Final Evening

July 25, 2010
Ely

This is our final evening in Ely. The morning began with rehearsal at 9, services at 10:30, wine and juice reception following, picnic lunch, rehearsal at 2:30, Evensong at 4:00, and dinner celebration at 7:00. A very long day. We are tired, grateful and ready for a short night sleep before the long ride home tomorrow.

Having been part of a few productions, I recognize the variety of feelings flowing through the choir at this point. There is a palpable sense of satisfaction that the trip was a real success. A feeling of exhaustion is creeping in as well. We share real sadness in departing this beautiful place that has so easily become our home. And we are impatient to get on with the trip home, achingly missing family and loved ones. This long day, this final act, or series of acts, is filled with all these feelings and more.

We were helped in focusing these emotions during a lovely dinner party at a local banquet hall. Overlooking the River Ouse we paused to give thanks and praise for all that we had beheld this week, and to celebrate the completion of a job so very well done: gifts were given, toasts were made, stories begun.

And now we get ready for home. Our group wakes up very early at 4:00 for a long trip to Heathrow and the day long journey. My prayer is that as we go from this mountain top we will do what the saints of the Old Testament did and tell lots of stories. Aided by pictures, music, recordings and laughter may we continue to return to this journey is some small way in the retelling of its great moments. And in so doing the formation begun here will continue. Thanks be to God.

I will continue to post some reflections and photos during the next few weeks.

Until then, God's peace.

- Jonathan