Another Update

So we're still continuing on at amazing pace. Thursday's "Equity with Class Divide" led to some amazing conversations. Thursday evening a few of us went out to find a local pub, which was delightful. MUCH fun was had, MUCH laughter was heard throughout the town (yes, I'm relaxed enough that my full laugh is coming out). Walking home we passed QUITE the collection of people leaving some fundraiser or another; apparently George and Cam like to entertain frequently.

Friday our topic was "The Future of Policing," our speaker came to us from the Metropolitan Police (I felt like I'd just met Inspector Lynley from Elizabeth George's novels!!) and I got to lead the book study on Crime and Punishment. Well, how on earth do you summarise and analyse Dostoyevsky in 10 minutes and then jump into conversation? Somehow I managed, and the convo was most engaging! Friday evening we were invited by the Dean of St. George's, the Rt. Rev. David Connor and his wife, Mrs, Connor, to visit the Deanery. WOW. Overwhelming is an understatement! Among other things, we got to walk the pathway along the roof (that Victoria used to wander so as not to be seen on her way to worship), and see the table upon which Charles' head was re-attached prior to his burial next to Henry the 8th. Being as elegant as I am, I managed to hip check the table, leading to a lovely bruise. We also got an insider's look at the Dean's study and the Dean's private chapel (where the royals pray privately); I have secrets from the Albert and Moore chapel and got to sing there- the acoustics are amazing; "The Day Thou Gavest" has always been a favourite but even moreso now. Gorgeous. There is SO much history here it's astounding.

Saturday was a lighter day - our topic was Literature and the Arts. We moved from Psalm 23 to a novel by Potok and a poet speaker. Lovely. She read one of her poems on water - I'll be buying that book for sure! I was honoured to present my paper that evening to our small groups (A theology of water during the Sacred Triduum from Canadian and Anglican perspectives). Very well received. I've been encouraged to submit it for further (read: wider) publication back home. Hallo! And another visit to the local with more fun and laughter. I also went walking around, just around Windsor and Eton. It's like being a goldfish in a bowl - everywhere you look, you see the castle.

And today is a quiet day. I skipped early mattins, but went to later mattins where there's the sermon, and the Military Knights representing the Order of the Garter process. I had a bit of vestment envy (!!!) with the clergy; but it was lovely. The sermon had to connect the clergy conference, the end of school term, and the average person in the pews - with the gospel parables. The preacher did a beautiful job speaking of the need to take (and grant) rest, to celebrate true sabbath. Beautiful. Exactly what a lot of us need to hear :) I spent this afternoon wandering around Queen Mary's Doll House and the State Apartments (aka. went to Lizzie's place, but she's in Scotland at the moment so just got to sit in the public rooms). So now I'm off to evensong, then we're having a guest speaker on clergy and church in the media - should be engaging but continuing with the theme of a quieter, less academic day.

3 more heavy days and one lighter producing day before we leave this glorious place, and then the real work of getting my brain to slow down. This has been too good for words, and it promises to keep getting better.