Happy Easter!

The Vigil at the cathedral was a truly wonderful service with 5 baptisms and lots of confirmations (lost count!). We moved in silence through the dark building to find the new fire blazing at the back tended by Mark dressed up as security for once. Liz and I were acolytes so had to pass the light from the Easter candle. My hand was shaking with excitement! How quickly the light spreads from candle to candle as we all share the good news! It was a surprise to find that we extinguished our candles for the 3 readings. Deacon Richard sang Exultet and Gospel superbly. When we went during the Gloria to light the altar candles, Liz tripped but she was OK. My taper went out and one of the candles was very reluctant to light being new! I ended up helping the youngsters to light nightlights. They thought the door to the gallery was locked so I got Simon Lloyd to check it. Never work with children! The choir was stunning in the Langlais setting - top Cs in the Sanctus from the boys. Palestrina Sicut cervus and Tavener Dum transisset. And brilliant organ playing too! The cathedral looked wonderful thanks to incredible hard work from everybody. At the end of the celebration Liz got wax on her face from her candle but she survived! And she had spent most of the day cleaning candlesticks!
Before hand we enjoyed a meal at Zizzi (pasta with chicken, asparagus and walnuts, banana pudding) and it was good to see members of the Lent group in church. The Lord is risen indeed! We make a new start!
The picture comes from the Chapel of the Resurrection blogspot which is always worth reading. http://revprs.blogspot.com