Tongues of fire

‘I utterly, utterly, utterly promise not to try this at home’

Hands raised in compliance, the entire congregation, aged from just over one to nearly one hundred, promised.

Today is Pentecost - fifty days since Easter - and the day when the Holy Spirit descended on the disciples as tongues of fire, giving them the energy to go out and share the Good News. It’s often called the birthday of the church.

What better occasion for Roger, the Vicar, to demonstrate fire-eating skills, learnt at Theological College?

’Fire is energy. But it needs to be in the right place. Like the Holy Spirit, burning within us, giving us the energy to share the Good News of Jesus.’

Roger produced a fire-eating torch, and having made everyone promise not to try this at home, proceeded to lace it with fuel. A minor glitch, when it wouldn’t light, was swiftly solved by Dylan, the Custos. Soon Roger was (carefully) brandishing an impressive flame, which he proceeded to ‘eat’ to the wide-eyed amazement of the children, and the whole congregation.

Absorb the energy of the Holy Spirit was the message. Let the flame of God work in your life. God doesn’t call us all to be evangelists - or fire-eaters - but we are all called to be witnesses to the faith within us, to share our faith story.

Pentecost also marked the final service for Tim Marks, one of the retired clergy who has assisted in leading services at the Priory for the past few years.
‘Thank you, Tim, and may God bless you’