Emotion and Eruption

On Friday Rick our verger lit the candles on the altar as the people gathered for one of the liturgical highlights of the year - the Infants' School Leavers' Service. How would the children celebrate their time in school as they looked forward to moving on to their new almae matrae in the Autumn? What role would the papier-mâché volcano play in proceedings? As the children trooped in to some rock song I didn't recognise (and there are a lot of those) they were led by Samantha who has spent several terms as part of Church Club and as the oldest girl in the school has internalised her reputation for responsibility - I wonder whether she will find it burdensome one day - so it was only appropriate that she appeared as a circus ringmaster complete with top hat, cane and a fantastic gold-frogged red jacket. Lauren, the little girl who strangely reminds me of PJ Harvey, came in holding hands with Chloe who looks like Louise Brooks and they sat on the front row. That's what things will be like in heaven, I thought, when we're all like children again.

The purpose of the volcano became clear when Samantha introduced the topic of science at school and the structure was hoisted up onto the staging. Forward came a cabal of child 'scientists' in goggles and white coats, including Church Clubbers Rebecca and Dylan who was easily the naughtiest child of the last two years, and into the volcano's waiting cone they poured, I think, vinegar and bicarbonate of soda. In moments the volcano erupted! Once it had calmed down it was replaced back on the floor in front of Lauren and Chloe, who started holding their noses and gagging.

As the service proceeded there were tears. Oh, there were tears, and they didn't even sing 'Friendship Forever' as in previous years. Rebecca cries at the drop of a hat but this time there was weeping all over the place. I saw teachers dabbing their eyes although Ms Sarensson the head was gently steely. As she and I handed out the Leavers' Bibles each child got a woop from their supporting adults, of whom there were more this year. Although one shouldn't approve of such individualism, I felt I wanted to cheer them, too.