Rainy London Morning

It is Monday morning in London and the red double decker buses are zooming past my window. I've had a lovely latte at Starbucks and have now found an open internet cafe. The one I hoped to use wasn't open. As I sat in the window of Starbucks not only were the buses passing by and gazillions of people making their way to work, but I could also see the Thames on this gray, drippy morning. Weather has not been positive on this trip!

Yesterday was lovely. We did not have anything scheduled until 2:00. I got up, had my Starbucks and then with four friends did the 2-hour double decker hop-on-hop-off bus tour of London. It is such a good way to get an overview of the city. At 2:00 we gathered and walked together over to St. Pauls for Evensong. How beautiful to sit in this marvelous cathedral with the Boy's Choir leading us. The service (of course) was almost all sung. We were honored guests and seated in the front row and welcomed by the Dean of the Cathedral. I was sitting just in front of a young man with an incredible voice - how fun it was to sing "with" him for the hymns which were all unfamiliar. After the service I popped down to the Cathedral gift shop and bought a CD of Christmas carols as in 2003 Dick and I attended the Lessons and Carols service here on Christmas Eve and had not gotten a CD which we have regretted. Then off to Nero's for coffee/hot chocolate and biscotti break with the gang. At 6:00 we attended the evening Jazz Service at St. Annes and St Agnes Lutheran church. I know the pastor (Jana) from her visits to the ELCA and prior visits here. It was also so fun to connect with an old friend from DGM staff, Pastor Margretha Kleiber who now lives in London. The service was amazing. (How many times have I used that word to explain this trip???) Charlie Beale was the pianist and there was a bass player and a sax player. I was almost moved to tears it was so beautiful. We "rocked" on a few songs but mostly let the music take us away.

After the service some walked back to the hotel - I hopped in a taxi for the ride. Then several of us went across the street from our hotel to the Savoy and had a drink. What a place! Then to a late dinner with a few from the group.

Now today we are off to meet with officials from the Church of England and then this afternoon with the Anglican Consultative Council. I think it is a free late afternoon so I hope to get to Covent Garden which is just a block behind the hotel. We are taking the Tube this morning so that will be a new experience for this trip. I'm glad someone else is leading - - it will be a follow experience for me!

Cheerio -