TRADITIONAL

by Catherine Smith (Oxford)

St. Mary Magdalene; a church has stood here for 1000 years. Daniel’s 24, from Brighton; a degree in Japanese with Chinese; now Pastoral Assistant, he takes Communion to the sick and elderly, writes rotas, does Admin, sometimes acts as Acolyte. Services are traditional.

He first came here as a student; considered becoming a Priest but misses the studying; the thinking time. A sick old Priest he visited told him his face lit up when he discussed languages. Older people notice things you don’t. He’s applying for a Masters.

Tourists come in to light candles and pray; a spiritual oasis and a place the homeless come for tea and a chat. One man tells Daniel about his woman troubles. The Church is open all day. Odd things go walkies; once, a door-stop disappeared.

He misses the sea, too, and the Downs. Here, the hills hem the city in. He’ll see his family this Easter; a week‘s enough. On quiet afternoons, he watches DVDs of The West Wing on his laptop. If God taps him on the shoulder again, though, he might re-think.

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What Catherine Smith says about TRADITIONAL:

Inspired by a conversation with Daniel at St. Mary Magdalene, Oxford