Grace - Rest

Having moved to Winchester, it is now that little bit further to London and so easier to find economic, ecological and time reasons not to go. I would class myself as an occasional member of Grace - not through choice but because of the accident of geography. If I lived in West London - they'd get fed up with me as I'd always be there! Anyway - I go when I can and yesterday I could.

Firstly because the footie was postponed and secondly because I could go up by train and visit my favourite coffee shop and buy some coffee for my significant other (and me). Fairtrade Costa Rican is the one to go for - amazing. The shop also happens to be opposite our favourite London cinema. (If you go, make sure you're a couple and get in one of the couches at the back - an amazing viewing experience.)

However, because of planned maintenance (no-one asked me when they should plan it) it seemed that half the tube wasn't working this weekend. I like buses in London - when they go where I need to go. I caught a bus from Ladbrook Grove to East Acton. My ultimate destination was south Ealing and as Acton is next to Ealing, it seemed like a good direction in which to head. Well, it was West - but I ended going past Wormwood Scrubs Prison and being turfed out of the bus at the end of its route in an industrial estate where the pavements were like a highly polished ice rink. I slithered my way towards another waiting bus whihc was going to Barnes Wetlands Park - most importantly via Hammersmith. So, back past the prison, along the A40, down through Shepherds Bush and eventually to Hammersmith. From there I caught a tube (thankfully the Picadilly line was working) two stops to South Ealing. The first stop was Acton Town - so my geography wasn't so bad - it's just that they need to move East Acton nearer to the rest of Acton!

The theme of Grace was 'rest' - particularly so in the context of Sabbath. After some introductory thoughts to get us in the right frame of mind, we were invited to visit three different locations within St Mary's:

• Club Grace - holidays, places and people of re-creation
• A 1960's Sunday afternoon lounge with scrabble and Sunday china where we were encouraged to reflect on a time when Sundays were a day of rest.
• Extreme Sports - don't know what happened there - I went back to Club Grace

There followed some more things to reflect on, a chant, a Rap, some feathers and a blessing. All followed by conversation in the cafe afterwards.

Well done Grace - another good event.

The snow held off and I was able to get a lift home with a mate who'd been up there attending a course they'd been running.

A very good day. Maybe see you there sometime? Second Saturday each month at 8pm - St Mary's South Ealing.