Shaken but not stirred

A great mixture of places to visit today and more hard talking this time with the clergy of the Deanery. Then an out and about afternoon finishing with an evening with the Elmet trust in the last run down to the Ted Hughes poetry Festival in about three weeks time.
It’s been an amazing journey for us. Ten years ago people were trying to create a poetry centre in the birth place of the poet laureate. On Ted’s death we seemed to gain an impetus for a time but the centre was going nowhere. A few of us began to hatch a plan B, if we can’t have a building, let’s have a festival. Last year was our first festival, a big success, this year is bigger and we’re all a bit scared but we are raising our game, building our capacity, etc. etc. We have Andrew Motion as our big guest this year… so yes excited but scared.

Vicars

A day for hard talking as we meet at the Archdeacons to discuss clergy numbers. By 2013 we have to reduce the number of paid clergy by about a fifth in line with national predictions of a reduction in those offering for the full time ministry.
The funny thing is that we have never had so many priests in the C of E the difference is that most of them are part time or self supporting people. We are rapidly becoming a volunteer clergy for a volunteer church... Which at one level is brilliant.
Problem is the demands from the community is not part time and so many of the ideas we have had about clerical engagement in regeneration is dependent on us having the time to do it.
In America is would be unacceptible for someone to live their lives without volunteering... It's just expected but unfortunately in this country no such social pressure occurs. My worry is that somewhat bizarrely, lless clergy time means even less community engagement.

Threads

Threads are reforming but what's exciting is that nothing is quite what it was. There is a confidence in the churches that wasn't there before I went, well not in this way. There is an optism in the air but with it there is a weariness which I guess I need to address at some time.
Someone said that true leadership comes when we chose not to lead, for in that choice we enable others to find their potential.
I hope that of the many things which my sabatical has enabled me to do it is to lead by leaving... for a time.

Saturday Travels

To Diocesan Synod this morning in the Dearne Valley! At least I think it was, I followed the Sat Nav and so I could have been anywhere.
It was lovely to back amongst the great and the good. We passed the budget, we listened to some people talking about liturgy, we rearranged the deck chairs.
This afternoon back to Hebden Bridge to hear my son playing in the Hebden Bridge Junior band. He plays the bass and so he hides at the back of the band and lends his support. They were creative in their interpretation of many classics but their enthusiasm was catching. You could tell it was Hebden Bridge we were offered the usual cakes and buns but also on offer was pea and pesto soup. It took the idea of green food to new heights.
So now it’s Saturday night and I am due back at church tomorrow, and a bit nervous… a bit like the day before you go back to school. I hope I can still remember how to do it.

steep learning curve

My car has broken down or rather my other car has broken down and so like superman I have come to Leeds to rescue my daughter in Law. Not really like superman because superman would not have been muttering all the way here because my daughter in law has not got AA membership.
By the time I arrive I am back to normal but more and more aware of how many things there are to remember if you are young. So much wisdom to gain, so much insight to aquire. When I was a chaplain one of our counsellors said that every young person should be able to make mistakes and get away with them a bit, so they might learn and grow. I am really pleased in this case that no major problem has occurred that can't be fixed by an AA man, a fairly sympathetic father in law and a little bit of time.
Steep learning curve life,isn't it?

It's my birthday

It’s my birthday! A pretty perfect day beginning with a reconnection with the Angels congregation, our midweek fresh expression. I was most impressed by a small blond two year old who sat next to me at story time as she obviously felt that I was new and a bit nervous.
This was followed by very nice fish and chips with my mum and dad. Looking over Yemini pictures and a good deal of nostalgia follows and I head off at speed to a community meeting where there is trouble at the mill. We finish the meeting with everyone laughing so I think my presence helped.
This evening we head to Sabrosso one of two new restaurants in our village where I eat excellent food and share a bottle of red and then walk home to contemplate being 47 years of age…
Actually y life is pretty good… at least until tomorrow… thank you God!

Soggy Skipton

To Skipton today for a rainy conference, Action for Market Towns. The market in Skipton is a bit of a washout as people run from shelter to shelter.
The conference itself is good meeting of some 300 partners and also a few friends, some from Yorkshire Forward but others who I have bumped into on various training things.
People are a bit nervy largely because of the credit crunch. As house prices fall and bank balances shrink the country is changing and community based, volunteer led activity are as much under threat as banks.
I hope that we can be help to those in trouble and not a hinderance as we make more demands.