Of Communion by Extension and the lost art of Matins. Writing when in need of a holiday :) When I began my training as Reader back in 1986 my role, and indeed my vocation was very different although it was still focused on working with parts of the community as someone with some theological training, some communication skills and a real call to change things for the better. My duties: Sung matinsSung evensongthe occasional sermon for a Sunday communion service. reading lessons (readers robed for this) no-one in the congregation was asked. Some sick communionsLeading a youth group and a house group Somehow in the three and a half decades up to the present day many of those non eucharistic services disappeared and the diet of communion services became "what we have always done!" and, not only what they have always done but, "if we can't have the service as we have always done it then we will go somewhere else."I have always resisted discussions about Communion by Extension (not including sick communions or residential homes) because I did not want to be what I thought of as being some sort of second class ordained person. But in a few weeks time I am taking my first "Communion by Extension" service at St Stephen's Treleigh, where I used to do my sung Matins.Times change and the needs of the people change but I am still mildly uncomfortable at preserving the status quo as a "not quite the real thing" version of "what we have always done." I do wonder as we prepare to take on board the "On the Way" programme in September where we go from here! The energy I had for change in my late thirties is harder to come by and chaplaincy, spiritual direction, funerals the occasional sermon together with chief ZOOM service operator are more he order of the day. I hit the magic Permission to Officiate mark in February and one is tempted just to go with the flow rather than being the prophet who stirs the pot! Tomorrows readings are interesting - I love the Ezekiel line "4The descendants are impudent and stubborn. I am sending you to them, and you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God.’ " which reminds me of when I have tried hard to change things in the past in church. In the Gospel reading we have that wonderful line from Jesus who says " 4Then Jesus said to them, ‘Prophets are not without honour, except in their home town'" which sums up many a reader's position, being prophets in our home towns while ordained clergy are largely moving through. But we keep on keeping on and looking to God and to the community to seek that which will serve the people best and....... and this is important...... grown the kingdom not merely keep the status quo. Your answers on the back of a postage stamp, stuck to an envelope and addressed to Never-Never Land. Cornwall – we need you!Can you talk with passion to audiences both large…
Highlight of the Week:The virtual visit of Rabbi Naomi from Kol Chai Hatch End Reformed synagogue who spoke about her faith journey and her work to the Reader's Post licensing Group. I am delighted that she has agreed to come back next year for the next group to help with our multi-faith conversations. Reader Kay Short asked on Facebook: Kay Short"Can new to the Diocese Readers join in too? And do any (evening) groups exist for Readers to continue learning and reflection that I could join please? If not, could I start one? I miss being able to read and reflect theologically with others!" Well I would be delighted if Kay started an evening for reflection and learning and would be the first to sign up if it is an evening when I am not already tied up. If you would find this helpful drop me a line and I will pass it on to Kay. The Monday Morning Chat will remain open on ZOOM although I am not promising to always be in attendance but several people have asked for something with a little more focus in an evening. I am happy to host the ZOOM so that Readers from across the Diocese can take part. You can read something about Rabbi Naomi here: From a BBC newsroom to the pulpit as a rabbi - The Jewish Chronicle (thejc.com)and you can read more about the Hatch End Reformed Jewish Community Here!Prayer and my Mobile PhoneAttitudes to mobile phones and other technology van be quite polarized... the press portrays the evils of teenagers peering into mobile phone screens and not speaking to anyone, at our toddler group at church the leaders have noted the parents who spend the session on their phones and not playing with their children and then there are those who speak of Facebook as 'facade- book' and paint pictures of users as needy folk seeking approval, or as bullies, stalking and trolling the more vulnerable. Of course all those pictures are true of some people but life is not as simple as the easy stereotype that we can all feel cross about. Teenagers are all very different and some have never spoken to other people finding something to bury themselves in for all time.... social media has been a God-send to isolating people of all ages in the past year, and as for trolls and stalkers..... well they really are a hazard of the technological age. I really like my mobile phone and use it a lot..... but probably its chief function is as a camera! On my hour or so of dog walking in the early mornings I am always looking for a picture, something that shows the glory of God's creation, or that tells a story or something that just fascinates. Checking the weather, tide time tables and following footpaths on the installed ordnance survey maps probably comes a close second. And then of course are the radio programmes I have downloaded to listen to while I am out.... the…
In the Blog this week reflections on:The Reader Selection Day last weekLiving in Love and Faith Session 2For I went to the stall where they sold sweet lavender ("Only a penny for a bunch of lavender!").The joys of being an ex-teacher My dear wife, Lez, holding a box of lavender plants sent to us by Rocket Gardens by an ex-pupil, Paige who had heard of Lez's awful service from Suttons seeds who had sent the order so late and so badly packaged that nearly all of the plants were dead and not fit for purpose. If you click Lez's picture it will take you to Rocket Garden's very impressive online shop based near Helston. We shall be using them in future - so this is a free plug!! The Suttons Seeds offering In the last 12 months an ex-student has helped me to rebuild my computer to make it fit for ZOOM and editing video, anther had recued the gardener and others have sent lots of cheery messages and news..... still others I have seen as teachers and health service workers doing such a brilliant job in times of great stress. I count myself very lucky, and just a tad proud, to have known them and to have ben part of their education for a couple of years. Jane LePage has asked if I will publish the Tear Fund Link.... Click HERE and add the work of Tear Fund to Your Prayers If you have not watched the Simon Reeves programmes on Cornwall yet- you can still find them here... BBC Two - Cornwall with Simon Reeve Last Saturday 6 men and women presented themselves on ZOOM at the selection day to train as Readers beginning in September. We congratulate 4 of them on being selected and I ask your prayers for them as they face the hard work of studies over the next two or three years. Please also keep in your prayers those who were not selected and are still searching for what they are being called to by God. Presenting yourself to have your vocation, the task you think you may be called for, examined so closely calls for bravery, honesty, faith and trust and it is a huge privilege to be on the panel that listens to their personal stories and their answers to some really deep and stretching questions. Each of the six was asked to tell a story suitable for all age worship to the other members of the Wardens Advisory Committee and the others hoping for selection and then have an hour long in-depth interview as well as lunch with the rest of the Wardens committee on Zoom. Thank you to all of them. Last Wednesday I led the second Living in Love and Faith Course on ZOOM for a Redruth Benefice group. Session two produced some wonderful in-depth discussion and sharing of quite diverse ideas and feelings. The course video was a step up from the first one and really is well worth doing. …
On Sunday, I am leading a service in a Methodist Church for the fist time since 2019 so I am quite looking forward visiting Centenary (sent'n'ri) but I do wish we were not wearing masks and allowed to sing! If I am not leading a service, I would really rather be at home in my study running the ZOOM service in comfort. Zoom is to the fore tomorrow (Saturday 12th) when some brave men and women who have felt a call towards Reader Ministry, have to tell a story, attend a lunch (online) with the Warden's committee and have a searching interview. They will be informed at the end of the day whether they have been selected. It is not a competition and all, some or none may go on. On Wednesday I attended my third C2 session in 10 days with another on Monday - at least as a trainer I can also get my own safeguarding up to date which meant that I have had to redo the reflections and exercises but I have found it very beneficial in Benefice terms and it has prompted me to make some forms to collect details form all our churches about DBS checks, training levels and risk assessments. It is the first step in encouraging the next round of training, although some of the Church Wardens tell me they are on a waiting list for C2 courses because so many people want training. It is a good sign when people are looking to be trained. On Tuesday I went to the Bishop's Study Day which I found both informative and thought-provoking although on a different day I might be quite critical of some of the technical bits of the presentation. I would love to have another session on the topic but this time focussing on Cornwall's demographic and how we encourage greater diversity in our churches. When the first speaker was telling us about being turned away, or not exactly being welcomed at services in her own diocese I could not help but picture her arriving at the doors of St Andrews Redruth, or actually any of our benefice churches. Her problem would not be being turned away but how to escape the clutches of the welcome, and avoid being on the PCC, helping with the Arts Festival and being signed up for the Toddler Group before the end of her visit. That might sound a little flippant but Mean it in all seriousness - the only group that might have real problems of prejudice might be those who look like they might be drunk or on drugs, or "not altogether 'wholesome'! " However, I really have not investigated attitudes in our churches but I would imagine that there is a wide range with some fringe extremes as their are about women's ministry. Interesting and needs more work..... I just don't know how!The other big event was leading the first of the Living in Love and Faith sessions on ZOOM. Having gone through the…
Life seems to be gathering in pace rather like Barney's rubber ball rolling down the beach towards the sea.... as I am inextricably drawn to gallop after it as best as my ancient hips will allow. I find myseld unexpectedly preaching on Sunday at Treleigh in their somewhat delapidated hall (the church is being re-decorated) which will be a joy. Then there is a short worship to prepare for next Saturday for thr start of the Readers in Training selection / discernment day Please pray for all those putting themeselves forward for Reader Training that they might show the best of themselves and that the Holy Spirit will guide us and lead us to wise choices. Next Sunday I have my first Methodist service for well over a year at the wonderful Centenary Methodist Church in Camborne which some of you will know is the centre of much foodbank work and where Don Gardener, who has been such a prominent figure in fighting poverty in Cornwall, worships. Faith and mustard seeds seem good starting points there!Alongside that in Redruth we are beginning our series of Living in Love and Faith Groups - mine is on Wednesday evening on ZOOM and really should be very interesting. If you have not logged on the the Living in Love and Faith website and seen any of the fantastic resources and well prepared video stories I would urge you to do so. Living in Love and Faith | The Church of England Just click this link! It is amazing how things present themselves as a focus for instant prayer especially when I am out with Mr. Dog. This morning we found a string of blooms scattered along the tide line presumably washed up from a short time at sea. I wondered why they had been in the sea and considered a dropped bouquet, or scattered flowers at a scattering of ashes or thrown into the waves by someone who has had their offer of undying love rejected along with their flowers. Whatever the story of these flowers and that long stemmed red rose my prayers were for all those anonymous people and all those stories being written in real life as I write. Reader / Licenced Lay Ministry AdministrationYou shuld all have received a letter from Bishop Hugh about this and also requesting you to consider putting yourself forward to help with safeguarding training. If you missed the letter you can find it here... The Warden’s Page – Chaplain to Readers in the Diocese of Truro (readers-chaplain.org.uk)I joined in the ZOOM C2 training that is running currently and was really impressed by the quality of discussion and questioning and how attitudes to safeguarding have changed positively since I began to be involved as a trainer. It is a role I am delighted, and indeed privileged to be doing once more. Do consider it if you have teaching and leading skills.... it is SO important.
Yes I know it is a wild goose and Pentecost was last week, but this is a plug for the Lindisfarne Scriptorium which produces the most wonderful cards and art work and all sorts of other resources. New Products for May 2021, Lindisfarne Scriptorium, Treasures for the Journey (lindisfarne-scriptorium.co.uk) REPORT ON THE FUTURE OF READER MINISTRY- Prepared by the Diocesan Reader Ministry Working Party ReaderWPreport (Final) May 2021 this is the link to the This report is important reading for all Readers / Licensed Lay Ministers.It represents a good deal of consultation with Readers / LLMs in the diocese and has been ably and efficiently chaired by Reader- David Fieldsend who compiled it. please do read it.The report is now a standing item on the agenda of the Wardens group for consideration. If something is relatively easy to implement it will be done but some things will need to be presented to bodies such as the Diocesan Ministry team to consider and to respond to. I will be keeping you informed as I hear the outcomes.The working party was made up of the following people:David Fieldsend (Chair)Lay Chair, Carnmarth North Deanery SynodJim Seth (Warden’s Committee Liaison)Readers’ ChaplainRev Helen BaberRector, Lann Pydar BeneficeRev Caspar BushRural Dean, Carnmarth NorthRoy CooperReader, St Melors LinkinhorneJane DarlingtonReader, Waterside ChurchesLiz LaneReader, St Neot & WarlegganTony Le FevreReader, Camborne Cluster
With low tides in the mornings Mr. Dog has had his walks on the beach this week and we have walked through quite a range of weather from the glorious sunrise above to the bleakness of the rainy beach this morning buffeted along by gale force winds. But how grateful am I to be out in that to see the Wild Geese sweeping across the sky. Stained Glass Goose that arrived in timely fashion on the doorstep- a present from some worship leaders I was training. The Holy Spirit turns up when needed! :) This is the week of Thy Kingdom Come when we have been encouraged in all sorts of prayer but to pray especially for 5 people which I have certainly done, and begun a new prayer note book. It is not a journal or a diary although it might have some dates but it helps sometimes to write down names and situations that people ask me to pray for as well as thinking and praying through other situations and groups. Keeping an up to date Reader's prayer list is a....... Every time I see the wild geese I am reminded of the Celtic metaphor for the Holy spirit- imagine a wild goose landing on your shoulder rather than a gentle dove... those of us called to ministry may well have experienced this feeling! When we step out into something new trusting that the Holy Spirit will be with us to guide us sometimes it may not feel very comforting but we certainly know the direction in which we must go! This is the week of Thy Kingdom Come continued.......Keeping an up to date Readers prayer list is a near impossible task because one is operating in a vacuum where unless you go chasing there are no updates and no-one tells you who needs to be on the list or taken off the list. Mt admiration to Joy Gunter who kept it going for so long. So my own prayer note-book records those I am old about who I am praying for and anonymously those who need prayer who I have not been told about. It is a bit like the task set for Tregeagle up on Bodmin Moor..... Tomorrow I am preaching for Pentecost in church and online at the same time.... and I am grateful for the Monday Morning Reader's group where we discussed the readings! It was very helpful and I think we may spend a little time each week with the readings for the following Sunday- perhaps with a different volunteer leading the discussions. So a few facts about Wild Geese.....Wild Geese are fascinating birds, apart from being scary, and display interesting behaviours we might learn from …· flying in the V formation gives geese a seventy-one per cent increase in flying range, with flapping wings creating an updraft for the bird following. Flying is a co-operative business, · the lead goose in the V formation does not, of course, experience this updraft and so tires faster than the others. When the lead…
https://youtu.be/GW7i4jarpTE09:55:21 From Hugh Nelson : This is the report on Reader ministry that Imogen has just referred to - https://transformingministry.co.uk/publications-handbooks/#resourcing-sunday-to-saturday-faith09:56:04 From Hugh Nelson : And you can read Kingdom Calling here - https://www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/2020-10/Kingdom%20Calling%20Web%20Version.pdf09:57:04 From Lydia Remick : Thank you +Hugh09:58:53 From Hugh Nelson : https://transformingministry.co.uk/10:13:40 From Lydia Remick : Amen, thank you Imogen10:36:59 From David Fieldsend : We seem to have a tension between training that could be accessible and modular and losing the benefit of training readers and clergy side by side.10:37:03 From Claire Salzmann : We 5 agreed to disagree! 10:37:37 From Lydia Remick : My husband is drilling so I will type. Biggest things in our room were concern about ‘dumbing down’ of training if it was modular v’s the accessibility if we want working age people to be able to training with more flexibility. 10:37:48 From Sue Wilcox : Encouraging ideas and thoughts from Imogen10:37:53 From Robin West : We thought modular was a good idea but must ensure we do not dilute theology study.10:37:55 From Deborah Crocker : I liked the idea of modules to top up training but was less certain of that as a way to do initial training as the danger was losing the benefits of a group working through tricky material together and supporting one another10:38:19 From Richard Laugharne : Richard from Room 2: we agreed with Imogen that the idea of modules was a good one; but character formation and supervision is as important for leadership and accountability. Need both skills and attitudes suitable for spiritual leadership.10:38:35 From Richard Laugharne : Happy to speak10:38:58 From Jane Kneebone : Ordained ministry and licensed lay ministry are different and distinct callings. 10:42:47 From William Hazelton : In favour of modular bur should be core basics on fundamentals. Anyway, why distinction between lay and ordained?!10:42:56 From Kay Short : Do we have local reader groups for continued learning and encouragement post licensing? I miss the theological discussions we had when training!10:43:04 From Claire Salzmann : Why would modular = dumbing down / lost? It strikes me that there would be no need to water down the content just because it is being delivered in a different manner.10:43:29 From Lydia Remick : I agree Claire, I don’t see the link between modular and dumbing down…10:44:21 From Robin West : I do not think we were suggest it would dumb down, but fear that it must be keep in check that it does not.10:45:17 From Kay Short : With modular would there be a core set of modules that everyone did need to do, then a choice of modules so you could play to your own particular calling? But how might you discover God is calling you to something you haven’t thought of if you don’t experience the wider range of modules?10:45:25 From Lydia Remick : Some of us started weird and don’t plan to change!10:49:55 From Kay Short : Could there be an option to do additional modules after licensing?10:50:36 From Jane Kneebone :…
Each Monday morning for the past year a group of readers in various combinations has met to chat between 10 and 11:30. The mixture of topics has been fluid and for the most part there is no set agenda but after a chat with William we are going to trial spending at least half an hour each week looking at the lectionary readings for the following Sunday which will help any of us who are preaching. TheSunday following the next Monday morning is Pentecost when I shall be preaching from St Euny so I have a particular interest in wanting folks to join in and share their experience and learning! The link is in the email and the room is open from 9:30 - there is no waiting room!!
with services resuming in churches across the benefice Zoom continues to be a popular way to worship especially for those who are not able to come to church for a variety of reasons from the infirmity of age to having to work and from being resident in a hospice or hospital to being out of county.St Andrews has a telephone line with a broadband link so Zooming from church was comparatively simple there. St Euny, where they hoped to open a sort of internet café to teach people who are not confident with the technology. Getting BT to put in a line proved to be full of obstacles and so through O2 they obtained a 4gb hub (with a grant) which would provide access for enough devices at the same time. The rest of the benefice has found the hub invaluable for streaming / zooming services from the other churches. A service typically uses a few gbs of data and the cost of the rental is roughly £1 per gb so pretty good value even without a grant. The nature of the ZOOMING will certainly change over time without the need to stream music from St Martin in the Fields or YouTube but Zooms are set to continue because they are a way of reaching our most vulnerable at the time they need the church the most.. the challenge is reaching those who do not have the technology or no longer have the capacity to use it, Morning prayer on ZOOM (link by request) is at 9am every morning and continues to be a delight especially when most services begin after we have calmed the participants from a fit of mirthful laughter about the topic of conversation of the morning. There are rarely less than 8 people and often as many as 18 each morning experiencing a variety of styles from Northumbrian Celtic office to Common Worship but usually with the thread of lectionary readings and psalm. One we can go back to church, I don't see this transferring but rather being a permanent electronic fixture.
Barney a.k.a. Mr. Dog or Barnabus is cultivating his own fan-club on my Facebook page (link here: (3) Jim Seth | Facebook) and so everyday there is a small but growing group for whom I publish pictures each morning and update on his behaviour and training progress. I am also trying to take a picture a day I can put on Twitter with a prayer focus. This morning was a photograph of fern fronds of bracken unfurling in the midst of the still smelling gorse fire-scorched land with the words,"bracken like a phoenix arising from the ashes of the gorse fire - in the depths of the blackest moments something is waiting to grow.... I am praying for those who are waiting today." I like twitter for following certain folk - if you would like to follow my prayer posts they are here: Jim (@Trewirgies) / Twitter Ball please! Your serve.....
Last Monday at the Coffee and Conversation Chat we had a frivolous ten minutes coming up with possible straplines for those considering reader ministry..... I wonder if you have one to add?Want some high adrenalin adventure…..? become a readerFeel called to feed sheep? Be a ReaderReader ministry reaches the parts that others don’tProbably the best preaching in the WorldReader Ministry – Just do itReader Ministry because you’re worth it…..Cornish Reader ministry- not jam tomorrow – Jam firstReader ministry – have it your way…Reader ministry – is it in you?Reader Ministry- we go the extra mile.Reader Ministry now appearing in pulpits everywhereReader ministry – it gives you wings,,Reader Ministry- Any time anywhereReader ministry- we can pass the buckYou don’t have to be crazy to be a reader but it helps…Keep Calm and carry on …… preachingBecome a Reader- your country needs youReader ministry- work rest and pray.I am looking to hearing more from Bishop Hugh at the Readers Day tomorrow and from other readers about what they think their role is in succinct, easy to understand terminology. Below are four definitions offered to the current working party which will be presenting its report very soon. David Fieldsend will be sharing more information about it at Readers Day. Community (or lay) theologians who enable everyday faith.Licensed Lay Minister is a key role (?) embedded in the local church and community. Teaching the gospel in word and action, in work and in playA multifaceted role grown from the gifts of the individual.A wide-ranging ministry, from Bible-Studies and House Group leadership to mentoring worship leaders and taking funerals backed by accredited theological training enabling the Reader/LLM to bring the gospel to the people.A Reader is a Lay Minister working under episcopal license and in agreement with their incumbent, theologically trained and qualified to preach, teach, lead church services and interpret the Christian faith to other lay people from a position of understanding of secular life and to offer pastoral care in the name of the church to all sorts and conditions of people in sickness and in health, in dying and bereavement. They are also to assist in mobilising fellow laity for mission and helping to build discipleship