Rydal report from Pauline &
Beverley
Parish
Weekend at Rydal Hall - Reflections of the first-timers...
Wow! What a truly amazing
weekend and to be able to spend it with so many friends was a real delight.
It was our first visit to Rydal Hall and it certainly lived up to
the hype. The place itself is beautiful; the grounds totally relaxing, the food
both endless and perfect and the staff were all great too. These are things
that set the foundation for the weekend but from arriving to leaving, we talked
and laughed, laughed some more (and sometimes cried). We were inspired by worship led by Sue Witts
and talks by Rev Ann Wood, which prepared the way for being totally captivated
by Bishop Jill - she sent us out of her service almost in a trance. To be invited to give communion
to our friends and to receive it from our friends was also an honour we will
never forget.
Equally unforgettable was the Saturday evening's ever popular, 'Rydal's
Got Talent' show. As a compere Norman
was great, sharing his jokes about all the people he said he kept meeting in
the foyer; and hilarious was Rev Philip's true monologue about his becoming locked
in his bedroom the night before (doesn't
sound funny on paper but you just had to be there!) Then after other displays of talent we ended
with a side-splitting panto - so terrible it was brilliant (think Monty Python!)
Although they didn't take part in our 'sessions,' it was good to
have with us, husbands Neil, Norman, Charles and Andrew who instead, explored
the beautiful area around Rydal. A lucky
bonus for us during the 'Free-Time' of Saturday afternoon, was that the sun
shone and so we, and some others joined them for a really lovely walk around
Rydal and Grasmere.
Before Sunday lunch it was good to see the enthusiasm with which
the younger people enjoyed showing us all the crafty items they'd made during
the weekend. (Instead of attending our
'sessions,' they'd had fun with special activities, expertly led by Sue Witts
and also later, husband, Herbie.)
The whole weekend was better than perfect for everyone. We arrived home inspired by everything that
had happened and it just goes to show what great shape we are in as a true
church family; fingers crossed we haven't scared off Rev Phil and his wife Janice before they even
arrive to become our new incumbents!
A huge thank you to Cheryl, Sue and the others involved in
arranging the weekend and for making it so special. As first-timers attending the Parish Weekend,
we are already looking forward to next time because we wouldn't want to miss it
for the world. If you've not yet been to
one, maybe you too will want to sign up in in 2021 - remember it is suitable
for all ages.
Pauline and Beverley
