No- this isn’t an account of the miracle at Cana when Jesus turned water into wine. It’s Rose and Ann’s wine and water stall at the Summer Fete last Saturday. On their table were dozens of bottles wrapped in paper- some were filled with water, some with wine. You paid your pound and took a chance. My Methodist daughter-in-law was watching with interest. ‘I’m not sure if that would be allowed that our fete,’ she said- ‘although several of our ladies put sherry in their trifles.’
It reminded me of my fearsome great-uncle, village blacksmith of strict Victorian values and a strict Baptist. He had been teetotal all his adult life, but at Christmas he always asked for a bottle of ginger wine. He swore there was no alcohol in it, despite what the label said. We humoured him as it made him mellow for a while.
We had no objection to the water and wine stall as it’s a good money raiser- and most of us have to admit to liking a good wine, as did Jesus himself; the wine he produced for the wedding guests in Cana was of the best quality.
Our summer fete was a great day, with church and village hall working together on a bright summer’s day. At the end of the day our treasurer counted the pennies and pounds and they came to over £700. So many many thanks to all who came along, or contributed in any way.
Thank you Lord for our ability to enjoy cheerful company and good wine, and for the blessings of barbecues and cream teas. And thank you for the sense of togetherness and understanding we achieve when we work with each other.
Amen
