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You might have guessed from the fewer posts in the last couple of weeks, that I’ve been away!  There is much to catch you up with though, so please don’t give up on us!  The first couple of weeks in my summer break were spent, as usual, with the Wiltshire Army Cadet Force, who were based at an Engineers’ Camp down at Chickerell near Weymouth. 

We take away some 300 cadets, aged from 12 – 18, and some 80 adults, who I do admire for all the hours and energy that they offer these young people.  As you will know, when you take people out of their usual surroundings and circumstances, you’ll find that all kinds of issues and emotions emerge.   For two weeks, these good people become my “parish”, and I live and work alongside them as we undertake all kinds of activities, physical, emotional, and spiritual. 

After some eight years, I am now an accepted part of the whole community, offering a listening ear to all souls, whether they have a particular faith or none, and I have found an amazing amount of ministry, which challenges and rewards.  Last year I baptised two members in the sea off Cornwall, and this year I have attended the funeral of a wife of one of our officers, and I have just conducted a funeral for one of our female officers.  Next week, I will conduct the marriage service for two of our NCOs.  Most of the pastoral work involves people wanting to discuss relationships, worries about friends and families, and hopes and ambitions for themselves and the future.

It is no holiday, but I do throw myself into all the activities, and try to live alongside these people as I know that Christ would do, and indeed did!   I was captured during an exercise when I was being transported down to negotiate with a group of insurgent terrorists; and after a period of time, I was rescued by another unit, and grateful for the care and attention that the padre usually is afforded.  The photo shows you that I try and blend in to whatever background circumstances are – although my hands need a little more camouflage cream!  Fresh air, solid food, and companions to journey with – what more could a padre ask for?

How right that is and it has been demonstrated over this weekend for me – accompanied by encounters with nature and two small boys.

Friday night we gathered in Pewsey church to welcome Michael McHugh as the new team vicar in that team, the church was packed, the singing was good and the sermon was excellent (thank you John). I caught up with people I had not seen for sometime and enjoyed the chatter. On my drive home I saw a flock of birds flying cross the sky making wonderful patterns as they did.

Saturday saw me having a trip to Branksome St Clements church, very urban, and on the way home from that seven swans flew in formation in front of me.

Sunday and I was at Fittleton @ 9am taking part in a quiet said Book of Common Prayer Holy Communion service. A lovely quiet way to start the day – no birds although we heard them singing. At 10.30 I was at Figheldean with the music group playing – this week they were mostly wind instruments with drums and keyboards, a very nice sound. After the service I spent a long time talking to Patrick and Ivor about all sorts of things including rainbows, birds and whales. They were delightful children and I couldn’t stop smiling at their views on nature and life in general. No birds but later I did sit in my garden with my mother watching a female blackbird gathering food for her offspring, she seemed to not mind how close we were to her and later we saw her offspring in all his glory.

It has been a delightful three days and I enjoyed the differences.

A recent lunch with one of our colleagues from the Diocesan Board of Education led to a very interesting conversation around the relationships between our church schools and our parishes. 

For many years, new clergy appointments to a parish would not even include a visit to the school, let alone ask the Head Teacher or Chair of Governors to be part of the interview process.  Now, of course, the Parish Profile for the new priest will include details of schools, and the interview process most often includes a visit to the school, some interface with the staff and pupils, and some informal interview with the school Head or Governors.

Our conversation came around to the appointment of school chaplains, in particular to the new Academies.  Full time school chaplains are a luxury, and indeed, with a decreasing number of stipendiary clergy, would there be a sufficient pool of potential clergy to meet these new appointments?  I pushed the boundaries a little further.  I was certain that these school chaplain appointments could not successfully be part time appointments with dual roles including a parish priest role – the management of the boundaries does prove a challenge.  I had been a part-time chaplain to a joint Anglican-Catholic Secondary School, and it was hugely fulfilling, but also a huge frustration, and the scope for developing the role could not happen whilst I was still expected to be in the parish five days a week.

So – do we need to continue to look for parish clergy who are able to offer some chaplaincy role to the school?  Or, if you consider the development of our school age children between 5-18 years to be the urgent priority for our faith community, do we need to look for clergy who are full time school chaplains, based in our primary and secondary schools, who can offer a couple of  days a week to be chaplains to our congregations? 

What difference would it make if we trained all our clergy to be school chaplains, as the norm, and then let them use their spare time at evenings, weekends and school holidays for work in the parish, developing teams of lay ministers and ordained assistant ministers to be the church presence throughout the parish during the day?

What difference would it make …?  Where do you stand …?

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.”

After a rest day, the team gathered on Thursday morning at Collingbourne Ducis to breakfast together and to celebrate morning prayer.  John and I were particularly interested to see the construction of the new kitchen facilities in the south aisle of the church, and the WC, which has been constructed externally at the west end of the north aisle.  It fits in nicely, and is a modern extension, sympathetically standing alongside the older church.

John and I then exited swiftly to get ourselves down to Rushall Primary school for the day’s pilgrimage.  Booted up, we joined the year 5/6 pupils to begin our walk from Rushall, to North Newnton, then on to Upavon.  At Upavon we were joined by the year 3/4 pupils and walked on to Rushall Church and back to the school.  After an excellent school lunch, we rallied the whole school, including the Reception and year 1/2 pupils to walk to Charlton St Peter, and back again to the school.  It was a great walk, and at around 8 miles or so, the children were quite superb.  Highlights for me were the hospitality we received at each of the church stops, when local parishioners provided refreshments, and facilities; the short reflections and prayers led by John and I; and the wonderful conversations we enjoyed throughout the day, with staff, governors and of course the children.  At the final stop at Charlton St Peter, the churchwarden led us in singing a Taizé chant, and movingly told the 110 or so present, that this was one of the best moments in the life of the parish church.

This is what the week is about – moving and meeting and mixing and making a difference with Christ at the centre of all we do.  The school’s motto? With Christ we can!  Yes!

Time is flying by in the Pewsey Deanery Pilgrimage – Unite FC.  Since we last blogged, the team has been out and about and I’m able to blog the events I have attended, and it has encompassed the whole of life’s journey.

Tuesday morning we gathered in St John the Baptist, Pewsey for breakfast and morning prayer, and then I headed out solo to Collingbourne Ducis Primary School.  The buildings are relatively new there, and it was lovely to see the children learning in a very spacious and well planned environment.  I visited classes, and met teachers, and saw a wonderful presentation on pilgrimage by the school, who have produced art panels showing the Christian pilgrimage through life.  A buffet lunch with Governors and staff completed my visit.  Check out the school for yourselves at: http://wiltshire.schooljotter.com/collingbourne

I then had to hotfoot it to Great Bedwyn, to join Bishop Stephen and Rachel at the Primary school for a special collective worship and blessing of the school’s sensory quiet garden.  Again the buildings were relatively modern, and the children very excited about the prospects of the Bishop amongst their number.  +Stephen spoke about being able to know when we were pointing in the right direction, and that we often need friends to help us turn around and travel in the right direction.  The school sang two hymns really well, and read some excellent poetry.  Another site for you to explore: http://www.greatbedwyn.ik.org/

Rachel and I then left the Bishop to bless the garden, and we headed south to Burbage where we joined the staff and residents of Seymour Court, an assisted living accommodation for older people.  They were relaxing after lunch, and we joined them for a cup of tea and biscuit, and found the conversations easy and fun.  Rachel in particular had a belly aching time of laughter and we were privileged and inspired to hear their stories, and chat about their life achievements.

Then the weather closed in and the rain came down, and we heard that the planned motorcycle ride to Poole Quay has been postponed – and my photo opportunity to sit astride a Triumph Sprint will have to wait!

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.

Those of you who know me, I hope, realise that whilst I’m not a slave to fashion, my image and appearance do take a little of my time each morning.  On Saturday, usually my day off, I had to make a couple of engagements as DDO [Diocesan Director of Ordinands].  My first was a breakfast meeting with our students studying for ministry on the STETS [Southern Theological Education Training Scheme] course here in Salisbury. I pulled on a pair of faded jeans, canvas shoes, and a black clerical shirt and summer jacket – smart, clerical, but relaxed and informal was the look I was hoping to achieve.  Well of  course, early breakfast, students in training – I expected no comments from them!  In fact they were spending the weekend exploring ministry to the young and youth.

I then moved back to the Diocesan Office, where I and a colleague spent some time with potential ordinands, reviewing presentations and group discussions – very good they were too!  I made a comment about my less than usual slick professional appearance, and I received some delightful feedback from one of them:

ps fashion tips: you might shoot me for saying this but you sounded a bit unconfident about your jeans for doing “youf” work – if so, you should get some nice boot-cut dark navy ones (from jeans shop), they’re the ‘in’ colour at the moment, navy would really suit you, light blue is too light for you.  And if you’ve not got them already, finish off with Converse baseball boots in navy, nice and cheap, and look good on men at any age.  You see a lot of film directors in baseball boots.   I like your clerical shirt with the sleeves cropped at the elbow (short sleeve clerical shirts are a big no-no, they don’t look cool). The light brown jacket was fine.

Checked this out with my fashion conscious daughter - and she agreed, so I’m off down the town, and you’ll no doubt be watching this space.  Love it!!

Another Sunday nearer to the Unite FC pilgrimage [see http://www.unitefc.org/ for full details]. Today I went up the Avon valley, to Upavon, where I presided and preached at the parish communion service.  I was given such a warm welcome, and everything was ready for me, and checked back that I did not want to change anything.  Thank you!  I’ve been to St Mary’s Church many times, but not for a while, and I was very impressed with the repainted interior, restored East window and new carpets.  They’ve moved the organ from the south side of the chancel into the former vestry at the west end, and the vestry is now where the organ was.  A good improvement, and the new carpets are fresh and toned into the church interior.  I had fun, and people seemed to appreciate the sermon, which focused on the need for change in an unpredictable future – Jesus’ promises that give assurance and if we are willing to accept the courage that the Holy Spirit fills us with, there is no reason whatsoever why everyone should not take up their part in the Believing in our Community initiative.

Then a quick dash be-cassocked further up the valley to Pewsey, where a packed church greetd me – well not me actually, but the usual congregation swelled by the families, and friends of two candidates for baptism.  The service was led in an informal and friendly way by the Rector Hugh Hoskins, and assisted by the grandfather of the baby girl, who was a priest from near Shrewsbury.  I presided at the Ministry of the Sacrament, and it was a joy to be in such a vibrant and lively church.  But the amazing thing was the mother of the baby boy to be baptised was someone I had baptised as an adult and then conducted her marriage some 12 years ago.  It was wonderful to see Carrie again, and her four boys, and I’m delighted that they are now regulars at St John’s, Pewsey.

If that was not enough – after the families had left for their parties, the chairs in the nave were turned around and we had a table down the centre of the nave at which sat some 40 or so people for a lovely casserole lunch.  Hugh tells me they do this some three or four times a year, to gather the whole church family, if possible, to enjoy a lunch together.  Delicious, good company, and a wonderful way for me to get to know a few more people.  Check them out at http://www.pewswan.org.uk/homepage.php  It just gets better and better!!