Gone and done it now....

I have just got back from a few days away - a much needed break away from the stress and fuss of the last few weeks.
It also gave me a chance to 'celebrate' the outcome of the last couple of months' snooping/discerning/praying/discussing/applying/meeting people etc

The lovely people of what will hitherto be known as "The Parish by the River" have asked me to preach as 'sole nominee.' This means that on the 22nd of November I lead a service and at the end of it the members of the congregation vote as whether or not call me as their minister.

It was a great moment accepting the invitation but I also had to let other people know I would not be following up on my application or tentative interest. That wasn't so easy.

Anyway there is now lots of planning to be done - most of it based on the assumption that all will go well on the 22nd of Nov. The main reason being that there is a huge amount of work being done to get the manse habitable. I had to make my first decision less than 24 hrs after accepting the invitation to be sole nominee - I had to choose a kitchen! Tomorrow it is bathroom fittings. I am very lucky to be getting so much say - but when I tell you the manse has no interior walls or you will understand why it makes sense. Essentially we will, all being well (successfully preaching etc), be moving into a 'new' manse - everything will be brand new. They have even promised the minister's cat will have a cat flap!

It is quite a thought to plan moving from our current home into a manse and settling there. We have a whole lot of stuff to sort through, decisions to make, arrangements to make. But there is also the emotional turmoil for everyone to deal with. Granted we are only potentially moving about 12 miles but that still comes with it's own issues - especially for the teenagers of the house. We just need to keep the lines of communication open and keep talking....

Interesting times.....

After my wibble wobbles of a couple of weeks ago I am feeling a lot more settled and more clear about the direction I am going. I have stopped snooping and made some decisions!

Yesterday was a big day - I took the services at two churches not connested with my placement (thank you to those who helped sort this!) and representatives of three vacancy committees were there. (There were meant to be four but I wasnt aware of anyone from the fourth being there). It was a nerve racking morning topped off by having lunch and an 'informal'chat with one of the committees who had been there.

Everything seemed to go well though and my services were well received.

This week I am meeting with two Interim Moderators (Ministers appoint by the church to oversee vacant churches)- it will be an interesting week. Things could move very quickly or in typical Church of Scotland style move slllooowwwlllyyy. We will just have to wait and see!

Reflective Practitioner? Moi?

Part of the reason for starting this blog was to aid my reflective processes - which is why every so often I indulge in a wee review of what has been happening in the last few months.

Today seems a good time to review. I got word today that I had passed my Church Law essay - which was a relief as I wasn't so sure it was any good - but apparently it was! Passing this means that there remains just one hurdle between me and looking for a charge of my own later this early/early next year. That hurdle being my final review - which should take place late September.

So what of the last few months? Well so far this year I have preached in 3 different countries!!! Who would have thought eh? This NE lass has been to Malta and Rome and preached in both Church of Scotland churches in these countries. If a year ago someone would have suggested this I would have laughed. But I have been and done it! And the experiences were both fantastic.

The trip to Malta came about when my home minister move there to become the Minister at the joint Church of Scotland/Methodist charge in Valletta. Doug - my then minister, had been a huge support to me and it was a real pleasure to be at his induction. It was especially nice to be invited to preach during his first service as the new minister of St Andrew's Valletta.















Rome was just a couple of weeks ago - and it really was quite an experience. The CofS in Rome has a church which sits in amongst a lot of Government Buildings (the Ministry of Defence is just across the road!) The church has a small apartment for visiting clergy etc which sits on top of the church on the roof terrace,the view from which is just awesome. The congregation are just wonderful and made us feel so welcome. We helped out with some outreach work they do for the refugee community in Rome - 500 packed lunches are made up and distributed every week.

Rome itself is just a fascinating city - one guide book described it as an open air museum and art gallery - and it really is! If you like art and culture then you will love Rome. It is hard to pick a favourite but it would be a toss up between the Trevi Fountain and St Peter's. Incidentally we could see St Peter's from the roof terrace - and spent each evening watch the sun go down over Rome and St Peter's lighting up. All I can say about that is 'wow!'














I feel so fortunate to have had these opportunities - they have given Neil and I so many great memories and I feel quite spoiled by extra opportunities for travel they have afforded us. And my travels this year are not finished - a road trip to London via Manchester in July and a family holiday in Tunisia are still to come....I know - spoiled!!!

I am now more than half way through my probationary placement - and it just gets better and better. I really feel part of things and have a great relationship with everyone that is part of the ministry and staff team. My supervisor from the word go has treated me with respect and trusts me to get on with things - but is always there and willing to share his opinion and advise. This has really helped boost my confidence. The congregation have made me so welcome and genuinely seem to enjoy having me around - something that still takes me by surprise!!

So as I reflect over the last 8 months I have had a ball! I have travelled to new places and made so many new friends. I have faced challenges and met them. I continue to grow as a person.

God truly is amazing - the NE lass is continually taken by surprise at the opportunities he gives me, the way he guides me and the love he showers me with.

So much to do, so little time...

Its been a busy few days and the next 36 hours will be no different!

I set off for Rome at lunchtime on Tuesday and have to have a service and sermon ready before I go. The service is more or less done but the sermon has yet to begin! lol
I also have to sort out a wee list of things - euros, sandals, birthday cards, money for the kids, make up spare room for Suzie.....so much to do and so little time!

But I am also very excited about the rest of the week. Neil and I will be staying at the Church of Scotland in Rome - I am taking the service there on Sunday, whilst Rev Willie McCulloch is at the General Assembly. I feel so very fortunate to have this opportunity - and it was just a case of being in the right place at the right time. As well as seeing as many of the sights as we can squeeze in we are also going to get involved in an outreach that the church does amongst refugees in Rome - each week volunteers make up around 500 pack lunches on a Thursday morning and then give them out at lunchtime Thursday & Friday.

One of the highlights will be a visit to the Vatican. Apparently we will be able to see it from the roof terrace where the bed sit we are staying in is situated.

To cheer you all up - I checked the weather forecast for the next five days - lets just say I have packed the sun cream and shorts!

We get back next monday and after a quick turn around its off to my final probationers conference and a wedding at the end of that week.....life is tough :-)

Agreeing to differ

I watched this clip and would encourage you to watch it too. It shows two quite opposing views on the call to Queens Cross Church of Scott Rennie.

I am impressed by the calm way in which the discussion is held - no interference from a interviewer - just a straight forward discussion.

But nailing my colours firmly to the wall - I was particularly impressed by the calm grace of Ewan Gilchrist. He speaks for me- thank you Ewan.

I come to the garden alone

I come to the garden alone
While the dew is still on the roses
And the voice I hear falling on my ear
The Son of God discloses.

And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.

He speaks, and the sound of His voice,
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing.

And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.

I’d stay in the garden with Him
Though the night around me be falling,
But He bids me go; through the voice of woe
His voice to me is calling.

And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.

C. Austin Miles

We sang these beautiful words at our evening service last night. My supervisor had used the words during a funeral yesterday. I had not heard them before but I was touched by them. Its an old fashioned hymn - if you want to hear the tune that goes with it you will find it here.

The words of the refrain speak to me of the very personal relationship we each have with God. As we walk with our Lord no one call tell us what that relationship is like; no one can tells us what it should be; it just is. And that means we each experience it in a different way. There may be commonalities but there most certainly will be a uniqueness to each relationship.

My prayer for this moment is that we can all acknowledge our differences but rejoice in our commonalities. We have a Lord that loves each and everyone of us - with all our individual eccentricities. None of us perfect - ALL of us Rag dolls - broken and bent.

Amen

The photo above is of our front garden - taken a few years ago.

Measured words

Many of you will be aware of the objection that was made by some people against Aberdeen Presbytery's decision to ratify the right of Queen's Cross Church to call their choice of minister. This situation will now come before the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland later this month.

There is much discussion about the rights and wrongs of the objection. The lifestyle of the chosen minister would seem to be the real issue. An Overture from the Presbytery of Lochcarron and Skye has also been tabled that will send fear into the lives of many LGBT members/elders as well as ministers of our fine Kirk.

I have read many fine words from both 'sides' but the following link is from a blog that, to me, graciously looks at the situation and makes some fine observations. Thank you Iain for your wise and measured words. You show the grace so lacking in many places.

Where two or more....

Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.–Matt. 18:20


In my home town the churches all get together to 'do' Holy Week. One congregation acts as host and the others take a turn at either leading the worship - or as the local Priest did tonight, do the meditation/talk/sermon.

This year the local Scottish Episcopal Church are the hosts. At last night's service we were invited to attend Morning Prayers at 8.30am each morning this week. So I thought that would be a grand idea and a good way to start my day. So off I set this morning - not really knowing what to expect and when I arrived, appart from the Vicar I was the only one there! And it remained like that.

The Vicar explained that she has to do Morning and Evening Prayers each day and usually she would do this at home - as no-one comes. But for Holy Week she opens the church and does it there - whether anyone comes or not.

So we sat together and followed the Liturgy as laid out in the useful wee daily Prayer books. It was peaceful and quiet and as we said the prayers together it felt good - God was indeed there.

Hot Chocolate Ministry

So we did it! We stepped out on to the steps of the church and reached out!
And it was great fun - the young people really appreciated the hot chocolate and we appreciated their politeness and laughter.

This project has been a wee dream of mine for a while - before I started on my placement I had noticed that on a Saturday afternoon young people liked to gather on the steps of the church. The church just so happens to be right in the middle of the pedestrian part of the high street - an obvious place to gather. Unfortunately there has been some problems with graffiti and litter and ALL the young people have been blamed by some - so a group of us decided that instead of scowling at the young people we would like to get to know who it is that shares our steps with us. And we hope over the next few weeks to build up a relationship with whoever is there.

What I really loved was that the young people not only enjoyed their hot drinks but they also did not seem to mind us being there in amongst them. Most sat on the steps and enjoyed their drinks and a bit of banter with their pals. But some asked if they could see inside the church, others if they could sit inside in the wee hall that we have (it was cold), some wanted to use the loo AND one asked if he could borrow a music edition of CH4 (Church of Scotland Hymnary version 4) - turns out he is a very talented pianist and plays the organ sometimes at a couple of local churches. He was also interested in the services we have at the church.

So you can see why we are all excited about next week - the young people asked would we be there and it was great to be able to say we would be. It really did feel good to be a church reaching out asking nothing in return...being the living witnesses to Christ in the world. We have no idea where our project might take us but are we are going......

Yesterday

Yesterday was a lovely day. It started with going to church twice! Twice because I was leading worship, not at my probationary placement but at my home church. I have never led an entire service at my home church before but yesterday was my chance.

The first service was at the wee country kirk - 14 of us enjoyed our worship together.

Then it was up the road for the second service - 1/2 an hour to grab a coffee and then drive back to Keith, ready for the 2nd service.

The 2nd service was very special - my family were all there and it also gave me a chance to say thank you to the people who have sustained me, not just over the last few years but for most of my life. I have been a member of this congregation, on and off, for about 26 years - they have seen me grow up, get married and have children. I have been an Elder for the last 12 years.

It was good to be able to say thank you for their ministry to me - they may not realise it but they have in so many ways, individually and collectively, pastored to me through their prayers, gentle encouragement and even their questions. I was also able to pay a tribute to my minister - he has been a wonderful support to me - always available, generous of his time.

The strangest thing happened at the end of the service as we (the minister and I) were walking to the door - applause started and some people even got to their feet. Odd, embarrassing, lovely, awkward, sweet..........nuff said.

I am going to post my sermon later, once I have edited it for publishing. lol

After the service I stayed for the Annual Stated Meeting. then my mum and dad came up to the house for our typical Sunday lunch - bacon butties!

Later on we went out to mum and dads with my sister and her crew. Whilst granny organised tea for all 10 of us - we went for a hike up the hill.

It was just so lovely to spend time with everyone. We don't do it often enough. family really is important. Its too easy to not find or make time. But as I see us all get older, I realise how precious our time is.

Lord God,

I thank you for the time we can share with our loved ones,

I thank you for their love,

Love that sustains me and feeds me.

I thank you Lord for each and everyone of them.

Amen