Send Me

Posted Friday 27 January 2012

The track up to Bishop’s House is always the subject of much discussion, those with pristine vehicles that are regularly washed and polished shudder at the mud and water, those with hard suspensions arrive looking shaken, new visitors always go the wrong way assuming this dirt track cannot be right. Yet more and more the track is being driven, it is being driven by people seeking out the Diocesan office, coming to talk about what they have to offer the church, wanting to speak about fresh ideas and new hopes, things are really quite exciting.

This procession of drivers seems to have got longer in this new year, and I have therefore found myself spending far more time at home, and that has helped the healing of the ligaments.  It has given me time between meetings to hobble around the grounds and to limp off up the track to the woods and therefore my slip at Christmas is almost sorted.

I even managed to License two priests without having to get in the car. Alan and Carol Price were licensed in St John’s, Arpafeelie at a lovely service on the Sunday evening. Both of them have particular ministries to offer, Carol is trained to work with the elderly and Alan is trained to work with children, they have a diocesan wide remit and we were glad to formally welcome them. We also said goodbye to a faithful servant of the diocese, Raymond Moore had served in a number of ways not least as Diocesan Secretary, and it was fitting to have the cathedral full for his funeral.

We headed off to Keith for Sunday morning worship and the second last AGM of the season.  The congregation was sitting patiently as we cut our arrival rather too fine. Here is a church that could be struggling with so many difficulties, lack of money, small numbers, large church and no resources to appoint a new rector, yet they are full of hope and joy, the service was warm and very friendly, the people just doing everything they need to do, and not one complaint, rather a thank you to us for looking after them. Humbling.

I drove up to Alness with Canon Michael Hickford on the Tuesday as I was to preside at the Eucharist with a small congregation who meet in Alness, worshipping in each others homes, this congregation have been meeting for many years now and it was good to be with them. Canon Claude Broun was also with us as he has kept this small flame flickering for many of those years, I really enjoyed my afternoon with this fellowship.

The rest of the week was taken up with meetings and conversations, largely about vocation and mission.  On Friday Jane and myself loaded the car and headed off to Ullapool. We were staying in the church flat at St Mary’s and had been invited to supper at Fr Nicholas’s house, the weather was interesting and as the evening wore on the wind and rain kept on battering the house.  Was this a fore taste of what was to come! Thankfully not, though my study morning did get off to a sticky start-had I misjudged the mood of the congregation? Some people were clearly angry about a number of issues and others seemed to see plotters under every stone. Hopefully everyone was heard and all issues discussed before I sat down for a hard earned plate of soup.

In the afternoon Jane and I went for a very windy walk along the shore before heading off to the Ferry Boat Inn for a delicious dinner.  Over coffee we heard the comment from another table “must be Episcopalian”, I looked up and smiled, “can I help you?” I asked.  You must be an Episcopalian Bishop.  Why?  Well you are with a young woman and you have a large glass of red wine!  And here was me thinking it was my spiritual demeanour!

On the Sunday I celebrated at St Mary’s and then chaired the final AGM of the year, the meeting thanked those hard working members who had decided to step down, welcomed the new members to the vestry and we drove out of Ullapool feeling happier about things and praying that I had listened to everyone’s concerns.

We drove the thirty seven spectacular miles to Lochinver, here in the small community facility at the Assynt Centre the congregation of St Gilbert’s was waiting and what joy and laughter there was.  People having driven in from far distant parts to gather for this monthly Eucharist there were thirty five communicants, a group of youngsters and singing to raise the roof of the building, it was great. We drove home through Strath Oykell as the sun set, tired, a bit bruised but very happy.