London--Week 1 (We made it!)

Thanks to all who have been praying for us, especially those prayers for cheerful daughters.  We were amazed when the girls woke up happy after 3 short hours of uncomfortable sleep on the plane and continued to be in good spirits most of the day.  We've all had our moments, but are getting over jet lag and grateful to be here.

We've been struck these first few days by the diversity surrounding us, both ethnically and ecologically (palm trees seem to thrive in London!).  Our current lodging is in the East End (near Roman Road, for those familiar with the city) in what seems to be a largely Muslim community.  Well over half the women and girls we see coming and going on the street are wearing hijabs, and some have their faces entirely covered.  I keep wondering what I will say when Emma asks about it, but so far she doesn't seem to have noticed anything out of the ordinary.  There is something very elegant about the women's modesty.

On Sunday we worshipped at St.James Picadilly Church, which had been recommended to us by friends who liked their creative interpretations of the liturgy.  We were tickled by the diagrams on the church's website describing how communion was 'meant' to procede, appreciating the realism of that phrase.  We were welcomed warmly and the congregation there sends greetings to Boston Square.  They began communion by inviting everyone forward to make a circle several rows deep around the altar for the whole communion service, and it was interesting to see  the girls watching the priests' gestures intently.  It was a gift to be able to receive communion and to have the girls' blessed by the priest, and yet we were all rather homesick for Boston Square.

One of the books I've started reading is "The Celtic Way of Prayer" by Esther DeWaal and in it she highlights the theme of journey within the Celtic Christian tradition, and how being at home within ourselves frees us to journey outwardly.  Both fitting themes for us on what Emma calls 'our big trip' - she's been asking a lot about home these first few days and we've been trying to both put her at ease and explain that we won't be home in Michigan for quite awhile yet, but we'll all be together as we explore.

peace,
Pastor Elizabeth

Misadventures of the Week:  (1) Jay fried his electric razor the first time using it...so who knows how long his beard will be when we get home?  (2) We had heard of a special puppet show celebration happening on the grounds outside St Paul's Church...only Jay heard "St. Paul's Cathedral" and we ended up in the wrong place entirely.  After many additional attempts, we did indeed find the puppet show.