FROM THE MANSE

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May I thank everyone for their thoughts, prayers and cards with regard to my recent ordination. And of course, a special thanks to those intrepid souls who made the journey up to Beverley – it was great to feel so supported.

The reception into full connexion at the Conference worship in the morning was an amazing experience - hearing a thousand plus people singing Wesley’s hymns unaccompanied in harmony was just wonderful, and the ordination service itself completely bowled me over.

This was all on top of an emotional week, where I had been with my fellow ordinands at Urshaw College in Durham.

We had sessions looking at the practicalities of the ordination service, but more importantly how to prepare ourselves, not just for ordination, but for the rest of our ministries. We covered topics such as ‘Being real’  ‘Being in the Word’  ‘Sustaining Being’  ‘Being still’ and ‘Being the Minister!’  There was time spent in silence, creative time in the art room, and Holy Communion each day, with evening prayers led on one evening by the President of Conference. It was a joy to be fed in this way – to be able to worship without having to organise things! We also had time to explore Durham and its beautiful cathedral (well worth a visit to see the Venerable Bede’s and St Cuthbert’s tombs, and also the powerful modern sculptures as well as the magnificent architecture). All in all it was a time for renewing friendships, reflection, relaxation, being fed spiritually, mentally and (almost too well) physically! 

One of the powerful messages during the retreat that I’d like to share with you comes from the Methodist Church in Singapore’s Ordination service, and is as follows:

“ Called to something smaller”

“We are not ordaining you to ministry; that happened at your baptism,
We are not ordaining you to be a caring person; you are already called to that,
We are not ordaining you to serve the Church in committee, activities, organisation; that is already implied in your membership
We are not ordaining you to become involved in social issues, ecology, race, politics, revolution, for that is laid upon every Christian.
We are ordaining you to something smaller and less spectacular;
To read and interpret those sacred stories of our community, so that they speak a word to people today;
To remember and practise those rituals and rights of meaning that in their poetry address men and women at the level where change operates;
To foster in community through word and sacrament that encounter with truth which will set women and men free to minister as the body of Christ
We are ordaining you to ministry of the word and sacraments and pastoral care.”

I pray that I will be granted the grace to uphold and affirm this calling and ministry, and that each and every one of us in the church will be enabled to fulfil their own very special ministry and be true to themselves and grow into the person Christ would have us be.

Every Blessing

 

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Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew Ch 5, v 10