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  Bishop of Ramsbury to be next Bishop of Ely

 The Prime Minister’s Office has announced that Her Majesty the Queen has approved the nomination of Stephen Conway, Bishop of Ramsbury, to be the next Bishop of Ely. 

Bishop Conway will remain in the Diocese of Salisbury for some months yet before beginning preparation for his move to Ely shortly after Christmas. 

Bishop Conway, 52, grew up in south London, and studied modern history at Oxford University. He trained as a teacher and taught at Glenalmond College in Perthshire, where his height of nearly 6’6” came in handy for coaching the basketball team.

 He went on to train for the ordained ministry in the Church of England at Westcott House Cambridge, gaining a degree in Theology from Cambridge University. He was taught by the current Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams.

 Ordained in 1986, he served as curate in the north east parishes of Heworth and Bishopwearmouth in the Diocese of Durham. He became Diocesan Director of Ordinands in 1990 assisting any who were exploring the possibility of ordination, before moving to be Vicar of Cockerton in 1996.

 In 1998 Bishop Conway was appointed Senior Chaplain to the Bishop of Durham and Diocesan Communications Officer before becoming Archdeacon of Durham and Canon Treasurer of Durham Cathedral in 2002.

 He was chosen to be Bishop of Ramsbury in the Diocese of Salisbury in 2006 and is currently leading the Diocese following Bishop David Stancliffe’s retirement as Bishop of Salisbury in July.

 The Bishop has a passionate interest in mental health and is chair of trustees of a mental health charity. He is also a key member of the Wiltshire Assembly, a forum where county organisations meet twice yearly to plan projects and make decisions together for the good of the county. He also liaises with the large military community in the Diocese.

 His interests include travel and travel literature, and reading theology, history, biography and thrillers. He enjoys the cinema, and watching rugby and cricket.

 He will be welcomed into the Diocese of Ely in February or March 2011 on a date yet to be decided.

 Bishop Conway said today, ‘I am grateful to God for all the love and shared passion for mission and ministry I meet every day in Wiltshire and Dorset. When it is time to move to Ely I shall carry this joyfully into my new ministry in East Anglia.  My role in leading the Diocese of Salisbury during the vacancy will continue to prepare me for this exciting future ministry.’

 Dr David Stancliffe commented, ‘I am delighted for Stephen.  He has been the best of colleagues: lively-minded, clear-headed, hardworking and great fun.  While he is wonderful in church and is every inch a bishop, he’s equally at home in the pub or round the kitchen table afterwards.  The Diocese will miss him enormously.   

Stephen’s such a good appointment for Ely. We offer our best wishes and prayers for all that lies ahead for him.’

 The Bishop of Sherborne, Dr Graham Kings, added, ‘The Diocese of Ely will love Stephen’s enthusiasm for life, God and the Gospel. His warmth is infectious and his wit is subtle. This is a great appointment.”

The above is the official notification of Stephen’s appointment to Ely, and I’m sure all our Blogwatchers will want to join John, Rachel, Sally and Danela, and I and all the members of churches in Wiltshire and Dorset in wishing Stephen every blessing as he prepares to move from us, and the assurance of our prayers for him in his new ministry.

This headline caught my attention and was the theme of  the prayers I led at Church House on Wednesday.

The article was in a free paper from a particular supermarket and I was perusing it whilst drinking the coffee which I had brought at said supermarket.  It said – here’s a great excuse to put your feet up and relax – people feel happier and healthier with fewer aches, pains and symptoms of stress, when they spend the weekend doing exactly what they fancy, says a study by researchers at the University of Rochester USA. And of course they are correct, doing something you like is far better than doing something you have to do. It is done with better grace and energy which is why so many people I know who are retired seem busier than before R Day – they are enjoying doing something they chose to do even though it takes up the same or more time as their work before R Day. On the wh0le they also look well and have a more positive outlook, now I’m not making retirement out to be the best thing since sliced bread as I am aware that it is difficult at times to manage the change of status but I do know that on the days when I can do what I like I feel more rested even though I may have been mroe physically active.

Now all I need researched is how I go about finding the time to do what I like whilst working, running a househ

Saturday started with one of those memory flashbacks while doing a simple task.  Shelling peas, and broad beans.  A simple task, but one that connected me with my grandmother, long since promoted to glory, and many happy weekends doing the same simple task, and remarking how beautiful are the beans and the peas, the beans secured within their felt padded pods and yet the pods are marked, spotted and gnarled on the outside.  How is that like being human, or even being a Christian?  Are we attractive on the outside, superficial, yet not so attractive on the inside?  Or perhaps, people we know, work alongside, even even share our lives with, are people with hearts of gold, who are dedicated and  faithful servants of Christ, and yet we fail to get below the surface, so fail to see the glory of God that lies hidden. 

Later in the day, Anita and I drove out to Great Chalfield, that delightful country manor  house between Bradford on Avon and Melksham. http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-greatchalfieldmanor I was co-hosting the Wiltshire launch of the Friends of Wiltshire Churches, a fundraising and social arm of the Wiltshire Historic Churches Trust, of whom I happen to be the Chairman.  It is a lovely house, so do get along and see it.  The church next door is simply lovely too, and worth a visit.

It was a splendid evening, wonderful canapés, in delightful surroundings, and enchanting company [do you feel you've missed a treat?  Then think about joining the Friends - no don't think - act: http://www.wiltshirehistoricchurches.org.uk/Home.html ]

We had a moment of drama, when one of our distinguished guests collapsed, and as often happens at these events, two doctors and a nurse emerged out of the crowd to take control and reassure our patient.  Within minutes a paramedic  team arrived and I’m pleased to say that our friend is well and ready to bounce back.  The clergy were on hand too, but the Last Rites were far from our thoughts.  It is good to know who your Friends are – sometimes, you only  really know that when times are testing and tough; if you want to be a Friend, then get on and demonstrate it before it is too late.

After a long day in Church House in Salisbury – someone has to keep the Diocese running I pulled into the playing fields in Collingbourne Ducis. A Call to Arms maybe but not for this Archdeacon – much too difficult, much too dangerous. And then I saw the children – 5 or 6 years old with bows taller than themselves (or so it looked).

Not to be beaten I immediately challenged the Archdeacon of Sarum to a match. We chose the shorter course. I discovered I am left eye dominant and that the cadets don’t call the Archdeacon of Sarum sharpshooter Jeans without reason. Five arrows ( out of 6) on the target I guess I came in an honourable second.

Thank you Ducis for a great evening. Watch out fir the Diocesan Archery Team – it’s a great sport.

Last night the weather broke with the long promised rain. Although the Pilgrimage Week only began officially on Sunday Evening with a great service of Pilgrimage Praise the whole weekend for me was a welter of hogroasts and parties, boat trips and plays, worship and driving round the beautful but narrow country lanes of this part of Wiltshire all amid sweltering heat and unremitting sun. But above all it was a weekend of meeting new people and of conversation. We have talked about every subject under the sun from demolishing churches to restructuring the BBC and from the pain of bereavement to the joy of teenage children. And for me God has been in each of those conversations.

That is of course what this whole week is about – leaving our places of safety and discovering where God is at work in our communities our relationships our lives. It may be a Brownie Promise Ceremony talking to farmers about badgers and TB or in the playground with kids at school. Wherever and with whomever it is discovering that despite our best efforts we still have not managed to limit God to an hour on a Sunday in a beautiful stone built mausoleum. God is well and truly alive and kicking, out and about in his world, engaging with people in all the joys and sorrows of their lives, the tears and the laughter – and calling us to follow him and do the same.

Another week flies past, and I’ve been out and about with more Colleges and action around the Diocese,  Read on to find out where and with whom!

Monday – Ramsbury team meeting all morning, ending with the final briefing meeting for the Unite FC [Believing in our Community] Pilgrimage Planning to Pewsey.  It’s looking very good, and the advance visits and events are going well too.  That meeting was followed by a regular meeting with the Sarum AD Rural Deans, and Assistant RDs.  I always enjoy these informal meetings, with a simple lunch [sweet and sour bean casserole with savoury bread] and a chance to catch up around the patch.

Tuesday – caught the early train to Cambridge, and a full day at Ridley Hall, the evangelical training college for ordained ministers.  A lively day, spent mostly with our students in training, their tutors, and finally a meeting with the new principal Andrew Norman.  I took the students out for a pizza and chat late into the evening – just to get the real stories!!  One of the highlights was a “Silent Eucharist” with the main elements of the liturgy held in silence, and the Eucharistic Prayer mimed.  It was an extraordinary thing to behold, and the dismissal sounded loud and booming after the quiet contemplative service.

Wednesday – saw me checking out of Ridley Hall and moving across the city to Westcott House – the more liberal catholic training college.  Again, a pattern of conversations with the students and interviews with the tutors – rather like attending a parents evening at school!  How are they doing? Anything I should know?!  Of course, it was all good, and I’m pleased and proud at their progress.  Catching the mid afternoon train back to Salisbury seemed too good to be true, fast train, on time, and an easy Underground transfer across the Capital.  Ah, spoke too soon again Jeansy!  The 1750 Waterloo/Salisbury train was on time – and packed to the gunnel’s!  I had to stand all the way to Overton, and finally bagged one of those folding seats in the luggage area.  It is possible to sleep standing up!

Ascension Day – a catch up day with the offices and report writing, and a splendid drinks party after the Cathedral Eucharist. 

Friday – an early start saw 12 ordained and lay ministers, and a couple of family members gather just outside the Close to take a bus over to Winchester Cathedral.  Here beginneth the Clarendon Way – a 26 miles walk back to Salisbury.  The weather was perfect, and the company engaging.  We stopped first at King’s Somborne [10.7 miles]where a car load of three left the walk.  Next stop was Broughton, [15.2] where two more took a lift back to Salisbury.  The seven survivors carried on, and a brief stop at Winterslow heralded a mind numbing, leg aching, foot slogging tramp into our beloved Cathedral city.  It was great to see the group support one another – the two fittest headed off into the distance [the oldest and youngest!], colleagues in the middle, and the family group sweeping up [they whistled and sang their way to keep spirits up].  It was a marathon, and the sense of achievement, and gratitude was immense.  26 miles – ten hours including stops.  Well done all!

Today I have not been able to work on the line as the link with Church House is not working. After an initial few minutes of feeling very frustrated I made a mug of coffee and started to sort out the paper on my desk. I now have a large amount to go either to the shredder or to the black box (paper collection). I managed to file the rest and now have two small piles of papers waiting for something to be done with them and they do need me to have access to my electronic files.

During this time I listened to music and spoke to people on the phone, I also thought about how reliant I have become on the electronic way of doing things. The afternoon has passed in a very fruitful and quite stress-less manner. Now is that because I made a decision to be laid back about everything or is it because working on the computer creates it’s own stress which I take for granted? Whatever the reason I think I may add computer free time to my normal days once the machinery starts working again.

Good morning.

As you know I went to a concert on Tuesday night and during the interval I chatted about doing Morning Thought and that I was looking at Lent. We then talked about other things before the concert started again. It was during this second part that a thought flitted across my mind –‘what if someone listening thought that I was talking about the verb leant?’ Later on the way home it came again and I wondered what, if any, connected the two words?

Priests are rather like programme presenters as we can make links with anything and here is mine for linking LENT with LEANT.

The season Lent is a time when we reflect on our way of life. To do this we need to be supported, to lean on people. By that I mean to use them as a support and not to make them do what you want. Is this any different to how we behave at other times?

When I reflect on my own life the answer is ‘yes’ – there have been times when I have literally leant on someone most notably when I damaged my knee and after operations. There have been times when I have leant on friends and families for their emotional support – when I was made redundant and when my father died. There were also the less obvious times, when I felt low for no apparent reason or needed that mug of coffee and a little time.

Simon and Garfunkel sang a song called ‘I am a rock’ in it there are these lines ‘I have no need of friendship; friendship causes pain. It’s laughter and it’s loving I disdain. And a rock fells no pain; and an island never cries.’ No-one can live completely alone we all need someone who supports us, cries with us and celebrates with us.

Being that open to people can cause pain, we often flinch from becoming too close to someone because of that. Another song tells us how dismal a world is without love a thought that I think we could all agree with. And those who love us will stick with us and will not deliberately cause us pain. They are the ones to whom we open ourselves, we build up that trust by spending time with them.

In the season of Lent we have the time to spend with God, to renew our trust and faith in him. To recognise and acknowledge his love for us and that we can depend on his support, we can lean on him – as he was and is and will be.

I hope you find the support you need today.

Good Morning.

We’ve looked at two specific dates and now I want us to look to Lent in general terms.

Lent is a time for reflection whether alone or in a group. Some parishes run what we call Lent Courses which are often Bible based and involve time in reading the passage from the Bible and then joining a weekly group to discuss what you have found out and to ask questions which may have arisen. Some people find this helpful whilst other like to read a book and reflect on that alone.

We in Durrington and the Avon Valley are running both kinds this year with two different courses running twice each week and one meeting near the end of Lent for those who have read a book throughout, rather like a book club.

Christians don’t always need to do something, yes we are watched and how we behave does affect other’s views not only of us but of God and the Church. If we are seen to be behaving in a manner which people don’t consider ‘Christian’ we are often reprimanded and told that we have disappointed. The difficulty with that is that people forget that Christians are humans and our wish to change often takes our whole lives – for our acceptance of God doesn’t make our lives easier. In fact I would like to suggest that our lives become harder as we try to change our way of behaving to reflect more of the love of God and the behaviour of Jesus.

There are times therefore when we need to be – to spend time with God, other Christians and ourselves. To reflect on the love we have for all three, to re-charge our batteries and feel the love flowing towards us. These reflections aren’t all doom and gloom. It’s rather like looking at a photograph album – there are times when pictures make you cringe, others make you laugh, yet more may make you cry etc. Most will remind you of people and places you enjoyed or loved. Most times we will gain something about ourselves, whether consciously or not.

So it is with the reflections through Lent, there are times when we may cringe, laugh or cry etc but we will gain through the experience if we give ourselves the time. Just as we give time to the important human relationships in our lives, particularly those we know are underpinned by love.

I hope you time for reflection today.

You’ll have noticed a jolly greeting from Bunty in our comments folder.  Bunty is a nom de plume for a good friend and colleague who has over the years tried to tempt me into developing “niche” markets for the religious minded person with too much money for their own good.  Crazy ideas, such as supplying vestments with velcroed sponsor logos for the companies who might add funding to the local church – This week’s mass sponsored by McDonalds – Name Below All Names.com; a communion wine tasting company which could be roadshowed at PCC meetings – Drink Divine.com; and a liturgical set of  four pairs clergy socks in red, white, violet and green – And Did those Feet.

One idea that Bunty had some months ago was a company to produce bunting for churches – fetes, flower festivals, baptism parties, wedding celebrations etc, etc.  This would be a bespoke tailoring for the particular occasion.  Bunty found herself with some spare time recently – too much obviously – because she actually  found someone who ordered several metres of a particular bunting, which Bunty produced.  This has led to a small order book, which seems to have found a niche in the party market. 

I admire the entrepreneur in Bunty, and although not tempted to approach the Dragons’ Den yet for major investment funding, Bunty is wanting to try and see where this idea might go.  So – anyone for bunting?  Contact me first through the blog, and I can pass on Bunty’s email or contact number.