Lifepath in a heat wave
‘Pray for good weather’ went the email sent to the Lifepath volunteers last week.
As Lifepath week began, several commented, with a wry smile, that we might have prayed a little too hard.
A quick look at any weather forecasting app indicated that temperatures were due to soar. Then the ‘warnings’ came in from the Met Office, first amber then a red warning for Thursday and Friday. Yellow never even appeared. This was going to be Lifepath like no other.
The Sunday evening Commissioning Service uplifted and inspired the huge team of volunteers, with preaching by Roger ‘The children will remember how they felt when they go home, if nothing else’.
Barry led the congregation in the Lord’s Prayer signing in Makaton, his fluid, expressive, gestures the only movement in a deeply still silence. Then, through open the North Door a woodpigeon glided, flapping eastward down the aisle. Heads turned. Several Priory members had a distinct deja vu moment, remembering the pigeon which crashed through the stained glass in St Giles’ Chapel (now informally known as ‘the Pigeon Window’), less than a year ago. A few passes up and down the length of the nave and choir and it decided to land in St Anne’s Chapel, where it was caught by the curate* and carried back to be released outside, apparently unharmed.
Lifepath Day 1 dawned, but with a difference. Lifepath-ers had got out of the habit. Literally. A combination of The Case of the Missing Habits (as yet unsolved) and Met Office extreme heat warnings meant that for the first time ever, volunteers were asked to attend in plain t-shirts and cool clothing. Extra water stations were set up, and the children would eat their lunches inside the Priory which is deliciously cooler.
Spirits were high. Arches were constructed, tower bells rung, prayers written, calligraphy drawn, codes broken. Prior Aldwyn made his first ever appearance, introducing the Priory, to glowing reviews, and songs were sung with joy-filled actions. As the children left, through waving flags and drifting bubbles, all agreed it had been a very good day, prayers were said and weary warm volunteers headed homewards.
Day 2, several degrees warmer, went equally swimmingly, but with the Red Weather Warning for extreme heat, many schools took the decision to close early. Lifepath timetables were hastily rearranged and communicated to the assembled volunteers by Ros, ably assisted by the Rev’d Mic Stand aka Roger, the vicar, holding the mic, allowing Ros to use both hands to control the mountain of papers.
Lifepath 2026 continues. It continues with enthusiasm and prayer and the joy of helping children to consider their own ‘lifepath’ through the unique history of the Priory. Lifepath 2026 will be the one remembered for years to come, like the summer of 1976 … ’do you remember the Lifepath Heatwave?’
And we look forward to giving a warm welcome those that are able to come, to the relative cool of the Priory
*In the spirit of current sporting competitions, the Priory Pigeon Catching statistics now stand at Custodes 1 : Clergy 1
