My Sundays

Here in retirement I rise in time to tune into news and "Sunday programme" on Radio 4, then take my wife a cup of tea in bed and retreat to bathroom for ablutions. Breakfast is at 9 a.m. giving time between 8 and 9 for early morning service in chapel or radio service at 8.10(Today from St Thomas, Fifth Avenue, New York for 'Thanksgiving') or attending BCP Eucharist at parish church.

After breakfast collect Sunday paper from newsagents. Attend eucharist in chapel or at parish church or enjoy leisurely read of paper(Today to chapel: 4 priests and 8 laywomen - 2nd before Advent CW). After chapel read paper while wife goes to coffee/sherry gathering on level 3 where news comes in from various outside services. Lunch at 12.45 - white tablecloths and wine with meal followed by selection of items from buffet table for tea in flat.

During afternoon time to complete papers and have a snooze etc before tea and tv "Points of View" "Songs of Praise" "Antiques Road Show" "Planet Earth" plus a little Radio 2 - "Melodies for you" Roger Royle(born and brought up at St Saviour's, Splott, Cardiff where I began my ministry as Methodist minister 50 years ago next summer) and "Sunday Half Hour"News" and bed soon after 10.

All very relaxing and pleasant compared to the active Sundays as a parish priest in days gone by. Still a distinctive day commemorating the Resurrection and marking the start of a new week. "Remember the sabbath day to keep it holy".