GadgetVicar

Out With the Old and In With The New

It's been a most interesting end of the old and start to the new.

The rectory was burgled one early evening just before Christmas. The intruder was met by GV Boy, who is stilll struggling with the shock of that confrontation. I know what that's like - a few years ago I returned to the rectory during the day and discovered the front door smashed. As I got into the house and called the police, I heard movement upstairs and went to confront my visitor. He was out on the roof, making his escape by jumping off. If I 'd done the same, I'd have broken my neck, so thought better of it. A few months later the culprits (for there were two) were caught in another house nearby and given short sentences after admitting several dozen other offences. It's painful dealing with such events: the sense of violation and the fear of it happening again can linger for a long time. It does look like we'll need to increase the security arrangements at my home -"Machine Gun Preacher"?

No damage to the rectory or church in "Son of Bawbag", though I had to rescue GV Girl #1 on her way to work on Tuesday, after she was blown into a lamp post. Thankfully her injuries were slight.

The damage around the city however is very great and I saw several streets in the West End blocked off by police cars, as the fear of chimneys and slates falling was so great. Many trees have come down, and the debris is still being cleared up.

Yesterday, I was out getting soaked in the rain as I assisted the Dynorod man who was trying to sort out a damaged drain. I think he appreciated me holding my ladder for him. I wonder if his employers will accept my hourly rate?

Despite all of that disruption and difficulty, there has been much good time with family and friends as well as some wonderful worship (with larger attendances on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, possibly because the latter was on a Sunday?), especially on New Year's Day, when we had a simple eucharist, with one musician, some old songs and hymns and a lot of reflection. More people were present than I'd anticipated, and it felt like a good start to the year.

Today the sun is shining on Glasgow - I know it always does during the day, but it seems like it's had to do it through clouds forever!

I preached on the following passage last Sunday. It can easily be taken too personally and out of context, but this year I'm seeking new things in my following of Jesus Christ, not resting on my laurels or taking anything for granted.

"Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.

See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the desert
and streams in the wasteland." Isaiah 43:18-19

The Gala

The day of the Gibson Street Gala just has to be my favourite day of ministry of the year. That's for all sorts of reasons - the amazing team that makes it happen, both in the community and from St Silas; the wonderful variety of people we get to meet, serve and pray with; the family-friendly nature of the whole event. I think people are surprised that we offer free hospitality - the vision is one of "The Generosity of God". Our hope is that people will be intrigued enough to come back and find out some more.

I'd been in Prestwick taking the service in the morning, so was a bit late in arriving (sorry to all those who missed me leading from the front - to explain: the bishop has asked me to care for the good people down there while they seek a new rector. Last Sunday was the only Sunday I could make it this month. I've had a long and fruitful friendship with the church and feel a little responsible for them!). However, when I did arrive, I managed to get wet at the "Sponge the Vicar" stall. The queue for this seemed endless, but I was heartened that none of the adult members of St Silas' took shots at me. I loved that our friends from Ruchill took over at the end of the day and relished getting absolutely soaked. I enjoyed much conversation with many people throughout the day, and marvelled at the number of people (several thousand!) in the building.

Well done and thank you to the team who welcomed, served, listened, fetched, carried, prayed, painted faces, played music, baked and loved! You are all stars. If you weren't there, dare I suggest you missed out on something special?

Now to get ready for next year.........

June (So Far)

June is proving to be a bit full on.

First came my preaching trip to Sweden. Having been used to several such trips overseas every year, since 2008 I've been resolute in staying at home. I was a little nervous at this trip, but I was returning to somewhere I knew and among friends - all was well in the end. The highlights for me were the prayer ministry times, when many people came and shared their requests.

Last Wednesday, I had the joy of going down to a meeting at St Ninian's, Prestwick where I am interim priest, following the retiral of my friend and mentor, Philip Noble. He and his wife Ros will be sorely missed after their twenty eight year ministry there. It was lovely to enter the building I know so well and see the people listening and talking to the Lord about their hopes for the future ministry there.

Last weekend brought a return visit by the young people of Tranemo, Sweden. A finer group of young people you couldn't hope to meet. I particularly enjoyed the game of 'Samurai' we played in church after the service on Sunday night. Sunday also brought our Gift Day, when we seek to give thanks to God by giving again. St Silas' people have given so sacrificially over the last few years in order that our new building be realised - it's tough going back to them to ask for more. Yet we did just that, trusting that the Lord of the cattle on a thousand hills will supply our needs. The slight variation this time is our need to replace the church boilers - I've been rector sixteen years this month and I saw the present boilers being installed in 1996! This is getting a little scary....

The rectory is up for sale and this evening I had a couple viewing. Turns out the wife is expecting her baby today - I was prepared to deliver if necessary. Much of today was spent tidying, cleaning decluttering. Maybe they'll be the ones who buy?

Thursday means me representing the diocese at General Synod until Saturday, then on Sunday it's down to St Ninian's, Prestwick for their Pentecost service, followed by me spending much of the afternoon getting wet at the 'Sponge The Vicar' stall outside St Silas' (part of our contribution to the Gibson Street Gala). I love the variety my 'job' offers!

A Breath Of Fresh Air - St Silas' Church @ The Gibson Street Gala, 12th June 2011 from 12pm

24/7 Prayer @ St Silas'

We are hosting a week of prayer at St Silas' from 5pm on Thursday 12th May. We've partnered with the Navigators and Glasgow University Christian Union for this. The idea is to have a room in the new facilities open for anyone to come and pray for the city/nation. Details of how to join in are here. Please do sign up.

Thanksgiving & Celebration

We are busy this weekend beginning with a Celebration Ceilidh with the fabulous Jiggers on Friday night. Do join us for a fun evening.

We then have the Diocesan Council meeting in the hall on Saturday. Sunday brings the service of thanksgiving and blessing of the new facilities at St Silas'. The Rt. Reverend Gregor Duncan, Bishop of Glasgow & Galloway will be present and Mike Parker, (chair of our patrons) will  preach. At the evening service, Mike will also share about the situation in North Africa from his perspective as leader of the English-speaking congregation at All Saints Cathedral in Cairo.

So far, it's been a busy few days this week  - I'm very thankful for some time off last week....

Building Almost Complete

The new hall complex is almost ready for handover. Someone from Glasgow City Council Building Control will come on Friday to give it the ok (or not?), and then we'll get permission to move in. The Bishop of Glasgow & Galloway came for a look round last Wednesday. I think he liked it (he used the word "gobsmacked"!) and is looking forward to giving it a right good blessing. I am immensely humbled that we have been given such a useful and attractive facility - I hope we use it well and to the Glory of God.

Now all we need to get ready for is the tidying up of the church, the decluttering of all the unnecessary stuff we've accrued over the years, the building and moving of furniture and all the technical things we'll need to sort out (like IT and audiovisual equipment).

The weekend of the 20th February, we'll spend a lot of time praying in the new building and getting it practically kitted out in preparation for the School of Ministry we are running on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 22nd February. More of all that in another post.

It's A Quiet Life

It looks as though the new facilities will be handed over in two to three weeks time. The internals are just about finished, bar a deep clean, and the stonemasons are busy working on the ramp walls and fencing. We now have to get the interior fitted out with furniture and technology, so it's all go.

The rectory is now on the market, so we'll see if we get a flood of viewers (must keep the house tidy, must keep the house tidy).

We're launching renewed vision (see here for more details), and we hope that will reorientate us to be more outward looking, inviting and clear in our purpose. I'm excited at what is happening and what might be possible. The next event in our plan to have more fun together is the Great Big Quiz Night on the 5th February. We're running a six week School of Ministry on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from the 22nd February, looking at Work, Leadership, Listening, and Godly Living for men and women. The prospectus for this will be up on the church website soon.

The Gibson Street Gala is in June - the first planning meeting for it is tomorrow. Where did the last half-year go?

I am going away for a few days at the end of this week, to Skye and then the Black Isle, for time with dear friends and some rest and recuperation before the onslaught that will be February. Bring it on!

Moonlighting

I really don't have another job on Sunday nights:

Cheap Trick

For over thirty years, I've been a fan of Cheap Trick, yet I've never seen them live. That's all set to change on Sunday night when they play at the ABC in Glasgow. I'm going with one of the excellent St Silas' guitarists (can we look forward to some Rick Nielsen-type antics from Mr S. in future services, I wonder?). We've got an extra ticket, if anyone fancies joining us. Let me know.

Here they are in 1978: