Fr David writes.....
Dear Friends,
I am looking forward to taking part in the ordination of Deacons in our cathedral, especially as Stefan Thomas will be among their number. Although Stefan is a local person the change in status from layman to ordained minister will be just as significant for him as it is for someone moving to a different part of the country and in full time ministry. As has been already said, Stefan will continue to teach at Chatham House Grammar School so his time available to the church will be limited. Please pray for him and for Andrea, Sam and Hannah at this exciting time.
I have been privileged to work with two curates in my previous parish and although I have to give time to training issues the reward is great and I look forward to welcoming Stefan formally into our church community and the ministry team. It will, of course, mean some small changes to our Sunday liturgical routine – but you should be used to that by now!
Whenever I am involved with an ordination it gives me cause to reflect on my own ministry and calling. I was ordained in Norwich after a long career in the RAF, and although I enjoyed my time in uniform and lived in a number of fascinating places, I felt there was something more, that God wanted me to do more in his church, and I became passionate about it as I pursued ordination.
If you have ever seen advertisements for clergy you will know that many parishes have along list of qualities they seek in a new priest, and sometimes it would seem that only the archangel Gabriel would qualify! But when we come to ordained ministry we come with our faults and shortcomings a well as our gifts and abilities. None of us are perfect, few of us are good at everything. But we come with a love for God, his church and his people on our hearts and do the best we can. Stefan’s gifts will enhance our ministry as he will bring different gifts to us and I rejoice in that.
But ministry belongs to every one of us, ordained and lay, young and old.
What new ministry could God be calling you to?
Lines written in solitude at Bec:
Beauty comes in many forms the eye to behold
The bright green of springtime
heralding new life and plenty;
Brown cows sleeping in the meadow
whilst the swift darts overhead;
Human form, male and female,
made in the likeness of God,
some near naked on the beach worshipping the sun;
yet others clothed in gown and veil, worshipping the Son
and serving God whom they love.
Why is there so much anger and cruelty
when God intended us to be filled with his beauty?
Why do we dash from moment to moment -
ear fixed to electronic device in lieu of conversation?
Times spent away without an agenda,
feeling the sun wind and rain in the company of others,
conversing, praying, eating together,
helps to restore.
Lord, help us to see we need less,
that we may have more.
Open church
During the summer the church will be open on Monday and Thursday afternoons in addition to the usual Wednesday and Friday mornings. I regret that we are unable to leave the church open all the time, but we have a duty of care for our building and I can only imagine the potential for mischief if we did! However, we have a compromise now as new security bolts have been fitted to the inner doors which will enable us to leave the outer doors open during the day. I intend to produce some information on the Christian faith to be displayed in the lobby as part of our welcome to visitors and residents alike. Please pray for the success of this new aspect of our ministry as we experiment with new ways of welcome. Fr D.
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