Distant Mountain

Loving God. Being. In your own time, with gentleness and patience. Prayer for this vocation in the hands of others. Prayer, with humility and love. Offered to you. Let it be. With gentleness and patience. Your will be done. Amen.

Christians are called to be humble, it’s part of what bring us closer to being Christ like or ‘in Christ’. In our modern world though this can be very difficult. We are encouraged by society to be bold, seize the day and be confident. The focus on ‘self,’ being proud and materialistic are what society expects of us. We can aspire towards humility and many Christians do through prayer, bible study, Christian fellowship and worship. I had started to read into recent events some signs that I needed more humility (I’m sure that much is true). I had agreed to lead a lent group and even though I denied it to myself, felt some pride at being asked (also some guilt for feeling pride). Then the group was cancelled due to a lack of takers, which was humbling. Another group I tried to join as a member was also cancelled due to low numbers, so I didn’t join a Lent group this year for the first time in several years which was disappointing (to me at least). I have also recently injured my knee wh...

It sometimes feels like not much is happening, in fact, it's been a busy week with some quite exciting stuff. After months of waiting first for training (held but once a year), then for my rota turn, I led intercessions on Sunday morning for the first time. They went well in a slightly tricky week with the terribly sad events around the death of John Suddards (he was in our deanery and our previous associate vicar moved to his parish only last year), we also launched a tower fundraising appeal which also needed to be covered. There was some mixed feedback on volume but nothing on content so I think I can be content enough until next time. I was also approached after the service about if I could lead a churches together Lent group. Not led a group before but after a few discussions, this will also be starting next week. A meeting on Monday with the Vicar on vocation, which also went well. I've been on pause since the DDO meeting, deliberately trying to give myself reflect...

Never a frequent blogger, but still here on occasion. I have been quiet recentlly as I work through and reflect on the next step in the vocational journey. This has been important I think, as the step will be quite a big one which will expose me to a lot of conversations, questions and soul-searching, over many months. I need to be ready, although it may be that being ready is not really possible! In the meantime, I'd like to share an editorial written for our church magazine in March. Church Music As part of the LMT and the choir, it seemed appropriate to write an editorial about something which is close to my heart: Church music, in particular, the music we enjoy in our parish churches, its history and its impact on us as Christians. The music we use has a long history. It’s unclear exactly when the first Psalms were written, but it’s thought that some date back as far as the 10th Century BC. Authorship is not certain and even though many are described as the Psalm...

That was interesting. Having met a very kind, astute person the other night who could be pivotal in my next steps, the ball was put firmly in my court. Having discussed my faith story, we then went through what would happen next. Some suggestions were also made, which should be useful. There is a lot of reflection to do now. What I've realised is that the ball isn't actually in my court. It's in God's. I have also realised that I am still am commited to giving myself up to his will for me. That's not really a surprise though, just confirmation. What I also realised, and read about yesterday in one of those coincidences which needed to happen (I'm currently reading How to find your Vocation by John Adair which talks about this), is that this is one of those decision processes that cannot be fully made by analysis, fact finding and listing pro's and con's. Yes they are important and can be used for simple, less critical decisions, but this decision (vo...

The vocation journey, it seems, has many phases. At the moment it feels like a very private phase is beginning to end as my vocational journey is gradually shared with more people. So far conversations have been limited to just a few key people but over the last few months I have shared my thoughts with a few more people and as ever, have been surprised by the lack of voices telling me to stop and go away! The last week has been part of that phase shift. A meeting with the Vicar last week, after some difficult questions, ended with "you have my full support and prayers." Which given the difficulty of the questions, was a surprise, although may be it shouldn't be. One of the questions was about whether this calling has been seen in me by anyone else. I usually answer no as no one has ever approached me saying, 'you should get ordained.' But at the same time, being called to the local ministry team was a call. Being asked to organise mission and outreach groups wa...

The anticipation of Advent can be exhausting, it coincides with the shortest, darkest day of the year followed by days which are busy, full and emotionally exhausting. So even though we are still in Christmas season until Friday, for many the real world comes back to us with a bump. Returning to work, school and the usual routine can be demoralising. The weather is hard work and it will be a few more weeks before we notice the extending days. But, in the meantime, let us rejoice! The wise men are coming. It is still Christmas and Christ is with us, God made man. He is here to walk alongside us in these dark days, to lift us up and carry us when times are tough. His love will see us through. Rejoice, rejoice, again I say rejoice! Happy Christmas!