GadgetVicar

Service of Thanksgiving for the Life of Eve Clancy

Today's service can be listened to here.

It was a fitting farewell to a dear friend.

This is a photograph of Eve and her husband, the Revd Michael Clancy, on their wedding day.

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!

John Stott

John Stott died today. You can read more about him via the link. Richard Bewes, one of his successors as Rector of All Souls, Langham Place, writes:

Beloved John Stott, my next-door neighbour for 22 years, went to Glory at 3.15 this afternoon, (British time). He had not been ill, but - at 90 - he had simply done enough, and slipped away peacefully at the home where he has been so well looked after, at St Barnabas College, Lingfield in Surrey. His secretary for over 50 years, Frances Whitehead, was with him; also his niece Caroline (and her daughter Emily), together with his faithful visitor Philip Herbert.

So far, that is all that there is to pass on.

There will obviously be deep thanksgiving for John, and we can be sure that more will eventually be known through the website http://johnstott.org/

John Stott had a profound influence on many a church leader and many more lay people. His Bible-teaching ministry and his commentaries have helped grow several generations of followers of Jesus who can communicate its message clearly.

I am very grateful to have spent a short time with him when I was a curate more than twenty years ago. It was a nerve wracking responsibility to look after the great man for the day when he had time off from preaching at the church I served. I knew he was a birdwatcher (or should that be birder?), and so I arranged some time in the country for him to pursue his hobby. He was very kind and interested in me throughout. On the way home he mentioned that the one book of his that he did not have a copy of was Christ the Controversialist. I think this book was based on some lectures he'd given in Edinburgh. As it happened, the week before I met him, I had acquired a first edition copy of that very book in a second hand shop. I had the joy of giving that copy to its author.

John Stott helped shape my handling of scripture and my preaching. He was a unifying figure for Anglican and non-Anglican evangelicals. Sadly, there is no-one of his stature around today who can fulfil that role. He will be sorely missed. But many around the world will be giving thanks to God for his long and fruitful ministry. May his sermons, books and life continue to encourage other followers of Jesus to remain faithful.

These then are the marks of the ideal Church - love, suffering, holiness, sound doctrine, genuineness, evangelism and humility. They are what Christ desires to find in His churches as He walks among them. John Stott - Basic Introduction to the New Testament, Eerdmans, 1964, p. 163-164

                                                        

To Cut Or Not To Cut?

I was talking to a very gifted secondary school music teacher and a talented young actor this afternoon about their prospects for work. Clearly, cuts in secondary education will hit the creative arts curriculum hard, with teachers not being replaced when they retire and posts being slashed. The knock on effect on the confidence-building and socialisation that these subjects give young people are incalculable, but I fear for generations of them, for they might not have the opportunities or the joy that such learning brings. With two artistically gifted children in the final stages of secondary education, this is something close to home.

Are there other ways that the deficit might be met, other than massive cuts? Here are some suggestions:

 

It Cuts Both Ways...The Alternatives from Oonagh Cousins on Vimeo.

Big Events

It's been a bit of an emotional rollercoaster over the last few weeks.

It was a privilege to lead and speak at Alan Ervine's funeral. I don't have to do such things very often because we are such a young congregation, but when I do, generally I know the people who have died quite well, and more often than not count them as friends. Alan was no exception to this - he offered wise counsel, generous encouragement and helped me to keep leading when I felt like giving up. He is sorely missed by St Silas'. We share some of the grief that Liz and Paul are going through.

The following Sunday night I was to preach at Nick Cox's ordination. Again, it was an emotional time. I commented on feeling that I was at a wedding, but that I wasn't sure if I was best man or a bridesmaid. Perhaps I was a bit of both, lending support to my dear brother Nick? Or maybe even the father of the bride 'giving her way'? It was a grand occasion with the preaching described elsewhere as 'exuberant'. Which is good given that I'd left my Bible and notes for the sermon in St Silas' that morning. Cue me furiously scribbling some headings down at 5.15pm. I preached on the ministry of deacons (and their spouses!) from 1 Timothy 3. I missed out my whole reflection on 'Welcome to the world of Rev', in which I would have pointed out that, in this world, one has to laugh every time someone says, '"You only work one day a week," and laugh as if you are hearing this comment for the first time. I loved it that many St Silas' kids were present and that they were so well behaved during the extra long distribution of communion (comment from one child on seeing Bishop Gregor:" God is here and He's speaking to us!").  Prayers for Nick and Karen in their new ministry in South Ayrshire.

Now who else is God encouraging into ordained ministry?

He Come From A Land Down Under

We've got an Australian friend, Gary Nelson, arriving tomorrow. He is Director of External Studies at Moore College, Sydney and he travels the world offering courses in theological education. He arrives in Scotland having spent two weeks in Nigeria. He'll be preaching at St Silas' on Sunday night.

Here's a little flavour of what he does:

Interpreting the Bible - Introduction from Moore College on Vimeo.

Acting It

Reminder to self: never offer to act in anything again. I've trod the boards several times this month, shocking my fellow cast members last week  with my hammy sergeant-major. This morning I played "Mike", the grumpy hubbie in our marvellous Christmas play (Whaddya mean, " You didn't need to act, then?").

In my youth, I was in a little theatre troupe called "Ripples": we toured the land presenting our little Gospel tales. We performed on the stage of the Pavilion Theatre, Glasgow and the BBC recorded  and broadcast our work (I even have a video of the latter, which will remain sealed in a vault until I go to to heaven). It's been lovely to do a bit of acting again, but far more stressful than I remember it being.

Tonight at 8pm is our Carols by Candlelight Service. Another superb team has been working on this. I always find this a tough one to prepare for and every year I struggle to put some thoughts together for the talk. This year has been no exception, but I hope I've been given something worth saying.

I suppose that, in some ways, my acting has been replaced by preaching. Preachers should always have a good sense of the dramatic and an ability to project, so those experiences in the past have all been useful. The main difference being that preachers should always be true to themselves and express what God has impressed upon them, not just what they think. I hope I do that tonight.

Christ the King Weekend 2009

And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. Ephesians 1:22-23

There's way too much going on right now. Been busy today getting ready for the weekend/next year which is naughty given that today is meant to be a day off. I'll make up for it next week. I applied to become a postman today. Don't panic, I'm not giving up. It's not for me, but for GV Boy. One question they asked was about what you'd do if it was going to take longer than you were contracted for to complete a piece of work. The right answer was to complete the work, rather than work to rule. Go the extra mile and all that. Ministry is about that kind of thing too.

Tomorrow is the meeting of the Scottish Episcopal Evangelical Fellowship at Letham St Mark's Church of Scotland in Perth. It's going to be a good turnout, with lots of lay people (not so many stipendiary clergy - many of us tend to avoid Saturday conferences). We'll have a little episcopal input in the afternoon, after I've delivered some words on spiritual warfare and the tough ministry which Charles Simeon endured. Prayers for the Revd Canon Ian Ferguson (aka "The Wee Dalek") who was meant to talk in the morning but who is unwell. We'll get to pray for one another too. I have a sense that many people are feeling the burn right now.

Sunday sees us focus on "Servant Saints", as our wills get all stirred up. We'll also be encouraging people to keep the Building for the Future project in mind for their giving and prayers.

Today, my tickets for the December 9th gig of Florence and the Machine arrived. That will be the third time of seeing them this year. I'm not obsessed, honestly.

In the words of her latest single (originally by Candi Staton, but the best version until now was the remix with The Source):

Sometimes I feel like throwing my hands up in the air
I know I can count on you
Sometimes I feel like saying "Lord, I just don't care"
But you've got the love I need To see me through

Sometimes it seems that the going is just too rough
And things go wrong no matter what I do
Now and then it seems that life is just too much
But you've got the love I need to see me through

When food is gone you are my daily meal
When friends are gone I know my Saviour's love is real
Your love is real.

Sermon Text

Last Sunday, the congregation took over the sermon slot with their texting of questions on worship. We hadn't planned for it at all. Immediately before the service, when I realised that Jenny had texted me the questions I was meant to ask her, we had the inspiration to ask the people of God to text in their questions too. To my surprise, it worked very well, with over thirty texts received, most of which asked helpful questions. We covered an awful lot of ground, but I hope that we both cast vision for worship and learned together too.

Listen to it all here.

U2 and other Dilemmas

So, I'm preaching on "Frugality" next Sunday morning as part of our series on Spiritual Disciplines.

U2 tickets are currently on pre-sale for fan club members. They are being supported by Glasvegas in Glasgow. But wait for it, in London and Sheffield they are being supported by Elbow! Dilemmas, dilemmas. Should we spend a small fortune on a pair of tickets? And if we do, do we use our membership to get tickets for Glasgow or down south? The latter would definitely not be frugal.

In another development, I have explored a little of the realm of Facebook for the first time tonight, purely for pastoral reasons, you understand. I have learned that people need to learn that typing some things on such sites is probably not advisable. Also that many so-called friends are but acquaintances (but such is the real world too, I suppose). Not sure I feel at home.......