Salley Vickers ticket available

This weekend it is the Borders Book Festival at Melrose. Salley Vickers is giving a talk and I have one extra ticket available for anyone who wants it. She is speaking on Saturday at 5.30pm at the Harmony Marquee. First come, first served.

Salley Vickers wrote Mr Golightly’s Holiday and Miss Garnet’s Angel, amongst others. If you haven’t read them, you should.

Mission and Ministry in Edinburgh

Last night our Mission and Ministry committee met to discuss Ministry Review as part of our 2008/9 goals.  A few issues arose for discussion and, as ever, I’d appreciate your input folks…

The first question we discussed was:
What do we in Edinburgh Diocese mean by ‘ministry’ and how does it relate to ‘discipleship’?

I realise that we in Edinburgh may do ministry differently from those elsewhere. Ministry has first and foremost to be contextual. And ministry in the city of Edinburgh will be different from ministry in the Borders, and West and East Lothian (all part of our diocese). For you it will be completely different but I’d be interested in your opinion.

There has been much debate in our wee church about ministry of late. Local Collaborative Ministry (with capitals) has caused some clergy to feel uncertain about their future role. This has been covered on blogs in the past.  Our committee recently studied The Mission and Ministry of the Whole Church, C of E FOAG Report 2007. One of the questions it raised was the use of the words ‘ministry’ and ‘discipleship’. There seems to have been a shift in recent years towards the use of ‘ministry’ to cover all sorts of jobs that people do in the church: from welcoming people at the door to playing the organ to visiting the sick to arranging the flowers. But what the report was suggesting was that these jobs are really ‘discipleship’ - things that we all should be doing as Christians. Each of us will have strengths in certain areas of discipleship and those should be affirmed and nurtured and undertaken to the best of our ability.

Ministry, or rather ‘ordained ministry’ also contains the role of leadership, as well as enabling and nurturing. But never in four years of university or three years of Theological College were we taught those skills. Now it may be that in our selection process those skills were discerned but having leadership skills in the secular world can be very different from the skills needed for working within a congregational setting. We concluded that continuing training in this area was long overdue.

How can we support both clergy and lay ministry better?

ES, who wrote the paper we were discussing, says ‘…the term ‘ministry’ is notoriously greedy and almost impossible to define. A definition that is too limited may exclude and offend laity; a definition that is too broad may leave clergy feeling devalued and demoralised. At General Synod this year, one priest spoke of his hurt at hearing stipendiary clergy being described at a Provincial Conference as a burden on the Church’s finances. Other clergy refused to vote on occasions at this Synod apparantly in protest at the power of LCM in the SEC.’

I would agree with this statement and it is a very difficult subject to discuss. Clergy morale is low for those and other reasons. And a common complaint, not just in our diocese, is the lack of continuing personal development and  lifelong learning. It seems to many of us that a huge amount of resources have been recently put into the training and development of LCM but little for stipendiary and non-stipendiary clergy. There was a recent article in Inspires about the training offered to lay people to be Continuing Congregational Development Companions. These companions are invited into congregations to lead congregational development days and help the congregation discern where changes might be made. They are trained to tackle issues which a church as a community might face and to discern gifts in the laity. My question is this: why is this training not just given to clergy? I have never been offered further training in this area and would be really interested in developing those skills.

Is our training in those of authorised ministries in IME, CMD 1-3 and CMD 4+ adequate and would its improvement increase clergy morale and vocations?

Well you may have already gathered that my answer to the first part of that question is ‘No’ and to the second part ‘Yes’! As long as continuing resources is put into lay training and programmes clergy are going to be more and more demoralised and dissatisfied. Our Diocese has an excellent programme called Adventures in Faith which offers training courses and one day events for lay people (and clergy) to attend. And I have. But these are not specifically aimed at clergy development and that area is like a barren land. To be fair, our diocese did indeed put on a couple of one-day events for clergy last year but the take-up was so poor that one had to be cancelled and the other cut short because only two of us turned up. Perhaps the organisers need to look at the topics being offered and ask what is really wanted or needed?

I know of one diocese that has monthly clergy development which is mandatory and has my full support. But at the present time each diocese is responsible for its own training and there are huge differences in the approach.

In this week’s Church Times there was an excellent article by Rev Brian Cranwell entitled ‘Head off stress by getting feedback’. He suggests that clergy need better appraisals and training to prevent problems leading to stress, breakdown and even some leaving the church altogether. In my past job I had annual reviews and had to undertake regular training as part of my contract. Although the SEC has a Clergy Appraisal Scheme, I think, it is voluntary and as ever those who perhaps need it most don’t take it up. And it is such a well-kept secret that many don’t even know of its existence. And while peer appraisal can indeed be valuable there is something to be said for regular appraisals with a senior clergyperson in one’s own diocese. For example, nobody has ever spoken to my Vestry or congregation to see how I am functioning. I might be the worst preacher in the world and who is to know?

So there we have it folks… over to you for comments.

A puffin poem

Thanks to John for this one…

St Kildan Congregation” by Derick Thomson

The fulmars are on Stac an Armainn,
living in comradeship,
their eggs keep their hold on the rock,
dancers on tip-toe,
and eternity wells up
at the foot of the rock cliffs.

The solan on Soay
fondles the gannet’s throat
the eye stares straight into space,
its beak teaches the Parables,
each one on its own nest.

And the puffins are at the edge of the rock-ledge
in their white surplices,
with their coloured beaks;
I’ve heard, but don’t know whether to believe it,
they’re Episcopalians. Well, take it or leave it.

Bishop Gene Robinson is welcome in Scotland

You may have heard of Bishop Gene Robinson. He is a good and caring priest but that’s not why he is famous. Bishop Gene is famous (and ostracised) because he is a gay man in a loving and committed relationship. For those outwith church circles, like my children and their friends, this is not a big deal. “So what?” they say. But for some in the church it is a big deal and for his honesty he has been at the centre of a furore about sexuality and religion for some time now. And as a result of his honesty he has been not been invited to the forthcoming Lambeth Conference.

There have been gay priest and gay bishops for a long time in the church. But for many years the only way they could continue in their vocation was to live a lie. Times have changed and now more and more of these pastoral caring men and women have come out of their priestly closets. After all, living a lie can’t be good for your soul or the souls of those in your pastoral care, can it? In Scotland we are fortunate that most gay clergy are able to live open and full lives with the support of their bishops. This is not the case, however, in all of the Anglican Communion.

The Archbishop of Canterbury has not invited Bishop Gene to Lambeth and has forbidden any church in the CofE to even have him preach. Thankfully, in Scotland we are more enlightened. There will be two opportunities to hear Bishop Gene in August in Scotland. First, he will preach at St Mary’s Cathedral in Glasgow on 3 August - check out Kelvin’s blog here for his announcement. And then he will be in conversation with Rev John Armes at the Festival of Spirituality and Peace on 4 August.

Our sincere prayers and thanks to the bishops and clergy who have made these invitations possible.

The hair dilemma

As some of you will know I have had purple hair for some time now. Well, since I was in my 20s actually. First it was a plum colour because that was all you could get but for the past few years it has been real purple and I loved it. However, not everyone did. Son #2, who is rather conservative in his tastes and I’m really not sure how he can be mine, has always found it rather embarrassing. “Why don’t you just have nice brown hair?” he’ll wail.

The other problem with purple hair - and my love of purple in general - is the comments you get from churchy friends. “Ooh so you want to be a bishop!” they’ll cry, and other such episcopal threats. No matter how often I assure them that I have no such ambitions and in fact can’t imagine a more difficult job, they continue.

So I decided that although I will not stop wearing purple perhaps it was time to cease the purple hair nonsense. So last week, in time for Synod, I went brown. Just boring brown. And all I got were comments of “Oh where’s your purple hair?”

Son #2 is happy. Some of my little flock think I look younger. But many think it just isn’t ‘me’. And whenever I look in the mirror (not often) I cringe because it doesn’t feel like me. It doesn’t reflect my personality. Although why purple hair should, is not something I understand. It’s an extrovert thing, I guess. Yesterday the consensus was that brown with a few purple streaks might be the way forward. If I was really brave I’d let it go its natural colour (white and grey, I suspect) and then get purple streaks. Much more interesting!

So watch this space…

General Synod - the last word

Sorry I didn’t keep up with breaking news of Synod last week. Typing on my tiny wee keyboard, courtesy of my Palm Treo, became a bit of a chore. And others were doing it so much better. But all in all I think it was a good Synod although I did feel for the lovely Jeremy when some of the bishops scuppered his first reading of the Canon on membership.

As always with General Synod it is a chance to catch up with people that we don’t see very often. Lovely to see that a few fellow students, and some who came after me, are now Canons. Actually, not a few - a lot. Not that I’m bitter…!

Day 1 at Synod

First day over and noboby came to blows so that’s good. Raspberry Rabbit was roaming around with a microphone so you had to be pretty nimble to avoid him. As I was sitting behind him I was just a tad nervous about making comments sotto voce just in case he picked them up. that made the naughty corner the most quiet I’ve ever known.

The Edinburgh amendment to the St Andrew’s Covenant went through and you can read all about it on Mother K’s website or on the SEC one.

Lots of canons to deal with and a bit of attention seeking behaviour from the other Mother K and Fr K. (And no, your name doesn’t have to begin with K to be a member of synod.)

Membership on the cards for today. How do you get to be a member of our churches? The Charity regulations tell us that we need to have a strict membership role but some of us have been a bit more fluid about it all. I like fluid.

More later…

Off to General Synod

Today the General Synod of the Scottish Episcopal Church begins. You too can share in the fun by going to the SEC website or clicking here.

You’ll find me either in Starbucks or in the naughty corner.

St Peter’s and St Columba’s revisited

This morning I was invited to preach at my old stomping ground at St P’s Linlithgow and St C’s Bathgate for the Feast of St Columba. It was lovely to see old faces - old faces looking so young! - and some new faces too. What was most startling was seeing how the children had grown. Many memories came flooding back of very happy times there. St C’s was decorated for the Gala Day (2nd Prize this year) and we had a barbecue outside and a chance to catch up. It’s strange going back.

One thing I did learn however, was that I can’t write sermons with paper and pen any more. It’s funny how we get used to doing things a certain way. And sermon writing, for me, has to be at the computer surrounded by books. So no, I am not going to share it with you.

A tale of a pilgrimage

Pilgrimages begin with a journey. In fact, the journey is very much part of a pilgrimage. It allows the pilgrims to start the process of getting away together and of course the journey to a special place is always alive with anticipation. Last Saturday a minibus left St Mark’s with some very excited pilgrims and I set off in my car with P for company.

P and I only got as far as the first big roundabout out of town when a bus decided to ignore the lane markings and take me with him back to Portobello. And to make matters worse, to drive off with nary a backward glance. A few scrapes and scratches and thankfully no damage done to my passenger and off we set again.

Miraculously we all met up again in Oban at the ferry terminal in time for our ferry to Craignure on Mull. The sun shone hard and the sail was spectacular for those who haven’t been before. That’s the thing about going back to a familiar place with people who’ve never been before – you get to re-live it again through their eyes.

A warm welcome at Bishop’s House and after a quick scamper round the house we took a wander up to the Abbey. Compline in the chapel rounded off a tiring day and after a few glasses of wine from a well-stocked bar we all went to bed.

Sunday

The day started with a Eucharist in the beautiful chapel at Bishop’s House. I love this chapel and the altar frontal tells a story of Iona (and inspired a fabulous frontal at St Columba’s Bathgate after our last visit).

Some of us went up to the Abbey for their communion service and enjoyed some memorable music. After lunch a group of us walked over to the Machair while others started their exploration of the island. We had a short talk on Celtic art and the colouring in began, as well as some masterpieces in encaustic art. Evensong in the chapel was peaceful and contemplative. In the evening I did 5 French manicures for some of my little flock. Someone said it looked like another kind of Maundy Thursday and footwashing.

Monday

Lots of visitors from Toronto at the Eucharist this morning. That’s one of the lovely things about Bishop’s House – you are always blessed by visitors from all over the world at each service. In the morning we had a session on Celtic Spirituality and some good discussions ensued.

Another glorious day and an afternoon visit to Staffa and Fingal’s Cave. I’ve been a few times and it is always an amazing sight but this time it was as flat as a millpond and on the way we saw seals and basking sharks as well as all sorts of sea birds.

The climb up to the top was worth it (after a snifter from I’s hipflask to calm my asthma!) and I finally got to see the puffins. I couldn’t believe how close they came to us. We were told that humans are friends to them because they have learned that we keep the seagulls at bay.

The evening was spent sharing after-sun and a little discussion from the The Book of Questions – most revealing.

Tuesday

No eucharist in the morning so some joined me for Morning Prayer. Always lovely to share saying the Office. Everyone went on the Abbey Pilgrimages and I had the house to myself for a few hours. Full house for evening eucharist again and in the evening we all sat and shared stories. This week we have a rota for readings, prayers, leading Compline and altar serving. It means that people who don’t usually do these things can try them out in a smaller environment. The readings at the Eucharist have been from Tobit this week and we almost feel like ending them with ‘tune in tomorrow for our next exciting instalment’. I get the feeling that a few purchases of bibles with the Apocrypha will be happening on our return. Another thing which has struck me this week is seeing another side to my little flock. This was especially true of L who has been able to be herself this week and not a ‘mum’. It has seemed strange giving her the Body of Christ in two hands when normally one is holding a small child and another is wriggling at her feet. She has been so serene. Fell asleep to the sound of waves lapping on the beach.

Wednesday

Cooler today and windy but dry until evening. Our session this morning was on Celtic Prayer and I sense some masterpieces waiting to be born. In the afternoon some of us walked to the north end and paddling was the order of the day. The shops took some visiting too. The group has now really started to gel and there is much hilarity at meal times and in the evenings. Then there was the incident of the bread and the seagulls but the less said about that, the better. (You really had to be there, but believe me when I say it ran and ran!)

Thursday

Another sunny day and by this point most people have trotted round the island a few times. The fitter ones have made it to St Columba’s Bay and the Marble Quarry, and most of the others have found Port Ban (my favourite beach) and the Machair. One of our oldest members even made it to St C’s bay which has to be a miracle. This morning we had a talk on Celtic Saints and all chose religious names. Some friends bought me a beautiful Celtic stole made from Harris tweed which will always be treasured. In the afternoon all went on the tour of the Abbey while I stayed behind to write my sermon for Sunday. In the evening we played silly games. Bats and corncrakes abound.

Friday

This morning we had a review of the week and people brought their treasured objects to share. We shared our Celtic prayers and they were fab. (The book will be available soon!)

Last chance to shop and visit places yet unseen and in the afternoon we had a healing service in St Oran’s chapel. The acoustics were amazing and the sound of Bless the Lord my Soul will stay with me for a long time. On the walk back we even managed to see a corncrake up close which is rare indeed.

In the evening we had our concert party and most folk did a wee ‘turn’. I got a lovely pressie too which was unexpected and a delight. And a poem was composed which may make it to the blog at a later date. We even booked up for May 2011. First come, first served folks…

Saturday – the journey home

Saying farewell to Iona is always hard. We met some lovely people, we got to know one another better and we all had a good rest. (Well, I know I’ll sleep well when I get home!)

P and I couldn’t get the same ferry home as the rest so we killed time in Tobermory and nearly got an eagle through the windscreen. The bus wasn’t there to meet the rest at Oban so we were all late home and exhausted. But what memories and I know that some will be first in with applications for our next visit.