Church crawl

My dear Friends Yesterday I had a lovely day. I took my friend who lives in Impington, and who has just been newly received into the Church on a 'Church crawl.' At 10am, when the refracted light on the building was truly beautiful, we went to Kings College Chapel. We walked slowly round, savouring every moment and raising our eyes to the magnificent ceiling, which has been fashioned in a sort of curve. We processed down the nave, past the choir stalls, to the high altar,above which is the painting by Reubens of 'The Adoration of the Magi.' On the left side of the chapel is a quiet room, with a painting of 'Madonna in a Rosary.' Mary is holding the baby Jesus and offering him some cherries from a bowl. We tried afterwards to find out the significance of the cherries, but in vain. Coming out of this room we read the long history of the chapel and the various kings who were involved. Descriptions of worship in those days was also portrayed, with lovely pictures of mediaeval psalters and other illuminated manuscripts. Coming out into the sunshine in the beautiful courtyard of Kings we made our way to Benet Street, where I wanted to show my friend St Benet's Church, which is the oldest building in Cambridge.I have been going there before my Christian days, to rest a-while in the peace of this church. We admired the icons near the altar of St Anne, one of Christ holding the book and the other of St Francis and St Dominic. Next we went into St Botolph's church. Very few people know he is the real patron Saint of travellers. It was dark and cold inside but still with a very interesting altar and pictures. Finally, and this was my friend's favourite, we went to Little St Mary's. We first went into the garden, small and windy with a few tombstones. The sun was shining beautifully yesterday. Inside all was quiet and my friend admired the ancient statue of Mary above the high altar. I took her into my favourite part, the Lady Chapel, and we prayed and lit candles. Just to finish off, we had lunch in the nearby Fitzwilliam Museum. Shalom from Sister Gila