So, another new year! Another modern martyr to learn about.
The aisle was decorated with a photograph of Maximillian Kolbe and an assortment of Polish items, some of which we ate at lunch!
Alex welcomed everyone to the gathering, both familiar and new people, including our new priest in charge Rev. Sarah, and a special visitor from Magdeburg, which is linked with the Worcester Diocese. We began by singing “Here is love vast as the ocean” and “What love is this?”, followed by prayers.
Jan K related the story [much abridged] of the Polish priest Maximillian Kolbe, a most interesting and principled man. He is one of the modern martyrs on the front of Westminster Cathedral. His death in 1941 in the concentration camp of Auschwitz was slow and terrible. He had taken the place of another Polish prisoner.
The morning’s activities were based on Maximillian’s story of sacrifice, faith, hope, and forgiveness.
Watercolour paint, brusho, and masking tape were used to create pictures based on a single, meaningful word.
There was a table of chalks and pastels for free creative painting, as inspired by the story.
Alison G brought white and green cloth and some straws, to sew into a symbolic white tulip. They were described later as symbolising strength when gathered together, but when separated, some strength went away with each and every flower.
David led a small but motivated group of singers, to teach us a new song. It was slightly more complex than usual, with both a chorus and a bridge, but we tried hard and all want to sing it again, so we plant it in our worship repertoire.
The writing focus was to ponder the meaning of “Sacrifice” and there was very intense discussion.
The usual opportunities for colouring had returned with a twist. Bright Polish colour patterns used in Polish crafts were available to look at and then colour in, before mounting them on a card with space for a prayer on the reverse.
As usual, the atmosphere was friendly and warm (which was more than could be said for St George’s Church on this crisp morning!) Conversations abounded around the tables and we were kept refreshed by Pam with coffee, tea and biscuits.
We ended the morning’s activities by gathering to share our morning’s labours and to learn the new song, with the chorus “Jesus, I believe in you”.
A lunch followed with soup by Jan K – “tomato and apple”, or “chicken and vegetable”; together with bread, cheese, grapes, fruit, home-made cakes, and Polish biscuits.
We hope you will come next month when we meet on Tuesday 11th March.
Coffee will be served from 10.00, followed by worship and activities, with lunch around 12.30.