Thursday, March 29, 2007

Good endings - Chapter Year 1 draws to a close

We had our final Chapter meal of the first annual cycle last night.

That effectively brings to an end the first year of our Chapter - whose life cycle runs from easter to easter - though we will include some prayers in the Service of Vows on Holy Saturday to mark it more formally.

It felt like a good ending - there was much laughter and merriment - due at least in part to a large bottle of Montepulciano D'Abruzzo (one of my favourite Italian tipples) that the Morgans had just brought back from Italy.

We spent some time writing down the things we appreciated about each other and also the areas we hope to see each other grow in. We then said Compline together.

At the end they gave me a beautiful carved wooden St Francis cross (see photo) brought back from Assisi which is now hanging on the wall above my desk at home, and an icon of the last supper - it was our last supper together after all.

The new 'Chapter in waiting' has just been on retreat together and will make their vows on Holy Saturday in Dorchester Abbey.

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