This week has been an another interesting one beginning with preaching at our Benefice Joint Service at All Saints Lanner. It is amazing that after 34 years of preaching that I still get that adrenaline hit in those minutes before as I pray prior to preaching but if I did not get it, I would start to worry that I was starting to take the privilege of preaching for granted. Although I had a slip of paper with half a dozen well-rehearsed points it was more of a 'comfort-blanket' and I did not refer to it. You may be relieved that I am not going to relate the seron content here!Monday Morning and Ministers in Conversation (on ZOOM) was the first time I have logged in where the women outnumbered the men which i thought was fantastic! There were some great discussions and conversations and I do hope more folk will spare an hour of their Monday mornings and join us. Anyone, lay or ordained.... or worship leader.... or in training.... or retired is most welcome to join us! Just look out for the link in the emails and drop in between 10 and 11! I know some who would like to join can't because of other commitments - if I get enough requests, I will set up an evening one as well.Deanery Reader ChaplainsThe Deanery Chaplains are going to be a key part of the way Readers / Licensed Lay Ministers are looked after and represented. It is vital to have some folk who will contact, listen to and be available to Readers in their areas whether they are current, in training or retired. They will also relay Reader concerns to the Warden's Group and be an influence on the way the diocese works with Lay Ministry. If you are not already in the role please do consider whether it is part of the vocation to which God is calling you. If you have been a DRS and you feel that it is time for someone else to step up, please do not feel guilty about stepping back and do let me know. On Monday afternoon I helped lead the Safeguarding Leadership Course which, as always, provided a great forum for discussion and I invariably come away with something I need to remember to do from a job description for a toddler group helper to a risk assessment for food bank volunteers. I am still unconvinced about the wording of the booklet instructing participants to reflect on four questions before they come to the first session. The problem, for me, is the mention of a word count of 250-350 words. Yes, the invitation to use bullet points has been added but it still looks like an examination instruction and that is not what we are doing safeguarding for. We want folk to reflect on the issues and to make some notes for discussion on each of the topics..... why does the National Safeguarding Team insist on making it look like part…
This week I had a lesson in how to use he CMS (Contact Management System) with the very patient Lesley Fusher, which holds all the records for the Diocese. In future all emails from me will come through that system. The advantage is that only one list will have to be kept up to date. The disadvantage, at least initially, is that some Readers may drop off the list and some folk who have requested to be kept in touch but are not on the CMS database might miss out. If that is you, perhaps because you live outside the diocese or because you hung up your blue scarf some years ago, then please let me know and I will make a separate group and forward the emails to you. I have found one already, Chris K.! Last Week was the meeting of the Warden’s Group which is the key group who look after Readers and promotes Licensed Lay Ministry. Various topics are discussed from the Annual Reader Service planning to queries from individual Readers and from the Handbook updates to Reader Safeguarding matters. The group decided that we should resurrect the title ‘Reader Emeritus’ for those who no longer officiate with a blue scarf! Do you know someone who used to be a reader or someone whose license has lapsed? We want to make sure they are on the Readers Emeritus list (if they want to be!) so that they receive prayer and relevant communication. The new reader handbook - what will change? The reader handbook is being rewritten to focus on modern Licensed Lay Ministry and to show that the Diocese is really serious bout promoting and valuing our vocation. It will reflect the requirements for regular ministerial review, safeguarding, the scope of Reader ministry and the evolving committee structures.More news on this towards the end of the summer when we hope to have a draft to send out for consultation and comment. Deanery Chaplains! Changes to the areas in which they operate and in their duties and responsibilities - there is likely to be a commissioning in October. Some chaplains (DRSs) have not been able to do very much in their areas, either because of lack of response or because they are too busy themselves. The idea is that we will group deaneries together so that there are a number of Readers and nobody is isolated making it possible to have training, discussions and the occasional social event. It will also give the chaplains a list of folks to pray for and to contact every now and again for pastoral work. I came up with a few ways of doing this but came unstuck with crossing Arch-deaconries… so back to the drawing board for a week or so! The reader magazine- what happens when the subscription runs out in January? I know some of you will be disappointed that the diocese will no longer be paying the Transforming Ministry Magazine subscription, whereas others will either not mind or not care. When subscriptions run out in…
Saturday July 2nd 2022Chaplain’s Blog 02-07-2022I am hoping that next week might be a time of taking a step back and reflecting on the busy times of previous months, but as in all these high hopes things turn up that must be done, or that cannot be avoided – or they are things we just want to do even when we should be saying, “no”However with Ministers in Conversation on Monday morning and story telling sessions at a local primary school on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings it might be tricky!On Thursday I am seeing my spiritual director over a cup of coffee and on Thursday afternoon I have booked a ministerial review using the new format to produce a work agreement. Probably very little will change from what I do know but it is good to be able to look back and take stock. As we have a new curate, I have suggested that they should be there for the meeting because it is a good learning opportunity for him to see how a review might be done as part and parcel of the work of the ministry team. If working in teams is the way of the future and we are certainly “on the Way” to that with fewer stipendiary clergy in charge of ever more churches, then training for incumbents needs to include all the tools for leadership and people management as much as theology! The community of licensed lay ministers has a responsibility to help and support here as far as our abilities and energies will allow. We must play our part in being encouraging, enabling, and empowering, fostering the vocations in others, and supporting those who take on leadership roles. (Even if that support sometimes means a tricky conversation as a critical friend)Last Thursday some brave souls came forward to selection for training for Licensed Lay Ministry and as always, it was a privilege to listen and hear their stories and then to be part of the team / panel to decide the next part of their ministerial path. In general, we have fewer people coming forward, and certainly few faithful folk under the age of 50 (or even 60) which means that the number of readers is decreasing overall and the average age is increasing year by year. As there will be fewer clergy, there will be fewer Readers but hopefully those in post will be energetic and committed team players.Work Agreement-ministerial review template final May 22But….Back to that work agreement form! A reader suggested to me the other week that once someone was a “Reader” that they were always a Reader…. In much the same way as a Priest is always a priest even if they cease to operate as one. I disagree, and certainly the wording on the work agreement template would support my opinion,We understand a Reader to be ‘A Lay Minister working under episcopal licence and in agreement with their incumbent, theologically trained and qualified to preach, teach, lead church services and…
The Lord’s Table Penwith Deanery Readers/Lay Ministers’ Newsletter Issue 9 This very old rose was planted by my grandfather some seventy years ago. Its fragrance is beautiful. I can never pass it without stopping to enjoy what Papa planted. We are blessed by so much that has been lovingly planted in our life’s garden! I was reminded yesterday when I stopped of this song written by Graham Kendrick in 1986. May the fragrance of Jesus fill this place. (Men)May the fragrance of Jesus fill this place. (Women)May the fragrance of Jesus fill this place. (Men)Lovely fragrance of Jesus, (Women)Rising from the sacrifice (All)Of lives laid down in adoration. May the glory of Jesus fill His church. (Men)May the glory of Jesus fill His church. (Women)May the glory of Jesus fill His church. (Men)Radiant glory of Jesus, (Women)Shining from our faces (All)As we gaze in adoration. May the beauty of Jesus fill my life. (Men)May the beauty of Jesus fill my life. (Women)May the beauty of Jesus fill my life. (Men)Perfect beauty of Jesus, (Women)Fill my thoughts, my words, my deeds, (All)My all I give in adoration. As we lead and share in Worship, may this be our prayer. May we be blessed and be a blessing! John, (Penwith Deanery Lay Ministers’ Chaplain)
121 CV Thought for the Day – St.Peter, St.Paul and Trinity II by Didymus Evensong Readings:Acts Ch.3, vv1-16.Gospel: John ch.21, vv1-19 We will be celebrating St.Peter and St.Paul on Wednesday next, but I have anticipated in the choice of readings the memory of our two leaders of the Christian faith following the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry.The two readings are Luke’s wonderful account in the Acts of the Apostles of the healing of the lame man at the Beautiful Gate of the Temple. Peter’s words to the lame man are quite riveting to the Christian: Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.The Gospel records the forgiving of Peter by the Risen Jesus. Both readings are illustrated here.Sitting here, writing this particular Thought for the Day in glorious hot sunny weather, truly the West Country is paradise on earth, with the beauty of the villages, the landscape with animals, farmers working the land, and the glory of the trees and hedges. The beauty of Creation seduces us away from the problems and worries of the world, of which there are of course many. Far too many.Petertide is when the Church ordains people who have been selected from those offering their lives. After a period of intensive training and practical experience, each ordinand is presented to the Bishop, who lays hands on each one and prays that the Holy Spirit will influence their lives for good in the times to come. The ordained person is a deacon, who wears the priestly stole across, like a sash. A year later, working under an incumbent, the deacon is priested, the stole is worn as a scarf, and which permits presiding at Holy Communion and all the privileges reserved to the priesthood. It is an occasion when all that one hoped for in serving God starts to become reality. We must remember those to be ordained along with “our” priests in our prayers.With the damage suffered by the church, reduced congregations, a reluctance to take part in church governance, particularly in finance, as I have remarked several times, the church is in a tailspin. It seems that the parish level is waiting for a lead from above, and at a senior level none is given. What is clear beyond peradventure is that the ability of a Diocese to continue to pay stipends to all its priests is now in doubt, and there will have to be change. The cost of a stipendiary priest must be about £60K with everything taken into account – a few years ago it was £52K. Will some priests need a second job in future? “House for duty” is a contract where a priest has a home, in return for which services and some pastoral duties are fulfilled. It was regarded by Bishop Tim as unfair, since often a priest was called upon when not on duty as part of the contract. It is.It…
Friday 24th June 2022Deacons and PriestsAs I write this the new Deacons who have their initiation this evening and those to be priested tomorrow are finishing their time at Epiphany house on Silent retreat. I had the joy and privilege of being their chaplain for the day yesterday - being available for conversation, leading Morning and Evening prayer and acting as Deacon at the lunchtime eucharist service. I hope the fact that my daughter chose to ring my mobile phone as I spoke the introduction to Morning Prayer (yes, I should have switched it to silent) will be a lasting lesson to them not to do the same. :) On Tuesday I went to Lis Escop to observe the legally binding promises that group made complete with bewigged lawyer as witness. It certainly marked the solemnity and importance of what they were undertaking. Petertide Ordinations 2022 - Truro Diocese : Truro Diocese - A link to those involved this year. Vocations: Whenever I am involved in these things, be it Chaplain on an Ordinand's retreat or on the panel for Reader selection it makes me review my own vocation because I have always held the view that vocations evolve over time. In a discussion with St Austell Readers recently the fact that both warden and deputy warden are ordained ministers was questioned and why they were not lay positions. Further to that it was suggested that I might take it on! My thoughts are that the wardens position needs to be held by someone who can action change and not merely talk about it. My vocation, although it has shifted a bit over the years has always been in support of others, to act as a critical friend where needed and to come up with ideas. In teaching I was happiest as deputy-head and really did not like my spells as headteacher where I spent far too much time dealing with administration rather than anything to do with the children! In the church, I love my role as Reader/Licensed Lay Minister because I can support my incumbent, take some of the load and I am in the glorious position of being able to suggests things without being where the buck stops. Chaplaincy to the Readers Our deaneries are all very different in both character and in the distribution of Licensed Lay Ministry. Previously each deanery had a deanery reader steward, or DRS and that role has now changed to Deanery Chaplains to Readers. I do wonder if this should be extended to Deanery Chaplains to Lay ministers to include worship leaders and others who hold some sort of diocesan authority. Graham in St Austell is already inviting worship leaders to take part in their meetings which I think is a good move. We are exploring how we might group the deaneries so that ministers are not isolated and without colleagues or a chaplain. More news on this as it is discussed. We do have deaneries without anyone and readers who feel called to chaplaincy but are not in…
Form the Turo Diocesan Magazine
Dear fellow Readers / Licensed Lay Ministers The blog / website will updated during this week with any documents mentioned below.Reader’s Day prompted questions about a few issues which were then discussed at the Wardens Group Meeting this week.Where can a Reader Minister?To avoid any confusion….. I can confirm that all licensed lay ministers, whether they have a full license or still have permission to officiate, may minister outside their own local area by invitation and with permission from their own incumbent.We briefly discussed whether the same was true for local worship leaders; although we felt that the same rule should apply, we could not find a definitive answer and that is being investigated.Transforming Ministry MagazineHaving consulted with Readers about how much, or little they read the magazine and whether they would pay for it the cost of £18 per head, is not tenable in the current financial climate especially as over half the respondents either did not read the magazine or only glanced at it. Therefore, the wardens group decided that if Readers want the magazine, they should subscribe for themselves. If any readers find the magazine particularly valuable but find the financial commitment difficult the diocese will provide some bursaries. Anyone in this position should speak to the Deputy Warden or to the Chaplain.Paperwork and Re-licensing: All readers will now have to be relicensed every three years and those who currently hold PTO will be fully relicensed when that PTO runs out. The paperwork for this process including the new work agreement / ministerial review has been agreed and will be sent out my Mel Pomeroy from the Admin team as licenses fall due. I will put finalised copies on the Chaplain’s Website in due courseDBS checks and the renewal of safeguarding training will be integral in re-licensing. Safeguarding As I sit on the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Panel (DSAP) I shared a paper on the positives and the problems of safeguarding faced by readers in their local churches. I will share that paper on the blog page. I do hope that it reflects your feelings and concerns. Report for the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory PanelReader Handbook:The Reader Handbook is well out of date and a group has been tasked with updating it. Readers Handbook - as at 17th October 2013This will include changes to arrangements for committees and meetings. Some of these changes are detailed in a paper from Bishop Hugh which will also appear in the blog when it has been updated. 2022 May - Readers update summaryDeanery Reader Stewards / Deanery Chaplains to Readers.It was agreed a while ago that the role of Steward should evolve into the role of Deanery Chaplains, and I am delighted that a few of our new chaplains have taken on the new mantle with effect and enthusiasm. David and John at different ends of the county have been telephoning Readers in their deaneries and Graham in the middle has arranged a programme of discussions and activities. We are aware that some Readers are fairly…
Emma, Bishop of Lambeth led our first session after morning worship led by Margaret Sylvester-Thorne. Please note that the worship songs have been muted to avoid YouTube Copywrite infringements. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OR24-JVRrs4In Part two of the Reader Day Bishop Hugh sent a video message and some questions to challenge. This section contains a good deal of interesting discussion between those present - especially in the AGM section and the general feedback / plenary. https://youtu.be/PhdOh_gHgBIhttps://youtu.be/bNUqAIWFt4ABelow is a video participants were encouraged to watch before coming to Reader Day..... worth a watch if you have not seen it already. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDPzOLOdczA&t=2sSome people requested the report on Reader Ministry (spoken about by Bishop Hugh) by the sub-group of the Warden's Committee ReaderWPreport (Final) May 2021 Reader Day Chat Comments10:01:05 From Emma Ineson : “Lord God Almighty who was and is and is to come” (Revelation 4.8).10:01:39 From Emma Ineson : : “He has made everything suitable for its time; moreover he has put a sense of past and future into their minds, yet they cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end” (3.11).10:03:01 From Emma Ineson : “Remember the long way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, in order to humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart,” (Deuteronomy 8.2)10:03:42 From Emma Ineson : ‘A Christianity that seeks the Lord among the ruins of the past and encloses him in the tomb of habit is a Christianity without Easter’.10:05:51 From Emma Ineson : 15While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, 16but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17And he said to them, ‘What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?’ They stood still, looking sad. 18Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, ‘Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?’ 19He asked them, ‘What things?’ They replied, ‘The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. 21But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place..’10:08:24 From Emma Ineson : will power and way power10:09:50 From Emma Ineson : Proverbs 13.12 says: “Hope deferred makes the heart sick”.10:13:05 From Emma Ineson : We had hoped ….10:14:54 From Jim : to meet in person..... but found the joys of zoom10:15:28 From Sandy Massie : … to be further On The Way and have a better idea of the destination. (Kerrier)10:15:46 From Claire Salzmann : we wouldn't seek to return to 'normal', but reach for 'newness'10:16:02 From Lydia Remick : Amen Claire.10:16:31 From Lydia Remick : … for more openness to lay ministries where they are not yet being utilised10:16:56 …
114 CV Thought for the Day – Easter IV by DidymusEvensong: ReadingsActs ch.9, vv36-endJohn ch.12, vv20-26 The Lectionary has requested that the reading from Acts should be read at the principal service, and as Evensong is St.Michaels’ principal service I have included in place of the OT reading.The reading from John describes an encounter between Jesus and the Pharisees and their adherents. It was during the Festival of Dedication, or Festival of Lights during November – December. The crowd pressed Jesus to declare whether he was the Messiah. Jesus was quite explicit, and concluded with the declaration - “I and the Father are one”. It didn’t go down terribly well. Faced with the choice Jesus lays before us, do we follow him (to coin a familiar phrase), or do we stick with how our lives have been shaped and what we know for certain. The Jews stuck with what they had been told and what they knew.I remember Tabitha, or Dorcas in the reading from Acts from an unsuspected source. British Railways bought some very expensive diesel locomotives, and the first was to be named ceremonially. On learning of the name, the GM said that it should have been Dorcas. Why? Because it was full of good works. (Groan – Ed) The story of the raising of Tabitha is charming, as is the story of the healing of the lame man in Ch.3. The Book of Acts was almost certainly written by Luke as a second part of his Gospel, and it describes the acts of both Peter and Paul in response to the command of Jesus at his Ascension. Both men were the means of miracles, and in a sense they continued to be taught and led by Jesus in spirit. The Gospels take us from the earliest times to the Passion, the end of Jesus’ earthly life. The Book of Acts takes us, uniquely, from Jesus’ Ascension forward into the first century AD. The question that teases the mind is when and how Luke gathered his information. And from whom. What Luke tells us is unique. It is the only record we have of the miraculous deeds worked through the faiths of Peter and Paul. It is enormously valuable, detailing Peter’s post-Ascension ministry, and Paul’s journeys. The narrative of Acts, which is thought to have been written between 80 and 90AD, contains quite detailed information on the events. It suggests to me that for many years before embarking on his Gospel, Luke kept quite a lot of written records of the work of the Apostles which informed his Gospel and Acts. The alternative suggestion is that Luke had a remarkably long memory for detail and chronology which of course is quite possible. Whichever it may be, it is clear that our debt to St. Luke is beyond value and we give thanks for his words. We continue to pray for peace in this world, especially in Ukraine, and the other parts of this violent world obscured from us for the time being…
Rick Cowdery, an LLM with the Diocese's Saltash Hub, is taking the Christian Aid 300,000 Steps in May Challenge for Christian Aid.For more than 70 years, Christian Aid has been standing with the poorest of our neighbours. They work in 37 countries to stand up for dignity, equality and justice.Everyone is equal in the sight of God.Yet we live in a world where poverty still persists.Poverty is an outrage against humanity. It robs people of their dignity and lets injustice thrive. Find out more about it at the Christian Aid Website- where you might like to take up the challenge along with Rick! Just click this text or the picture below to go straight there! However, together, we have the power to transform lives.Step by step.Together, we can create a world where everyone can live.Step by step.Together, we can restore justice to our world.Step by step.Rick has set up a JustGiving page at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/rick-cowdery where you can, if you feel so moved, chuck a few spare coppers to help some of your poor neighbours. Some are closer than you maybe think.Thank you.#CAW #300Ksteps