so I've been recommended for training but I need a college place as well! Sadly I am somewhat limited in my options cos full time residential is not practical - my family may well wish me many miles away at times but I also need to work at the same time. So off to St Mellitus for an interview with the admissions tutor last Thursday and a very pleasant experience it was too! Aided I have to say by the delicious meal served in the auspicious surroundings of Chelmsford Cathedral - best veggie option (note last blog entry!) I have had for a very long time. Sitting in on the first years' lecture made me feel like I really am going to be a student - especially due to the proper academic type lecturer who was a tad stereotypical ( do all New Testament lecturers have an obligatory beard!) but fascinating to listen to.
Its going to be a lot of hard work especially combined with full time employment but can't wait to start - eldest daughter has promised me stationery shopping trip before terms starts. Wonder if she will be paying?
Sunday, 22 May 2011
Sunday, 15 May 2011
Vegetarianism is not a penance! Its a lifestyle choice!
So I see that the Roman Catholic Church are planning to reintroduce the concept of penance on Fridays. And what will this penance be? Not eating meat! Pushing 30 years as a vegetarian and never once have I felt that this is a penance! So why are the majority of the RC Church going to find this so ( apart from the ones who are already veggie I guess - what will they give up as a penance I wonder?)
Maybe those undertaking the penance would like to donate the difference in the amount they spend on food when not eating meat to a charity - then it might actually do some good. Or are they going to take the opportunity to promote how much kinder it would be to the planet if everyone just took one day out from carnivorous consumption? Come to think of it wasn't that someone else's idea? I seem to recall Meatless Mondays? What a wasted opportunity if this is just another Thou shalt not for our Roman Catholic brethren!
Maybe those undertaking the penance would like to donate the difference in the amount they spend on food when not eating meat to a charity - then it might actually do some good. Or are they going to take the opportunity to promote how much kinder it would be to the planet if everyone just took one day out from carnivorous consumption? Come to think of it wasn't that someone else's idea? I seem to recall Meatless Mondays? What a wasted opportunity if this is just another Thou shalt not for our Roman Catholic brethren!
Wednesday, 11 May 2011
Time for Blog?
so where do people find time for this blogging stuff? I really want to do this but don't seem ever to find the time - or is that an indication that I actually don't want to do it? So here I am at a quarter to midnight when i should be asleep cos I will be a grumpy person tomorrow otherwise trying to think of something interesting to write about!
So a question to anyone out there who is listening. How do I reconcile my heartfelt belief that God is calling me to be a priest, in effect a servant leader, when I am such a control freak who is struggling to relinquish power at work? I don't want to be that person but somehow I can't stop. Is it because of the working environment where at the moment everyone is jockeying for position cos of fear of future redundancy? Is it my survival instinct cos the fear of losing my job at this point of time is too great? Jesus required his disciples to leave everything behind to follow Him but I struggle with that concept in the face of my responsibilities to my family.
so fellow people of God how to step gracefully away from petty power struggles - advice please?
So a question to anyone out there who is listening. How do I reconcile my heartfelt belief that God is calling me to be a priest, in effect a servant leader, when I am such a control freak who is struggling to relinquish power at work? I don't want to be that person but somehow I can't stop. Is it because of the working environment where at the moment everyone is jockeying for position cos of fear of future redundancy? Is it my survival instinct cos the fear of losing my job at this point of time is too great? Jesus required his disciples to leave everything behind to follow Him but I struggle with that concept in the face of my responsibilities to my family.
so fellow people of God how to step gracefully away from petty power struggles - advice please?
Sunday, 1 May 2011
First time on the blog!
Well here I am blogging for the first time - how exciting! Wonder if anyone will read it - do i actually want them to?!
What to say? Well I guess I am pretty bowled over by today's Deanery service at St Peter & St Pauls - how much love was just flowing out from everyone present and what a joy it was to be there! Ss P & P has gone through hard time recently. Huge numbers have left the parish to join the Anglican Ordinariate, including the priest, leaving a small number of dazed and confused parishioners trying to pick up the pieces and keep everything going. And they have - the commitment of those "left behind" has been awesome and i feel hugely privileged to be part of that. With the support of our Rural Dean, the Archdeacon and the many priests who have pitched up to celebrate Holy Communion with us we are still there and will continue to be there for as long as we can. We are still a parish with a catholic tradition and all those are supporting us are honouring that which is much appreciated.
It has been a very odd few months in many ways - many tears have been shed but much joy and fellowship has also been had. People have come forward with gifts previously unknown. People who have only ever shared a few brief words at services are cementing real friendships. And throughout it all God's love is so apparent to everyone. There are certainly challenges ahead. We have no PCC, not much money and no incumbent. But what we do have in abundance is love and support from so many people throughout the Deanery that we were not even aware of.
I miss many of those who have followed their path to the Ordinariate but am glad for them that they are finding their own spiritual fulfillment. Will we ever all worship together again? I fervently pray that we do and sooner rather than later.
As for me well I have shed too many tears for what I believed was lost but now i know to be a new beginning. Whilst the most painful times were happening I was following my own path and in September will begin training for ordination for which I am truly grateful to God.
So this is the story of my journey - will I be able to get the hang of this blogging thing? Let's wait and see!
What to say? Well I guess I am pretty bowled over by today's Deanery service at St Peter & St Pauls - how much love was just flowing out from everyone present and what a joy it was to be there! Ss P & P has gone through hard time recently. Huge numbers have left the parish to join the Anglican Ordinariate, including the priest, leaving a small number of dazed and confused parishioners trying to pick up the pieces and keep everything going. And they have - the commitment of those "left behind" has been awesome and i feel hugely privileged to be part of that. With the support of our Rural Dean, the Archdeacon and the many priests who have pitched up to celebrate Holy Communion with us we are still there and will continue to be there for as long as we can. We are still a parish with a catholic tradition and all those are supporting us are honouring that which is much appreciated.
It has been a very odd few months in many ways - many tears have been shed but much joy and fellowship has also been had. People have come forward with gifts previously unknown. People who have only ever shared a few brief words at services are cementing real friendships. And throughout it all God's love is so apparent to everyone. There are certainly challenges ahead. We have no PCC, not much money and no incumbent. But what we do have in abundance is love and support from so many people throughout the Deanery that we were not even aware of.
I miss many of those who have followed their path to the Ordinariate but am glad for them that they are finding their own spiritual fulfillment. Will we ever all worship together again? I fervently pray that we do and sooner rather than later.
As for me well I have shed too many tears for what I believed was lost but now i know to be a new beginning. Whilst the most painful times were happening I was following my own path and in September will begin training for ordination for which I am truly grateful to God.
So this is the story of my journey - will I be able to get the hang of this blogging thing? Let's wait and see!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)