The Chaplain’s Blog

David Watson   Are you a theological newt?   I am sure I am not alone in being asked, on a regular basis, “What exactly is a Reader?” For me, the answer lies in a pond!   Some years ago, I had the privilege of attending a summer school in Cambridge and to take part in some seminars being led by one of the United States’ leading practical theologians, Revd Professor Dr Stephen Sprinkle. What a name … what an inspirational man!   His thesis was that in the journey we make through the books of the Bible – from Genesis to the great Revelation at the end – the Letter to the Hebrews is the hinge. The gathering point on which all our practical Christian activity pivots.   Professor Sprinkle, who was for 10 years pastor to a poor community in Texas, described himself as a “theological newt”, because he, in his own words, “lives in the swamplands that are practical pastoral theology”.   He taught us much about looking at worlds within worlds and how it is actually the edges of the pond that teem with life. Not the middle, or the surface, or the bottom, but the edges. The swampy muddy margins where the water meets the land, where liquid interacts with solid, where gills give way to lungs and fins become legs, where grotesque larvae hatch into delicate caddis flies and kaleidoscopic dragonflies. And it is at the swampy muddy margins that some of the most beautiful of wild flowers abound.   The creatures of the swampy margins are not always pretty though … newts and frogs and toads are seldom described in terms of beauty or endearment, as many a fairytale will attest. And the swampy muddy margins often smell, releasing noxious methane gas that sometimes self ignites to give us the mysterious Will o’ the Wisp.   Professor Sprinkle told us that to become real practical, pastoral theologians, to find Jesus in action, we should get our hands and feet dirty; that we should leave behind the comfort zones in our lives, those places where we know we can succeed, and seek out those places and tasks where we fear failure. For it is only when we fear failure that we will truly trust ourselves to God’s will.   In support of this, Professor Sprinkle would often quote us verses 12-13 of Hebrews, chapter 13:  ‘Therefore Jesus also suffered outside the city gate in order to sanctify the people by his own blood. Let us then go to him outside the camp and bear the abuse he endured. For here we have no lasting city, but we are looking for the city that is to come’.   So maybe to find Him, we too must travel to the margins, to the edges, the wetlands of this world … to the swamp. To the places in our communities where rich meets poor, where well meets sick, where comfort meets desperation and depression, where emptiness and…

 Firstly, a reminder that Monday morning at 10 is our Minsters in Conversation Hour on ZOOM- it being the first Monday of the Month.Secondly: Funeral Training: Funeral ministry training morning for Readers on Saturday 7th March at the Old Cathedral School. 9.45am-12.30pm. All Readers are welcome.Thirdly: Thoughts.Recently I watched “Pilgrimage with Simon Reed” Pilgrimage with Simon Reeve - BBC iPlayer a really good set of three programmes that got me thinking about a number of issues. Reeve declares that he does not have a faith but h is open-minded approach and easy conversation makes his exploration a fascinating and thought-provoking watch.‘Pilgrimage’ is a three‑part documentary series in which Simon Reeve retraces historic pilgrimage routes across Britain, Europe, and the Middle East, exploring the history, spirituality, dangers, and human stories behind these ancient journeys.In Episode 1 – ‘Britain’, Reeve begins on Holy Island (Lindisfarne) and follows routes linked to Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales and he explores how pilgrimage shaped early British spirituality and culture.In Episode 2 – ‘Western Europe’ the journey continues across the Pyrenees, through Alpine monasteries, and onward to Rome. He examines the hardships and motivations of medieval European pilgrims.And in Episode 3 – ‘The Holy Land’ he starts in Istanbul, and travels to Jerusalem, tracing routes taken by pilgrims for centuries. He reflects on what pilgrimage means today, including for those who are not religious.The series highlights the vices, thrills, dangers, and spiritual longing that shaped pilgrimage traditions and uncovers many forgotten aspects of pilgrimage, blending history, travel, and personal reflection.So here is the thinking bit…..Many of the more widely publicised pilgrimages conclude at huge edifices  with relics, statues, fine art and gold leaf enough to satisfy the needs of microchip builders for years to come!  Into my head as I saw the cameras pan around these huge places came the story of the Happy Prince by Oscar Wild…. The Happy Prince by Oscar Wilde (click here if you have not come across it)The last poke into the thoughts was preparing for  our Redruth Team Lent Course this year… which focusses on generosity….  My Rector writes “This course has a really whole life approach to generosity, not just finance, so it develops healthy habits!! But hopefully challenges the idea of giving what’s easy to give. “https://exeter.anglican.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/All-Small-group-resources.pdfhttps://exeter.anglican.org/resources/generous-giving/generositybiblestudy/So the thoughts were around the riches of the church, where the money came from to build those edifices,  the place of relics, the ‘Widow’s Mite’ and the Happy Prince’s Heart…  where do we go from here?  

Chaplain’s Blog Stardate Last month I fell for the advertising of a fee month of audible subscription for audio books and it has been great for my couple of hours of dog walking each day!  When my first ‘credit’ ran out I looked for some free texts and found Timothy West reading “Barchester Towers” – 24 hours plus of glorious story telling about the ecclesiastical goings-on of the fictional Diocese of Barchester in the 1850s where miscommunication (amongst other things) causes a myriad of problems.  It has made me laugh and to the think about the parallels and differences with the church today and our own diocese. I had occasion to pop into the Old Cathedral School, where the church offices are now, last week and was given the warmest of greetings by all which was in in sharp contrast to the frosty political manoeuvrings of the Barchester Bishop’s Palace!  My purpose that day was to chat to our new head of Ministry, Isaac, about Lay ministry in general and we were joined by Bob Moffet a reader from North Cornwall who had replied at length to my previous blogs on the subject. The question posed was,” What does the kingdom of God, the congregations and wider community, require of Licensed Lay ministers and lay leaders and what is the best way to provide capacity? “ Thoughts: When I took my first services as a reader back in the late 1980s, matins and evensong were the order of the day in several benefice churches with only St Andrews having a eucharist every week and it had an additional 8am ‘said’ communion service. These days, Redruth is a united single parish of five church buildings with regular lay-led services. In all of them and communion services interspersed where capacity allows.   For part of the congregations, the lack of Sunday communion in their particular church building is a sad loss. They could, of course, go to one of the other churches to receive communion but for the most part they do not.   Around the diocese the situation is much worse in some places, according to Readers who have spoken to me about their situation, especially where parishes are in vacancy. The service of Holy Communion by Extension has been mooted as an answer but the rules around it which involve taking the already consecrated host from another church that morning and not held over from a previous mid-week or the previous Sunday make life very difficult especially where travel between churches down narrow country lanes is involved. I understand that in some places the rules are used merely as a guideline to actual practice! There is a difference between need and want. Congregations say they want many things from a priest in every church, to young people who like old services or change as long as they can sit in the same pew and sing the hymns they like. What they need and what their church in the wider sense of the word, needs could well be different altogether. But…

Chaplain’s Blog Stardate 17-10-2025 – Bishop David’s Challenge and Reflections Last Saturday it was wonderful to see so many gathered readers at the service and to be able to welcome our four newest Licensed Lay Ministers. I was there the whole day, beginning with a meeting with the new readers to be licensed in the Old Cathedral school as they had to make their promises to the Bishop. Bishop Hugh had been warden to the Readers LLMs and so it was most fitting that as he comes to the end of his time in Truro that he officiated and went on to preach at the service and that the licenses were issued in his name. After the OCS part of the day, I went over to the cathedral, put on my robes and stood about to welcome the Readers and their families as they arrived..  and to check what microphone I had to use for my bit… and where I was supposed to be sitting which is always a worry in these formal events! The next hour was filled with rehearsals for the wonderful Trigg Minor and Bodmin deanery Choir, the people being licensed, the folk receiving long service awards, the assisting minister and so on… and all the while old friends arriving with hands to shake and stories to catch up on.  Then came the organisation of the procession!  Canon Sue attempting to herd priests, readers, choir and assorted others into the appropriate places in the Chapter House, meanwhile, Claire the Reader events secretary was running about just as much making sure that people had arrived and knew their places and to find a substitute to read the lesson! Finally, two hours after I had first arrived the service began- the reader part of the procession taking a detour until they caught up with the rest…   and following the first hymn, clutching my roving microphone and my service book I found my seat next to the archdeacon. Bishop David presided, and Bishop Hugh preached…  asking us to look at what our real blessings are; and later, Bishop David challenged us to find five more readers each ……. Today, a week later, I am Chaplain for the day at the Foundations in Ministry Course, this one focusing on Vocations amongst other things.  On the other side of Epiphany house the Diocesan DDO is leading a large group also about Vocations! So….  Encouraging five more people to Reader Ministry… could I do that? How would I do that? Should I, even, do that?  Perhaps it would be more realistic to encourage five more people to consider whether they have a vocation and what that call on them might be whether it is church warden or reader, priest or prophet, worship leader of local lay leader. Here is my thinking, and I am well aware that some of my opinions might get me into hot water in some quarters but I am going to say it anyway! The current model of Reader training, especially the cutbacks mean that the trainees have to travel…

Of the Arrival of Bishop David, Reader day and a poser about Communion.... Chaplain’s blog Stardate 17- 05-2025I write this while watching the installation of Bishop David, and feeling rather glad it is being live steamed so that I can sit in my study in relative comfort and protect my dodgy hips and knees!Watching online has a few downsides, like getting distracted by writing a blog, interruptions by Mr Dog wanting attention or he possibility of the phone ringing on the other hand the different camera angles allow seeing much more of the wondrous goings-on!  The Anglican church really does do a wonderful ceremonial service on these occasions- the good folk of the cathedral staff will be exhausted afterwards!Of course, as Readers we got a privileged preview of Bishop David’s ministry last week in St Petroc’s in Bodmin for Reader Day when those of us listened to his views on Lay Ministry and took part in a question and answer session.  For those of you who missed it.. Reader Tim Symons said it was, “an interesting and encouraging day last Saturday. It was great to hear from such a range of speakers from such a wide variety of ministries, especially the bishop, and the refreshments were excellent too!” Which just about sums up the mood of the room I think!   Claire Salzmann- deserves a huge vote of thanks for all the work she put in to organising the event.But back to the cathedral…A full cathedral and 206 people online listened to  Bishop David’s first sermon in the Cathedral beginning with thanks to Bishop Hugh, our warden to Readers which received well deserved warm applause from the congregation. It looks like Truro, for the moment, has a wonderful team at the top! We will indeed pray for Bishop David, and indeed Bishop Hugh as they pray for us.My prayer is that as Readers we will be inspired, motivated and warmed by the fire of their faith.Readers and Communion…. Or one sort and another. In various conversations with Readers I have gleaned a variety of opinions and practices from across the diocese.Reader involvement in the Eucharist falls into three categoriesThe service of the word part of the communion service up to the ‘Peace’Taking communion to those who are unable to leave home or to groups in Care Homes.Communion by Extension.Personally I am reluctant to do communion by extensionI feel my ministry is distinctive to that of a priest and somehow communion by extension seems a second-class option.The diocesan rules; (links below) are clear and quite specific about wat must or must not be done.  https://trurodiocese.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/CbE-in-DoT-policy.pdf  https://trurodiocese.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Training-liturgy.pdfGoing to a service early on a Sunday to collect the blessed sacraments and then going on to take a service of extension makes for a very long morning which, as I plough on into my 70s is more than I want to do.I was going to quote some bits of these two documents but instead I will put them at the bottom of this article as well as…

Chaplain’s Blog -4th April 2025 – Encouragement, challenge and support.  Spiritual Direction mattersWork agreements and Ministerial ReviewReaders Hanging up their scarves- or taking a breakSafeguarding in the News.... and in the Parishes.   I wonder how many Readers have a spiritual director...... and how many have filled in a form asking for one and not been successful?  Spiritual Direction / accompaniment is such an important part of ministry- to have someone walk beside you who can challenge, question and encourage. It makes a time when we can take stock and focus on our own spiritual lives in space apart from all our other ministerial duties.  If you still need a director and have not been able to find one, please do let me know and I will enquire. Work agreements, ministerial review and the three-year cycle of relicensing.  Here are the links on the Diocesan website for the documents you need: Application-for-Renewal-of-Reader-LLM-License.docx Reader-LLM-Annual-Ministry-Review-Process-summary.docx   Reader-LLM-Annual-Ministry-Review-template.docx Reader-LLM-Annual-Ministry-Review-Preparation-template.docx   Closely linked to direction is our opportunity for annual ministerial review, although most folk probably make a perfunctory stab at it once every three years before re-licensing. As I need to be relicensed in October and we have a new rector it was very helpful to meet with my Rector yesterday to reflect on my role in the parish, my work load, things to take on and things to give up and what fed me spiritually. If you are wondering what I might give up - it is safeguarding administration and the parish dashboard - hopefully someone with a more organised brain will take that on. I will still be co-ordinating and training however! One of the questions asks how often I will meet with my incumbent / ministry team to which I replied “at least weekly.”  The weekly ministry team meetings which were instituted by Caspar, our last Rector are incredibly useful and, in many ways, vital to building a team that can encourage and support. We usually begin with a check-in to ee how everyone is doing followed by looking at the lectionary readings for the coming Sunday. Business includes the rota, but also looks at projects, coming events, strategy, the needs of individuals and individual churches. Once a month we include the administrator who updates us on marriages and so on.   As I write it is still four days to the one year anniversary of the post stroke seizure that curtailed my driving for 12 months. Having filled in forms in February and submitted them, only to be sent another medical form 3  weeks ago which I returned by return of post- I still have not received an envelope with my new driving license from the DVLA. That curtails my activities somewhat! I leave you to imagine my frustration at having to reply on lifts!  I need to remind myself that I am lucky to be here and writing and walking 5 miles a day rather than moaning about the lack of motoring independence. It is too easy to get into a cycle of negativity….  We have a few readers who have hung up their scarves…

Chaplain’s Blog for Christian Unity   As I led Zoom morning prayer this morning which marked the first day of the week for Christian Unity I was rather struck by the 1 Corinthians 5 reading set by the lectionary for the day that called for Christians not to associate with the greedy, the idolaters, the sexually immoral, the drunkards or the robbers and to drive out the wicked. My first thought was that that requires a lot of judgement of just who those folk might be and how we might actually think about ourselves. How can we hope for Christian Unity if we can’t actually get on with our neighbours who might be struggling with addiction, poverty or some other difficult situation that labels them for being ‘driven out?’ As for the greedy, we look at the richest in society who have far more than they could ever need, who can afford day trips to space, huge yachts, vast mansions and own social media platforms that perpetrate their views or stir up the sort of unrest that keeps them in power… should we stop talking to them in the hope that they might actually turn to altruism and do some work for God? Perhaps building hospitals, battling the effects of climate change, researching cures for cancer… the list is endless! So Christian Unity. We have a simple common purpose I think…. I wonder what creed would have to be constructed to that could be agreed upon by all Christians? Now there is a challenge. Here are a few of my favourite illustrations…. I was walking across a bridge one day, and I saw a man standing on the edge, about to jump off.  So I ran over and said "Stop, don't do it!" "Why shouldn't I?" he said. I said, "Well, there's so much to live for!" He said "Like what?" I said "Well...are you religious or atheist?" He said "Religious."  said "Me too! Are you Christian or Bhuddist?" He said "Christian." I said "Me too! Are you Catholic or Protestant?" He said "Protestant." I said "Me too! Are you Episcopalian or baptist?" He said "Baptist!" I said "Wow! Me too! Are you baptist church of God or baptist church of the lord?"  He said "Baptist church of God!" I said "Me too! Are you original baptist church of God or reformed bapist church of God?" He said "Reformed baptist church of God!" I said "Me too! Are you reformed baptist church of God, reformation of 1879, or reformed baptist church of God, reformation of 1915?"  He said, "Reformed baptist church of God, reformation of 1915!" I said "Die heretic scum," and pushed him off. Emo Philips All Purpose Late 20th Century Creed – Simon Rae I believe in my beliefs. it's my belief that my beliefs Are truer far than your beliefs, And I believe that your beliefs Are threatening to my beliefs, So I'm defending my beliefs And all who hold the same beliefs Against your dangerous beliefs And who share your false beliefs Or what I think are your beliefs. And…

A New Year Blog for 2025On New Year’s Eve we drank tea and were in bed by 10:30 waking briefly for the nearby fireworks at midnight. Mr. Dog the collie was mildly interested but not enough to get out of bed and he soon went back to munching through his night-time biscuits.Facebook reminded me of a decade earlier when the family gathered and at midnight and after toasting the New Year with a wee dram of single malt, we sang Aul Lang syne and then set about the annual tradition of egg hurling. This involved those who could throw going out to the front of the house armed with a raw egg with their name written on it and taking it in turns to launch them over the house with the aim of getting them to land without breaking on the back lawn.We never had a year when at least one egg was successful but there were many casualties from wayward throwers who hit the front of the house, the car on the front drive, the pond (we found one in the pond late one summer….. still whole but very very soft and squidgy) and various stones or paths in the back garden. These eggs were not wated as the dogs charged around gleefully licking up the wounded eggs.Back another two decades and that gathered family as children acted as spotters racing from one side of the house, indoors, to the other to announce when an egg was coming over. In the back-garden, those who did not want to throw donned hard hats and carried torches scanning the night sky for the next missile.  Often new year was in fancy dress with a theme. The year of children’s literature saw Jasmine and Aladin accompanied by a very tall methodist lay preacher dressed in a tutu as Tinkerbell trying to reach any whole eggs before the dogs could get them.Another year the police stopped in a patrol car outside the house to see the strange gathering standing in the road, eggs in hand, dressed in kilts waiting to hear the news of the latest landing. It gave them a laugh in their long shift…. We offered an egg but they thought they had better not join in.I do not regret my early night this year, although I would love the throwing arm of my prime,  the memories of those past events are enough and that we could give people those joyful occasions playing silly games.  ( I will save tales of “Are you there Moriaty?” and “bottle Walking” for another occasion.As every year for the last four decades we had a house guest for a couple of weeks who has somewhat different tastes to us in watching TV so we avoid the uplifting Rom-com and try any find a compromise. This proved to be Jumanji, University Challenge and The Big Bang Theory.  If you have not come across the latter on Netflix, there are countless clips on YouTube so I won’t…

Dear One and AllFirst, a bit of context for part 2 of this blog- there may well be a part 3!Why did the subject come up and why would I, as chaplain, write about it?I trained as a Reader back in 1986, beginning a two-year (ish) course with a designated local tutor and with lectures and courses in Truro occasionally with such folk as the wonderful Canon Peter Boyd. I was in my late 30s, a deputy head in a primary school and with two young children.  I was able, thankfully to do the work in chunks, not doing any of the work  at really busy times at school but ticking off the study and essays in holiday times.  My last blog questioned really whether it would have been possible for me to complete Reader training with the requirements of the course today and that, along with many conversations with experienced Readers was the premise.  I meant no criticism of the current course; it does a wonderful job for those who attend it who have the time, stamina and motivation to complete it. There are some inspirational tutors who go out of their way to support students with all sorts of issues from dyslexia to periods of bereavement. But still the question remains, is it a course better suited for those nearing retirement, or those who are not in full time paid employment?  As a journal tutor for a number of years, contributor to the post licensing days and chaplain to the training course before that, I am in a position to hear about how readers feel from all sides and I have pondered these problems for the past decade.When I meet with Readers, as I often do, at events, in telephone conversations and the Zoom Monday morning chats it is often commented that Reader numbers are decreasing, the numbers being licensed are decreasing and more and more readers are moving across to the path of ordination, feeling called to plug the gaps left by decreasing clergy numbers and reorganisation within the deaneries.So………  I still think it fair to ask whether we are a dying breed.I am Reader and licensed Lay Ministry is what I do, teaching, preaching and encouraging every-day faith and I do think we need a solid grounding academically to do that job. However, Readers in our patch have a wide range of training experiences, many of which are certainly not as rigorous as the current model- which is not a criticism of the current model, merely an observation.Anthony White contributed the following reflection which I think is a helpful addition to the debate.Chaplains Blog  Re: Are Readers a Dying Breed?Your thoughts about Reader training certainly got me thinking, particularly as a newly-licensed Reader.  So, after some reflection, here are my thoughts and musings……In terms of context, I am a father of two teenage boys. I also worked full-time whilst studying with SWMTC.  I found the course demanding and challenging; yet also vibrant, exciting and fulfilling. And…

Are Readers a Dying Breed? Some thoughts to get you thinking and discussing! Do let me know what YOU think and I will post the responses.  At the annual Reader service, now renamed ‘A celebration of Licensed Lay Ministries’ so that it reflects the inclusion of pioneers, I had several conversations with Readers reflecting on the number present and the demographic.  One was surprised when I told him that there were only just over a hundred readers in the diocese if we included those in training. ((Link to the Diocesan Website report and pictures of the Annual service 2024  Recognition for Licensed Lay Ministers - Truro Diocese : Truro Diocese )) https://trurodiocese.org.uk/2024/10/recognition-for-licensed-lay-ministers/  So what is the future for readers or licenced lay ministers are we a dying breed? Are we the dinosaurs of the church? With ageing congregations there are fewer folk to train of any age let alone those in the first half of life. Worship leader courses enable people to take services and give talks. (The latter often being very close to a sermon!) The training model, in order to comply with C of E church assessors must beat the criteria of a common awards which is why it formed an alliance with the SWMTC. The knock-on has been an Exeter-centric approach and a very long heavy training burden which, have seen a not-insignificant dropout rate. I was 36 when I began training as a reader; I was a deputy head teacher and father of two young children. There was no way on earth I could have trained on the current course given that burden, so I do wonder whether current training is fit for purpose. If we are to call ourselves readers and licenced lay ministers, those who teach, preach and encourage everyday faith do we really need a common award certificate or would a slimmer local course with a Bishop’s certificate of some sort suffice? When I first got involved in reader training as chaplain to readers and part of the discernment team, the course was with Saint Johns. It was held locally, staffed by excellent teachers from around the diocese, was collegiate and built up a very special team of people. Interspersed with the teaching were Saturdays of practical work which seemed to make sense of all the theology that they learned along the way. Following inspection by the national Ministry however the Saint Johns course materials were thought of as being not strong enough and so things had to change even though the assessors agreed that the local teaching was of a very high standard. The current course involves seven weekends in Plymouth, reflective practice groups online or in person in Truro and also requires a huge commitment to placement. For anybody working over the young family this burden goes beyond sacrifice and put such stress on people that I do wonder its efficacy. My father once gave me a quotation which he attributed to Walter Lipmann but I can't find anywhere but I…

I seem to tick off the days and weeks in pills of one sort or another these days alongside taking regular blood pressure checks- or just waking up each morning with the exciting prospect of discovering if a new bit is hurting. In the midst of all that medical stuff I know I am far from alone in our world of Reader ministry.. we, as a group are getting older and fewer!  (On a divergent note: does anyone have any experience of, or advice for reapplying for a driving license following a stroke? It is amazing how frustrating it is not to be able to jump in the car and pop out to see people or go on a course etc without finding someone to drop what they are doing and drive me!)  The words of Donovan spring to mind from the score of the rather dated film about St Francis by Franco Zeffereli..... "Do few things but do them well, take your time go slowly!"  here is a link to the clip  from the film. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auoIdVPiqXUWe Readers 0r Licensed Lay Ministers are described as community theologians, preaching, teaching and encouraging everyday faith.  The current course is quite a commitment involving seven weekend courses in Plymouth reflective practice groups in Turro, the expectation of doing the foundations (FICM) course first and of course the post licensing year when there is a god deal of practical work using microphones, hints of preaching, funeral ministry etc etc  (I am grateful to Jane Darlington who has covered the chaplaincy side of the latter this year) A number of Readers have posed questions in discussion and conversation and I add the main issues here for your thoughts rather than try to give any answer which is something well beyond my ((no)) pay grade.Worship Learders have a six week course and although not supposed to preach they can give talks or read reflections- why would anyone need to do reader training?Do Worship Leaders do enough training in half a dozen sessions?Who monitors what Lay ministers (of all sorts) actually do and who calls them to account especially when there are lengthy periods of transition when there is no incumbent? with congregations getting smaller and those in the pews getting older where are we to find younger Licensed Lay Ministers especially if they have young families for example and cannot commit to weekends?Try the Monday Morning Zoom or send in your solutions...... :)