Too Many Candles

“Clearly fire detection systems can’t cope
with the Resurrection of Jesus!”
—The Rev. Jan McFarlane
This news in from an Easter Vigil service in Norwich, England:

Norwich’s Anglican cathedral experienced slightly too warm a glow when the fire of Easter faith almost led to an emergency at the traditional Holy Saturday vigil in anticipation of the resurrection of Christ...the historic building had to be evacuated midway through its Easter service on 22 March 2008, as candles unexpectedly set off the cathedral fire alarms.

The 400-strong congregation lit candles at the Saturday evening service to symbolise Jesus’s rising from the dead. But as the flames grew fire alarms sounded, reports the BBC. The Rev. Jan McFarlane, of the Diocese of Norwich, said that the congregation was ushered out and the fire service arrived somewhat bemused.

“The cathedral was not damaged and the service was later able to continue as normal,” said the Ekklesia story. Mr. McFarlane explained: “New Christians were baptized and confirmed by the Bishop of Norwich and the cathedral was filled with light from the candles and incense.”

He continued: “Sadly, it was all a bit too much for the fire detection system and half-way through the Eucharistic prayer we were interrupted by the fire alarm and an automated voice telling us to evacuate the cathedral. Clearly fire detection systems can’t cope with the Resurrection of Jesus!”

So the fact that we have had a good bit of candles and a fair bit of incense at King of Peace without setting off our fire alarms...is this a good thing or a bad thing?

Probably a good thing. We have proven that burning microwave popcorn can set off the fire alarm, so we know the system works fine. ;-)