AT THE time of their
patronal festival at All Saints', Long Sutton, in
Winchester diocese, saints are to be found lurking
round the village. After the family communion service, the
congregation is sent out on a treasure - or saint - hunt. They have
a route to follow, and have to identify the saints (they are given
plenty of clues, the Revd Kathy O'Loughlin says) as they go round.
When, and if, they do, they are given a reward.
These three (above)
had just found St Andrew, but St Cecilia gives out toy whistles,
and St Patrick gives jelly snakes (the adults, however, are given
Guinness, which makes him very popular).
It is the third year that
they have done it, Mrs O'Loughlin says, and it is becoming a
favourite tradition. "It's a great way of involving those who don't
attend church regularly, giving them a sense of belonging in a fun
way, and reminding people that, if the Church is to continue into
the future, we need lots of people willing to be saints."
She adds that it is also interesting to watch the faces of
passing motorists as they see a couple of medieval saints chatting
to each other at the side of the road.