This is my week - Sunday

I've decided that my weekly routine is now well enough established that I can share it with you without sounding too out-of-breath. So for this week I'm going to try to write something every day so you can get a flavour of what I get up to. Probably an over ambitious plan, as I'm going away on Friday, but let's give it a go anyway!

Sunday has already become a working day for me. Church is not really optional in this game! I am attached to St George's Chesterton, along with 3 other ordinands. During term-time I am expected to attend each Sunday, and to take part in one mid-week activity. As yet, the mid-week bit is not agreed, but the Sunday bit is!

Today I arrived a few minutes early for the 10am Parish Communion service and along with Hannah - another ordinand - was pressed into service immediately as an acolyte. I'm starting to expect to be surprised - this is a small church, and there are plenty of opportunities to play substitute in some role or other. I've already been trained asan acolyte - I get to carry a candle solemnly and processionally and preferably in-sync with my partner. Hannah on the other hand was coming into the role completely fresh, so was having to follow my moves - with my extensive 'follow-me-I've-done-this-once-before' experience. Along with the crucifer (that's a carved cross on a long pole) we lead the choir and clergy down the aisle and up to the communion table. A bit later we accompany the Gospel down the aisle from where it is read, and we also are involved in the process for getting the bread and wine onto and off of the table. Along the way there are turns, bows and pauses - it's a bit like the Red Arrows but at a much slower pace. There were a few confused glances across the width of the church between us two, but I think we did alright.

The position carries some privileges - We get a ringside seat to observe the process of preparing and distributing communion. We also get to wear a cassock (black robe that covers everything) and a surplice (white angel wing type thing covering the shoulders). It also means that people quite quickly identify us as theological students, which leads to some interesting conversations over coffee.

Afterwards, we learnt how to properly cleanse the communion cup and plate - much easier to remember than the earlier choreography.

I return home to find it empty - the family are worshipping at a different church, much closer in style to St Mary's Ferndown, so there's a few minutes to practice my Greek verbs.

A lazy family afternoon ensues - before I have to make a crucial decision - go to 6.30 Choral Evensong (which is optional, but I've never been to one before, and there will be others) or watch Lewis Hamilton's attempt on the Formula 1 title? Mmmm, hard one!