From medieval times into the future (I)

The office of churchwarden dates back to medieval times; in a future post I hope to explore this. But today's post concerns an encounter with another ancient institution (the City of Coventry Freemen's Guild), and is the first part of a reflection on my very first duty as churchwarden: officiating at the Freemen's Sunday service, 1100, 2 May 2010.

All major church services require careful prior preparation and rehearsal. Think of them as dramatic productions, and you will see why. Our own rehearsal took place last Thursday after work, requiring only a handful of the participants (Vicar, Verger, Guild Master and Guild Master elect, two church wardens, and associates who have come to cheer us on). My own rôle is largely one of stage management; I need to ensure pews are properly reserved ("reserve alternate rows: it's more friendly that way"), that the Guild Bible arrives and is properly located within the church ("10:30: take it to the vestry"), that the tall wooden doors are opened ready for the procession ("10:50: be careful as unbolting can be tricky"), that I am ready to welcome the procession ("the procession will have started at 10:50 and arrive at 10:55 - hope it doesn't rain"), and that at the appropriate time I lead the second part of the procession in (after Vicar, Mayor and Guild Master), walking backwards in front of the Mace and the Sword, walking backwards through the nave to the front pews where Mace- and Sword-bearer will deposit their charges on a table ("make sure there is a table there") and seat themselves always within sight of their responsibilities.

All this together with observing a 15-point list of instructions concerning my normal duties. There will be a great deal to do. Fortunately my predecessor Lynn is kindly joining me for this my first service, and has promised to point out when I am about to miss something. That's a big relief.

Walking backwards at the head of the procession. There seems to be a metaphor flying around in that sentence, pregnant with undisclosed meaning.

Walking backwards in front of the Sword and the Mace. What do I feel about that? Delighted, actually. Delighted to do honour to this group of unassuming, kind, humorous men and women, all of whom have qualified as Coventry Freemen by being "apprentices who learnt their trade by servitude", as expressed in the Guild history. Delighted to be part of the kind civility of the occasion, expressed for example in how Colin our verger bows as he conducts the Master elect up to read the first lesson. And nervous, because I want to serve these people by doing my part without stumbling. It's a comfort to read in the Guild magazine of a small technical hitch that arose in their recent Guild Admission court; "it just shows that no matter how good you are at something, it can still go wrong".

So. The rehearsal went well, and we go live at 1100 tomorrow. Time for me to read yet again through my lists of things to do and when to do them.