tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69218248174383934312024-03-13T16:33:26.174-07:00Up the Rectory Path - and behind the Rectory DoorOnce a 'Reluctant Curate's wife', I am now a Rookie Rector's wife.
The Rector and I are embarking on our new adventure in the beautiful county of Dorset. There will be much to learn, much to explore and much to laugh about as we settle into the new parish.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger67125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6921824817438393431.post-40615685530255339672018-09-30T11:26:00.001-07:002018-09-30T11:26:53.916-07:00Under attack?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I used to think people were weird when they talked of being under ‘spiritual attack’. It was not something that I could even begin to understand before I was a Rector’s wife. I expect I would have explained some events as coincidences or just my heightened imagination but now I begin to wonder.<br />
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We have had phases in the years that we have been here, when we have felt under attack personally. Or the atmosphere in a parish or parishes goes sour. And it seems to come at us in waves, exhausting the Rector@6. I have never experienced anything quite like it but it makes me think of all the old stories that you would hear in rural communities about runs of bad luck ( of course we don’t do luck in churches). ..you know the things that sent the milk sour, or that caused the harvest to fail. Even writing this, I’m thinking ‘don’t be so daft!’ But I have discussed it with Rector@6 and he feels them same. Are there such things as forces of evil? Would something want to stop the church thriving?<br />
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Of course it’s all coincidence, it’s all in our minds...or is it?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6921824817438393431.post-38214820474793447882018-09-07T02:23:00.001-07:002018-09-09T13:34:34.669-07:00The Church of England Preservation Society?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have kept quiet for too long! I am now a more experienced rural rector’s wife and I am learning to be ‘me’ now that we are settled. I am also learning that rural churches of England are incredibly difficult places to maintain...and my Rector has six! I am not just talking about the buildings - six beautiful historic buildings that need faculties in order to make any changes, maybe the approval from the Victorian society, historic churches, the Archdeacon, the farmer next door and anyone and his dog it seems! Is the Church of England a preservation society for historic buildings or a group of people who believe that Christ can make a difference in people’s lives? I also refer to maintaining and bringing the good news to a faithful group of people, maintaining their enthusiasm, interest and love as increasing demands are put upon them.<br />
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I read today that only 2% of young people identify as Church of England. I am not surprised. What are we able to offer them in our rural villages? Church leaders are faced with juggling the demands of the small, stalwart elderly congregation who faithfully give to the church collection each week and the lack of interest from the few young families who have managed to find housing in the villages. The regular share payments cripple the mission of rural churches. The upkeep of ancient buildings cripples the mission of the rural church. The constant need to spend time applying for grants, seeking permissions and meetings - bureaucracy gone mad - cripples the mission of the rural church. The threats...yes threats, from church members that are issued if things are not done the way they want - cripples the mission of the rural church. The competition from community churches in nearby towns, that don’t have the buildings to maintain and do have a greater surrounding population density, cripples the mission of the rural church. The lack of understanding by the hierarchy that one person cannot serve multiple parishes, without regular time off to refresh, cripples the mission of the rural church. And so it goes on...and on! And yet my OH feels called to faithfully serve the rural communities. I ask...at what cost?</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6921824817438393431.post-6340669772446394062015-11-29T13:24:00.004-08:002015-11-29T13:25:21.888-08:00Slow starts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I haven't done very well - have I?! I was going to start blogging again and I have failed miserably. Why?<br />
1. The world situation has left me speechless. As I have sat at my computer, images of Paris came into my mind. What words are there to say or write?<br />
2. Everything in my world seems so trivial in the light of what has happened.<br />
3. Writing is a luxury these days - I mean writing from the heart, contemplating, turning words over, erasing, rewriting that phrase.<br />
4. Words are sucked from me in the form of weekly Pew News sheets, monthly letters and meeting minutes and agendas. - I don't write all of these - the Rector@6 is suppose to write some of these but so often I provide a template, an inspiration or a quote to get him going. <br />
5. Editing takes up more time than writing - and I still don't see all the mistakes. I press the 'send' button and immediately want to suck the document back as I have spotted a lurking gremlin in the prose. I know that within minutes there will be one or two of those emails:-<br />
'I don't like to mention this but...' or ' I'm sure everyone else will have pointed out.....'<br />
Actually - I don't mind these too much because I just don't proof read very well some days. It's like a kind of word blindness and I can only see what it is suppose to say and not what it actually says!<br />
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Goodness knows how vicars write sermons week after week - sometimes two or three in a week. My mind is so full of agendas, rotas and news letters. - perhaps I would be better off not being the Benefice Secretary!<br />
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So how am I managing to write now you may well ask. I am writing this in silence, on a retreat day in mid Devon. WHAT! Me on a retreat! If you could only know how much I have wanted to try a silent retreat since we moved into the Rectory. To be able to hear that still, small voice of calm and not have it interrupted by telephone calls, emails and news sheets that have to be dealt with on a relentless, continuous cycle, week after week. There seems no time at all between the ending of one and the starting of the next. And I am only the secretary - who would ever want to be a vicar/rector/minister. You surely must be 'called' (and not by phone!). You can't think your own thoughts, or look out of the window, and peacefully contemplate the life cycle of a slug (unless of course they feature in this week's sermon).Who ever said a priest's task was just to 'be' - had no idea of the pressure exerted by modern technology.<br />
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We didn't realise how mad life was getting until I started seeing the Rector@6 coming in from a meeting/ coffee morning/ visit or service and checking the emails before he has even taken his coat off. Or seeing that he is checking his iPad messages mid sentence in a conversation with me. He has a permanently quizzical look on his face as if he is trying to keep too many plates spinning in the air. (He probably is.) And I was following suite, - not stopping for coffee, not standing and staring at the garden - not breathing! It dawned on us in the same week and we knew we had to stop.<br />
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So we have retreated - which turned out to be a silent day ( we hadn't been expecting that!). As we entered the ancient Devon Long house we were told the house was in silence until lunchtime - once we entered the rest of the house. And I can breathe.......<br />
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I want to keep breathing and I hope, on our return to the Rectory, nothing will stop me breathing again. I want to enter into the Advent season with expectation and energy.<br />
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Well that lasted about ten minutes! On our return, late in the evening, we discovered the Christmas tree festival had been advertised for the wrong church in the local magazine and a completed baptism form delivered through the door, for a day when there was no morning service in that particular church. When the Rector@6 checked (by email- too late to phone he thought) the invitations had been sent out, 50 guests were coming - everything was booked....except the Rector! <br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6921824817438393431.post-40656096993465663682015-11-09T13:08:00.004-08:002015-11-09T13:16:10.484-08:00Unexpectedly Awesome<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Exactly three years ago today we learned that we were to move from Dartmoor in Devon to Deepest Dorset. The interview had been successful for the Rector@6 and we would be on our way, in the following February, to his first incumbency. I remember the interview days so clearly. I remember the sense of excitement and I remember what we were told. How different it all was! And how much harder it was than we expected. For many months, I wondered if we were going to surface...or survive. So I stopped blogging. <br />
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But we did survive and now I feel able to write again - although I wonder if I will be able to find the time. Life is so full, often random events clutter a day, unlike the ordered days when I was working. As well as the random events, I have two beautiful dogs and two amazing horses to sort out. The horses are an unexpectedly awesome addition to our family since we have been in Dorset. They make sense of being in the middle of nowhere, with no family or friend links, no nearby train links and no decent shopping for miles! They also tie me here!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KmpdcbZFwh8/VkEGwPL5VUI/AAAAAAAAR9g/0_UWza0E2H8/s1600/P1050678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KmpdcbZFwh8/VkEGwPL5VUI/AAAAAAAAR9g/0_UWza0E2H8/s200/P1050678.JPG" width="150" /></a>This weekend has been more hectic than usual as we were supporting three candidates from our Benefice at the Confirmation service at Salisbury Cathedral. We don't often escape the valley to go to Salisbury - and Saturday was not looking promising with the rain and gale force winds but by the afternoon we drove the straight road to Salisbury with an awesome setting sun in the rear view mirror. <br />
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The Cathedral was bathed in the golden light when we arrived which just emphasised its magnificence. There was to be a rehearsal for the candidates and their sponsors (and the rector) while I could go off for tea in the Chapter House and view one of the best copies of the <a href="http://www.salisburycathedral.org.uk/magna-carta">Magna Carta</a>. (click read more) I really wanted to go shopping in Salisbury but couldn't quite make my escape!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Whp5cHVoP5I/VkEJSZIZoqI/AAAAAAAAR9s/lnl8_A41eyE/s1600/P1050719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Whp5cHVoP5I/VkEJSZIZoqI/AAAAAAAAR9s/lnl8_A41eyE/s200/P1050719.JPG" width="150" /></a>It was dark outside when the service began. It began in darkness in the cathedral with a reading from Isaiah 43:1-3a,6b-7. We all sang the Taize chant 'Veni sancta Spiritus' as Genesis1:1-3 was read. It was all very atmospheric. After the candles were lit, the candidates for baptism and confirmation were presented. They then moved down the central aisle to the magnificent font where the baptisms took place. Everyone then moved on towards the spire crossing where those to be confirmed, were presented to one of the three bishops. The congregation was encouraged to move through the cathedral with the clergy and candidates - it was an unexpectedly awesome experience!<br />
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At the end of the service the west end doors were opened and everyone followed the Bishops outside onto the steps of the cathedral. The night was clear and dry and there were distant fireworks exploding into the sky. Here we were able to group with all the people who had come to support from the Benefice - what an unexpectedly large turnout! The Rector@6 was thrilled by the number of people who had come to support the candidates form the Benefice. <br />
And after everyone had left - The Rector@6 and I found ourselves in an empty cathedral! I don't know how it happened but people drifted away - others had gone to change in the vestry and suddenly we were all alone! You feel very small and very conspicuously in God's sight - now that is unexpectedly awesome!<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6921824817438393431.post-52566636630461631712015-11-03T01:10:00.001-08:002015-11-03T09:17:34.115-08:00It's Time!I'm staring at the blank screen wondering what to write...is it too soon to return to my ramblings about adapting to life in the rectory? I have missed the comradery of Bloggers but I needed to focus on settling. I have woken this morning with the urge to write again - so much is changed, so much is changing. The Church of England seems to be changing. Our valley churches are changing. I am changing. Does this mean I am shaping up into a Rector's wife? I don't think so - I still feel like a square peg in a round hole but I need to write to remind myself of how far the Rector@6 and I have come since arriving in the valley for The Interview three years ago. I need to record the changes that have happened so that it might give myself (and others) hope. There have been some difficult times and the Rector@6 has even applied for a couple of jobs and he has got as far as being interviewed for one. We both knew it was too soon (was it the thought of escaping ....running away?). We both knew it was not right for us (the Rector@6 had even said that he would not accept the job at the interview - if offered - which it wasn't!). I'd like to say that we don't wake up on a Friday morning and turn on our iPad search the vacancy list in the Church Times ....but that wouldn't be true. This weekly scanning of the vacancy pages helps to remind us how fortunate we really are!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6921824817438393431.post-49287566896598744012014-06-19T04:54:00.000-07:002014-06-19T09:39:31.118-07:00Last Post (for a while)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It is time to stop. Blogging is no longer the correct medium to be recording the journeying of the Rector@6 and I. The words won't come (or if they do - I fear I might be indiscreet!). I must write positively if this is where we are meant to be. I can't write about the relentless turning of the hamster wheel that goes on in the rectory - sermon writing, newsletter writing, meetings with agendas and minutes and service preparation for six churches - each wanting to keep their service pattern and format. I can't write about the lack of real friendship and support from those who understand the life in a public house. (I don't mean that sort of PUBlic house!) I can't write about that feeling of isolation, after having had a working life - I haven't met another clergy spouse whose other half is employed full time by the church - where are they?.<br />
I can't write about the evangelical judgements made by some in the past (and I still hear today) that have left people damaged and refusing to have anything to do with the church. I can't talk about the inherited team that didn't seem to want to be a team. I can't write about a property department that does not care or that is stretched too widely with too little money. I mustn't mention the endless hedge and grass cutting in our lovely large garden and the lack of time to do it. I must have no opinion about the people who are supposed to care for the new clergy and their families but seem to have no interest in getting to know them. I am a box ticked because I have stayed here.<br />
In this country, where people are getting bigger and diabetes is a recognised problem, but I mustn't mention the cakes that fuel the coffee mornings or the lack of encouraging Fairtrade at the expense of taste. Even the children's work have cake related names and cake is served.<br />
I must ask politely about the exotic holidays people are disappearing off on - when we can't even manage two consecutive days off. I can't write about not having weekends to visit friends and family who work on weekdays.<br />
As you see - this blog would be an endless list of moans and groans - and no one wants to read that. I must focus on the positive - the increasing number of weddings and baptisms, the beautiful countryside that we are surrounded by, two amazing horses and two lovely dogs -and then I find myself reaching out for that sense of awe and wonder in our world. So often God seems to get lost in the day to day running of a rural patch. There is little time for reflection or contemplation for the Rector@6. The phone rings late a night with requests from people who have been out at work during the day. A two minute walk to collect the paper can take half an hour - fine when you have a spare half an hour. Fending complaints from people who don't come to church, about the Christmas star on the tower, the state of the graveyard and the noise of the bells ringing are all part of the job. Even prayer with others seems to become a long list of requests to God to do this or that.<br />
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We are losing the abilty to laugh - and that is serious! I am sure that is not what God intended when he called the Rector@6. I used to find that blogging allowed me to vent my frustrations ( you see I can still do it!) and put things in perspective. Now I am looking over my shoulder and wondering who will be judging my honesty. So I must stop blogging. Rectory life is not a golden bubble and it does need some adjusting. That will take time and space- so blogging must stop for now.<br />
Thank you for your support - especially those clergy and clergy spouses who have been there, are there, seen it, are seeing it and done it or are doing it - your comments and emails have been great encouragement. The Rector@6 and I are not done yet - we just need to concentrate on God's service......(and each other).<br />
Thank you for journeying this far with me - do stay in touch!<br />
Harriet<br />
Ryan.harriet@gmail.comUnknownnoreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6921824817438393431.post-76726400817128576462014-06-14T09:48:00.000-07:002014-06-14T10:02:10.646-07:00We walked, we talked and we are working hard (and playing too).<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Life in the Rectory hasn't stopped for a moment it seems - and then the grass is growing and needs cutting in the garden, the vegetables need planting and the horses need riding. The Rector@6 is getting a steady stream of enquiries about baptisms and weddings - which are always a joy. These need care and preparation so that the 'church experience' (often the first for a very long time) is a positive one.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z6oxzdMeMws/U5xzv0gSu-I/AAAAAAAAFzY/pNVZZr79HlY/s1600/ch+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z6oxzdMeMws/U5xzv0gSu-I/AAAAAAAAFzY/pNVZZr79HlY/s1600/ch+008.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a>Two church building projects are almost complete so that three of the six churches now have kitchen and toilet facilities - not bad going for small country churches! The latest project has involved putting a mezzanine floor in the bell tower for the bell ringers and a kitchen below this. What a successful result! We have a new view of the church and we can now see the bell ringers as they ring and they can see us!<br />
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It's not all work - we are discovering many beautiful places here in Dorset - either with our dogs or our two Friesian horses (of course....it's not Dartmoor!). </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c_XmW-ku9zk/U4CD10wyryI/AAAAAAAAFr0/P53vWbGuQU0/s1600/2013-05-18+parish+walk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c_XmW-ku9zk/U4CD10wyryI/AAAAAAAAFr0/P53vWbGuQU0/s1600/2013-05-18+parish+walk.jpg" height="400" width="640" /> </a></div>
I can hardly believe that it is a whole year since our first Valley walk. It was our real introduction to the wonderful Dorset landscapes that can only be found away from the roads. It is the first event I can remember clearly since arriving in the parish last March (of course we had beautiful weather to make it truly memorable). We walk from church to church, with a short 'service' in each. It is about eleven miles in all. People are sponsored to raise money for <a href="http://www.trustchildren.org.uk/index.php/en/">TRUSTchildren's Home</a> in rural south India or <a href="http://www.double-joy.org.uk/">Double-Joy Children's Farm</a> in south western Kenya or one or all of our beautiful valley churches.<br />
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Our Tess will be raising money by walking the walk with me. She was born just when we found out that the Rector@6 was coming to Dorset - hence the name Tess. One of our churches has links to Thomas Hardy - and has delightful carvings designed by him. He used to cycle over to read the lesson at evensong. Of course all these beautiful old churches cost the small congregations a lot of money to keep in good order. So Tess will be walking for them and trying to raise plenty of sponsorship. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k2VyZQ2ztY8/U4CG33miBOI/AAAAAAAAFs8/vqhFhbAa6WQ/s1600/Tess+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k2VyZQ2ztY8/U4CG33miBOI/AAAAAAAAFs8/vqhFhbAa6WQ/s1600/Tess+5.jpg" height="320" width="261" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Learning the ropes from Dad</td></tr>
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What I have learned so far is that things can be done differently ...but only when the time is right. This applies very much to my life and to the churches in our benefice. The Rector@6 has been here over a year and gradually there are little bubbles of change surfacing - some only just visible - some might rise too quickly and burst and others will hopefully continue to grow, so that everyone can enjoy them. The need for change is becoming more urgent as the ministry team is depleted at the moment and you can only stretch a rector so far!<br>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tGX3DuzSCwQ/U29gE_DbJNI/AAAAAAAAFmQ/LX50bxuKgT0/s1600/sheep+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tGX3DuzSCwQ/U29gE_DbJNI/AAAAAAAAFmQ/LX50bxuKgT0/s1600/sheep+002.JPG" height="180" width="320"></a>It is about trusting that we are working together and considering everyone's needs - not following an individual agenda. It is about listening and hearing God and what people need. It is about waiting - waiting until the resources or ideas are right for everyone. And that's what the Rector@6 has been doing - inevitably he will be too slow for some and too fast for others but hopefully no one will be lost from the flock that way.<br>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">English bluebell woods smell amazing!</td></tr>
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Applying the same approach to my life has been difficult - there have been times when I would have loved to get involved - and would end up taking the lead I suspect (a trait of many teachers!). I am learning to stand back - I am able to run off to the horses and breathe deeply - and things still happen. I have been truly blessed (yes blessed - I would never have used that in the past) with the surroundings we have found ourselves in. <br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H0aEIAyqRTo/U29gcOClKhI/AAAAAAAAFmY/BOjIeXBRWQs/s1600/foal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H0aEIAyqRTo/U29gcOClKhI/AAAAAAAAFmY/BOjIeXBRWQs/s1600/foal.jpg" height="213" width="320"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This morning's new foal up at the farm</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tess finds rural life suits her very well</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a21B8zTi4BM/U29hX_PytDI/AAAAAAAAFms/qap5XocWPNQ/s1600/evening+ride+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a21B8zTi4BM/U29hX_PytDI/AAAAAAAAFms/qap5XocWPNQ/s1600/evening+ride+006.JPG" height="300" width="400"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Evening rides are very special.</td></tr>
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<br>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6921824817438393431.post-56013177422739724812014-05-01T12:32:00.000-07:002014-05-01T23:07:17.390-07:00Confession<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ySeoQ1_glMc/U2KXagBgo9I/AAAAAAAAFh8/A9CS0V1rb78/s1600/the+boys+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ySeoQ1_glMc/U2KXagBgo9I/AAAAAAAAFh8/A9CS0V1rb78/s1600/the+boys+003.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IhN-2BheNUY/U2KZbnsgd5I/AAAAAAAAFiI/6WODrBupQYE/s1600/pups+and+horses+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IhN-2BheNUY/U2KZbnsgd5I/AAAAAAAAFiI/6WODrBupQYE/s1600/pups+and+horses+016.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a>Here is the real reason why this rector's wife has been unable to blog very often. A month ago I became the owner of these beauties - (the Rector@6 says he owns one of them). They are our retirement narrowboat or place in the sun or whatever we thought we would do when we reached retirement age! I must stress that we have not reached retirement age but have foolishly spent the money early!<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NjTUdp1sfVo/U2KZw6Bp6vI/AAAAAAAAFiQ/bohnyD7MI_A/s1600/pups+and+horses+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NjTUdp1sfVo/U2KZw6Bp6vI/AAAAAAAAFiQ/bohnyD7MI_A/s1600/pups+and+horses+017.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a>They are a driving pair of friesians who came off the lorry from Holland five weeks ago. I have never driven horses but they can be ridden - with a little work. <br />
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They were much loved in Holland and their owner and trainer followed them over to see how they were settling in ten days later. We had a chance to see them being driven and they were parked up outside the rectory for lunch, on two days.<br />
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qcBUOhIhRyo/U2KbJ__aNAI/AAAAAAAAFik/FicjxJol1Kk/s1600/horses+019a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qcBUOhIhRyo/U2KbJ__aNAI/AAAAAAAAFik/FicjxJol1Kk/s1600/horses+019a.jpg" height="320" width="276" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tVvNfdYCASo/U2KcYIqtCAI/AAAAAAAAFiw/WARvk0FCScA/s1600/blacksmith+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tVvNfdYCASo/U2KcYIqtCAI/AAAAAAAAFiw/WARvk0FCScA/s1600/blacksmith+011.JPG" height="320" width="180" /></a> We have been getting the boys used to English ways and traffic. We have met blacksmiths and saddlers and the Rector@6 and I are on a very big learning curve.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VNm9VLVFiO4/U2KfrmSQZ9I/AAAAAAAAFjM/QAzvsTHmehg/s1600/foal+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VNm9VLVFiO4/U2KfrmSQZ9I/AAAAAAAAFjM/QAzvsTHmehg/s1600/foal+006.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LxOiwUJQdrA/U2KfjT_RmpI/AAAAAAAAFjE/Hl0Cn76ndI8/s1600/foal+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LxOiwUJQdrA/U2KfjT_RmpI/AAAAAAAAFjE/Hl0Cn76ndI8/s1600/foal+005.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a>My head is buzzing as I am the one who goes up to muck them out in the morning and tuck them up at night most days. The Rector@6 is coping with the annual round of 6 Annual General Meetings. He is trying to juggle a service rota with fewer staff members and is keen to explore some new ideas - but where is the time? Standing with the horses in their fields and gazing at the glorious countryside is proving to be a real opportunity to unwind.<br />
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Those of you who have followed this blog, know that I am very fond of Clydesdale horses - who are the old farm work horses and have very affectionate natures. These friesian are the Dutch farm horses and they are friendly, curious and very entertaining! We are so enjoying getting to know Fryso and Edel (Eddie and Freddie). If you had told me a year ago that we would be owning two horses, I would not have believed you. What an amazing world it is!<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6921824817438393431.post-63708778650271598642014-04-18T05:15:00.002-07:002014-04-18T05:17:38.260-07:00How to do Holy Week?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today is Good Friday and there are three different events in our benefice - Easter Garden making with children's activities, an Hour at the Cross and A quiet service of words and music. The Rector@6 has not been involved in organising these - space has been there for groups or individuals to lead the events. Holy Week has evolved this year like that. The Rector@6 has gently nudged and there have been two excellent musical events led by members of the benefice. We began the week with a 'desert island discs' type evening led by two of our musicians who discussed the music that had been influencial in their lives. We had an afternoon concert of meditation and reflection which was beautifully put together and performed by a group of friends. It was strange to have come to church in the middle of a working week and sit and reflect, while listening to awe inspiring music. What a rare opporunity! And we have today's events. There has been a small audience each time - and that's where the work needs to be put in - get the information out to the villages!<br />
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The other difficulty is getting people to move on and come up with new ideas. Changing things is not popular in rural parishes. Recently the Rector@6 had problems with a parishioner who wanted the church to be the same as when they were growing up and thus suitable for the family funeral! There are builders working in that particular church - putting in a mezzanine floor for the bell ringers and a new kitchen underneath - all the money raised in advance of work starting! That's progress ....and it is not wanted by some.<br />
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Returning to Good Friday - Jesus' death on a cross is a challenging, unpleasant event to have to talk about. But we know what comes next and we should be inspired to spread the good news. People are becoming unfamiliar with the Christian message and need to be reinspired to listen again. If we keep putting on the same events and telling the story in the same way - people will choose not to listen. We are consumer society - even in these rural parts.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6921824817438393431.post-32488738954728032392014-04-11T06:55:00.000-07:002014-04-12T10:16:22.196-07:00Horses at the rectory<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QmEtTqfrIJA/U0foEQIWZjI/AAAAAAAAFeA/DnKtfGK4BWk/s1600/mixy+016a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QmEtTqfrIJA/U0foEQIWZjI/AAAAAAAAFeA/DnKtfGK4BWk/s1600/mixy+016a.jpg" height="400" width="387" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Silence from the rector's wife (once the Curate's wife) -
now there is a rarity! The weeks are flying by in a blur; writing is taken up
with the weekly church newssheet that I edit and minute writing when needed.
Blogging can no longer be used to vent my opinions or emotions because there
are lurkers out there! Some parishioners admit to reading this blog – good for
you – I’m pleased you have found it ...and others read and say nothing. How do
I know this?- <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because people let slip in
conversation (without realising it) things that I have written about. If asked,
I am always happy to talk about blogging but I do not advertise the fact that I
blog.</div>
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Another reason for the silence is that words have failed me
on so many occasions when I see what people expect from their Rector. It seems
that with six churches, life is like a six horse carousel; - each church being
represented by a horse that is either going up or down, as it circles around
the Rector@6. He finds himself riding upwards as churches begin to reach
outwards and think about mission and, when there are debts to be paid, arguments
to be resolved and hurts to be mended, he rides downwards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps, after a certain number of years in
ministry, you stop riding these waves. </div>
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The other problem that is more unexpected, is that if the
Rector@6 tries to make the church more accessible to people who do not come to
church regularly, he finds that they have very little understanding and want
everything on their agenda – particular dates and times (usually having invited
the guests or booked the hall for the reception before speaking to the rector).
Heaven forbid having to have the baptism on a Sunday and in a church service! Old
friends or family vicars are pulled out of retirement and are recruited before
speaking to the actual incumbent. It’s one thing making yourself accessible and
another – being walked all over! </div>
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I have thought seriously about ending this blog and just
keeping diaries to reflect on events at a later date. So often there are things
I cannot write about – but I am shocked by some of the behaviour I have seen
since being a ‘wife of ’. Yet Vicars are some <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>of the most content <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-26671221">people in their work</a>. I
can see why – because when things fit together and people work together – the world
is a better place!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Despite all the
debris, life is beginning to make sense – and maybe the words will begin to
flow more easily in time.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5W-LN_3XcFQ/U0fzJmJII3I/AAAAAAAAFeQ/-gK_nSozBqo/s1600/horses+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5W-LN_3XcFQ/U0fzJmJII3I/AAAAAAAAFeQ/-gK_nSozBqo/s1600/horses+006.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6921824817438393431.post-80723025752802824792014-03-23T12:38:00.002-07:002014-03-24T01:18:41.316-07:00Awesome Lent reading<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8tj94UyH8wQ/Uy8lg0Hzv7I/AAAAAAAAFbk/0u-iV285P7k/s1600/porthleven3+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8tj94UyH8wQ/Uy8lg0Hzv7I/AAAAAAAAFbk/0u-iV285P7k/s1600/porthleven3+007.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
I try to read a Christian book during Lent in order to focus
my thinking and prayers because I sometimes think I want to be a better 'conventional' Christian!
It would make my life as a Rector's wife so much easier if I could just accept
some things without wanting to question all the time, if I could spout
Christian doctrine like I really meant it, that I knew my bible better and
could quote the relevant verse to support my opinions. However, I know that I
am not like that and, perhaps, I never will be - I need to test my
understanding and voice my doubts in order to work them through.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This Lent I have read ‘Ten – Why Christianity makes sense’
by John Pritchard and it was a thought- provoking, compelling read – so much
so, that I have finished long before Easter. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The chapters are written with ten points - and
the chapters do not need to be read in the order they appear (although some
obviously follow on). I loved this style as I found I could pick it up at any
time and read short sections. The subject matter ranges from ‘Ten things I
believe about God’ and ‘Ten things I don’t believe about God’ to ‘Ten ways to
enliven your faith’ and ‘Ten values for tomorrow’s Church’. It is relevant and
up to date in its thinking. It is realistic about where a person or a church
might be. There are practical suggestions for enlivening your faith. I went to
the early Book of Common Prayer service this morning with a newfound sense of
expectancy, rather than dreading a cold church and resenting the early start. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As John Pritchard says;-</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘ It’s an attitude of the heart, triggered through the mind.
I often realize (eventually, when my dull brain has woken up) that when God has
gone quiet it’s because I’ve ceased to expect much of him.’</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Since the Rector@ 6 has been in this benefice, he has run several
courses that have been very well attended. His aim was to get us all to be able
to talk about our faith – to each other and so we are able to explain it to
those who have no experience of the church. Another member of the ministry team
is running the present Lent course and we started with thirty people in
attendance - so something is happening here! It’s not a case of “not another
Alpha course”! These are opportunities to think about our church, our faith and
grow together. Just last week, someone said, “I think about it a lot, but I can’t
talk about my faith – I haven’t got the words.” Christians need to be able to
talk about their faith as John Pritchard says;-</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It’s been said that the average British churchgoer is as
well prepared to meet an aggressive atheist as a boy with a peashooter is to
meet a tank.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hopefully, our benefice is trying to address this.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There is so much I would like to write about – so just go
and read it for yourself. I wonder if you will find it as inspiring as I do. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“...there are other metaphors that, for me, come much closer
to describing the God who whispers in my inner and outer life: God as the
Mysterious Laughter I hear in creation; God as the Gentle Persuader who touches
me lightly on the shoulder; God as the Aching Beauty who speaks through nature and
the arts; God as the Shimmering Presence always just beyond my reach but giving
depth to common things.”</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6921824817438393431.post-82866284539905067632014-03-08T03:43:00.000-08:002014-03-08T09:47:22.732-08:00One year anniversary.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2UKnsWTSm1A/Uxr6K29LUgI/AAAAAAAAFWU/1Zh8SwwjgXg/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2UKnsWTSm1A/Uxr6K29LUgI/AAAAAAAAFWU/1Zh8SwwjgXg/s1600/1.jpg" height="425" width="640" /> </a></div>
It's official - the Rector@6 has been in post one whole year! On March 7th last year - the rectory was full of family who were with us for the <a href="http://therectorypath.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/fully-collated-inducted-and-installed.html">collation, induction and installation</a> of my husband to this benefice. I remember the night well, as the Rector@6 had gone ahead and I had to drive my car, full of family, to the church. It was such a foggy night and I couldn't see more than a few metres in front of me as I crawled along the unfamiliar country road. Now I know every bend, narrow spot and pothole on that journey - having had to race back to the rectory, on more than one occasion, when the Rector@6 has found that he has forgotten his sermon or keys!<br />
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u-2W39Nc8fA/UxsB6_YMsnI/AAAAAAAAFXo/Bwx91owGskQ/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u-2W39Nc8fA/UxsB6_YMsnI/AAAAAAAAFXo/Bwx91owGskQ/s1600/2.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a>We marked the anniversay by escaping from the benefice and going to find the sea. It was warm enough to sit outside and have fish and chips, overlooking the empty beach. What contrasting weather to the last few weeks and what a contrast to the rural benefice. Now that our Devon house is let, we will have time to get out and explore the contrasting landscapes of Dorset and we are really looking forward to that.<br />
Here is just a taster of what we have to explore....<br />
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The countryside here in Dorset is still recovering from the massive storms that we experienced a couple of weeks ago. Much of my dog walking is in woodlands and many of the paths are still blocked by ancient trees that have been uprooted. It makes me think about life in our churches - as we try to move forward, there always seems to be some barrier in the way. It takes creative thinking to find a way around the blockages - and that takes up a lot of time! There have been many sleepless nights in the Rectory as, in turn, one of the benefice churches throws up a problem. We never thought it was going to be easy but life is, perhaps, harder than we anticipated it was going to be. We are both tired and in need of a break in order to gain some perspective and to stop us looking over the fence to see if the grass is greener!<br />
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This path was lined with magnificent beech trees but they have sadly suffered in the storms.<br />
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In other woods, the chalky subsoil is exposed when the trees fall onto one another, causing a cascading effect through the woods. It reminds us of the need to have firm foundations.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DfkE4ckeSfo/UwNLgyrvMEI/AAAAAAAAFRw/B9uM7vtwGsQ/s1600/panto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>It’s all over! The Rector@6 and I have survived five
performances of </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DfkE4ckeSfo/UwNLgyrvMEI/AAAAAAAAFRw/B9uM7vtwGsQ/s1600/panto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DfkE4ckeSfo/UwNLgyrvMEI/AAAAAAAAFRw/B9uM7vtwGsQ/s1600/panto.jpg" height="126" width="200" /></a><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DfkE4ckeSfo/UwNLgyrvMEI/AAAAAAAAFRw/B9uM7vtwGsQ/s1600/panto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>the pantomime – the last three were completely sold out. I miss
it already: I miss the opportunity to laugh, I miss the camaraderie, I miss the
silly, slapstick humour and I miss the lively community singing – all so
different from church. I don’t miss the awful costumes (why am I wearing a shower cap?), or trying to remember my
very few lines or the nerves before each performance. I don’t suppose the
Rector@6 will miss the custard (foam) pies or the song and dance routines. It
has been a great experience to meet regularly with a group of people who
stretched in age from eight years to much older! Each performance ended with supper
and a warm invitation to the audience, to join the drama group for future
productions. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is where we began in
the parish exactly a year ago. At the end of our first week in the Rectory <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>we decided to go to see the pantomime that was
advertised – our first venture out into the village. Nobody knew who we were
and we didn’t recognise anyone but we really enjoyed the show and had a very
much needed laugh. We never imagined that we would be taking part in the
pantomime a year later!</div>
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We will be glad to see the back of January and February.
They have been a madly busy pair of months – with the confirmation service, the
pantomime and emptying our Devon cottage so that our tenants can move in this
week. And then the rain keeps coming and the flooding keeps returning –
allowing no respite for those who have been already flooded. The water drains
out of the houses and then it rains and the water returns. We are safe but
across the road, the drains have not coped and the thatched cottages have
flooded. The septic tanks overflow into the road. The river (that has been dry
all summer) has not been able to cope with the volume of water and has flowed
over its banks and through houses and gardens. On Saturday morning, yet another
cottage was flooded when a tree blew down in the overnight storms. The tree
fell across the stream and diverted the water through the nearest cottage. It
wasn’t until morning that villagers were able to help clearing the water. The
Rector@6 joined a group of men to move the tree from the stream. This involved
chainsaws, ropes and two tractors – which would have been very exciting- if it hadn’t
been for the chaos the water had caused in the cottage.</div>
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The same storm affected the phone line to the Rectory – so
no internet, emails or telephone calls. What a difference it makes to rectory
life. The Rector@6 isn’t creeping off to listen to answer machine messages (we try to ignore calls that come in at meals times). He doesn’t have to
check his emails every hour to stay on top of them - because there are none. He
can’t carry out research on the internet, so books have to come out and we can
sit in the same room – but it does mean he can’t indulge in looking at narrow
boats on the internet and dreaming! It is beginning to get a little frustrating
when people’s contact details are all stored on computers. I can’t get the
local news sheet finished or catch up with this blog. We don’t know how long it
will take to restore the line. It must be frustrating for people who, unaware
of our predicament, leave messages on the answer phone which we can’t listen
to. Today we are visiting a friend who is still connected to the outside world
so that we can catch up with some of our tasks.</div>
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We are becoming fully integrated into village life and
letting our Devon cottage is an important step to settling here. I can feel we
are moving onto the next stage and it is all about choosing the right attitude.
I still find church life quite difficult – but it’s all about my attitude. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">L</span>ife is incredibly busy – which is good - but
the Rector@6 and I must learn to play a bit more. I have had great
opportunities to help with horses and consequently, I have had more riding than
I have ever had before. It’s not Dartmoor - but it is pretty good. I was able
to drag the Rector@6 away from his work on his birthday and took him riding on
some magnificent horses – what an amazing experience! A year ago I would never
have guessed that I would be helping with horses on such a regular basis. I
really do believe that Someone is looking after me.</div>
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<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-DfkE4ckeSfo%2FUwNLgyrvMEI%2FAAAAAAAAFRw%2FB9uM7vtwGsQ%2Fs1600%2Fpanto.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DfkE4ckeSfo/UwNLgyrvMEI/AAAAAAAAFRw/B9uM7vtwGsQ/s1600/panto.jpg" -->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6921824817438393431.post-39147165773838326512014-02-05T02:56:00.001-08:002014-02-05T02:56:43.630-08:00Where did January Go?!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Nearly three weeks have passed since I last blogged - I don't really know where January went, other than The Rector@6 and I are slowly surfacing from Pantomime rehearsals, a Benefice Confirmation service for 14 candidates, emptying our house in Devon and waving our eldest son off - to live in Dubai again. We are also thrilled that our youngest son is marrying his fiancee this summer - so they are busy with wedding plans. How did I ever go to work?! The day to day parish business consumes us at times - so I have joined the Rector@6 by becoming a member of the Local Advisory Board for our local school. This is<br />
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as well as being the Benefice secretary. At least we will have nights out together!!!.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EMABMWlq33k/UvISgiy63bI/AAAAAAAAFQo/M_ek532epAg/s1600/bishop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>The weather has been atrocious, with winds and flooding blocking the roads. It could have been snow - and could still be, I suppose. We just need to get our tenants into our Devon house. I am hating the whole process of letting go and there have been many tears as I have packed up the house. I am still struggling with the Rectory and not being able to create a home that functions as a home for us. I don't know who designed our kitchen layout - but they never thought about how it would be used! A few of our earlier niggles have been dealt with - enough to shut us up for a while, I expect they hope. But our newly decorated ceiling now is stained with a water leak, which has been fixed but we have to redecorate again. We just do not have the time at the moment. It is certainly not home yet - as we are back to square one with a hall full of boxes and a garage full of furniture from our Devon home. We will get it sorted out <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EMABMWlq33k/UvISgiy63bI/AAAAAAAAFQo/M_ek532epAg/s1600/bishop.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EMABMWlq33k/UvISgiy63bI/AAAAAAAAFQo/M_ek532epAg/s1600/bishop.jpg" height="200" width="48" /></a>...but I just don't know when!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DQ0gQrg6N80/UvITxlLro5I/AAAAAAAAFQ0/sQ8l1lcJchA/s1600/016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DQ0gQrg6N80/UvITxlLro5I/AAAAAAAAFQ0/sQ8l1lcJchA/s1600/016.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a>We had a fantastic Confirmation service with fourteen candidates - seven young people and seven adults. It was such a special occasion as there had not been a confirmation service for many years in the Benefice. The challenge is now to ensure those folk really feel that they have a role play in our churches and community. More ideas and projects are in the melting pot - so there goes the spare time that I thought I could see on the horizon.<br />
<br />
There are still nigglers who want the Rector to visit them 'like the old one did' but they don't come to church and see him, or ring or send a message to say who they are - or where they are. I feel the Rector's shoulders are broadening and he is able to point out that he isn't able to walk the streets of six parishes and just drop in for cups of tea - much as he would like to! Of course, when they see that he is in the Pantomime, I'm sure that they will feel that he does have time. If they only knew how hard it has been to fit in the rehearsals with all the other stuff that he does. First performance is next Friday - complete with custard pies and traditional cast. Being involved with the pantomime has been a wonderful contrast to our day to day life - with very many laughs - only now the nerves have set in and we are wondering if we will remember our lines (we have very few). The Rector@6 says it is worse than delivering a sermon from the pulpit!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A1nfAv9EayQ/Us16Eh3dsXI/AAAAAAAAFJ0/RVj2hiqZcE4/s1600/floods+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A1nfAv9EayQ/Us16Eh3dsXI/AAAAAAAAFJ0/RVj2hiqZcE4/s1600/floods+001.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-246zpxBOmy8/UtJ-xUpb51I/AAAAAAAAFMQ/-cWGVwnKrM4/s1600/rain+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-246zpxBOmy8/UtJ-xUpb51I/AAAAAAAAFMQ/-cWGVwnKrM4/s1600/rain+011.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a> I thought it rained a lot in Devon - but here in Dorset, the effects of continuous rain soon become very apparent. Living in a valley means that the water table is not very far away - in fact in some houses, it is now only four inches below the floorboards! As fast as the water is being pumped out, it is flowing in from the surrounding fields - rain or nor rain. In one cottage, a trench has been dug through the sitting room, in another, the kitchen and sitting room are underwater. Two of our roads into the village are blocked with flood water but we are by no means the worst in the country; villages are cut off, people have been without power for days and there seems to be no let up to this cycle of bad weather. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QiOvxK--mgo/UtJ-ljyBJSI/AAAAAAAAFMI/IXSWfwAndxU/s1600/rain+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QiOvxK--mgo/UtJ-ljyBJSI/AAAAAAAAFMI/IXSWfwAndxU/s1600/rain+006.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hgy62yOVgiE/Us167yf850I/AAAAAAAAFKc/3ldjTQAFTUU/s1600/floods+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hgy62yOVgiE/Us167yf850I/AAAAAAAAFKc/3ldjTQAFTUU/s1600/floods+010.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a>Here, in the Rectory, we are dry and have not had any power interruptions - we are fortunate. The Rector@6 visited houses and saw the devastation of the flood water. One of the main sources of the flooding is our 'winterborne' river which, this summer, had remained dry for most of its course through the village. The water just disappeared down 'sink' holes and into the ground, leaving the river bed exposed. I did wonder this summer, what happens to the fish when this happens? But now, the river banks can't hold the torrent of water that is trying to flow through the <a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SRAgu-EBCIo/Us16k5geuJI/AAAAAAAAFKM/_iKX0gbsYQs/s1600/floods+006.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SRAgu-EBCIo/Us16k5geuJI/AAAAAAAAFKM/_iKX0gbsYQs/s1600/floods+006.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a>village. Our usual footpath to the fields is serving as a necessary overflow and diverting the water onto the road. It makes a spectacular waterfall flowing out onto the road! This, in turn, creates additional problems to the properties on the road- as the cars make their way through the floods to the next village. It's not often you see the sign asking,"Please don't bow wave our house".<br />
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xGOA3axNrAM/Us16yEabHKI/AAAAAAAAFKU/zBT0eQJX6Lo/s1600/floods+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xGOA3axNrAM/Us16yEabHKI/AAAAAAAAFKU/zBT0eQJX6Lo/s1600/floods+007.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a>Christmas and New Year Celebrations seem long in the past but, in reality, the Rector@6 and I ended our celebrations on Twelfth Night with a party for the ministry team and one set of the churches' parish councillors just six days ago. This was to thank them for their support and encourage them with their efforts to update an old parish room. It was a convivial evening with fun and food. The Rector@6 had forgotten to tell me that there was no oven in the kitchen of the parish room when he issued the invitation for supper - but we managed!<br />
I can't believe how little spare time I have - hence my lack of blogging. So what have I been doing with my time? We are finally moving out completely from our Devon house and it is being rented to a village family in February - which is much better for the village (rather than being left empty and only used only for weekends and holidays). But it has been emotionally hard for me - it is the final acknowledgement that we have moved on (there is no going back!). We still have work to do and we are trying to get down to Devon whenever we can - and our eldest son and girlfriend have been doing loads of work for us. This has helped me to let go. Our Rectory looks similar to when we moved in, just under a year ago - with boxes in the porch and hall, settee and armchairs in the garage and a spare washing machine loitering in the passageway. Our next job is to find a home for all the excess goods - the ones that have made the move up here. Our son and girlfriend have already done a lot of sorting, recycling, dumping and rehoming of our stuff. Now it is our turn - am I dispassionate enough?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FYvLFRR0DOk/UtJ-5xDHA5I/AAAAAAAAFMY/Pm8jCi3I5cs/s1600/rain+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FYvLFRR0DOk/UtJ-5xDHA5I/AAAAAAAAFMY/Pm8jCi3I5cs/s1600/rain+015.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There is always hope - if we would just look for it.</td></tr>
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Here we go! 2014 is up and running - with storms and flooding and continuous rain. It is so wet we haven't even ventured out with the dogs - who are fed up with us. Christmas was a joyful period for the Rector@6, with the churches busy and all services seemed to go well. This first Christmas must surely be the hardest and we survived - although one negative comment came flying in our direction, just as the Rector@6 was about to take a day off. It wrecked the day - it may well have been justified in that person's eyes, but timing is of the essence! Maybe he didn't want the Rector@6 to sit back and think that 'all's well'. Sitting on the sidelines, I can see how like teaching the Rector's work is: - you never feel that you have got it totally right for everyone, you can always do more and you have to be able to juggle multiple things at the same time.Which is why I am not returning to teaching!!<br />
Reflecting on this first Christmas made us see how broad these parishes are in their churchmanship. If only they could work together and appreciate others' differences amiably. There is much to do in 2014! There are many positives to take with us into the New Year - not least, the commitment some adults have decided to make, by joining with our young folk's group, and be confirmed at the end of January by our Bishop. What a fantastic start to the New Year!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6921824817438393431.post-49845397428218036722013-12-30T05:51:00.000-08:002013-12-30T05:51:06.720-08:00Hope<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6921824817438393431.post-13655054814395846142013-12-23T04:28:00.000-08:002013-12-23T04:30:32.496-08:00Pause<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Decorations in the South Aisle were made at crafty coffee mornings. </td></tr>
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I have stopped. This a breathing space - a reflective time before the next round of carol and crib services and the Christmas eucharist and worship services that will preoccupy the Rector@6. Blogging has had to be put to one side as I paddled hard to keep afloat.<br />
The frantic run up to Christmas is whirling around me and I need to stop. We have a target time - 12.30 on Christmas Day - so think of us then. Then, The Rector@6 should have finished, the front door will be shut, fire lit, dogs walked (are you reading this my two lovely sons?),Christmas lunch will not be cooked but we can prepare it together - for a late afternoon meal. We will turn inwards for a short time and celebrate as a family.<br />
This first Christmas for The Rector@6, has been a huge learning curve for both of us. The amount of tasks that have had to be remembered - or followed up on - or needed reminders, - seems endless. Thank God for our good health. I have run a star making session in one church which was challenging but enjoyable. We are still struggling to keep our musicians as no one has stepped forward to lead our music group. I am struggling to keep up with producing the pew sheets that go out each week with notices, reading and service times on them - for 6 churches. I make mistakes, which bothers me but I must learn that: - 1) I will improve with practise and 2) I am only human!<br />
What I have realised is that this is probably the hardest Christmas period that we will experience (hopefully). We have had to cope with accepting "This is the way it is always done" - which might not be explained to us until a little too late. Despite this, one village is trialling a worship style service with no holy communion at it (this is available half a mile down the road at two churches and all the other churches in the Benefice). People have dropped away from attending the church over the years, many were of other denominations (such as Methodist ) and they had wondered if the Christmas day Celebration could be done differently. The Rector@6 has risen to the challenge and put together a service specifically for this. We will see if they come on Christmas morning.<br />
The contrasts in this benefice are huge. Yesterday I attended Sunday morning worship in the form of 'coffee with carols' with chequered table clothes and informal seating, in our small ancient village church and in the evening I was listening to carols in the Abbey - complete with well rehearsed choir. I sat where the monks had sat hundred of years ago and soared with the music, up to the vaulted ceilings . The Abbey is in our benefice but not part of the benifice - it is a Church of England 'perculiar' (google that - I'm not even going to attempt to explain it!). Suffice to say, next year the carol service should fall into the Rector@6's lap.<br />
I am grateful for this time to pause. The New Year is already lining up fresh challenges but I'm not thinking about these yet. Now is the time to reflect on what Christmas really is all about.<br />
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<b>Oh, Come, Oh, Come Emmanuel</b> </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6921824817438393431.post-23353284553880308342013-12-09T11:04:00.004-08:002013-12-23T04:30:56.410-08:00A gentle reminder.<div style="text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy.</span></span><span class="p"></span>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="versiontext">Psalm 65:8 New International Version</span></span></span></div>
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I'd had enough on Sunday - another cold, empty church left me searching for some sort of faith. Yes - I had lost it and I was wondering why we were here. The rural idyll had lost its charm and I was wanting a 'get out of jail' card. I see very little of the Rector@6 on a Sunday and when he suggested that we spent Sunday evening at another church, my thoughts were very unbecoming for a Rector's wife. He had in mind to travel out of parish, some fifteen miles to a small town. Here, he wanted to become an anonymous worshipper at an evening service, at a church that was attracting some of our parishioners. I, being the dutiful rector's wife (oh yes!), agreed to go with him. I reckoned that I would, at least, get some time to talk with him in the car.<br />
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It is very strange to go to a different church now. We parked up outside and watched the people go in - teenagers (with their parents!) and old and young alike, went through the glass doors into a modern, brightly lit foyer. Nothing like our churches we said to each other. We decided to venture in and we found that we were ignored by the crowd gathered round the tea and coffee counter. We made it into the main church unaccosted. There we were surprised to find that it was a traditional church that had had a face lift. It was warm, carpeted and had chairs and not pews. Yet the structure was a traditional church. As we took it all in, the welcome commitee realised we had broken through and we were welcomed and given a leaflet which included a sermon outline - 'transformed to be sure'.<br />
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The whole evening was centred on assurance. Were we struggling with it? ..well I was. Did I have an inconsistent Christian life? - oh yes! Was I failing to appreciate the indwelling of the Spirit?... Actually it felt more like a kick up the **** for me. It was the wake up call I needed to carry on for a bit longer. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6921824817438393431.post-32773225684138408282013-12-02T05:28:00.001-08:002013-12-02T06:54:04.427-08:00The Rector's Christmas Present<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The rector's Christmas present always causes me such a headache - but this year I think there is an obvious choice - long johns! I probably shouldn't be discussing the Rector@6's undergarments but I imagine keeping warm is a common problem for rural rectors and vicars. After three services in three churches yesterday, where the heating hardly functioned or wasn't functioning;- the Rector@6 was feeling the cold quite severely. Sometimes it can feel like the church services are being sabotaged because the heating has not been turned on ...but it is usually a genuine mistake or mal function (or so we are led to believe).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ultimate Vicar's onesie</td></tr>
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How can we expect to fill these beautiful churches, if it is a test of endurance to make it to the end of the service without suffering from hyperthermia or frostbite? The cost of keeping the building warm is too much for small churches that are struggling to pay their share. Should we move out and leave the building to the Historic Churches Trust? Should we just shut the doors and leave it to decay? Often there is not another public space in the village. Many of the churches are located in the centre of the village. What a statement to make - if the doors are locked and the building left empty. What a burden for the small congregations to keep them open.<br />
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So the Rector@6 struggles on and I will consider purchasing him a set of thermal long johns. Or should I modernise him and follow the fashion trend of a onesie. If you are not sure what a onesie is - it is the adult version of a babygrow - an all in one stretchy suit and they are fashionable amongst the youngsters at the moment. They come in all sorts of designs. Perhaps I could market a 'vicar's onesie'. Throw a surplice over the top and you are ready to go! Do you think they would catch on?<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com10