South Weald Country Park / Last evening Holy Communion

This months Church walk took us to South Weald. Getting directions, I was told "If you can see deer you're in the right place". The right place is the visitor centre car park. We found the visitor centre at the third attempt. Some one please remind me what Sat-navs are for. We parked in the overflow car park - it seems like everyone had decided to be outdoors on this lovely summers day. Only then did I see the deer!

From South Weald Church Walk

The country park is huge, and our walk took us to St Peter's Bently Common,

From South Weald Church Walk

where we had a short break and saw a sign in the church - please give blood. Maybe that's a different solution to the problem of only receiving the body of Christ at communion. On one of these walks we should break for a while at a church somewhere and have an impromptu service.
This was an unusual walk, with wooded areas, grass lands, a small amount of road, various type of bridle way, and a field of thistles.

From South Weald Church Walk

It really did not look like Essex, it certainly didn't seem like minutes from the M25.
It was a five mile amble (about 2 hours 30) and we were very glad of a cup of tea at the visitor centre when we returned.

Back home in time for a shower and a quick look through the sermon for the last 6:30pm service at Christ Church. Many years ago the 6:30 service was ours. Our group of young people (about 25 of us) were the biggest group at the service, and often more than half the congregation. After that we would meet for Bible Study. What an excellent way to prepare for a new week!
Times change though and the recent attendances have been limited to those roted to perform part of the service, with the occasional one or two others. It is not sustainable.