Listening to the stories

Once a month a group of our wrinklies meet on a Tuesday afternoon and listen to a speaker, socialise and have a cuppa. They call themselves the Tuesday Fellowship. Quite.  Yesterday was the first meeting of the season and usually we have a Eucharist and I give a wee talk.  Of course, I couldn’t do either so the lovely Fr A got their hearts a-fluttering again by presiding at mass. There is something about a powerful deep voice which commands attention, right enough.

As I couldn’t give a talk, I asked them to tell me the stories of how they first came to church. At the end of the month we will be taking part in Back To Church Sunday so I wanted to find out how they all came to church.  Because of the age profile of the group (all past retirement except for one other and me) their stories were mostly of family expectations of going to church, not always with parents.  I couldn’t find one example of someone who had been invited to church by a friend.  (Although J who is not a member or even Pisky was invited to the Tuesday Fellowship by her friend, so that must count.)  But I suspect if I asked a group of younger people I may find a different story.  Oh, and I was delighted to hear that A only joined the Piskies because there were good looking boys in the choir.  You just never know what lurks beneath those schoolma’am exteriors!

They then got on to talking about being perceived as the ‘English Church’ and how some hated that but for others that was how they found us.  Some saw us as a link between the Prots and Catholics and thought that was a good thing, something to be proud of.

Then the conversation moved on to Evacuation, this being the anniversary of the first evacuation during WW2.  Many were evacuated away from Portobello because there was a perceived danger living near the Power Station. They didn’t go far, however, mostly just being sent a few miles down the coast and mostly with mum.  Most of the stories were of positive experiences living on a farm or a big house, but walking a few miles to school didn’t go down quite so well. But it got me thinking, with Child Protection regulations and Health & Safety and all that jazz, would evacuation happen today?  Can you imagine young children being put on to a train with no knowledge of where they’d end up?  And who checked the adults who took them in? Often they were treated as cheap labour and surely there would be a hue and cry if that happened today. How times have changed.

Sometimes its good when you lose your voice and can’t speak. Then you have to listen to the stories and there was enough material in there to preach a good few sermons.  Thank you, Tuesday Fellowship.

Provincial Conference cancelled

A long, long time ago, in a galaxy far far away (well Aberdeen actually in 1991) I attended my first Provincial Conference. I even have the mug to prove it.  I’d only been going to church a few years and was throwing myself into it all wholeheartedly as new converts do. When I heard about the Conference and that the main speaker was Robert Runcie and that only two people from each congregation could go, I pleaded with my Rector to be allowed to attend. I paid one third, the parish another third and the diocese the final third.  (£95 in total if I remember correctly).  It was a great conference. Robert Runcie turned out to be a very entertaining speaker so that was a bonus. We all had little ‘family groups’ where we met each morning and I got to know some of the pretty well. But what I really loved was the social side of it – the rubbing shoulders with the great and the good (and the not so great or good) of the church. Of sharing stories over a glass of vino or two or more. And I got a mug.

The next Conference was about 5 years later in St Andrew’s and the main speaker was Desmond Tutu so I was first to sign up again. I mean, who wouldn’t want to hear DT?  The other speaker was a Bishop whose name I can’t remember just now but was from New Westminster, Canada but used to be a curate at Old St Paul’s, if I remember correctly. We met in a marquee and it howled a gale for most of it but what a treat. Both speakers were excellent and I mean really high calibre. My ‘family group’ was good and who can forget those evenings in the bar?

I missed the Marcus Borg one which I believe was another goodie. But I did go to the last one. No big names this time – well Rowan Williams did come to do one session but we were told not to ask the big burning question of the day (can you be a homosexual and still be a churchmember/priest/bishop?). The main speakers were Kathy Galloway and a Church of Scotland minister. That’s two Presbyterians.  Many of the family/house groups didn’t work. And the underlying current was just never allowed to be brought out into the open.

This year’s Conference was to be held in October. The speakers were to be Bishop Stephen Cottrill, Annabel Goldie, and another Church of Scotland minister. That’s an Englishman, a Tory and a Presbyterian. I’m sorry but this is the SEC and that big burning question of the day is still not really being addressed and is unlikely to at this rate. The subject was that old chestnut – Five Marks of Mission. It was to be in Aviemore in  a nice hotel this time so I signed up. Not because of the speakers, I have to admit, but because it was in a nice hotel and I do enjoy the craic. Then I heard Ms Goldie has pulled out because it clashed with the Tory Party Conference. Do they not have diaries?  It has now been cancelled because not enough folk have signed up. I wonder why?

Here’s why I think it failed.

• The speakers were not big names, not crowd pullers.  I mean I have heard of Stephen Cottrill and Annabel Goldie or Eric Cramb but I wonder how many of my flock have heard of them all. Or would pay good money to hear them.
• You had to book months/years ahead. And you couldn’t book online. People just don’t want to commit to that kind of thing so far ahead. And there is no closing date for applications on the website.
• It was expensive. The cost was about £300 for two days. But this time each diocese had a different method of assistance – or not. In our case, you could pay half and your parish the other half. We did not have a Diocesan allowance for financial help.
• Do people want to talk about Mission?

So there we have it. It has now been cancelled. A pile of money has been wasted in meetings, facilitators trained and hours of preparation and planning. Deposit cheques have bounced right, left and centre because they were held on to for months and months before cashing.

Who would you have wanted to hear at a Conference?

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.

SECC Wedding Show report

Just back from a day spent at the SECC in Glasgow at the Wedding Show. And what an exciting day it was too. I believe that Mother Kimberly and Father Jeremy along with Provost Kelvin were there yesterday. (Although I suspect that a certain Provost spent more time having his picture taken with glamorous models than speaking to Joe Public.)

Today it was Lorna (SEC Communications Whiz) and me in the morning dishing out heart-shaped sweeties to all and sundry. We were joined later by that Media Tart (aka the Provost!) and then Father Gordon.

I did have a scamper round to see what else was on offer and it was all there. Tiaras, kilts of all hues, cakes in black, white, tartan or made entirely from cheese in three tiers. You could get your make-up done in an alarming tan, or your teeth whitened or your hair backcombed within an inch of its life. And don’t talk to me about dresses. Meringues and sheaths – they were all being modelled.

We were the only Church on show which was good for publicity and we had some lovely encounters and even picked up a booking. Lots of people were surprised to see us there but many gave great affirmations too. So it was worth while although how you can be so tired just standing smiling and handing out red love sweeties is beyond me.

Here we are slumped at the end of the day:

All things new

We have a new website and new Bishop for Moray, Ross and Caithness.

The new Scottish Episcopal Church website can be found at http://www.scotland.anglican.org/
and the new Bishop is Canon Mark Strange who is prone to wearing rainbow woollies and a beard. He is a popular choice with the yoof of the Province who have journeyed with him for years at Glenalmond at the Provincial Yoof Weeks.

New bishop for Aberdeen

From the SEC website…

The Very Rev Dr Robert (Bob) Gillies has been elected as the new Bishop for the Diocese of Aberdeen & Orkney.

Bob Gillies is presently rector of St Andrew’s Church, St Andrews and Dean of that diocese. He has previously held appointments as chaplain to the University of Dundee, Curate to Christ Church, Morningside, Edinburgh and Curate to Christ Church, Falkirk. He was an honorary philosophy lecturer at Dundee from 1985-1994.

On hearing the news of his election Bob said “I am absolutely thrilled to have this wonderful opportunity of working with the people of the Diocese of Aberdeen and Orkney, to make new friends and learn some new skills. However, I am deeply sad to be leaving St Andrew’s church in St Andrews” The election of the new Bishop was carried out by the Electoral Synod (comprising of representatives of clergy and lay church members from the Diocese of Aberdeen & Orkney), which was chaired by the Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, the Most Rev Dr Idris Jones, who says: “Bob brings to the College of Bishops a clear and insightful mind; to the Diocese he will offer the benefit of experience of working with a growing congregation. The whole Church will wish Liz and Bob well as he picks up the legacy from Bishop Bruce Cameron in Aberdeen & Orkney”

Bob Gillies (age 55) is married to Liz. They have three sons – Patrick, Andrew and Timothy. The service of consecration and installation of the new Bishop will take place in September in St Andrew’s Cathedral in Aberdeen. Further details of this service will be available at a later date.

(Fr Bob was one of the people responsible for my selection for training for the priesthood. He was a tough interviewer as I think my body language showed during said interview – that was curled up in a semi-foetal position facing away from him!)

The thrills of the I&C Board

Yesterday I spent most of the day ensconced in a small room atop the General Synod Office at the I&C Board meeting. (That’s Information and Communication, for those not in the know).

I was on the edge of my seat for most of it. I found it interesting, nay fascinating. I was inspired to debate and contribute to the items on the agenda. When others spoke I listened with intent and was delighted to find myself desperate to respond. I found myself passionate about much of which was discussed. I respected the Chair and trusted that all he said was fair. And I never doodled once.

Why am I telling you this? Because it is rare that I am energised and inspired so much in Church admin. Of course, I shouldn’t be surprised – my background BC (before church) was in I&C. But it has taken me 7 years to get to this stage and I had to put myself forward for this position (as representative from another Board). I wonder how many other people there are out there in the church who have interests which are never encouraged.

I believe wholeheartedly in good communication and I believe that the Church should not have to make do with amateur efforts. I believe in good corporate identity. I believe we need to invest more in communication and that the amateurs should listen to the professionals more. I believe that our bishops are an important communication tool but I don’t think they know that. I believe that good communication means listening first and we are not very good at that at all. I believe that we need more prophets shouting from the rooftops, communicating with the world.

There! I’ve said it. I am glad I am part of a Board which contains colourful characters (unlike the Admin Board – sorry guys!) Listen to us, Church! We know what we’re talking about.

Today’s the day…

…when we find out who the next Bishop of Aberdeen is. A lot of us are very keen to know who will be the new addition to the College of Bishops for lots of reasons. Prayers have been said, candles lit, and conversations have taken place on the merits (or not) of each candidate. I hope the Holy Spirit had a hand in it too.

No new bishop

From the SEC website…

“Today’s meeting of the Electoral Synod of the Diocese of Aberdeen and Orkney was unable to achieve a majority vote for a new Bishop to succeed the Rt Rev Bruce Cameron, who retired in July.

The Electoral Synod of the Diocese of Aberdeen & Orkney comprises clergy within the Diocese and lay representatives from each congregation. A simple majority vote for the same candidate must be carried by both the clergy and the lay members voting. This was not achieved at today’s meeting and now means that the process to elect a new Bishop for the Diocese must start again. The Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, The Most Rev Dr Idris Jones, will shortly issue a new Mandate to re-commence this process.

Commenting on today’s meeting the Primus said “while this is disappointing, not least for the three candidates who were short-listed, the electoral process must ensure that the Bishop elected will have the full support of the Diocese. We now require to follow the same process with a new Preparatory Committee being formed to whom names for election may be suggested. Should an election fail to be made this time then the appointment will be made by the College of Bishops.”

This is a sad day indeed. This means the process must begin all over again. And if they can’t agree the next time, then I think the Canons say that the College of Bishops get to choose. That should sharpen the minds!

How to get the Church to do what you want

Great session this week with my CMD 1-3 group. (That’s Continuing Ministerial Development for curates, in case you are wondering.) I had asked the Provost of Glasgow Cathedral to come and teach my little flock on the subject of the Structures of the SEC (how Synod works, what all the committees do, etc). The Provost is a Synod groupie and even gave up his precious day off to trek across the country because he believes so passionately about this subject. He also feels passionate about ongoing training for curates which is something he and I lacked. It is good to have passionate people in our Church.

He changed the title to ‘How to get the Church do what you want’. Well, would you want to come out on a dark and stormy night to hear about Structures of the SEC? It worked a treat and brought forth lively discussions. Best session ever, someone was heard to say. So, thank you Kelvin!