Water, wine, candle oil... a rector's dilemma!

I have the Rector@6's permission to tell this tale of misfortune as a warning and to prevent anyone making the same mistake. It is also serves to reinforce the importance of the vital role of all who volunteer their time and talents to serve the church in different roles (- especially when you have a new rector/vicar!)

On this particular Sunday, in one particular church, the Rector@6 was involved in setting the altar for the communion service. All completed, the service began in this small parish church. There was only a small congregation of familiar faces (which was probably a good thing on this Sunday). Each person came to receive the bread and wine and returned to their seats. I hear that there were some comments about the taste of the wine at that stage of the service but the Rector@6 was not aware of these. It was only as he came to clear the table that he noticed a globule of something floating on the top of the wine. He is required to finish the left over consecrated bread and wine so, anxious to finish the service on time, he duly drank the remaining contents - and was aware of a very, strange taste indeed!

On the completion of the service, the Rector@6 went to check the cupboard where everything was stored, and there were the bottles; - the wine and a clear bottle of liquid that he had presumed was water. NEVER presume anything! To be fair - the bottles were stored next to each other in a container and at the bottom of a dark cupboard. The 'water' was lamp or candle oil and this is what everyone had tasted - the Rector@6 more so than others. Having checked the small writing on the label to see that this was not a full medical emergency, he joined the congregation for coffee - where the conversation seemed to centre around the strange metallic tasting wine. The Rector@6 owned up to his mistake and was extremely apologetic - pointing out that he would be the first to experience any ill-effects due to the amount he had consumed. It was a very alarming lesson for him to learn. Fortunately all seemed to see the funny side and, I suspect, the Rector@6 will not be allowed to help in the setting up of the Altar on his own for many years!

NB I have it on the church warden's authority - everyone is up and around today!