Today began in Bradford and ended in Utrecht but to be honest with you I am a little unclear as to what happened inbetween. We flew to Schipol, we visitied a town, we visited two villages and we came to a city is all clear in my mind, but what they are called will have to wait till I get home or reconnect with my luggage. This is a logn story involving a very long corridor and my tightness as a Yorkshireman which means that I would rather type in the foyer of the lounge of a dodgy hotel, than pay five euros to type in my now distant room.
The details of where I have been are a irrelevant, what is certain is that we have been given a bit of a revelation and that revelation is called shared space. Basically some places in holland have suspended all traffic laws and removed traffic lights and warning signs to see what happens. Surprisingly what happens is that people become more courteous, community is built and the major accident rate is reduced by up to 80%.
Our excellent teacher illustrated the principal with a story. He ahd been walking with the inventer of shared space down a lane which was full of cow pooh. In the fields along the roadside were cows, all you could hear were cows, and if you sttod still a cow would come up and lick you. The quiet dutchman pointed at one of those red triangle warning signs with a picture of a cow on it.
"What does this say"to drivers down this road?" he said to our teacher.
"I don't know, beware of the cows?"
"No," replied the dutchman, "it says to a driver on this road, so full of cow smells, cow sights and cow experiences: YOU ARE STUPID!"
Because if you tell people the obvious then you treat them like children and they behvae like children. I can't begin to tell you how many situations there are where this applies. the upshot of it all is that we need to design cities and towns where we allowed shared space to happen. It's a risk but then it might just mean that people take responsibility again.
Thursday 28 February 2008
Wednesday 27 February 2008
Generations of Regenerators
Well it's off again this time with Yorkshire Forward to look at shared space. Sounds a bit like a hippy trip to me but it's actually very serious, at least the car trip here was.
There's something about cars, a bit like mobile confessionals, we always say more than we would normally. Perhaps it's the dark, perhaps it's the fact that we don't catch each other's eye, we talk. Tonight, it's much talk amongst regeneration partners about districts, councillors and missed opportunities. Thankfully it's also about hopes and dreams and new opportunities.
Coming to the hotel, near the airport for a very early start, it's even more old regeneration friends, some of these have been at it for years.
It made me realise that there are generations of regeneraters. We are just the latest in a long line, no doubt there will be more after us. We are a chain of people from the first stone age man who moved a few stones to make his view a bit more exciting and accidentally created stonehenge to the grand schemes of today.
Comforting, possibly exciting, forget 25 year plans, this stuff could last life times. For now, once more, I'll boldly go to shared space.
There's something about cars, a bit like mobile confessionals, we always say more than we would normally. Perhaps it's the dark, perhaps it's the fact that we don't catch each other's eye, we talk. Tonight, it's much talk amongst regeneration partners about districts, councillors and missed opportunities. Thankfully it's also about hopes and dreams and new opportunities.
Coming to the hotel, near the airport for a very early start, it's even more old regeneration friends, some of these have been at it for years.
It made me realise that there are generations of regeneraters. We are just the latest in a long line, no doubt there will be more after us. We are a chain of people from the first stone age man who moved a few stones to make his view a bit more exciting and accidentally created stonehenge to the grand schemes of today.
Comforting, possibly exciting, forget 25 year plans, this stuff could last life times. For now, once more, I'll boldly go to shared space.
Tuesday 26 February 2008
Standards in Public Life
The government has decided that people in public life are not to be trusted. This dodgy vicar has been sent for yet more training, at Halifax Town Hall. A dozen or so parish councillors were treated to an interesting presentation on the government's new standards in public life legislation. It basically means that if you misbehave, they're coming to get you! Misbehaving included not declaring if you had ever received £25 of hospitality from anyone. If I follow this then I suspect half of Mytholmroyd may at sometime or other have given me more than that. Joseph's my fifteen year old reckons I ought to declare my birthday money!
I know what they're trying to do but you can't help thinking that something really important is dying. As the lady spoke, the wind outside was blowing dramatically causing the doors on the ancient council chamber to open and close all by themselves! For all the world it was as though the Spirits of our Ancesters in public life were leaving in disgust. Perhaps they are worried about the skeletons in their political cupboards.
I know what they're trying to do but you can't help thinking that something really important is dying. As the lady spoke, the wind outside was blowing dramatically causing the doors on the ancient council chamber to open and close all by themselves! For all the world it was as though the Spirits of our Ancesters in public life were leaving in disgust. Perhaps they are worried about the skeletons in their political cupboards.
Monday 25 February 2008
Back to Basics
My dad's been reading my blog and so he is now of course an expert. In my experience older people like old dogs are much better at learning new tricks because they know how valuable they are. It's the young ones and especially the middle age ones that are the slow learners.
Anyhow here's the thing my dad is going to a training thing, he's a vicar too although his vocation caught up with him later in life. the guy at the training thing is banging on about regeneration. It was great but it turns out afterwards that no-one knew what regeneration was.
It's a trap we all fall into, forgettiing to explain the keyword but usiing it anyway. I've done it loads of times.
So what is regeneration? Hmmn, I'll have to think about that one.
Anyhow here's the thing my dad is going to a training thing, he's a vicar too although his vocation caught up with him later in life. the guy at the training thing is banging on about regeneration. It was great but it turns out afterwards that no-one knew what regeneration was.
It's a trap we all fall into, forgettiing to explain the keyword but usiing it anyway. I've done it loads of times.
So what is regeneration? Hmmn, I'll have to think about that one.
Sunday 24 February 2008
Shared Space, Sofas and it's nice to be home
Sunday and it's home and church and 110 people to talk to and dream of Sweden. It all ended up being well received and it was so lovely to be spiritually home again. This place fits like a favourite pair of shoes, we've been places together, we've worn in the same places.
Mentioned sofas and someone has a nice new one in their garage, mentioned giving and money and Joseph said the service felt a bit like a prelude for the collection!
I'm amazed at the numbers reading the blog, I really think this might be the great way to communicate what I am discovering.
Shared space is catching on too, and our car park/square looks like a good candidate... I wonder what the traffic at Calderdale will think about it.
Went to see Jumper tonight with the youth group, a SciFi with the central idea of someone with the ability to jump to any place they could imagine. That would be great and save me a lot of trouble in the next few months.
Mentioned sofas and someone has a nice new one in their garage, mentioned giving and money and Joseph said the service felt a bit like a prelude for the collection!
I'm amazed at the numbers reading the blog, I really think this might be the great way to communicate what I am discovering.
Shared space is catching on too, and our car park/square looks like a good candidate... I wonder what the traffic at Calderdale will think about it.
Went to see Jumper tonight with the youth group, a SciFi with the central idea of someone with the ability to jump to any place they could imagine. That would be great and save me a lot of trouble in the next few months.
Saturday 23 February 2008
Struggling to Communicate
It all seemed so clear when we were in Sweden but trying to communicate let alone enthuse others about findings is going to be a bit harder. it's that age old problem of how you take people on a journey they haven't made but you have.
I thought pictures would help but what are you looking at? For you something with emotions, some place you care about, part of your dreams and thoughts, for others a foreign experience, a second hand thing.
I thought clever words might help, a brilliant structure, a powerful sermon, but I am losing my nerve.
So I am going to try tomorrow just talking, hopefully engaging people where they are and seeing where we can get together.
Somebody once said you can never take people to where you are, you can never go where they are, but together you might just journey to a place where neither of you have ever been.
I thought pictures would help but what are you looking at? For you something with emotions, some place you care about, part of your dreams and thoughts, for others a foreign experience, a second hand thing.
I thought clever words might help, a brilliant structure, a powerful sermon, but I am losing my nerve.
So I am going to try tomorrow just talking, hopefully engaging people where they are and seeing where we can get together.
Somebody once said you can never take people to where you are, you can never go where they are, but together you might just journey to a place where neither of you have ever been.
Friday 22 February 2008
Sweden: The Final Report to the Diocese
Three Priests boldly going… to Sweden
Imagine a church where there is no parish share to raise, in fact the offertory on a Sunday never goes to the church but to worthy causes because the church doesn’t need it. Imagine churches that usually have paid staff numbers in double figures and often twenty plus. Imagine a church where most parishes have 10,000 members who voluntarily give 1% of their salary to the church on a regular basis through their taxes. Imagine a church where on average about half the young people attend confirmation courses which last from September to May. Imagine a church that is always warm, has decent coffee and sofas! Imagine The Church of Sweden.
Imagine a church where every significant work that is done in the church is done by a professional. Imagine a church where attendance on Sunday is about 1% of membership, and a congregation of 60 is a busy Sunday. Imagine a church which in its own words is in dramatic decline, lacks confidence and is afraid of the future. Imagine The Church of Sweden.
Three of us: Leon Collyer, Stephen Gott and James Allison spent a week with the Church of Sweden in our link Diocese of Skara. A week that changed our view, not only of the Church of Sweden, which we didn’t have a view of really, but principally it has changed our view of our own Church in England.
Many churches were visited, many hours spent listening and asking questions, many more hours spent reflecting on what we saw and many friends made in what turned out to be a great place to learn. We attended a conference lead by young theologians and a young at heart Bishop Erik, which explored how they might more effectively teach their confirmation candidates. Half the population come to the church for this instruction despite the fact that as we discovered over half of those who came for instruction described themselves as either agnostic or atheist. The key thing we learnt was how carefully and thoroughly they approached this responsibility. It was challenge to our often half hearted attempt at Christian initiation.
What could these people possibly learn from us? Well, surprisingly, something about money. None of us had realised how the business of raising money affects the lives of our congregations in positive ways. Together we raise vast amounts of money not realising that this stretching of faith helps us grow together. The fact that this is in a very real sense our money means that we are engaged in how our meagre resources are spent. People care about what we do; people at best feel they are part of a team. Having observed a church where the raising of money is almost an alien idea we realised perhaps what a great spiritual grace it is. It’s going to take a while to convince our congregations of this but it really is better that we have to fund raise.
It’s going to take a while to really assimilate all that we have learnt and also to get over our addiction to meat balls and muesli. We can only say that the trip has changed us and that these exchanges are a valuable part of both our churches’ growth and development. We look forward to our friends from Skara making a return visit to Wakefield in November and learning from them as they boldly come as we boldly went.
Imagine a church where there is no parish share to raise, in fact the offertory on a Sunday never goes to the church but to worthy causes because the church doesn’t need it. Imagine churches that usually have paid staff numbers in double figures and often twenty plus. Imagine a church where most parishes have 10,000 members who voluntarily give 1% of their salary to the church on a regular basis through their taxes. Imagine a church where on average about half the young people attend confirmation courses which last from September to May. Imagine a church that is always warm, has decent coffee and sofas! Imagine The Church of Sweden.
Imagine a church where every significant work that is done in the church is done by a professional. Imagine a church where attendance on Sunday is about 1% of membership, and a congregation of 60 is a busy Sunday. Imagine a church which in its own words is in dramatic decline, lacks confidence and is afraid of the future. Imagine The Church of Sweden.
Three of us: Leon Collyer, Stephen Gott and James Allison spent a week with the Church of Sweden in our link Diocese of Skara. A week that changed our view, not only of the Church of Sweden, which we didn’t have a view of really, but principally it has changed our view of our own Church in England.
Many churches were visited, many hours spent listening and asking questions, many more hours spent reflecting on what we saw and many friends made in what turned out to be a great place to learn. We attended a conference lead by young theologians and a young at heart Bishop Erik, which explored how they might more effectively teach their confirmation candidates. Half the population come to the church for this instruction despite the fact that as we discovered over half of those who came for instruction described themselves as either agnostic or atheist. The key thing we learnt was how carefully and thoroughly they approached this responsibility. It was challenge to our often half hearted attempt at Christian initiation.
What could these people possibly learn from us? Well, surprisingly, something about money. None of us had realised how the business of raising money affects the lives of our congregations in positive ways. Together we raise vast amounts of money not realising that this stretching of faith helps us grow together. The fact that this is in a very real sense our money means that we are engaged in how our meagre resources are spent. People care about what we do; people at best feel they are part of a team. Having observed a church where the raising of money is almost an alien idea we realised perhaps what a great spiritual grace it is. It’s going to take a while to convince our congregations of this but it really is better that we have to fund raise.
It’s going to take a while to really assimilate all that we have learnt and also to get over our addiction to meat balls and muesli. We can only say that the trip has changed us and that these exchanges are a valuable part of both our churches’ growth and development. We look forward to our friends from Skara making a return visit to Wakefield in November and learning from them as they boldly come as we boldly went.
Thursday 21 February 2008
Irish Restaurants with Swedish Musicians and Wimbledon references
Today we reached the apex of the European eating a bunch of English priests eating American food in an "Irish" pub opposite a picture of Wimbeldon listening to a Swedish band play country and western music! It was very nice, especially after our last very packed day.
A late start, see yesterday and off to the station. I was able to confirm my theory about whacky sculptures/buildings when the hotel gave us directions to the place by saying: "Turn right after the green man in the river... it's a statue." Every comunity needs crazy places to give direction by.
The station was interested even if you weren't interested by stations as it was a completely integrated place. Buses, trains and cars seemlessly living together in one place: brillliantly expressed by the travel information, no difference, buses and trains listed in order of departure. Then the tickets came and we were told that we could use either bus or train with the ticket whichever came first, how sensible is that?
Going onto the station we discovered that we had to cross tracks and the whole palce was not kept safely behind fences as in Britain... when we went to Goteburg we discovered a similar reckless attitude, building sites were not surrounded by high security fencing, you could walk down to the river on handy steps and the bridges had low walls. Had none of these people heard of health and safety? We asked one of our Swedish friends and we were told that Swedes were expected to be adult about stuff and putting all these controls in place would make them behave like children, they found if they gave people the opportunity to be sensible they usually were. Hmm, I wonder if this is how that place in Holand has got away with removing its road markings.
Goteburg proved beautiful even in the rain, lots of shared space, big shops and sensible buildings, blue and white trams and a museum of Swedish Design. We were amused to find that when it came to modern design they chose a british design of furniture.
Leaving design we met up with another priest Per who seemed a very forward thinking, very visioned, very postive person. His parish of two churches had 9,000 members all paying church tax. He had 23 full time paid staff, a kindergarden, and the usual amazing parish rooms. It was great to meet with him and he took us ot his church, a little way out.
The shock came when we asked about his congregation: fortyish on a normal Sunday. All that effort, all that money, and only forty on a Sunday!
We talked alot on the train back; what was going on. We decided after much talk it must be to do with the money, being given the money by the state meant that people in the parish just didn't feel engaged in the work. I never thought I would say this but raising money for a project, even though it is hard work, gives something to the givers, it makes them involved. If we need to ways in which we can engage faith commnities in regeneration perhaps raising or gifting part of the money might well be part of the way to do it.
incidentally the trian broke down on the way back and we ended up talking to a young woman across from us. She turned out to be from Iran and as we shared our faith with each other she said the problems in Iran began when the Imans got power and money. They lost touch with the people who used to fund them. It made us think about our earlier conclusions about Christianity in Sweden and money.
As Jesus said: "Matthew 16:26 (KJV) For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?"
Time to go home I am beginning sound like a vicar!
A late start, see yesterday and off to the station. I was able to confirm my theory about whacky sculptures/buildings when the hotel gave us directions to the place by saying: "Turn right after the green man in the river... it's a statue." Every comunity needs crazy places to give direction by.
The station was interested even if you weren't interested by stations as it was a completely integrated place. Buses, trains and cars seemlessly living together in one place: brillliantly expressed by the travel information, no difference, buses and trains listed in order of departure. Then the tickets came and we were told that we could use either bus or train with the ticket whichever came first, how sensible is that?
Going onto the station we discovered that we had to cross tracks and the whole palce was not kept safely behind fences as in Britain... when we went to Goteburg we discovered a similar reckless attitude, building sites were not surrounded by high security fencing, you could walk down to the river on handy steps and the bridges had low walls. Had none of these people heard of health and safety? We asked one of our Swedish friends and we were told that Swedes were expected to be adult about stuff and putting all these controls in place would make them behave like children, they found if they gave people the opportunity to be sensible they usually were. Hmm, I wonder if this is how that place in Holand has got away with removing its road markings.
Goteburg proved beautiful even in the rain, lots of shared space, big shops and sensible buildings, blue and white trams and a museum of Swedish Design. We were amused to find that when it came to modern design they chose a british design of furniture.
Leaving design we met up with another priest Per who seemed a very forward thinking, very visioned, very postive person. His parish of two churches had 9,000 members all paying church tax. He had 23 full time paid staff, a kindergarden, and the usual amazing parish rooms. It was great to meet with him and he took us ot his church, a little way out.
The shock came when we asked about his congregation: fortyish on a normal Sunday. All that effort, all that money, and only forty on a Sunday!
We talked alot on the train back; what was going on. We decided after much talk it must be to do with the money, being given the money by the state meant that people in the parish just didn't feel engaged in the work. I never thought I would say this but raising money for a project, even though it is hard work, gives something to the givers, it makes them involved. If we need to ways in which we can engage faith commnities in regeneration perhaps raising or gifting part of the money might well be part of the way to do it.
incidentally the trian broke down on the way back and we ended up talking to a young woman across from us. She turned out to be from Iran and as we shared our faith with each other she said the problems in Iran began when the Imans got power and money. They lost touch with the people who used to fund them. It made us think about our earlier conclusions about Christianity in Sweden and money.
As Jesus said: "Matthew 16:26 (KJV) For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?"
Time to go home I am beginning sound like a vicar!
Wednesday 20 February 2008
Back to Boras and still no Swedish Restaurant
Do they have Italian restaurants in Italy? They don't have English Restaurants in England and now we have discovered they don't have Swedish Restaurants in Boras. So we went to a Spanish Restaurant full of Swedes eating Burger and chips! We're back in Boras as the conference has ended. Watched Arsenal play Milan with Swedish commentary and I type this listening to Radio 4 off the internet. It's a small world and the umbelical cords that link us to home are now more like bungee rope.
the last day of the conference proved very intense with two more young theologians sharing their wisdom on the subject of Christian confirmation training. One used a particularly good image to explain how we approach faith.
The bride is someone who is in love and wants to find out more about the object of her love, God.
The comsmonaut is someone who wants facts, who wants to find out more details about this God phenomena.
The sportsfan is keen to join the team of people who are trying to find out bout and serve God and people.
Finally there is the Knight who wants to change the world and fight for justice and in the Christian context to fight the good fight.
Strikes me this could be a description of anyone who would engage in anything! It's a good reminder that not everyone is like you but may well be motivated in a different way to you.
the last day of the conference proved very intense with two more young theologians sharing their wisdom on the subject of Christian confirmation training. One used a particularly good image to explain how we approach faith.
The bride is someone who is in love and wants to find out more about the object of her love, God.
The comsmonaut is someone who wants facts, who wants to find out more details about this God phenomena.
The sportsfan is keen to join the team of people who are trying to find out bout and serve God and people.
Finally there is the Knight who wants to change the world and fight for justice and in the Christian context to fight the good fight.
Strikes me this could be a description of anyone who would engage in anything! It's a good reminder that not everyone is like you but may well be motivated in a different way to you.
Tuesday 19 February 2008
Now it's Wednesday, just...
Cheese is a big weakness, as is coffee, as is chocolate so no hope for me tonight at the cheese board. Turns out this is a cheese and wine evening and very jolly too, especially after the wine.
Ended up talking to Bishop Eric all night about everything from german theology (strong for him, weak for me) to regeneration (weaker for him, stronger for me.) He had met entrepeneurial priests in England when he had been over and wanted to know all about how it works. Explained about being willing to take risks, to invest without expecting return, to reach out and being a blessing for our communities. Strayed onto his strong ground and mentioned Abrahamic blessing waiting for a rebuffle, was please when he smiled... he could have been humouring me! Fundamentally the Church of Sweden was doing the same thing as the Church of England have been doing, renegotiating the church state settlement. It would help if we knew what we wanted out of the relationship, never mind what they have to offer. It's a bit like blind date: both sides are hidden behind the screens and who know who or what we will eventually pick.
A short conversation with a priest afterwards reminded me of the need to look after the volunteer, which is true for any social enterprise, I wonder if anyone has written anything on it?
A phone call from Catherine and home seems a long way away but also rushing towards me. I still haven't learnt to say goodbye in Swedish.
Incidentally we were told when we arrived that if we said "I am very sorry I am English" the Swedes would forgive and speak English back and so far it has worked. I wonder if ti would work at home?
Ended up talking to Bishop Eric all night about everything from german theology (strong for him, weak for me) to regeneration (weaker for him, stronger for me.) He had met entrepeneurial priests in England when he had been over and wanted to know all about how it works. Explained about being willing to take risks, to invest without expecting return, to reach out and being a blessing for our communities. Strayed onto his strong ground and mentioned Abrahamic blessing waiting for a rebuffle, was please when he smiled... he could have been humouring me! Fundamentally the Church of Sweden was doing the same thing as the Church of England have been doing, renegotiating the church state settlement. It would help if we knew what we wanted out of the relationship, never mind what they have to offer. It's a bit like blind date: both sides are hidden behind the screens and who know who or what we will eventually pick.
A short conversation with a priest afterwards reminded me of the need to look after the volunteer, which is true for any social enterprise, I wonder if anyone has written anything on it?
A phone call from Catherine and home seems a long way away but also rushing towards me. I still haven't learnt to say goodbye in Swedish.
Incidentally we were told when we arrived that if we said "I am very sorry I am English" the Swedes would forgive and speak English back and so far it has worked. I wonder if ti would work at home?
Is it really only Tuesday?
To Flamslatt today, a retreat house further north to meet with lots of Swedish clergy to discuss amongst other things Confirmation. In Sweden confirmation is a really big deal. 76% of the population is confirmed as opposed to about 5% in britain. What was even more fascinating was that over half of those coming on a course: which last from September to May were either atheists or agnostics. the aim and content of the course was about faith, it's run by the church, but also about life and service to the community. Young people in Sweden see it as part of the growing up process and part of becoming an adult citizen. The quality of what they are doing looks pretty brilliant with the usual Swedish style and quality. You can't help feeling that quality of community foudn elsewhere on our visit owes something to this commitment to young people. The most common thing that young people valued about the courses was that adults listened to them and respected them.
On a lighter note I have jsut been invited to a cheese board which may be a game, a meal or an interesting architectural feature. I will go and see and no doubt be amazed.
On a lighter note I have jsut been invited to a cheese board which may be a game, a meal or an interesting architectural feature. I will go and see and no doubt be amazed.
Monday 18 February 2008
Scooters and Civilised Lunches and Family Dinners
To the hospital today to meet the hospital chaplain, with a nine o'clock start it was an uphill struggle. It was going to be a bit difficult but more difficult because I just wasn't interested n visiting sick people who wouldn't understand who we were and why we were there. How wrong can you be, it proved to be fascinating. Sensibly our host didn't take us visiting baffled swedish people but rather we were able to see how Swedish people organised their public life.
Answer with some style! For a start there's swedish design... Why shouldn't a hospital be full of high quality art (they even had a guide book for the interested? The chaplaincy was designed right through to the art and the chairs. Then there were the scooters. It was a big hospital, so how to get about? Special corridors and an adult three wheel scooter; such fun and practical too. Design needs to be fun, even in serious places like hospitals.
Finally there were the ways in which community was encouraged. Lunch happened for the whole hospital in one place at one time with two choices. They had a library which was open to patients young and old and served as an academic record for all staff who wanted to look further into their work. Patients and staff together, meals served for the whole community. A buildiing with light public areas to bring it all together.
Finally there were the ways in which community was encouraged. Lunch happened for the whole hospital in one place at one time with two choices. They had a library which was open to patients young and old and served as an academic record for all staff who wanted to look further into their work. Patients and staff together, meals served for the whole community. A buildiing with light public areas to bring it all together.
Such a sense of community, such civilisation, such a commitment to good taste, is this something we have thrown away or rather something that we are beginning to rediscover? Quality public spaces, both in the built environment and in the pattern of our day seem essentila if we are to regenerate our communities.
As a post script to this story I visited one of the town centre churches in Boras this afternoon and met a man who had been helped to rebuild his life by the chaplain I met this morning. He had spent time with the troubled man when he had been at a low ebb in his life. Now he repays this by helping others who visit the church. Who knows how many people have been helped because that chaplain took the time to help. Regeneration can happen when we spend the time with just one lost sheep.
A nice end to the day when we spend the evening with a Swedish family who treated us to a lovely swedish meal in a hose that looked like it was designed in the sixties. Turns out it was actually a 1940's house because of course we discovered swedish minimalist design long after they invented it!
Sunday 17 February 2008
Church of England and an adventure
I remembered this quote from Susan Hope's Mission Shaped Spirituality, it seems relevant to Sweden
What the Church of England could do with possibly more than anything else at present is an adventure. Settlement may have brought many blessings, but it has left us bored. And bored churches become boring churches. Western secular culture is also bored. When you’ve got everything, there’s not a lot more to do, except to get more. The two things the boredom of the Church and the boredom of the culture are probably not unrelated.
But what Christ calls us to is adventure. An adventure where the risks are real and the stakes are high. A big adventure, where there’s no going back and where the outcomes are not predetermined. This adventure grows people up faster than anything else: it stretches them and pushes them into shapes they didn’t know they could have.
One of the discoveries they make along the way is that the stretching doesn’t break them, it develops them: they grow to like themselves more and they become more confident.
Could this be the means to get all faith communities involved in regeneration\/
What the Church of England could do with possibly more than anything else at present is an adventure. Settlement may have brought many blessings, but it has left us bored. And bored churches become boring churches. Western secular culture is also bored. When you’ve got everything, there’s not a lot more to do, except to get more. The two things the boredom of the Church and the boredom of the culture are probably not unrelated.
But what Christ calls us to is adventure. An adventure where the risks are real and the stakes are high. A big adventure, where there’s no going back and where the outcomes are not predetermined. This adventure grows people up faster than anything else: it stretches them and pushes them into shapes they didn’t know they could have.
One of the discoveries they make along the way is that the stretching doesn’t break them, it develops them: they grow to like themselves more and they become more confident.
Could this be the means to get all faith communities involved in regeneration\/
Two Churches, eight swedish vicars, one waffle and an accordian
Sunday so off to church twice with our wonderful Swedish host who continues to be reflective and open. Everybody we meet seems to be employed by the parish, we have not met many who volunteer their time but some must. The reasdon for this is that "only" 75% of the population of the parish is a member of the swedish church and as such they pay 1% of their salary to the parish. The "only" word is there because it isn't that long ago that it was 99%. Given the resources they have leads to the staff they have, professional organists, several clergy and much youth and community work. The also have a beautiful church, and an enormous building that reminded me of the best civic buildings which is the parish office, cafe and community hall. Once I got over the shock of the style of it I realised it wasn't too different to what we had. The clergy are different matter, paid a salary which exceeds that of a secondary teacher, going into the church is a reasonable option for a young person to aspire to.
Here we are then in a parallel universe where everyone is a professional in the church: what do they gain, what do they lose? The gain is quality, everything is fantastically slick, from the music to the brilliant coffee, to the sound system, to the liturgy, and the result for the congregation of sixty or so was lovely. Another gain was the collection going to help a drugs program in the town, because the church didn't need any money, it comes from the church tax. It began to feel like heaven... The second church we went to was equally moving this time it was coffee and waffles after the 3.00p.m. service. Talking to teenagers at the service the were baffled by the idea that they might have any hassle at school because of their attendance at church. Coffee and waffles with the elderly members of the congregation with a concert which would have been completely at home n my village church, but this was the city like heart of the town. More like heaven, then not just for me, for everyone I know.
Before I seek assylum in Sweden what have they lost? Difficult but something intagible is missing. Something about lay engagement, something about the willing amateur, something about struggle, something about community connection. Something about the very resource that make faith communites such an asset in regeneration.
Asside to that the coffee is ace, and every Swedish church has sofas, two things that we can take from our Swedish friends!
Here we are then in a parallel universe where everyone is a professional in the church: what do they gain, what do they lose? The gain is quality, everything is fantastically slick, from the music to the brilliant coffee, to the sound system, to the liturgy, and the result for the congregation of sixty or so was lovely. Another gain was the collection going to help a drugs program in the town, because the church didn't need any money, it comes from the church tax. It began to feel like heaven... The second church we went to was equally moving this time it was coffee and waffles after the 3.00p.m. service. Talking to teenagers at the service the were baffled by the idea that they might have any hassle at school because of their attendance at church. Coffee and waffles with the elderly members of the congregation with a concert which would have been completely at home n my village church, but this was the city like heart of the town. More like heaven, then not just for me, for everyone I know.
Before I seek assylum in Sweden what have they lost? Difficult but something intagible is missing. Something about lay engagement, something about the willing amateur, something about struggle, something about community connection. Something about the very resource that make faith communites such an asset in regeneration.
Asside to that the coffee is ace, and every Swedish church has sofas, two things that we can take from our Swedish friends!
Saturday 16 February 2008
Wild Thing
Swedish people seem to be really open about their faults, perhaps it’s the weather creating an indoor reflective personality that broods over things. Not that this is a bad thing and it comes with an indoor hospitality that once your through the front door embraces you with the warmth the winter takes away. Makes me feel quite at home because that could easily be a description of any northern town.
Given this openness I was bowled over by somebody yesterday who said that he thought the Swedish Church was like a pampered and much loved old pet. For years it had been well cared for by the people it served, anything it wanted it got, indulged in every way it had grown fat and lazy, and the cause of this indulgence like any other was of course love.
Events of the last ten years, especially the partial separation with the state had been a big shock. This church which had been an arm of Government now as just an arm.
Eight years on this was now beginning to look like another kind of love, the tough love, true love of someone who really cares about their pet and wants it to be what it was always meant to be, a bit wild, a bit fun, a bit scary…
How tame do we want our faith communities to be? If they are to engage with regeneration they will need to be lean with the energy that comes from being slightly hungry! As Jesus said: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, they will be filled.”
That reminds me, its breakfast time.
Given this openness I was bowled over by somebody yesterday who said that he thought the Swedish Church was like a pampered and much loved old pet. For years it had been well cared for by the people it served, anything it wanted it got, indulged in every way it had grown fat and lazy, and the cause of this indulgence like any other was of course love.
Events of the last ten years, especially the partial separation with the state had been a big shock. This church which had been an arm of Government now as just an arm.
Eight years on this was now beginning to look like another kind of love, the tough love, true love of someone who really cares about their pet and wants it to be what it was always meant to be, a bit wild, a bit fun, a bit scary…
How tame do we want our faith communities to be? If they are to engage with regeneration they will need to be lean with the energy that comes from being slightly hungry! As Jesus said: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, they will be filled.”
That reminds me, its breakfast time.
Sweden is big but very stylish
Whoever tells you that modern flying is like riding on a bus is only telling half the truth. If you're used to catching a bus at 7.00 a.m. in the morning it is, if you have to arrive two hours before the bus comes to take your shoes off and be xrayed it is and finally if your bus reaches your destination and has to bump on to the road and shreek to a halt it is! Other than the end it was a wonderful journey and actually quite comfortable.
Come to think of our final destination wasn't that exotic; Goteburg's second airport: a shed and coldestwindIave ever felt. Hovever we were glad to be met by Magnus a Prison chaplain who was on maternity leave. He never properly explained why he was the one designated to meet us. He proved a great host explaining the intricasies of Swedish faith and life. He also took us on a long drive to Skara and back for a visit. On th journey w heard about how restrictive the Swedes were about alchohol. You have to be over twenty ot buy it to take away but eighteen if you buy it in a pub. You can only buy it from special government shops. All of which made me think about our current debate at home and whether we should take a scandinavian approach to the problem.
Skara was interesting because as well as being virtually deserted, wierd on Saturday afternoon it was also dominated by cobled streets whch were home to both cars and people, inother words shared space. it seemed to work well but here were very few cars there.
Apart from that it was impresive to see the standard of quadruple glazing and to note the fact that most houses were heated either by a heat pump or geothermal. It was very warm inside in stark contrast to the outside.
As to whether the Swedish church is involved in regeneration more of that tomorrow as it's hard to process all that we are being told. For now by some random act of kindness I am now staying in the very Grand Hotel in Boras in the biggest room I have see in a long time.
Very stylish, very minimalist but no kettle.
Bring back Travelodge.
Come to think of our final destination wasn't that exotic; Goteburg's second airport: a shed and coldestwindIave ever felt. Hovever we were glad to be met by Magnus a Prison chaplain who was on maternity leave. He never properly explained why he was the one designated to meet us. He proved a great host explaining the intricasies of Swedish faith and life. He also took us on a long drive to Skara and back for a visit. On th journey w heard about how restrictive the Swedes were about alchohol. You have to be over twenty ot buy it to take away but eighteen if you buy it in a pub. You can only buy it from special government shops. All of which made me think about our current debate at home and whether we should take a scandinavian approach to the problem.
Skara was interesting because as well as being virtually deserted, wierd on Saturday afternoon it was also dominated by cobled streets whch were home to both cars and people, inother words shared space. it seemed to work well but here were very few cars there.
Apart from that it was impresive to see the standard of quadruple glazing and to note the fact that most houses were heated either by a heat pump or geothermal. It was very warm inside in stark contrast to the outside.
As to whether the Swedish church is involved in regeneration more of that tomorrow as it's hard to process all that we are being told. For now by some random act of kindness I am now staying in the very Grand Hotel in Boras in the biggest room I have see in a long time.
Very stylish, very minimalist but no kettle.
Bring back Travelodge.
The Swedish Adventure ~ Every journey of a thousand miles...
15/02/2008 16:13
The conductor advised me that there was no point buying a return ticket to Wakefield as I could easily lose the return ticket and it wasn’t any cheaper. Somehow it didn’t seem right not to have a return ticket.
I didn’t realise how difficult it was going to be to leave Mytholmroyd. Before anyone panics this is just for the week’s trip to Sweden. It’s a bit like that old song from My Fair Lady “I’ve grown accustomed to her face.” The grey skies, the clock face which is usually right all speak of home. I was desperate for there to be someone on the train who I knew so that I could maintain that umbilical link until the last moment. Of course it’s not the place, but the people left behind and especially those closest to you. My wife and I have probably not been apart this long since we got married over twenty five years ago
There is the adventure of what is ahead as compensation: a night with two vicars in a hotel, (please don’t ring the News of the World) and of course my first time on a plane since I was 17! I ought to be flying Virgin. The unknown excitement of travelling to a different country and culture: Sweden, and the possibility of learning and sharing and being inspired.
For now I would settle for a friendly face and a hug!
16/02/2008 17:11
A quick journey where the conversation about flow, (a concept about how time tends to disappear when we get engrossed in something) flowed, and three hours felt like minutes as we rambled and ranted about many issues. Following a SATNAV means that I have no idea where we arrived. We were greeted by an Elvis impersonator who was on his way out for a quick fag. “Where’s Elvis?” somebody asked to which I was able to answer honestly: “Elvis has left the building.”
My two companions, an ex physicist and an ex building materials salesman were good company as we enjoyed Indian Korma, Italian Meatballs, washed down with Valpocella, an Italian Red. So the food was no give away to where we were. More clues were the floodlit church at the centre of the village which only could be in England. It had both a tower and a spire: obviously a result of some ancient planning dispute.
Still unable to get through to Catherine so feeling a bit cut off. God feels a bit cut off too, though the church across the road is a bit of an encouragement that although Elvis has left the building, God hasn’t.
The conductor advised me that there was no point buying a return ticket to Wakefield as I could easily lose the return ticket and it wasn’t any cheaper. Somehow it didn’t seem right not to have a return ticket.
I didn’t realise how difficult it was going to be to leave Mytholmroyd. Before anyone panics this is just for the week’s trip to Sweden. It’s a bit like that old song from My Fair Lady “I’ve grown accustomed to her face.” The grey skies, the clock face which is usually right all speak of home. I was desperate for there to be someone on the train who I knew so that I could maintain that umbilical link until the last moment. Of course it’s not the place, but the people left behind and especially those closest to you. My wife and I have probably not been apart this long since we got married over twenty five years ago
There is the adventure of what is ahead as compensation: a night with two vicars in a hotel, (please don’t ring the News of the World) and of course my first time on a plane since I was 17! I ought to be flying Virgin. The unknown excitement of travelling to a different country and culture: Sweden, and the possibility of learning and sharing and being inspired.
For now I would settle for a friendly face and a hug!
16/02/2008 17:11
A quick journey where the conversation about flow, (a concept about how time tends to disappear when we get engrossed in something) flowed, and three hours felt like minutes as we rambled and ranted about many issues. Following a SATNAV means that I have no idea where we arrived. We were greeted by an Elvis impersonator who was on his way out for a quick fag. “Where’s Elvis?” somebody asked to which I was able to answer honestly: “Elvis has left the building.”
My two companions, an ex physicist and an ex building materials salesman were good company as we enjoyed Indian Korma, Italian Meatballs, washed down with Valpocella, an Italian Red. So the food was no give away to where we were. More clues were the floodlit church at the centre of the village which only could be in England. It had both a tower and a spire: obviously a result of some ancient planning dispute.
Still unable to get through to Catherine so feeling a bit cut off. God feels a bit cut off too, though the church across the road is a bit of an encouragement that although Elvis has left the building, God hasn’t.
Thursday 14 February 2008
Regeneration is a four letter word ~ WORK
Spent the morning doing paperwork, the afternoon at Calderdale helping organise a conference and the evening at Mythomroyd PCC. Each event was a necessary brick in the wall that is being built for Regeneration. Annoying news at the PCC where people are still being told that we had a grant to build our hall extension. Everybody is waiting for someone to regenerate their community, nobody is prepared to accept that what is needed takes work.
Spent a wierd half hour trying to buy a bag for my trip tomorrow, discovered there were possibly three million different sorts, mostly black, mostly adequate, the consumer nightmare. When I finally chose one I had to register it online. They asked me: "What attracted you to the bag." I had to admit: "I bought a yellow and black one because it will stand out in a pile if I lose it!"
Reminded me of what someone said about buildings that every community needs at least one wackey building, so that you can give directions to the others. "Oh it's first on the left after the banana shaped building!"
Spent a wierd half hour trying to buy a bag for my trip tomorrow, discovered there were possibly three million different sorts, mostly black, mostly adequate, the consumer nightmare. When I finally chose one I had to register it online. They asked me: "What attracted you to the bag." I had to admit: "I bought a yellow and black one because it will stand out in a pile if I lose it!"
Reminded me of what someone said about buildings that every community needs at least one wackey building, so that you can give directions to the others. "Oh it's first on the left after the banana shaped building!"
Wednesday 13 February 2008
BACKBLOG - The lost blogs prespelling mistake
Tuesday, 12 February 2008
On Talking to nobody
Discovered today that I have misspelt my blogger, so nobody is able to access my blog. Does it matter? Probably not but I will try with another name later.Today I went to IKEA in preparation for my trip to Sweden on Friday, still no nearer to discovering anything useful.
Posted by James at 14:52 0 comments
Monday, 11 February 2008
Cleaning Up - What a difference Two Hours Make
Spent the morning at the hall, for an hour avoiding an amazing wrk party who were cleaning things up while a smaller group spent an hour cleaning their "souls" as part of a Lent study group. We learnt about the desert experience, getting it away from it all, as the other group tackld it all and cleaned it up. So much stuff got thrown out, including a fridge and so much bar emphemera that it looked like the tail end of a great party.In the end we could stay in the desrt no longer and all joined together as we transformed an unusable and unloved room into something which had... possibilities.People and buildings need regeneration, sometimes by stepping back: we see what needs to be done, some by stepping forward, by getting on with it, we clear enough stuff to see what might be...
Posted by James at 13:47 0 comments
Sunday, 10 February 2008
Down to earth with a bump, up to heaven with a whoosh
Church today and the numbers have recovered! Down to earth with a bump as a queue of people want to see after the service with a number of heartbreaking problems. It's easy to forget that communities contain or maybe consist of a huge number of individual problems that cry out to be solved. Each one of them is important to each one of them, not all of them can be solved, a cloud of issues, the context in which we regenerate.
Posted by James at 14:20 0 comments
On Talking to nobody
Discovered today that I have misspelt my blogger, so nobody is able to access my blog. Does it matter? Probably not but I will try with another name later.Today I went to IKEA in preparation for my trip to Sweden on Friday, still no nearer to discovering anything useful.
Posted by James at 14:52 0 comments
Monday, 11 February 2008
Cleaning Up - What a difference Two Hours Make
Spent the morning at the hall, for an hour avoiding an amazing wrk party who were cleaning things up while a smaller group spent an hour cleaning their "souls" as part of a Lent study group. We learnt about the desert experience, getting it away from it all, as the other group tackld it all and cleaned it up. So much stuff got thrown out, including a fridge and so much bar emphemera that it looked like the tail end of a great party.In the end we could stay in the desrt no longer and all joined together as we transformed an unusable and unloved room into something which had... possibilities.People and buildings need regeneration, sometimes by stepping back: we see what needs to be done, some by stepping forward, by getting on with it, we clear enough stuff to see what might be...
Posted by James at 13:47 0 comments
Sunday, 10 February 2008
Down to earth with a bump, up to heaven with a whoosh
Church today and the numbers have recovered! Down to earth with a bump as a queue of people want to see after the service with a number of heartbreaking problems. It's easy to forget that communities contain or maybe consist of a huge number of individual problems that cry out to be solved. Each one of them is important to each one of them, not all of them can be solved, a cloud of issues, the context in which we regenerate.
Posted by James at 14:20 0 comments
L S LOWRY and clean streets
Had great day today went to the Lowry in Salford, a great building which not only looks whackey on the outside also looks brilliant on the inside.
Two exhibitions were on both showing pictures of Salford in the first half of the twentieth century.
One was photographs by Arthur Riley a brilliant artist and photographer who shot street scenes of the people of Salford. He had a good eye for the street children as he had been a teacher and produced a series of grubby black and white shots of Salford. It was a familiar scene to us because we had been in Moss Side soon after and we remebered the grot. We even lived in a block of flats imaginatively called Gretney Walk but inevitably rechristened Grotney Walk.
So in the light of this when we turned to Lowry's picture, they seemed incredibly clean, in fact the mills themselves, though dark are not dirty. The biggest shock is the streets themselves all white. Picture after picture white streets. Did he not see the grot? Did he chose white so that we would look at the people? Whatever, this was the vision he had, the white clean streets of Salford. Arthur Riley saw the grot. Which is the correct vision? Like most dilemma's the answer is no thesis and antithesis producing synthesis, but rather thesis and antithesis are both true.
Went to a council meeting tonight with a project causing controversy; which one was right? Both, either, neither?
Two exhibitions were on both showing pictures of Salford in the first half of the twentieth century.
One was photographs by Arthur Riley a brilliant artist and photographer who shot street scenes of the people of Salford. He had a good eye for the street children as he had been a teacher and produced a series of grubby black and white shots of Salford. It was a familiar scene to us because we had been in Moss Side soon after and we remebered the grot. We even lived in a block of flats imaginatively called Gretney Walk but inevitably rechristened Grotney Walk.
So in the light of this when we turned to Lowry's picture, they seemed incredibly clean, in fact the mills themselves, though dark are not dirty. The biggest shock is the streets themselves all white. Picture after picture white streets. Did he not see the grot? Did he chose white so that we would look at the people? Whatever, this was the vision he had, the white clean streets of Salford. Arthur Riley saw the grot. Which is the correct vision? Like most dilemma's the answer is no thesis and antithesis producing synthesis, but rather thesis and antithesis are both true.
Went to a council meeting tonight with a project causing controversy; which one was right? Both, either, neither?
Tuesday 12 February 2008
At Last the Fraser Teal Blog
Well it's taken three attempts but here it is, my Blog. Tomorrow I will post what's gone before, if I can and try and gather it together.
Today I went to DEF, a small group of vicars, trying to put the world to rights... I think we will need anoher meeting. Then off to IKEA to try and pick up some Swedish for my trip on Friday... still some work to do there as well. We bought a trolley full of stuff we had not gone to shop for. It was the perfect retailers dream selling stuff to people that they did not want and sendng them away afterwards, happy.
If only we could do this in regeneration, find out what people want before they know and send them away happy, then we could create Sweden?
Today I went to DEF, a small group of vicars, trying to put the world to rights... I think we will need anoher meeting. Then off to IKEA to try and pick up some Swedish for my trip on Friday... still some work to do there as well. We bought a trolley full of stuff we had not gone to shop for. It was the perfect retailers dream selling stuff to people that they did not want and sendng them away afterwards, happy.
If only we could do this in regeneration, find out what people want before they know and send them away happy, then we could create Sweden?
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