). Yet parish life continues. The church still needs cleaning, the tea still needs making, and I live in hope that not everyone will choose the same Sunday to be away!
Yet Summer reminds us to slow down a little, enjoy God’s creation, and give thanks for simple pleasures: sunshine on the ship canal, children’s laughter on Elizabeth Park, and the friendly chatter of Thelwallians outside the local pubs.
And if it rains? Well, we’re northerners. We have umbrellas and the determination to enjoy ourselves, whatever the weather.
Have a wonderful, restful, refreshing summer.
Revd Douglas Black