Funerals, Roses and Friends

A long and very busy day today.  Thom was up at 7.30 a.m. for his paper round and I also got up early as I knew I had quite a busy day ahead of me.  Today saw the end of my Spring Term academic classroom work with all day tutorials at Sarum College - in the morning we completed the Funeral ministry module and in the afternoon the one on Intercessions leaving me to write up two more essays (one for each subject) by 5th April (Intercessions) and 25th April (Funerals).  Although this may seem extremely strange, I have really enjoyed my training for funeral ministry - something I suspect I will need to do quite a bit of if, as anticipated, I become the Freemason's chaplain for Wiltshire.  Tom Clammer, the Precentor of the Cathedral, has been excellent tutor and I really do enjoy his down to earth, practical and at time very humorous style on what could be a very dour subject.  So many useful tips.  I now need to gain some practical experiences of dealing with real live funerals as part of the "on-the-job" practical training.  The afternoon session was taken up with the theology of Intercessions and we looked closely at the opposing views of two well known theologians - Nicky Gumbel and Mike Higton (Mike had actually been one of my "inquisitors" at Alresford on Tuesday!). Interesting discussions but not quite as interesting as funerals!  I decided that after such a heavy day I would end my stay in the Cathedral Close with attending Evensong at the Cathedral. Before this I quickly called into  the Pound Shop and bought a few climbing roses which Sara had seen and wanted to plant in the garden. I arrived at the Cathedral early and managed to secure a place towards the front.  The service was taken by the same Tom Clammer as had been my tutor in the morning.  After the service, and I was gathering myself together to leave I cause a glimpse of David B. and his new lady.  David is an old friend who was at Liverpool with me in the 1970s - one of my oldest friends and so, after a quick thank you to Tom, I sprinted after them and we had a lovely conversation in the cathedral side aisle.  He remarked that the last time we had been together in the Cathedral had been for my licensing as a minister. We strolled out of the cathedral together promising to meet up again very soon.  A lazy night tonight following my re-checking of my sermon for tomorrow morning. 

Soggy Toast

Another early morning with me attending Ambassadors' Business Breakfast at the Grasmere House Hotel, Harnham.  The water has retreated substantially now and the Water Meadows are returning to being more meadow than water.  Not a particularly good turn out today but we were graced by the presence of "the best carpet cleaner in the world" with whom I sat.  Richard P seemed rather subdued and there felt to be a slightly laid back atmosphere.  I presented the Ambassadors' Hitler Video (The Saga of the Soggy Toast) which I believe is now on YouTube which went down well but didn't get quite as many laughs as I had expected.  Justin then gave a presentation on "SOE" which is something to do with making your website more attractive and easier to find for people using browsers.  Unfortunately he seemed to struggle with his Mac and the projector and so I think the next presentation should be on how to use digital projectors!  Following this breakfast meeting I spent a couple of hours in Sarum College Library working a bit more on my sermon - but I think it will have to be worked on more tonight.  I spent three and a half hours at Alabare Place Drop-In Centre talking especially to a newcomer - an elderly gentleman who has lost his agricultural tied cottage and has been sleeping in churchyards. He has a strong faith and believes that "him up there" will look after him. Also spent some time with some of my more regular customers.  This afternoon I worked on my sermon and completed the first draft by teatime.  I will let it stew and have a look at it tomorrow evening before finally printing it off for delivering at Stratford on Sunday.  Another long day tomorrow when I will be at Sarum College for tutorials on Funeral Ministry and Intercessions.  Watched a Poirot as a kind of reward for all the intense work done this evening.

Bringing me Sunshine

I was up early this morning despite the fact that Thom decided not to catch the early bus but catch the one that left for Winchester at the Wallops at  9.15 a.m. Last night he had been emphatic that he intended to catch the early bus and work in the library at college but this morning decided he would do his work at home - which meant using Sara's computer in order that he could print some stuff off.  I was attending a daylight lodge meeting at Devizes, Fiat Lux, which met at 11 a.m. so after dropping off Thom at the Wallops I drove to Devizes via Amesbury to fill up with fuel and get some cash.  Driving over Salisbury Plain I listened to the late tony Benn reading extracts from his 1991-2001 diary which included his reporting of his spoof interview with Ali G.  I really had to laugh out loud and it made me realise that I must put more humour into my own journal as laughter is a really wonderful thing and an wonderful antidote for feeling down. I really would like those of you reading these few scribbled notes to have a good chuckle from time to time. Another wonderful quote was from a conversation Tony had with Tony Blair - when asked what he was going to do on retiring from the House of Commons Tony (Benn) replied -  I think I'll take up politics!  Wonderful stuff.  Although Tony Benn and I never had the same political views I am tempted to buy a copy of his diary. Arriving in Devizes I parked the car in the usual car park in Sheep Street (it would have to be "Sheep" street wouldn't it after all the talk about sheep at the house group last night!).  I put 5 hours worth of parking money in thinking that would be more than adequate.  The meeting was well attended at the Provincial Grand Master, who is a member, was delighted to see me and confirmed that he was thrilled to know that I would be accepting the offer of a promotion to Past Provincial Grand Chaplain and emphasised his hope that in due course I would become the Province's Grand Chaplain.  I expressed my own delight in this great honour and acknowledgement of a service which I would be delighted to render to the Province and my willingness to deputise in the meantime.  A lovely friend group of people in the meeting and at the lunch.  I feel very privileged to have met, this week, so many lovely people and am feeling really blessed at the moment. The meeting did go on much longer than anticipated and I had to leave before the end in order to get back to Winterslow in good time.  Tonight I took ten people (myself included) - the members of our own Ecumenical House Group - to Southampton to a wonderfully funny, yet at time serious, presentation by Care for the Family - Rob Parsons and John Archer.   We set off from our house in a convoy of three cars (me leading) and arrived at College street Car Park in good time (about 6.30 p.m.).  It was starting to drizzle and we split into two - four went into the Central Hall and the other six of us were led by me up St. Mary's Street to "our" chippy following the announcement that some people had not had any supper. Trays of ships all round which we ate as we walked back to the Central Hall.  A really enjoyable night - again much fun and laughter.  It's been a really good day today - laughter really does make the world go round and make the sun shine even when it is drizzling!

Coffee Morning in Stratford-sub-Castle

I attended a lovely coffee morning in Stratford-sub-Castle this morning to meet some of the congregation and other residents in the home of a newly converted Christian couple.  It was an open morning at which members of St. Lawrence's congregation open their homes to anybody in the village who wants to come and meet and chat with members of the Christian community. It also gave me the opportunity for Tessa, the associate priest, to introduce me to many of the congregation to whom I shall be preaching on Sunday - on the subject of living water.  Tessa and I had an opportunity for a lovely chat about our respective callings and how our ministry has been shaped by events and both been blessed by being able to experience ministry in the St. Francis benefice. Following this visit, which lasted about an hour and a half, I drove into Salisbury and spent the afternoon at Sarum College reading up on John 4 and John 10 in preparation for Brownie's house group this evening and my sermon on Sunday.  I didn't get quite as much done as I had hoped and spent quite a bit of time in reflection. On my way to pick up Thom at the Wallops I stopped off at Parkwood Fitness and had a swim, and used the steam room and spa pool.  Very refreshing after a day of meetings and study.  I attended Brownie's house group this evening at West Dean which I facilitated (I wouldn't be so bold as to say "led") to allow Andrew the opportunity to attend a talk by the Archdeacon on praying with icons in the cathedral.  There were five us at Brownie's this evening and we had an interesting discussing about John10 and in particular the use of "sheep" throughout the bible - both Old and New Testament. Brownie is very anxious to involve the church at West Dean more with the community. They were all very pleased to see me especially as they knew I was currently working in another benefice at the moment and thought it very good of me to take time out to help them with their house group.  I really enjoyed the evening.

Lovely Trip to Alresford

I took Thom to the Wallops again today as I was unable to pick him up early this afternoon.  Sara and I went in to Parkwood early and I was unable to have my usual "gym n' swim" and had to be content just with "gym" because I had forgotten to pack my swimming shorts - added to which I couldn't find my newly bought goggles (they turned up eventually under my car seat). I finished the portfolio, printed it out and carefully collated it into its folder.  Having put it into an A4 envelope I felt as though I had really achieved something.  It's been a difficult subject/module over a difficult term but now its done. I then drove to Old Alresford Place where I was taking part, with other students, in a Durhamn University Validation process for a new regime of ministerial training - both lay and ordained. The building and setting were both beautiful - a church not dissimilar to that in Farley, the bishop's lodge and the building we were in being the Old Rectory.  A leftover from the time when the local priest held a position close to that of the Squire in villages.  I met and ate lunch with two students in their first year of STETS (ordination training at Salisbury) and handed over my portfolio to Stella.  We were all interviewed, together with students from Guildford, Winchester and Oxford dioceses by a panel from Durham University which seemed to go well. The were particularly interested in our accessibility to resources, support for "non-academic" issues and the use of placements - which they seem to endorse - each of us has been, is on or will be going on a placement. After the interview I met Bishop Jonathan (Bishop of Southampton) and our own Archdeacon (Alan) with whom I had a short chat.  I had a quick look into the Church at Old Alresford - a lovely light building inside - before driving into New Alresford for a cup of tea and a chat with the husband of Sara's mother's good friend, Mary. Peter is a Reader in the Winchester diocese and we compared notes on how things are done in the different diocese.  Mary joined us after an hour (having been on a trip to Midhurst) and we spent another hour chatting and catching up on family news.  Mary has beenc diagnosed with breast cancer, like Sara's mother, and is to visit Winchester Hospital on Friday.  I said that Sara and I would offer up our prayers for a successful consultation. Tonight, Sara and I went to St. Paul's for our last Christianity Explored session.  Next week we have been invited to the leader's house (Andy's) near the Godolphin School, Salisbury for a meal and an opportunity to share our reflections on the course.

Across to Worthing

The beginning of a very busy week starting with taking Thom to catch his bus at The Wallops.  Quite a hectic morning as I was driving over to Worthing at lunchtime to attend the Sussex Provincial Grand Chapter convocation at the Charmandean Centre on the Brighton Road.  A number of Royal Arch Masons from my Sussex lodge and chapter were receiving honours and it was good to meet up with Peter M who was to received Grand Chapter rank in May.  He kindly arranged for me to sit behind Scribe E's table and I had a good view of all the proceedings.  There were many RAMs from provinces in the south, west and home counties but Wiltshire was, on this occasion, unrepresented officially.  I guess I represented Wiltshire "unofficially".  The meeting was considerably shorter than usual which did give me quite an opportunity to have a chat with friends and colleagues in the bar afterwards. I didn't stay for the rather over-priced dinner and drove back to Winterslow along the coast road - the traffic was exceptionally heavy in parts. Back home, I spent the rest of the evening in the study putting together the finishing touches to my Ethics portfolio which I intend to deliver to my tutor/mentor tomorrow when I see her at Old Alresford. Not quite finished by the time I went to bed but should be able to complete and print tomorrow morning. 

My first visit to St. Lawrence's

I had a strange dream last night - I dreamt that I went round to the house of a girl I had a crush on when I was 13 and met her and her mother who kept pet lemurs!  I have no idea what that dream was meant to convey to me, if anything!  I went on my own to St. Lawrence's Church at Stratford-sub-castle this morning as Sara suddenly remembered that Mary had a photo-shoot for the ballet show and she would not be able to join me at Stratford.  I arrived a little before the service was due to start with the church really filling up (there were 76 people attending at the end) because a couple who had been connected with the church for many years were celebrating their golden Wedding Anniversary and during the service (Holy Communion) had their wedding vows renewed.  Tessa preached and took the Communion and vows renewal and Ali, the ordinand acted as deacon.  One of the churchwardens I knew as a member of my lodge as well as another freemason who acted as sidesman. I was introduced to the congregation by Tessa who mentioned that I would be returning next week to preach.  I am really looking forward to it - my first time preaching in an Anglican church since January.  After the service I met up with Sara and Mary at Waitrose for a coffee and I also went into Sports Direct to purchase some new swimming goggles.  On my way back home I stopped off at Homebase where they were having a 20% sale and bought another hand mower for a very much reduced price from last year.  The one I previously bought appears to have become damaged as a result of hitting a large stone. Sara cooked an excellent roast pork lunch whilst I worked some more on my portfolio.  This evening, Sara and I went to St. Paul's with James driving us.  An interesting service with the theme of example identity - who do we hold out to be great examples of Christian life and how can we ourselves be examples to others.  Great worship music too.  A new rector has been chosen - a young family man from Woking, Craig,  who will take up his new position in the summer.  Back in Winterslow, James and I had a swift couple of drinks in the Lion's Head before returning home where I finished off my annotated bibliography for my portfolio.  Should get it finished tomorrow in time to hand it to Stella on Tuesday when I see her at alresford.