OK, so it’s not the fifth of November, in fact as I write it is now the seventh, but the sixth is what I’ve just experienced.
To any non-British readers, on the fifth (or usually the closest Saturday to the fifth), the majority of Britain commemorate and celebrate an event which took place on November 5th, 1605. On that day, a small group of Roman Catholics, headed by Guido “Guy” Fawkes, plotted to blow up the Houses of Parliament during its formal opening, with gunpowder. This would remove both Commons and Lords as well as King James I, leaving a power vacuum in which a Catholic could seize power and restore Catholicism to Britain. However, the plot was discovered and Guido and his group were arrested by the authorities, thereby leaving Britain a Protestant country. As such, in commemoration, across the country bonfires are lit and firework displays are commonplace.
So my evening was spent first at my church, where the annual bonfire and fireworks display was organised. It was very good, with many visitors, both from other local churches and people who had connections with the church but who wouldn’t normally go to church. This was a great opportunity to get to know people and for them to get to know us. The display was followed with food and a short epilogue. All in all a good evening with a great way to share the gospel both in word and deed.
The rest of the evening was spent with young people from HTC, APC and HWEC as we went in a large group down to Battersea to see a huge fireworks display. It took a while for all of us to find each other but we managed it in the end. Quite a few of us had taken our cameras with us, so there was a line of us taking photos throughout the display. (Photos from the evening are in the usual place.) After the display we sauntered off to find something to eat and just to chat and chill, and then eventually we headed home.
All in all a great evening.