MUSEUM AND LIBRARY 24

It’s beginning to feel A lot like Christmas Provincial Carol Service

Arms outspread in welcome, the spot-lit statue of Christ the Redeemer* high in the east end of Pershore Abbey, seemed to welcome Worcestershire Province Brethren and their families as they gathered on the appropriately-squared pavement of the chancel far below. The occasion was the annual Provincial carol service on 5th December. The warmth of the occasion was palpable: snatches of enthusiastic greetings: “Haven’t seen you for so long.” “I hear your Lodge has several new initiates!” “Do you think a hug is allowed?” “Congratulations, by the way, on your appointment…” “Gosh, it’s been such a long time since the last Carol Service!” And indeed, it has been a long time – the last occasion was 2019 and we all know why there wasn’t one last year. Priest-in-Charge Rev. Claire Lording welcomed the congregation that filled the historic Minster –asking everyone to sing with extra gusto as the wearing of masks was required. This was picked up by WBro Provincial Grand Chaplain Justin Parker who, in his address, amusingly and movingly took us on a Tardis trip in time through his childhood and even to the beginning of time: to before the Creation when ‘Love watched and waited’; through the birth of Christ: the time when ‘Love came to