Until two years ago, our little Methodist chapel here in the Devon village of Halberton still had pews. We finally took them out, carpeted through the two rooms and bought bright red chairs. Some features had to be left, as the property is listed, but we are now able to use the building so much more flexibly and creatively.
On Sunday afternoon we served ‘Tea at The Ritz’ as part of our village festival weekend. Two of our friends from the Anglican church came in very elegant dress, and James, one of our own church members who was waiting on tables, wore an outfit which he recently purchased in Nepal.
I was pleased to chat with a young couple who have recently moved into the village. Adam works for Save the Children, and was able to give me some helpful pointers as I prepare to go to Greece next week. Already, opportunities to share the stories I hear there are beginning to emerge, and Adam and I exchanged email addresses so that we can stay in touch and perhaps work together to raise awareness of the plight of the refugees.
The money raised from serving teas on Sunday will enable Christian Aid to bring relief and to further this year’s challenge to ‘love every neighbour’.
