A Post of Variousness
Apr. 19th, 2020 11:50 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
smallhobbitI.e. Three things make a post!
Firstly, a couple of pictures from last week's full moon:
Secondly, I admit to finding all the emails, and encouragement to watch various things online, from the church rather much. I know a number of people like the livestreams of church services, and especially for Catholics the mass, and find it very helpful. However, it's not for me. Our vicar has taken to sending out the complete order of service every week and I can see that some will like it, but I tolerate the liturgy at the best of times, and this certainly isn't that.
At the same time, I feel there is a need for us to maintain contact with those who would usually come to our monthly Family Praise, and who don't go to any other service. We produced a short Mothering Sunday service for the first Sunday of the lockdown, which we had to do quickly. For Palm Sunday we hold a version of Holy Week where we join in various activities and this year the vicar asked if we could adapt it for the whole church. I suggested we make use of the current situation and tell the sections in a reported fashion, so a letter home, a meeting in a tavern, etc, which seemed to work well, with different members of our 'Team' (we've never had a Team before, but the four of us who are involved in the service worked together) each writing a separate event, so bringing in different voices.
Easter Sunday the Reader and I were back to doing our own thing, so we sent out a two page word doc, which included pictures of flowers to illustrate the prayers, and had a couple of lovely comments back, including one thanking us for the uplifting service. Which proved we don't always need to provide something which has all the bells and whistles.
Thirdly, here are the rainbows my three-year-old granddaughter painted for us and which are now on display in our windows:
Firstly, a couple of pictures from last week's full moon:
Secondly, I admit to finding all the emails, and encouragement to watch various things online, from the church rather much. I know a number of people like the livestreams of church services, and especially for Catholics the mass, and find it very helpful. However, it's not for me. Our vicar has taken to sending out the complete order of service every week and I can see that some will like it, but I tolerate the liturgy at the best of times, and this certainly isn't that.
At the same time, I feel there is a need for us to maintain contact with those who would usually come to our monthly Family Praise, and who don't go to any other service. We produced a short Mothering Sunday service for the first Sunday of the lockdown, which we had to do quickly. For Palm Sunday we hold a version of Holy Week where we join in various activities and this year the vicar asked if we could adapt it for the whole church. I suggested we make use of the current situation and tell the sections in a reported fashion, so a letter home, a meeting in a tavern, etc, which seemed to work well, with different members of our 'Team' (we've never had a Team before, but the four of us who are involved in the service worked together) each writing a separate event, so bringing in different voices.
Easter Sunday the Reader and I were back to doing our own thing, so we sent out a two page word doc, which included pictures of flowers to illustrate the prayers, and had a couple of lovely comments back, including one thanking us for the uplifting service. Which proved we don't always need to provide something which has all the bells and whistles.
Thirdly, here are the rainbows my three-year-old granddaughter painted for us and which are now on display in our windows:
no subject
Date: 2020-04-19 03:25 pm (UTC)Lovely rainbows!!
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Date: 2020-04-19 03:31 pm (UTC)I somehow doubt I'll be checking out the virtual Disney rides! I'm glad you like the rainbows.
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Date: 2020-04-19 06:35 pm (UTC)Yes, it is a bit overwhelming with all the videos and online options. I do agree that i is remarkable how quickly various Churches and other institutions (like schools and museums) have pulled together virtual packages. I enjoyed online Mass during Holy Week, though there were technological blips which kept us on our toes. Online Mass is definitely not for everyone and sometimes I feel a little bit disconnected. I have a feeling a lot of us will be returning to normal with much more appreciation for everyday things!
I admire how much you prepared for the people in your church - it must have been a challenge and tiring. Are you still preparing readings for each week?
The rainbows are so wonderfully cheerful.
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Date: 2020-04-19 08:12 pm (UTC)I think we will return to normal with a greater appreciation of what we have.
We're back to one Family Praise per month, so I just need to think of something for the beginning of May and then I suppose possibly June.
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Date: 2020-04-21 06:05 pm (UTC)Definitely concur with you that we will emerge with a greater appreciation for what we have.
Not too strenuous hopefully then. I do wonder if we will still be in lockdown in June. Oh well, one day at a time.
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Date: 2020-04-19 07:52 pm (UTC)I can see how it could be a bit much if you're receiving multiple emails, words of encouragements and recs for things to watch online from the church. It's not quite the same thing, but I've also been feeling a bit overwhelmed by all of the different videos that are being made available: live stream concerts and theatre productions, exercise videos, online courses, virtual tours of museums and galleries, etc. I do understand why so many of these things are being made available right now, and I appreciate how much they probably mean to people. However, I find that I just don't feel like taking advantage of them. Maybe this will change as time goes by.
I'm glad that some of your own online endeavours have been working out, such as the illustrated prayers. Speaking of illustrations, your granddaughter is quite the artist! I'm impressed by her use of colours (especially with the rainbow) and the way that she uses white space.
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Date: 2020-04-19 08:15 pm (UTC)Oh yes - I've definitely received masses of emails - far more than normal. At first I tried to do all sorts of things, but then realised that was impossible, and cut back to a couple which really make a difference to me. But, unless you've got a lot more time available, these emails really don't help.
I suspect my granddaughter had help with her rainbow, which is reasonable, since she's three - and very enthusiastic.
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Date: 2020-04-20 11:01 am (UTC)Lovely pictures by your granddaughter, it's such a thrill to get things like that from a grandchild isn't it:D
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Date: 2020-04-20 01:04 pm (UTC)I also think the more times one has to click on a page then the less interest will be shown. Our two page services can be used by themselves, so are easy to follow.
Yes, it's lovely seeing what grandchildren do and being able to proudly put them on display.
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Date: 2020-04-20 03:49 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2020-04-20 04:03 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2020-04-23 02:53 pm (UTC)I am finding myself sort of inundated with 'stuff' from friends, family and even supermarkets etc. I am usually home-alone for much of the year so I am feeling over-socialised at the moment!! Which I suppose feeds into your thought that things don't always demand bells and whistles!
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Date: 2020-04-23 02:58 pm (UTC)Yes, I can understand your feeling of over-socialisation - having a certain level of interaction normally and then it triples.