In the Group Parish of St Germans, we have been meeting monthly at a local hostelry for about 9 years for Pub Theology. This started as a Death Cafe, part of a national and international model of conversation to talk about our own deaths. Initially sometimes there would only be three of us but that was enough for a good conversation and over the years we have had between four and twelve people. The topics have naturally varied: generic topics such as love, politics, evil, sex and economics. Direct biblical discussions on fruits of the Holy Spirit, strange stories in the Bible (Jonah, the flood, Job, Abraham and Isaac), the Pentateuch (five different meetings!), angels and books of the Bible seldom read (Lamentations, Jude, Leviticus (again!) and Obadiah I recall). Recently we have had Christian Univeralism and how the church should respond to the cost of living crisis. In lockdown we met on-line fortnightly which was demanding but much appreciated and interestingly increased attendance. It is easy in church not to actually discuss theological matters and my experience of Pub Theology is that people want to talk about ideas and wrestle with what we believe. It is important to facilitate the meeting so that it is a genuine conversation and all views are respected. The feedback has been good. Ultimately we need fora to think through what we believe, acknowledging we will not agree on everything. I find thinking through community conversation stimulating, creative and one of the many ways God can reveal the truth we all seek to live. Richard Laugharne ReaderSt Germans
Interpreting Amos for Lanner & Four Lanes recently Amos 6.1a, 4-7Complacent Self-Indulgence Will Be Punished6Alas for those who are at ease in Zion, and for those who feel secure on Mount Samaria,the notables of the first of the nations, to whom the house of Israel resorts! 4 Alas for those who lie on beds of ivory, and lounge on their couches,and eat lambs from the flock, and calves from the stall; 5 who sing idle songs to the sound of the harp, and like David improvise on instruments of music; 6 who drink wine from bowls, and anoint themselves with the finest oils, but are not grieved over the ruin of Joseph! 7 Therefore they shall now be the first to go into exile, and the revelry of the loungers shall pass away. A Local Version of Amos 6.Alas for those who put their feet up in Lannerand those who feel safe on the top of the Hill in Four LanesThe parish counsellors and the members of parliament, the bankers &company directors to whom the nations look.Alas for those who lie on Slumberdown mattressesAnd lie on couches from FurnitureworldAnd eat lamb from Trevarthens the butchersAnd beef from the Tesco cold meats cabinetWho sing idle songs to the sound of the organAnd improvise upon the keyboard and guitarWho drink wine from tall glassesAnd anoint themselves with moisturiser from BootsBut are not grieved over the destitution of the poorThey shall be the ones who will feel the exile of guiltAnd their revelry will be no more……put their feet up
Part One - the picture in my head and a general moan. My first memories of church on the cusp of the 1960s were going to Sunday School in the building next to the church and one day being told I was too old for the Sunday School and would go to the main church now. The daunting atmosphere made me turn round a few metres inside the door and walk out never to return. Part of that, I guess, is that my parents did not go to church, my father, an elder in the Church of Scotland, never felt comfortable in the Anglican church in England. So I put my hands up that I start from a fairly negative place.My next church experience in the enlightened 1970s (as an argumentative atheist) at the age of 21 was having to attend church for special occasions with my class of ten- and eleven-year-olds in the North London Church of England Primary School where I got my first teaching job. (God definitely has a sense of humour!) Trying to keep them interested and, above all, quiet was quite a challenge so it did not improve my opinion about the church’s attitude to children, namely that they were definitely wanted to be seen, to be small adults and definitely not heard unless they were singing or reading.Since then, the growth of Sunday morning sports clubs and the demise of organised religion in general has seen a huge drop in attendance by children and families. Much of life and news is captured in bite sized social media clips for both children and adults and the choice of church or a sporting activity and being with one’s teammates is not really a fair contest.What does church have to offer children? That is not the same question as ‘what does being a Christian offer?’ which has a different answer entirely.The large warehouse-based Pentecostal church on the nearby industrial estate offers an indoor skate park side room and ride on toys in the main auditorium for the little ones. The service is loud enough to drown out the noises and so for young parents it might seem a good choice. Other denominations have traditional Sunday School where they have enough children and the children may or may not join the main service at some point.Over the years in our benefice churches, I have seen and experienced a variety of approaches and to say that I hold fairly strong opinions about some approaches is to understate my passionate for education and how we treat our youngsters. Here are a few examples I have experienced over the last 4 decades…. I am sure you have others that you can tell me about later….The full high church experience: Children are encouraged to join the choir, robe and be acolytes, incense boat carriers etc and a room might be provided for parents to remove children who are not coping with the service. My suggestion, once upon a time was to make the Lady Chapel in…
Deanery ChaplainsThe plan is for the Deanery Chaplains to be commissioned in October at the annual Reader Service but before then each of the prospective chaplains will have to be recruited / appointed.Some of the Deanery Reader Stewards have taken up the important work of chaplain with great enthusiasm since the title of Deanery Reader steward was made redundant and I have been hugely grateful for their support and commitment.The more I speak to Readers, the more I am convinced of the importance of chaplaincy and for more local chaplains. “Why?” you may ask……When you look at he diocesan website there is an encouraging page on Clergy Wellbeing Clergy Wellbeing Archives - Truro Diocese : Truro Diocese which lists a variety of resources for Clergy and some resources for Diocesan staff. In speaking to Readers about their clergy, however, there is a difference between providing a service and people actually using it; or at least using it before the problem gets really serious. Readers are not mentioned.Because we are such a disparate bunch in the Reader community it is hard to describe what the life and duties of a typical reader might be, there is no such thing as a typical Reader! Some Readers are quite content taking evensong and preaching once a month, others are church wardens, running a foodbank and leading worship weekly, while others are balancing Reader duties with working full time and supporting a family.The stresses on Readers are very varied as a result.Depression and frustration at not being able to ministerThrough lack of a working teamLack of engagement with the incumbentIll health or caring for someone with ill healthTransitionToo many duties across too many churchesBeing taken for grantedFeeling they have very little say in choice of a new incumbentFeeling threatened by not getting a new incumbent.Churchwardens not including them on rotasBalancing Ministry and family lifeWhere a spouse or child is ill mentally or physicallyFinancial pressures and the need to work for a livingFaithEven Readers can suffer doubts and anxieties!Mismatches of churchmanship or theology with their local church or new incumbent.An aversion to bureaucracyFinding it difficult to engage with safeguarding training or the requirements of health and safety in the modern churchFeeling that “on the Way” for example is something that is being “done to” them.…and so on. I am quite sure you can think of more!Chaplains are not just there to mop things up and being consoling when things get tough, they are also have a duty to be proactive and to provide the support before it becomes a big issue where someone has to ask for help. Asking for help is a tough thing to do and people have to know they need it. Chaplains who get to know their people are invaluable here.Currently we do not have enough Chaplains to cover all Deaneries and in some Deaneries there are folks who are not Chaplains who would be brilliant at it.If you know someone who you think would be a brilliant chaplain….. possibly covering a…
Chaplain’s Blog Stardate 20-08-22Deanery ChaplainsThe plan is for the Deanery Chaplains to be commissioned in October at the annual Reader Service but before then each of the prospective chaplains will have to be recruited / appointed.Some of the Deanery Reader Stewards have taken up the important work of chaplain with great enthusiasm since the title of Deanery Reader steward was made redundant and I have been hugely grateful for their support and commitment.The more I speak to Readers, the more I am convinced of the importance of chaplaincy and for more local chaplains. “Why?” you may ask……When you look at he diocesan website there is an encouraging page on Clergy Wellbeing Clergy Wellbeing Archives - Truro Diocese : Truro Diocese which lists a variety of resources for Clergy and some resources for Diocesan staff. In speaking to Readers about their clergy, however, there is a difference between providing a service and people actually using it; or at least using it before the problem gets really serious.Readers are not mentioned.Because we are such a disparate bunch in the Reader community it is hard to describe what the life and duties of a typical reader might be, there is no such thing as a typical Reader! Some Readers are quite content taking evensong and preaching once a month, others are church wardens, running a foodbank and leading worship weekly, while others are balancing Reader duties with working full time and supporting a family.The stresses on Readers are very varied as a result.Depression and frustration at not being able to ministerThrough lack of a working teamLack of engagement with the incumbentIll health or caring for someone with ill healthTransitionToo many duties across too many churchesBeing taken for grantedFeeling they have very little say in choice of a new incumbentFeeling threatened by not getting a new incumbent.Churchwardens not including them on rotasBalancing Ministry and family lifeWhere a spouse or child is ill mentally or physicallyFinancial pressures and the need to work for a livingFaithEven Readers can suffer doubts and anxieties!Mismatches of churchmanship or theology with their local church or new incumbent.An aversion to bureaucracyFinding it difficult to engage with safeguarding training or the requirements of health and safety in the modern churchFeeling that “on the Way” for example is something that is being “done to” them.…and so on. I am quite sure you can think of more!Chaplains are not just there to mop things up and being consoling when things get tough, they are also have a duty to be proactive and to provide the support before it becomes a big issue where someone has to ask for help. Asking for help is a tough thing to do and people have to know they need it. Chaplains who get to know their people are invaluable here.Currently we do not have enough Chaplains to cover all Deaneries and in some Deaneries there are folks who are not Chaplains who would be brilliant at it.If you know someone who you think would be a brilliant chaplain….. …
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…