Ring out for Easter
There is no doubt in my mind that Easter is enormously important in the Church year. It is the realisation of Christian hope through the resurrection of the Beloved Son, Jesus Christ.
In my book that makes ringing church bells a priority. I wonder if ringing out a joyous “He is risen” is as much an obligation and privilege as it was, decades ago now, when my wife and I were learning to ring in East Devon. As Easter was upon us we heard the invitation “can you ring on Easter Sunday this year?” My heart beat faster and I had secret fears of letting the side down.
The bells were not the easiest. A ground floor ring in a side tower visible from the nave. Eight bells with a very long draft of about seventy feet. There would be eight or ten ringers. They would keep a discreet eye on us.
My memory may have the timings slightly wrong, but I’m pretty sure we rang for a 6am Communion and then for an 8am Communion and then for a 10.30am family service and after roast lunch and a bit of gardening, for a 6.30pm Evensong.
I’m sure I couldn’t manage that today.
My deepest and lasting memory is that our ringing was indeed an obligation which was also a privilege. Christ is Risen! “No more we doubt Thee, risen conquering Son.”
However you celebrate Easter; whatever are the current traditions of your Church, I know you will be glad that bells still have an important part to play. In an age when many things are virtual, church bells are actual and so is the resurrection of our Lord!
Stephen Campbell