Comments for crossramsbury.net

Comment on Sitting Pretty by Ian Hobbs

Ian Hobbs — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 11:29:10 +0000

Alan… I thought this was a blog… or is the L surplus?

Comment on Guestbook by Liz Broadbent

Liz Broadbent — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 16:49:51 +0000

I have never read a blog before and found it fun and interesting, will recommend to other computer novices..
Liz

Comment on It all depends where you stand … by Alan

Alan — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 20:20:59 +0000

You are absolutely right Chrysogon, of course, there are thousands of lay Christians engaging with schools in very many ways, very few have a label like LLM. LLMs have a distinctive ministry in preaching, teaching and a diverse range of gifts and skills that are essential to maintian the life of our schools and parishes, and as Vice Warden of Licensed Lay Ministers in Salisbury Diocese, it is good to know you are there.

Just for a moment, if you fantasise with me and the conversation I had about clergy deployment. If we locate our stipendiary clergy in schools, and not parishes – would the LLM ministry take on a different focus, either in our parish churches, or in our schools?

Comment on It all depends where you stand … by Chrysogon

Chrysogon — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 12:08:59 +0000

Why does a chaplain have to be a “cleric”? There are lots of caring, competent, trained and passionate LLMs and lay people out there who already have a ministry in schools – or who would welcome the opportunity to grow a chaplaincy role. LLMs and other lay people take collective worship, are on a governing body or drop in and out of school to help overstretched staff. Where a parish priest is spread thin across rural parishes, it is often the lay people of the congregation who relate closest to their local school.

Comment on It all depends where you stand … by Alan

Alan — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 10:43:43 +0000

Thanks Simon. I don’t think I want to say the church building, congregation, and the time spent with the two together is irrelevant – just makes you think, as you suggest – where is the vibrant life in the local community, and where does the church meet that life?

What do others think?

Comment on It all depends where you stand … by Simon Woodley

Simon Woodley — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 10:24:32 +0000

Ok, so I’m biased as I am the parish priest in a place where there will soon be an academy, but I welcome the debate. I have to say that someone to fulfill some of the potential of schools work will be most welcome, but only if that is linked somehow to the parish and wider christian community. The idea of putting it the other way round – missioner in school and chaplain to the congregation is fascinating. Is this admitting that the little used building and the couple of dozen people that meet there for an hour a week is irrelevant and that the school community is where the life is? Maybe that’s a good thing? Keep stirring the brain cells Alan, thanks!

Comment on The whole spectrum of Life by Philip B

Philip B — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 13:39:03 +0000

I think the Bish has beaten you to it Alan!

http://www.unitefc.org/photos.html

Comment on Rules of the Road, and for Life by Alan

Alan — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 19:03:26 +0000

Thanks Simon – and I look forward to reading the Bemerton Parish Magazine! It’s good to share!!

Comment on The Height of Fashion by Alan

Alan — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 19:01:15 +0000

Thank you Philip for joining in with the fashion thread. It has been good to work with you on this Pilgrimage week in Pewsey Deanery, and I hope that you’ll continue to advise us on our ongoing desire to engage with the whole community. I was looking for some motorcycle leathers the other day – any advice there please?

Comment on The Height of Fashion by Philip B

Philip B — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 17:55:41 +0000

Thou shalt dress trendily

The Bishop’s secretary put the phone down and sighed. “That was Vogue pestering us again – what shade of purple will the Bishop be wearing for the summer shoot?” One of her assistants yelled out that the swatches had been sent out some days before, but that the Bishop was still on the Wippell calendar shoot for 2011 in Mauritius.

Since an impoverished Church of England had explored alternative opportunities to raise revenue, a number of different ideas had been trialled: The fast food outlets hadn’t been a roaring success; the ecclesiastical mini-cab service had made money, but had taken the clergy away from their preaching commitments whilst motorcycle despatch riding had taken a heavy toll on the older members of the clergy.

The latest idea from on high was to turn the clergy into fashion icons and introduce a designer brand based on traditional ecclesiastic outfits. Some items had been less successful then had been hoped: the “disco-glitter cassock” had been unworkable, and they were still receiving complaints following the disastrous launch of the Bluetooth enabled clerical collar with MP3 headphone attachment.

One of the Archdeacons came into the office in something of a rush “Are my new boot cut jeans here yet?”, The overworked secretary pushed a parcel across the desk. The archdeacon eagerly opened the parcel and found three pairs of immaculate dark jeans. “Armani?” he shrieked “I specifically asked for Versace. Armani is so Calvinist – we need something more ‘out there’, something that screams ‘I’m Clergy and I look good’”. The secretary took the parcel back, mumbled something about getting Versace to send some through and got back to her work.

to be continued…