Sunday in Ireland

Sleeping in was good. I was up just as early (7:45) but had longer to get ready. We didn't leave for church until after 10:30! It was a good service. We connected with several who had been to our presentations. Newcastle Presbyterian is between ministers just now so there was a visiting one. He was very good...a most effective children's message! They honored two elders who were retiring...the one who sat near me had been an elder for 37 years...apparently no "term limits" on that role. They serve tea, coffee and biscuits (cookies) in the narthex after services. We chatted with several folks.

There was a surprise for us next. Andrew had invited us back to the castle for lunch. They were booked full but one group left early so adding another ten for lunch was not a problem. Chris had joined us for church and now lunch. The interns were also in the van. Andrew and Lorna's son, John, is an intern at Kairos and all the interns in town hang out together.

We ate in the library.

Chris who helps Jen in the kitchen joined us.

Lunch of roasted potatoes, mash potatoes, roast beef, cabbage, parsnips and carrots.
Dessert was Apple Crumble with Custard

 Lunch was very nice! After lunch we said our farewells to the Forsons and headed to the bus. We went down to walk the Peace Maze. It had been constructed to have people work together to find a way out. The hedges were lower then and they could look over the hedges and help one another. When you get to the center, you ring the bell...except there is no longer a bell there. I have done the maze before so I went up to the bridge to take photos.

A glorious view of the area with the Mourne Mountains in the background

Tonda in the maze

Jen in the maze

We went home for a while after the maze and then to Fifth Sunday, a unified service in Newcastle for all the churches. It's held in the town center and tea, coffee, biscuits and traybakes are served. The speaker was the bishop of the Church of Ireland. Again several of those who had heard our presentations were there. The enthusiasm seems to be growing already!