Sabbatical 10 (The Leaving of Liverpool)

We've been away this past weekend: my brother-in-law's 60th birthday, down in Rugby. A good time to meet up with my family, and meet some of his friends too.

While we were away, 'the announcement' was made: we will be leaving Liverpool at the beginning of May for a new post in Cockermouth. I will be Team Rector of the Cockermouth Area Team, consisting of 4 churches: 2 in the town, and 2 in outlying villages. (You can check it out at www.cockermouthareachurches.org.uk.) This has come completely out of the blue, and yet seems to connect in many ways with what has gone before. For one thing (and not a lot of people know this!), I think I am a country boy at heart. I was brought up the son of a vicar in rural Hertfordshire, where I lived for most of my childhood. When we first came to Liverpool in 1975, neither Les nor I thought it would be for more than the 3 years of a first curacy! I have often thought I might serve in a rural parish, but it has just never happened - even though I have applied. It seems that every time we thought of moving, God said 'Stay in the city'. So we have.

But I love to be in the country, especially the hills and lakes of Cumbria. Seven years ago, we bought a small apartment in the less touristy area of Dalton, not far from Barrow, south of the Lakes. We have loved to go there for occasional breaks, and enjoyed exploring the whole area around the Furness peninsula. We had wondered about the possibility of eventually retiring to Cumbria (diocese of Carlisle) but more recently we had been thinking it would be Liverpool, mainly because all our family are here now. My sabbatical leave had a two-fold purpose:

• to draw breath, listen to God, and consider what my priorities should be here in my remaining years before retirement
• to begin to prepare for retirement (when & where?), and do some more work on coaching and mentoring, as a ministry I might offer when the time comes.

We had been back from Antigua less than a week when I was texted a message: would I like to consider this post in Cockermouth? The person spec seemed to fit me. I laughed! Moving now was not remotely in my thoughts, but it seemed as if God might have other ideas. So, early in December, Les and I travelled to our flat, and from there spent a full 12-hour day in Cockermouth. We visited all 4 churches, talked with countless people (including an extremely helpful and supportive Archdeacon and Team Vicar), and arrived back in Dalton buzzing. Would I apply? Yes I would - so I filled in the requisite form, nominated 3 referees (thank you - you know who you are!) and waited. Just over 2 weeks ago,we were back in Cumbria, this time for interview. First, there was a presentation to an invited audience of 70 people, representing the 4 churches in the Team, other denominations and the local communities. This was followed by a Q&A and social time. The following morning, there was an interview by a panel of 12 and subsequently I was offered the post.

It was a very good process of discernment, I thought. I'm not just saying that because I got the job! It enabled a large number of people to be part of it, so I can go not only sensing that I am called, but knowing that others think so too. The amazing thing is that, as far as I know, though a large number of people met me, knew my name etc, there doesn't seem to have been any breach of confidentiality. So huge thanks to all concerned. And thanks especially from both Les and me to all those we've met so far who gave us such a warm welcome and seemed so eager to support us on this journey.

Now the news is out, the reality is setting in. Packing up after 20 years, down-sizing in the process! It will be such a wrench leaving behind family, friends, and a city we love. There have been many warm messages of support, encouragement, and appreciation of our time here. So thank you if you are one of those. We won't be that far away of course, and I'm sure we will return often. And - who knows? - maybe we will retire here after all. But it looks as if that could be 5 years away now - if all goes well! Meanwhile, I might keep chickens, if I can first persuade Les!

Sabbatical 9 (Two Popes)

Lesley and I spent last week at our apartment in Cumbria - more of that next time. We arrived back last Saturday, in time to go to Wigan on Sunday morning for the licensing of a good friend to her new post as an associate priest in a parish there. A new initiative is under way for the mission of the Church (of England) in Wigan, and I can see her having a significant role within that.

I  have been reading recently the work of two Popes, 1500 years apart! I have always wanted to read the epistles of Pope Gregory the Great (c.540-604, and Pope from 590). He it was who sent Augustine, later of Canterbury, to England at almost precisely the same time that Columba arrived on Iona (c.597). Thus the British Isles were evangelised in a kind of pincer movement, of  Romans from the south-east and Celts from the north-west. Gregory was Pope at a very turbulent time politically, following the break-up of the Roman Empire. There were violent incursions from the Lombards, who threatened the very gates of Rome, and Gregory struggled to gain authority in both secular and spiritual realms. Yet he had a pastoral heart, which is why he sent missionaries to England, hearing about her lapse into paganism. Once he had arrived, and people were becoming Christians, Augustine had a number of pastoral issues for which he sought the advice of the Pope. Several of these related to marriage: should clergy marry? can certain degrees of blood-relations marry each other? for example. Another related to how soon after child-birth a woman may enter church!...

The one that interested me most, however, concerned the temples of idol worship. Gregory's advice was that they should not be destroyed, but the idols within them should be. ...If these same temples are well built, it is needful that they should be transferred from the worship of idols to the service of the true God; that, when the people themselves see that these temples are not destroyed, they may put away error from their heart, and, knowing and adoring the true God, may have recourse with the more familiarity to the places they have been accustomed to. (Epistle LXXVI)

There is something humble and incarnational about this approach to mission. In a different tone and a very different era, Pope Francis writes with a similar outlook today. I just love his Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel)! He writes from the heart with a profound understanding of today's world and the human heart. For example, writing of city-life, he writes New cultures are constantly being born in these vast new expanses where Christians are no longer the customary interpreters or generators of meaning...This challenges us to imagine innovative spaces and possibilities for prayer and communion which are more attractive and meaningful for city dwellers.

Today, we may not have any obvious physical temples of idol worship (although maybe we could name a few?!), but that sense of the Christian faith inhabiting and purifying existing cultures provides an interesting comparison. Both popes challenge their readers to be bold and creative. Be prepared for more quotations from Evangelii Gaudium!

Sabbatical 8

There's been a bit of a gap between blogposts, as last week I was away on retreat. This was with the Community of Aidan & Hilda, of which I am a member. Every January the 'Voyagers' (i.e. committed members, as distinct from 'Explorers' and 'Friends') spend the inside of a week together. We hold our Annual Meeting, with the usual reports, but mainly spend time in learning, prayer and fellowship together. This year's theme was 'Celtic Spirituality and Mission': we were reminded particularly of the communal life and prayer of our Celtic Christian ancestors, and how for them 'mission' was a natural outworking of their lives, not an add-on. Somehow, today, mission so often feels like something you have to do in addition to all the other things associated with being church. In fact, in those days, mission was the very essence and had as much to do with being Christ's presence in the world as with any particular activity. It flowed from their inner life, as persons and as community.

The phrase I came away with was 'in the Name of Jesus'. Not because anyone was speaking about this in particular but because for me it summed everything up. The Name of Jesus provides the incentive for all we do, giving us confidence; it calls us to account for all our words and actions; it is also the assurance that nothing we do for his sake is ever wasted, even if we don't ourselves see any result.

Among the news items last week were the shootings in Paris, with its aftermath of the street Je suis Charlie demonstrations, and the Archbishops' warnings against social inequality. International terrorism (the clash of ideologies), the gap between the very rich and poor people, together with climate change, seem to me the three greatest challenges of our day. They are all connected, of course. The recent TV programmes by Jacques Peretti, The Super Rich and Us, have shown how great the gap is, with (apparently) 85 people owning 50% of the world's wealth. The worrying thing, though, is how most billionaires just don't get it: Countess Bathurst, who appeared in one of his programmes and who organises polo matches on her country estate, said the problem belongs to the poor, who are envious, don't appreciate how hard wealthy people work, and the worries they have! The programmes showed how the super-rich live in a kind of bubble. The worst thing for me, though, was that social inequality has come about, in this country, by the deliberate policy of successive governments since the 1980s. It has suited them to make London the financial capital of the world, because the wealth of the few gives the appearance of a flourishing economy when in fact the opposite is true.

Yasmin Alibhai-Brown, writing in Sunday's Independent, says 'Democracy will collapse and aspiration will die unless we turn back from this disastrous ideology (of 'trickle-down' economics). ...When the masses have nothing left to lose, they may rise and light a bonfire of vanities.'

The Community of Aidan & Hilda has its own version of traditional monastic vows: simplicity, obedience and purity. These qualities, lived out in today's world, stand in real contrast to some prevailing attitudes and may just save the world, as Christian mission centuries ago helped to rescue Britain from its Dark Ages.

Sabbatical 7

This past week, I have been almost completely preoccupied with two things: completing Jude's house refurbishment and organising Bob's funeral. There has been no time at all for study, but I don't regret a moment.

The pressure was really on this week for Jude. She had set yesterday (Saturday) as removal day, and the carpet-fitters were coming on Thursday. I admit I had my doubts that we would make it in time, and for the past week we have really put the hours in. Three times, there were 12-hour days decorating etc! But all well worthwhile. The transformation is almost complete, apart from a couple of bare walls where the plaster is not quite dry enough to paint. If you follow Jude on Facebook you can see the photos! It's impressive.

So yesterday, I hired a large Transit van and we took 3 loads of furniture and personal possessions over to the house. That was not quite the end though. She decided to spend one more night with us, rather than try and sort everything out yesterday. Today we loaded up the car with yet more stuff (mainly clothes this time) and I took her over to spend her first night in her new home. It was quite emotional. Jude is the only one not to have gone away to uni, so it was the first time she has left the nest. And for me and Les: our 'baby' has gone, and we are empty-nesters after nearly 39 years. It will feel very strange, but we are so proud of our 4 offspring who all now live independent lives. Jude's attitude and accomplishments over the past few months have been amazing. I've told her she could well go into property development as an occupation!

Bob's funeral (actually, a celebration of his life, following private cremation) was one of the most remarkable services I have ever attended. Over 850 came to our parish church, which can only really seat 350 comfortably. But with extra seats, and standing room only - some outside, with extra sound relay - we managed. It was a long service, but so full of thankfulness for many aspects of Bob's character and ministry. People from many walks of life were there: his large family, many friends, former colleagues, and some who have simply received his ministry and just wanted to say 'thank you'. His family said he would have loved it, which I always think is the highest praise of a funeral service. For myself, I reflected that Bob had been a constant in my life almost since I was ordained. Like many, I had often valued his wisdom, his solidity, his love of life, his positive outlook. So important for one like me, who can sometimes be a bit of an Eeyore!

A week of beginning and ending. Strangely, in both, tears and laughter, sorrow and joy.

Happy New Year (Sabbatical 6)

First of all, a God-blessed New Year, one and all!

This morning, I was back at All Hallows, sharing once more in the sorrow of Bob's passing. With the passage of time, I realise more and more just how much he meant to so many people. Rachel has had over 300 letters and cards! It has been a real honour and privilege to prepare a service to celebrate his life, together with the family.

This is the prayer I wrote for this morning:

Jesus, Lord, our resurrection and our life, we begin this New Year with you, but with sorrow in our hearts. We bring to you our memories of Bob.

Our lives are poorer for having lost him, but richer for having known him.

We are sorrowful that he is no longer with us, but rejoice that he is with you.

We are thankful for all that has been, and we are hopeful for all that shall be.

Be with us, Immanuel, in our journey from sorrow to joy, from darkness to light, from death to life.

Be with all the family in their journey of grief. Remind them moment by moment that neither Bob nor they are lost to you.

And lead us all, with your servant Bob, to our heavenly home and our eternal resting place where you reign, his Lord and ours for ever and ever. Amen.

The past few days have contained a mixture of funeral-related matters, and hours of decorating at Jude's house. We're really seeing the results now, and slowly it is becoming a home, with the arrival of domestic appliances etc. However, we have to accept that the job will not be complete by the time she moves in. Very exciting, all the same. Les and I haven't really adjusted to the fact that after 38 years of parenting we will finally be 'empty-nesters'! Maybe we'll take a lodger!

I'd like to introduce you to Derek & Jane Waller. I hadn't heard of them either till New Year's Eve. By the look of their photo, I guess they're late 50s/early 60s but about to head off to South Sudan: Derek to train church leaders and Jane to contribute her ICT skills. I learned about them through the Church Mission Society Prayer Diary which I habitually use. I am often challenged and inspired by news of people who, for love of God and his world, travel 1000s of miles from home to serve some of the poorest people in the world. I am even more humbled when I read in the same publication of people 'who cannot be named' in countries 'which cannot be identified', sharing their Christian faith through practical action in hostile environments where they have not only given up their home comforts but risk their very lives for the sake of Christ. It is of the very essence of Christianity that, counter-culturally, men and women are prepared anonymously to follow their Lord, as the famous prayer says, 'labouring for no reward, save that of knowing that they do his will.'

Equally inspiring are the stories of medical staff (Christians or not) who go to serve in ebola-stricken countries: people like Pauline Cafferkey, now seriously ill, and William Pooley, who recovered and returned to Africa. Puts our struggles here in some kind of perspective.

Sabbatical 5

Christmas really has been overshadowed by the illness and death (on Boxing Day night) of the friend I wrote of last time. He would have been 80 next year. Bob was a former Archdeacon of Liverpool and, while still in office, bought a house in this parish at about the same time I arrived. When he subsequently retired, he served here most willingly and faithfully, with his wife Rachel who is a Reader on our team. Bob was a very good friend to me in my early years of ordained ministry, and one of the distinctions of his life was the way he encouraged and nurtured many young vocations: he was Director of Ordinands for the diocese before becoming Archdeacon. Though changing jobs, he never lost that acute desire to see others flourish, to help them find opportunities to serve the living God. Bob was inspirational in many ways: I regarded him not only as a superb priest and pastor, but also a wonderful human being - a great example of Christian manhood. He was a devoted husband (Rachel being one of those whose vocations he nurtured), and loving and supportive father, who also took special delight in his grandchildren later in life.He was always willing to step in and help us here, while keeping contact with a number of others both within church life and elsewhere. He had a particular interest in church law (there's archdeacons for you!) and in retirement gained an academic qualification in the subject. And on top of all this, there was his wicked sense of humour, delighting to pull others' leg and often laughing at himself. He was an inveterate story teller: 'stop me if you've heard this before,' he'd say. But we never did! Thanks be to God for Bob, for his godly life, his inspirational companionship, his deep love for God and all whose lives he touched. I think it will be standing room only at his funeral.

Because of Bob's death, and the big funeral to organise I have suspended my sabbatical. I could not possibly sit this out, neither supporting the family nor helping to coordinate the funeral arrangements. This morning, I went to St Barnabas church, where I was so glad to see many familiar faces I have not seen for nearly two months. Joy!

Today in the church is Holy Innocents Day, when we commemorate the ghastly slaughter of new-born babies by the mad, bad king Herod, who desired to get rid of the infant Jesus. He could not bear the thought of a rival to his throne. How little he understood the kingship of Jesus! It's made me think of the suffering of children today, who are still victims of ideological tyrants, who see the massacre of children as a way to maintain power and control. It is one of the devices of IS, who are trying to rid northern Iraq and Syria of Christians by killing the children of believers in front of their eyes. Chilling. But there are other ways in which children's lives are 'lost'. Day after day, we hear stories of historical child abuse: their bodies abused, their spirits killed by the loss of their innocence at a tender age. All signs of the utter corruption of some people's minds and hearts.

We have my sister-in-law staying with us over the Christmas period. Yesterday, she was going to visit a friend in Bebington and stored the address in her sat-nav. According to the device, there was no such address, until she realised that the official address was 'Wirral' not 'Bebington'. A sat-nav is only as good as the information fed into it - and even then, judging by the stories I've heard, it's not 100% reliable! I've just read an article which compares a sat-nav to direction-finding in national life: we cannot achieve the society we want to be unless we are clear not just about where we're going but the 'data' which will help us get there. Values in other words. (Have you noticed, politicians in the UK and America often talk about national values, but they are never defined: 'toleration' is about as far as they get.) Before the Scottish referendum, Evangelical Alliance Scotland published a document entitled 'What kind of Nation?' It concluded with this set of values:

• poverty is unacceptable
• welfare is effective and dignified
• relationships are treasured
• marriages are honoured
• children are nurtured
• freedom is protected
• justice is transforming
• communities are empowered
• the environment is cherished
• resources are stewarded
• land is shared

Not bad! Maybe we should reflect on these as we prepare for the General Election next May.

And what about that film The Interview? In all the arguments about artistic freedom, democratic rights etc, no one seems to have asked the question, 'Was it not disrespectful at best, offensive at worse, to make a film about a current foreign ruler being assassinated? We may not like North Korea, its values and its leadership but we don't live there. I wonder how the West would react if North Korea (or any other foreign nation come to that) were to make a film which imagined the assassination of our Queen or the US President? I'm afraid I do regard this film as unnecessarily provocative and foolish in terms of foreign relations. It would have been better not only not shown, but also not made. How can we show North Korea a better way in terms of our values if we deliberately insult them? For although this was the production only of the film-makers, it reflects badly upon our Western way of life as a whole.

Christmas Morning

Happy Christmas everyone!

It's a very strange experience, celebrating Christmas but not with the church family while on sabbatical leave. But I really treasure the time with my own family - the first time in 39 years I've been able to spend the whole Christmas season with them, not disappearing to write a sermon, prepare worship or be out at church! Last night, some of us went as a family to the Cathedral for midnight communion.

On the way, I visited a dear friend, who, with his wife, give so much so our church and community life here at All Hallows. He is seriously ill in hospital, and our thoughts and prayers are very much with him, and all the family today. While he and I were together, we were thinking of that first Christmas - the vulnerability of the infant Jesus and his parents - and of the countless people across the world lacking even the most basic requirements for daily life. My friend, in his weakness, was very aware of the love and care being poured out for him. Every word, every tender touch, every medical treatment being signs of the presence and healing power of Jesus.

I shared with him something which has struck me these last two days: the phrase 'God remembered mercy'. I found it in yesterday's Psalm (98.4) and of course we find it in Mary's song, the Magnificat, when she discovers she is to be the bearer of the Son of God: he has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful (Luke 1.54). The coming of Jesus is the surest demonstration that 'God remembers mercy'. For generations, in God's heart, there had been the intention to show mercy in this most extravagant and miraculous way. And we, dear friends, are recipients of that mercy by God's Spirit! Always remember: God is merciful. That is his nature. So we can pray, 'Lord remember mercy' as we pray for these and many other situations:

• for the injured, traumatised and bereaved people of Glasgow
• for the victims of the Ebola virus in Sierra Leone, Liberia and elsewhere
• for our Christian brothers and sisters in Iraq, Pakistan and other countries, in danger of extermination
• for those who this day struggle with emptiness and deprivation while others over-indulge
• for those spending their first Christmas following the death of a loved one
• for those sick at home and in hospital

Lord, remember mercy.

As some of you know, I belong to a community called the Community of Aidan & Hilda. I'd like to share with you the words specially written by one of our Guardians for this year's Christmas card:

This Christmas,

may the God who is there with us in the dark night, 

lead us not by bright light

but by knowledge of his footfall

finding him

in every street,

in every home,

in every solitary place.

May Christ lead us

not by way of success or comfort

but to the place of his presence.

May the Spirit who sings the song of the angels over us

fill us with joy

and lift our hearts to laugh.

God bless us all today, and enable us to be merciful as he is merciful to us.