GadgetVicar

Terri Gets Baptised

Making The Most Of A Weekend Off

I've had a weekend off! That's something I've been really bad at doing, but then I "only work one day a week", so what have I got to complain about?

Only it wasn't really a weekend off, because yesterday I had the privilege of preaching at St Andrews University Chapel. I talked briefly about pursuing studies and research (referring to the Ig Nobel Awards) but then preached on Philippians 3:4b-14, focussing on our pursuit of Christ, who has pursued us. The new chaplain, Donald MacEwan, gave me a warm and friendly welcome as well as an excellent lunch. It was a joy to minister again in such a lovely place of worship, whose people continue to have such an orientation towards mission in the University.

I also managed to visit a few other places of historical interest: Castle Campbell (photograph on the right) in  Dollar Glen (it was once called "Castle Gloom", but it's a spectacular setting on any day), Loch Leven Castle (a boat trip and befriending a melanistic mutant pheasant were additional joys), Burleigh Castle (we got the keys on a second visit later in the afternoon which made it much more interesting),  Broughty Castle (a mixture of medieval, 19th, and 20th century architecture with some worthwhile art in the museum galleries), Arbroath Abbey (spectacular and peaceful) and Claypotts Castle (which we couldn't get into but we enjoyed nonetheless). I'm a member of Historic Scotland which makes the cost of visiting all these places such a bargain. I learn new things about our history with every visit.

I even endured the misery of watching England beat Scotland on Saturday, but the joy of the Irish victory before chapel on Sunday.

Added to all that was the joy of spending time with my oldest and dearest friends, whose counsel and hospitality I still benefit from after thirty years. It's a wonder that they've put up with me for so long.......

Returning to Glasgow last night, I enjoyed the lovely Nerina Pallot in concert at Oran Mor on Sunday night. She's got some good songs (she wrote Better Than Today, which Kylie Minogue covered) a great voice and has the most charming between-songs-banter I've ever heard.

A good weekend. I'd best get back to answering the emails that build up after three days away!

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!

Mary Gardner

I've just heard the terrible news that the person killed in the bomb attack in Jerusalem yesterday was one of the missionaries we've partnered with for many years, Mary Gardner, who served with Wycliffe Bible Translators in Togo. Mary was studying at the Hebrew University. Please pray for her parents, Tony and Jean, in their loss.

We had a wonderful time with Mary when she was back on furlough in 2009. I was privileged to be involved in her debrief with Wycliffe and many folk got to know her better. She was a quiet and faithful servant of the Lord. Words fail me at the moment, save for the following:

"¹ As for other matters, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honoured, just as it was with you. ² And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people, for not everyone has faith. ³ But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. ⁴ We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. ⁵ May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance" 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5

May Mary rest in peace and rise in glory.

ZoomZoomZim

My friends, Véronique and Ben Nicholson, have recently moved to Zimbabwe to head up Tearfund's operations. Véro is blogging here. It's worth checking out, as the joys and vagaries of life in Africa are shared. 

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!

Carols By Candlelight 2010

St Silas' enjoyed another Carols by Candlelight last night, where we were deftly reminded of the significance of the Incarnation. Great singing, narration, staging and visuals, as well as lovely refreshments, all combined to create a superb and gentle environment for the Gospel to be shared. It was only marred by my bad singing and missing of lines! That will teach me....

The completion of the new hall has now been delayed until the end of January (assuming that the freeze ends). The new toilets and baby changing/shower room have been handed over and were in use last night (not the shower, though!), so at least those facilities which have so often been the shame of the congregation on these occasions are now attractive and warm.

Thanks to all who made it happen and to all who came. It's simply the best way to start Christmas week.

Change Ringing

"We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps." Proverbs 16:9

There is a lot happening right now-

First up is the St Silas' Carols By Candlelight Service on Sunday night at 7.30pm. Bring your friends and family. It will be good! Come early to ensure a good seat.

Then there is the Hogmanay Ceilidh, 7.30pm to very late/early. TIckets are £5 and £15 for families. BYOB. Good music and fun are guaranteed.

Completion on the hall now looks likely to be delayed until the New Year. internally, the building looks great and is very close to being finished but externally the extreme cold is delaying the external works. At vestry last night, I likened it to being like looking at a Christmas present but not being able to open it. We're used to waiting....it's an Advent thing.

We are busy planning how we might structure our life together in the coming years. We are a comfortable church and could trundle along merrily without much to disturb that, but if we want to grow, both as individuals and as a congregation, we need to configure ourselves a little diferently and be moved out of our comfort zones. We've generally been good at navigating through the waters of change and innovation, and I hope this coming year will see us doing that well again. This is all tied to our vision booklet which will be published early in the new year. This is a time of change for us as a church, and that can bring some pain, but as we talk and pray through things, I'm confident that what the Lord has in store for us is good.

Vestry have now taken the decision to put the rectory on the market and hopefully buy somewhere nearer the church. Missionally this makes sense - having the Rector in the area will work well (I often say that I sleep in Jordanhill but live and work in the West End). It might well release a significant amount money to go towards the hall. The hope is to buy a large flat within ten to fifteen minutes walk of the church. Practically, the rectory is just too big, requires a lot of money and time to maintain/heat. That means I might be in for a busy year! Time to start decluttering......

St Silas' Christmas Craft Fair Is This Saturday