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Yes, it is time for another one of the Area Team’s Pastoral Visits, and this time I’m really looking forward to spending three days in the Benefice of Warminster St Denys with Upton Scudamore.  This evening I went over to the town to meet up with some of the key people who I will be working alongside, the clergy, churchwardens, and PCC members.

I started off with Harvey Gibbons and his wife and family for a supper, and chatting about how they are finding the town and parish.  It was a good chance to get a view from the inside of the Rectory, and also hear about what young people, in their early twenties are thinking and aiming for in their lives.  Thanks to you all for some great food, and stimulating conversations.

Then over to the Church, where the PCC, assistant clergy and churchwardens had gathered in the West End, a neat reordering under the balcony to provide a kitchen and large meeting place.  A choice of red or white wine, and some soft drinks, together with nibbles greeted us, and we were soon sat down and chatting.  Harvey explained the purpose of the three day visit – or rather, what the visit was not.  I’m not part of OfChurch, or any inspection.  There is no reporting back – just a simple opportunity for me to work alongside the people and parishioners of the town, and to spend time listening to the hopes and challenges, as well as to recognise and encourage the good things.

We were soon exploring the nature of welcome, and the importance of hospitality, and I was pleased when one of the members asked whether my wife Anita would value an invitation to spend time with me in the visit.  That was a first, and whilst Anita is supportive and encouraging of my ministry, as she has her own life and work, it was not possible for her to join  me.  But the invitation and thought was hugely valued.

We moved into the details of the planned visit, and I’ll keepthose from you for the time being, but I’ve some exciting opportunities to really get to meet people.  This evening was a getting to know you exercise, and I did enjoy that, as well as find out more about a new venture undertaken this summer – a holiday at home.  I hope to get details of this, and post them here – a real success, and fun!    Also, they have a magazine that is online – so I look forward to sharing details of my first example of this – unles someone out there beats them to it!!

Thanks you St Denys for the warm welcome and introduction to your world, and I look forward to sharing much more with you in the coming week.

This month’s collection of Parish Magazines have tumbled through my letterbox, and once again, I’m impressed with the tales of mission and ministry that happens in some many creative ways, in so many places.  This month’s good practice is as follows:

St Bartholomew Benefice: The parishes are organising some away time together, to build confidence, to get to know one another, and generally have a good time with their Christian faith.  A sailing trip to France, over the weekend of 30 September to 3 October.  If the seas doesn’t float your boat, the a trip to the Holy Land is being contemplated for 2011.  A new monthly Sunday initiative called TOAST [Time on a Sunday together] kicks off with breakfast in the School Hall at Semley, with an informal, child and family friendly expression of church.  taste and see that the Lord is good!

Arrowhead, for the parishes on Salisbury Plain, is always a good read, and a mix of community, adverts, and church activities get a blitz in the editor’s blender.  I was impressed by the Shrewton School’s Party in the Park event; the Annual Orcheston Weekend, including tractor rides and target shooting; and the Re-Cycling page, which give people the opportunity of getting rid of, or requesting various items.

Steeple and Street, for Whiteparish in the Clarendon Team, offered some great summer fun in the Parish Picnic with food and games; a May Ball for the Pepperbox Pre-school; and the Whiteparish Pony Show, with collaboration with the local riding school.  They’ve also organised a Whiteparish tidy up day, to give the whole community a chance to contribute to making their village the tidiest in the area.

Focus – on the Community is the mag for the Nadder Valley Team, and included some local articles on the Neighbourhood Policing Team’s new Community Beat Manager, and also a report from the Tisbury Watch of the Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, including a really helpful guide to the role and responsibilities of a retained firefighter – essential for the rural communities.

The Open Door, the mag for St Thomas’ Ensbury Park contains a helpful page of prayers; advertises a parish visit to the Theatre in Christchurch to see “The Screwtape Letters”; some book reviews; and a great puzzles and smiles page, alongside the usual news and views of the parish church and wider community.

Thank you to all those who send me their magazines, and I look forward to receiving others too.

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.

It is the season for Summer fetes, and John and I recently  attended a village occasion.  It was a lovely day, and John did the decent thing by opening the event, and people thronged and spent loose change and chatted and ate cream teas and smashed crockery, and looked at exhibition photos in the church.  Numbers are up, a local worthy told me, and hopefully the income which the church needs will be too.

Then we had the finale, a tug of war, and yours truly was to start the event and present the trophy to the winning team.  It’s only a bit of fun, they said! A novel twist was that this tug of war took place across a river, and the losing team were guaranteed an early bath!  First of all the children had a go, on dry land, in the neighbouring field, and enjoyed it very much.  Then the men – two teams of strapping, well honed, peak of physical perfection – lined up on both banks.  Can you count?  Nine on one side, eight on the other – Hey! The rope was duly picked up, and the strain taken.  Pull!  A load of grunting and cheering ended when one team found themselves pulled into the River Avon.  Then the ladies teams had a go, and did equally well.  Then men swapped sides, after sorting out the equal numbers a second time, the other team claimed a victory, one-all, and a deciding match.  The ladies played their second pull, and the same team won.

So – the  deciding pull for the men’s competition, and I gripped the trophy as the grunts and groans and battle cries rang out across the valley.  Some slippage, but then a rally, and both teams were giving no ground, but after a while the heat, the pressure and the sheer effort pulled one of the teams into the water. Foul! went up from the losing team!  Apparently one man on the winning team had found a foothold in the root system of a tree on the river bank, and this was claimed as an unfair advantage by the other team.

I was still holding the trophy, and the organisers and team captains remonstrated with one another.  As the person holding the trophy, I went and suggested I had some ideas – a final deciding pull – with both teams in the field, on the level, where we could see all that was taking place.  No – the “winning ” team could not agree to that, and my second suggestion that the trophy should stand in the club rooms for six months each, also found little grace – and the team captains walked off. 

I will still holding the trophy!  Should it come home with me?  No.  I walked across to the team captain of the winning ladies team, announced that these were the overall champions, planted the trophy in her hands, and a kiss on both cheeks, and declared honour still alive in the competition.  I hope the  English referee in the World Cup Final this afternoon has a little more fortune.  They never told you about this in Theological College!

Well, these past few days have been a whirl of social activities and festivities, as we come together and celebrate good things around the Area. 

Friday evening most of the Team were in Burbage to toast the very successful Pilgrims in Mission week in the Pewsey Deanery.  I was at another social event in the south of the County, as part of the Friends of Wiltshire Churches initiative, which seeks to provide a new source of funding for the Wiltshire Historic Churches Trust, of which I am Chairman.  We met at a beautiful house just north of Salisbury in the Woodford Valley, and raised a good sum of money which the Trustees will allocate to churches seeking to maintain and enhance their church fabric.  Check out the site at: http://www.wiltshirehistoricchurches.org.uk/Home.html We are looking for new members, and it’s very cheap to join, and we get so much fun from being a member – think about it?

Saturday morning, I attended the Salisbury Cathedral Open Day, and at 1000 hrs when the cathedral opened its Great West Doors, there were 400 people waiting to go in.  There was a real carnival atmosphere as people saw various exhibitions of the life of the cathedral and diocese, and tried their hands at various workshops.  The museums were open and free too – a great day out.

Saturday evening, we in the Learning for Discipleship and Ministry Team, gathered at our home in Bemerton to celebrate the mid-year and to enjoy one another’s company.  It was a good party, a little cold for outside dining, but a few braved it, and the conversation and laughter went on well into the night.  As I was preparing the outside tables a candle, in a large glass container caught the tablecloth which had been whipped up in the wind – just turn your back for a moment, and the cloth, and table supporting it, was an inferno!  I flipped the cloth onto the ground and smothered the flames – but it is true what the advertisements say – don’t leave naked lights unattended – even for a minute!

Sunday morning and I was attending a service in Pitton school, for both the church and school communities, who were gathering to say farewell to David Morgan, the Headteacher.  The service was quite superb – with a lay member of the church, leading a wonderful act of worship.  We had a dramatic reading of a passage of scripture, which helped us all understand how meeting Jesus transforms people’s lives.  We heard about Jairus, his daughter, an unclean woman, and one of the disciples – brilliant!  We also heard from three members of the Bristol University Christian Union, who were supported by the parish of Pitton last year.  Their witness and testimony of their work within the university and the city of Bristol was truly inspiring.

Back home and after Sunday lunch, the Bemerton Community Group Open Gardens event started, with yes, our home and garden taking part.  We had a steady stream of around 100 people come through – many of whom enjoyed a cup of tea  with us, and walked around the garden, and many good conversations were held.

Late afternoon, and I was back in the cathedral for Vespers, and a service of thanksgiving for the work of our  Foundation School Governors.  Tea with the Dean afterwards, and I came home, fully alive, and full of a weekend’s experiences of saying thank you, and raising both the profile and some money for important aspects of our common life here in this part of Wiltshire.

Originally titled in my diary as Toddler Worship – I had visions of small children on pedestals, and parents bowing low in front of them – but No!  This was another one of my visits to the benefice of Sarum St Francis, and Stratford sub Castle, and we gathered in the Chapter Room [a cleverly designed lower ground floor room under the chancel of St Francis Church] with around 20 children and as many mothers, and three or four very gifted children’s leaders.

We were welcomed and introduced, and then went straight into some lively songs, with actions – and yes, I did join in!  The theme of the worship was explained – animals,  and Jesus and the donkey.  We had a really good reading from the Bible interpreted with soft toys, and a very good storyteller.  The children were then invited to make their own donkey finger puppets, and we then had a time of prayer, and another song.  The children then happily played together, whilst the mums, and visiting clergy, enjoyed a cup of coffee and a chat.  This popular service is advertised on the parish website: http://www.st-francischurch.org.uk/

Tuesday 10:00am

Lots of toddlers and their grown-up mums and helpers have found the balloons on the church door on the first and third Tuesday mornings of each month. Why not follow them in and find out what fun we have? Doors open at 9:15am for a welcome cuppa and time for a chat whilst the children play, before we enjoy singing, games, inter-active Bible stories, simple crafts and some time to pray. There are more refreshments available before you leave.

I was certainly impressed by the careful and accessible worship, and the gentle and creative leadership.  Well done ladies!  Afterwards I visited the Pre-school which meets in the church centre behind the church – again I met very happy children being served their morning fruit and drinks.

Why not also look out for the church organised Party in the Park, in Victoria park on 3rd July – all free.

Victoria Park will be transformed for the picnic, with games, BBQs, bouncy castles, entertainment, stalls, and a plentiful supply of events for children of all ages.  The Reverend Paul Taylor, Vicar of St Francis, says, “This event is really important as it draws the whole community together and gives us another opportunity to demonstrate the love of Christ without any conditions.  It’s about actively making Jesus known in the community and to show we can have social care and fun at the same time.”

Well the last day dawned for the band of happy pilgrims, and the Team scattered ourselves throughout the parishes for Sunday worship in the morning.  I was detailed to go to East Grafton Church, St Nicholas, another first for me.  It is the most enchanting church, a little miniature copy of St Mary and Nicholas, Wilton, as you can see from the photo. 

I preached, and Rodney Harrison – the Team Vicar presided at a Common Worship service.  It was good to see people from the area there, and I was starting to catch names and faces that I’ve been encountering during the week.  In fact I preached on the subject of encounter, and that when we encounter Jesus, then he joins us on our journey, and then he changes us, and we join him on his journey – or at least I think I said something like that!

After bidding farewell at the door, I took myself over to Chute Causeway, and joined John and Rachel at the Tedworth Downland Ride and BBQ.  There were loads of horses, riders, and happy watchers, as the competitors took themselves along a ten mile fun ride course, and enjoyed the most beautiful scenery.  We stayed behind of course, and chatted and ate, and enjoyed the atmosphere of country people, enjoying country rides.  I was fortunate to gain a seat on a horse, and I think Rachel has some photos.  I used to ride around my country parishes, and it was so nice to be back in the saddle.  I enjoyed myself very much, and will certainly try and get a ride or two from time to time, and in honour of this, I was presented with a bright green rosette – which later confused people who thought I was a green party candidate!  I was certainly hungry, and we consumed, I think between us, one of everything from the BBQ and bar!

Moving on, we team went our separate ways, me to my host and hostess to pack up, say a huge thank you for the marvellous hospitality and generous giving of time and accommodation for this past week.  People are so open and welcoming to pilgrims I find.

Finally, we all gathered at the Crofton Beam Engine site for our closing act of worship – a Songs of Praise, and celebration of our week, with the reading of the winning entries in the poetry competition.  Music was provided by the Phoenix Brass Band, and Rodney compered the worship.  Bishop Stephen gave the final blessing, and as we shared the Peace, the heavens opened and were blessed by a heavy shower which encouraged people to continue their own pilgrimage journey. 

This is not the end of a week’s pilgrimage, but merely the start of another stage of a journey in the parishes and communities that make up the Pewsey Deanery.  Thanks to you all, and may God bless you, and may Jesus be your constant companion and guide, and may the Holy Spirit empower and direct you to serve him, and those with whom you share your lives.

Like the others I have been preparing for the forthcoming pilgrimage. Today I went to sit, on a sunny afternoon, in a meadow attached to Standen House in Chute Standen to watch a group of people who had written and were performing their play.

The basic story is of a journey of self discovery – I won’t tell you any more as I hope that you will go tomorrow (Sunday) to see it yourself (cost is £10 and tickets can be brought on the gate). There were actors but also wonderful puppets of wolves, dogs and other animals; there were birds of all sorts of shapes and colours including a wonderful peacock with a proper tail; snails, rabbits and a bee. There was a nod towards Harry Potter with birds bringing messages and one to Monty Python involving a parrot. Unfortunately I didn’t think of taking a photo to add to this post.

It was a wonderful afternoon finishing with cream teas at the village hall, highly recommended.

This week I was privileged to put on my Royal Army Chaplains Department combats, and travel out to one of the Army Cadet Force detachments to give a presentation on the six core values of the British Army.  I first had to get into the Garrison, and I was saluted politely as I passed the reception/guardroom.  I saluted back, as I was sitting in the roofless MGF, but was not quite sure whether officers are supposed to salute whilst driving!  I probably have broken some military protocol, or civilian driving regulation.  Someone will tell me – just hope it is not contained within some kind of summons!

The Army Cadet Force (ACF) is one of the UK’s oldest, largest and most successful youth organisations. With over 47,000 cadets in around 1,700 local detachments across the country. At the heart of the ACF are our 8,500 adult volunteers who inspire youngsters to achieve.

It was a hot night, and the 20 cadets were trying sooo hard to concentrate on my presentation, which I spiced up with some leadership, and team exercises.  At the end, rather than assess their knowledge of the content of the presentation, I asked them to assess my presentation – what was good about it, what main points will they remember, and how might I improve the presentation next time?  Under the circumstances, I think I did well – they certainly helped me to polish the presentation for next time, and I found out what they had learned.  

What had they learned? The six core values, which all ranks must receive teaching on every year, are: Courage, Discipline, Loyalty, Integrity, Selfless Commitment, Respect for Others.  On the handout I asked them to take away, was a grid, with the six core values printed out.  I asked them to think about who they know who models the values; what challenges are facing the cadet at present; and then what might they do to try and overcome that challege, using the core values to measure their options and response.

Yesterday was the First of May – and it was wonderful to wake up, and sit up in bed, and listen to our first cuckoo of the year.  Not just a one off call either; a consistent and persistent call for some while – was the bird calling, dating or mating? 

That cuckoo heralded the day out that we enjoyed – the Cuckoo Fayre at Downton, a large village some nine miles south of Salisbury.  There were thousands of people there, and although the weather was cooler and more damp than previous years, there was much to do, and see and enjoy.  The Church Primary School choir sang beautifully, and there were Morris Dancers, Maypole dancers, jazz bands and buskers; there was food and drink and fudge by the skip load; and best of all people to meet and greet – villagers, parishioners, work colleagues and friends.  A great day, and the community was alive with the sound of laughter.

Today was a similar start, except the cuckoo was not heard [maybe our meal out last night with friends meant I slept longer and deeper!] but as I sat in bed, the sky was swarming with swallows, in an amazing choreographed symphony – a joy to behold.  Again what were they doing: feeding, dating, pairing up, or simply enjoying the early morning vitality of being alive and rejoicing at the splendour of nature?