Captain's Blog June 2019

May began with my attending the ‘On Fire Mission Conference’ at High Leigh. The type of  worship on offer pushes all my buttons, this along with some good talks, made for an excellent and valuable time.

www.onfiremission.org.uk

On returning I had the joy and privilege to see Peter Hardy commissioned by Bishop Geoff as Rural Officer for Staffordshire. It is an honorary position with expenses being met. 

This bodes well for keeping the rural profile high in the diocesan thinking and planning.

And keeping with rural, on the Saturday I was out at the Staffordshire YFC Rally on a very cold, windy and wet day.  I was there with a FCN display.

My first preachment of the month was at St Mary’s, Knutton by way of an introduction to a Parish Away Day I led a week later. The Away Day went well with a dozen folk engaging and exploring their dreams and vision for St Mary’s. Surprising how many people don’t even consider this and dream dreams about what God might be asking of them to be and become.

Pleased to have a Quiet Day up at The Hermitage and then have a session with my own Spiritual Companion the next day. I don’t know how people operate and develop in their Christian pilgrimage without something like this, a time of quiet, reflection and prayer along with some guidance and help to try and discern what God might be saying.

I attended a fascinating lecture at Staffordshire University, exploring dementia. The Other Side of Nothingness - looking for the person in the 'Strange Land' of dementia by Dr Peter Kevern.

When I spoke at the Burton ‘Filling Station’ last month I met Steve Jackson.  He and I along with Peter Hardy and Robert Mountford (County Ecumenical Officer) met for lunch to explore FCN and all things rural going forward. It is great to make connections like this as I prepare to step down.

In May I celebrated my 68^th birthday.  Being Thursday Jane went off to a small music group she belongs to leaving me to go for a 12 mile run!  Later on we went to see Tolkien (what an amazing film) and then out for a meal together.

I preached on every Sunday in May and my third preachment was a Church Army Preachment at St Michael’s, Colwich.

Then a return visit to High Leigh for the National Missioners Summer Gathering – for the last time!  Good to hear of the fresh wind of the Spirit blowing through the CofE with some fantastic initiatives happening across the country.  

My fourth preachment was at HMP Stafford. This has become a very special place for me and I can well imagine picking up some prison ministry in the future – after I have had a break!

At the end the month I was once again coordinating the Church Tent at the Staffordshire County Show. I was also Show Chaplain – or as they misspelled it ‘Chaplin!’ We had a great Team and I am delighted that Revd Nicola Busby is going to take over as Coordinator.  The future looks good and set to continue,  to develop and grow.  

Some appointments and engagements in June

Monday 3^rd – Thursday 6^th

Church Army Gathering at Yardley Park Conference Centre

Friday 7^th

Riding for the Disabled Association AGM and Volunteers Suppers.

Sunday 9^th

Preaching at St Anne’s, Brown Edge

In the evening ‘Celebration of Forty Years Ministry’ at St John the Baptist, Stafford, 6.30pm

Monday 10^th

Rural Mission Solutions Trustee’s Meeting in London

Tuesday 11^th

Lichfield Diocesan Community of Evangelist with speaker, Robin Gamble

Wednesday 12^th

Love Stafford Executive meeting

Thursday 13^th

FCN Staffordshire Group meeting followed by farewell lunch. In the evening speaking at the Trent Valley Filling Station – ‘Seeking Fame – Finding Faith.’

Friday 14^th

Going to see our tax consultant to help compile my tax return

Monday 17^th

Personal Quiet Day

Tuesday 18^th

Meeting with my own Spiritual Companion

Wednesday 19^th

‘Chewing the Cud’ at Amerton – a time for rural folk to gather for coffee and chat

Thursday 20^th

Meeting with DC as his spiritual companion

In the evening attending George Fisher’s farewell as he comes to retire. (6^th July)

Monday 24^th

Church Army Cluster Lunch at Amerton Craft Farm – with an open invitation beyond the Church Army community

Tuesday 25^th

Midlands Missioners Gathering in Birmingham

Wednesday 26^th

Friends that do Lunch – ‘Chew n Chat’

(Hospital on call Locum 4.30pm until 8.30am)

Thursday 27^th

Final review meeting with Bishop Geoff and Archdeacon Matthew

Sunday 30^th

James and William’s Baptism at St John’s Stafford. (I’m preaching) In the evening I am preaching at Holy Trinity, Baswich as they welcome David as curate (ordained Deacon in the morning). I have been walking alongside David in support.

And that’s it after working for 52 years and 11 months it time to retire!