Good start to the week.

Yesterday began with the lighting of the second candle in the advent wreath, at the 8 o'clock Holy Eucharist. Another special service.

Then , later that morning I had arranged to have a chat by video link with one of my friends in Wales. I happened to notice that there were over 18 million people chatting on skype at the same time, and maybe this was the reason why the reception quality wasn't as good as usual . Anyhow , we talked and talked and the hour passed very quickly .

I went back to St John in the afternoon, and thoroughly enjoyed a talk and slide show presented by Kay Semple , who talked about her life as a nurse in isolated aboriginal communities during the 1970's. She described her duties , and we also learned about the people she met and cared for during her time in Canada's Arctic.

Within the hour , I was once again back in Courtenay meeting our good friends at one of our favourite eating establishments in the Comox Valley . We had a hearty meal before braving the cold weather in Simms Park , where we saw 'The living nativity'. And despite the cold , it was lovely to see , as it brought to mind the childhood nativity plays of long ago.