From Darkness to Light

‘They didn’t teach us this at Theological College’ the curate mused to the vicar, as what might be described as the ‘unwelcoming party’ stood outside in the damp night on Advent Sunday, turning people away from the Priory.

But why turn people away from church?

It all comes down to power - or the lack thereof. Just as had happened on the Christmas Super Saturday, and on several subsequent occasions, including a veritable light display as power flicked on and then off repeatedly before Evensong, the electricity supply in the centre of Malvern had gone down.

On this occasion it was more dramatic. A fault in the mains cabling caused a small explosion, lifting the pavers and creating a hole in the pavement on the corner of Church Street and Grange Road. No one was injured, and - at last - the location of the intermittent fault, could be located.

But there was no power. No power at all. No light. No organ. No heat. Quick decisions had to be made, as the Choir would be arriving imminently to rehearse, and the stewards, and of course, then the congregation. If there was no power by 4pm, the Advent Carol Service would have to be postponed. Safety is paramount.

And so at 4 o’clock, the website was updated and a scrolling message added to the homepage, a message was put on social media, the Choir Secretary sent WhatsApp messages and phone calls were made. The bellringers came in to ‘ring the bells down’ (also for safety, as they won’t be used before silent practice on Tuesday), with the advice ‘don’t make it sound too joyful’. And stewards, custodes and clergy stood outside to advise those who hadn’t received the message, that the Advent Carol Service will be held instead on 7th December - same time, same place, just a more unusual, maybe even unique date.

Meanwhile, on the corner of Church Street, with the road closed, workers toiled down the hole in the mud and grot, doing a wonderful job, as a temporary, then a permanent (we’re told) fix was made. Many, many thanks.

All really are welcome next Sunday, 7th December at 6.30pm for the Priory’s Advent Carol Service, celebrating the promise of the coming of Christ, the Light of the World.