麻豆约拍

A reflection and prayer to start the day with the Archdeacon of Bangor, Mary Stallard.

Good morning.

As a Vicar quite a lot of my time at the moment is spent on weddings. During the pandemic there have been so many obstacles for people planning to get married. Now we鈥檙e in slightly less challenging times, many are keen to press on with their big day.

With a variety of restrictions still in place across parts of the UK many church weddings are still scaled-down events. But lots of these seem to be all the more beautiful and intimate for this.

I鈥檝e noticed some remarkable creativity: in one ceremony some of the guests doubled up as the musicians, bringing violins and guitars and playing during the service. One bride and groom organised fabulous picnic boxes for everyone (including the vicar) because they couldn鈥檛 have a reception. Another bride made themed masks for all the guests and used flowers to indicate the socially-distanced seating arrangement. What I find touching about this, is the way that the actual wedding service seems to have been enacting some of the best hopes for a good marriage, showing thoughtfulness and a wonderfully inventive spirit.

In the face of necessary restrictions, limitations and difficulties people have drawn upon the gifts of compassion, kindness, and patience; and in so-doing they have exemplified many qualities of Godly love that are often read out in Christian weddings. Such actions demonstrate to me that despite obstacles and constraints love can and will find a way.

God our maker, your love bears all things, believes all things and never fails us. Thank you for all who show us the resilience and beauty of love. Open our eyes to notice acts of love and kindness, and open our hearts to show love and care to others. Amen.