It is one of the great things about a church like ours, that it is always open. Reading the comments in the visitors’ book, one is always struck by how grateful visitors are to find the church open in the middle of the week, and I guess we should not take this for granted. We may not have a vicar at the moment, and we may not have a service every week – but we are still open for business! And while that means that anyone can just come in, have a look around, sit and think, or look at the windows and brasses, it also means that people can use the church to begin their wedded lives together, mark their entry into the world or take leave of the world, all in the splendour of a medieval, grade 1 listed building.
Last week we had the lovely wedding of Frank Bagnall and Megan Strang, and what a happy occasion it was. The church was full, the bride and groom looked a picture of happiness and the weather stayed fine.
Then the next day little Noah White was christened, with the church full of family and friends to welcome him into the church where his parents were married and his siblings had been christened before him. It is a wonderful thing to watch these ancient ceremonies being celebrated here in Shalfleet, as they have been for hundreds of years.
As I was helping set up for the wedding, a young musician came in to the church to drop off some equipment for the service. We got to talking about this and that, and he said that, although not a regular church goer himself, he loved knowing that the church was there. And for those in the village who open the door in the morning and lock it up again at night, I imagine this is a heartening sentiment. We are indeed open – open to all. And long may that continue.