Day 38 - "I'm a vicar let me in!"

Berwick Methodist Church

A funny thing happened on the way to church this morning.... we checked on both the website and notice board for the time of the Methodist Church service 10.45am, we duly turned at 10.35 to discover that the doors were locked, soon we had an a queue of people, 5 of us trying to get in, the wooden doors remained shut and there seemed that nothing was going to happen their today.

Church of Scotland, Berwick

We took a joint decision with our fellow queue-es, to jump churches as there was a Church of Scotland opposite. The service was traditional and included Holy Communion, one interesting feature was the silver communion cup holders that slotted over the backs of the pews. We were warmly welcomed and enjoyed the service. On the way back to the car, we noticed that the Methodist Church Doors were now open!

All of this begs the question about the type of welcome we offer as churches, had someone accidentally locked the church doors or had they thought everyone had arrived, or had they forgotten/not bothered to post notices that the time had changed or the service was being held elsewhere this Sunday - it remains a mystery.  

Afterwards we drove to a National Trust property, Cragside. This is home of the first ever hydro-electricity. The Victorian ngineer, Lord William Armstrong invented and developed the first light bulb with Thomas Edison in USA and Hydro-electricity power, which he built to power the electricity in his home. The site includes a 21st century Archimedes Screw that today provides the power (in part) for the house. The house has a similar feel to Tyntesfield House near Bristol, if you have visited it you will know what I mean.

Cragside House

Archimedes Screw

During the evening we took a tour round the coast to Sea Houses as it was a beautiful evening.