The Chaplain’s Blog

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 first session again with our Rector, Caspar, we felt that the lack of any story videos in the first session was to miss an important element so we decided to insert two. It proved a good decision because they were easily the highlight that provoked most discussion and deep thinking. The two young presenters reminded at least one participant of ‘Play School’ presenters – wonderfully earnest, enthusiastic, bright eyed and wholesome. We are looking forward to session two and some more deep and thought-provoking breakout room discussions. I really do think that all our church members should be engaging in the course in one way or another and that perhaps the equalities issues need a similar treatment.

Perhaps the highlight of the working week was as spiritual director…. or really spiritual accompaniment which I always find as helpful as I hope my directees do.

The Barney the collie stories continue on his page!

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 Administration

You 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 Synod
Jim Seth (Warden’s Committee Liaison)
Readers’ Chaplain
Rev Helen Baber
Rector, Lann Pydar Benefice
Rev Caspar Bush
Rural Dean, Carnmarth North
Roy Cooper
Reader, St Melors Linkinhorne
Jane Darlington
Reader, Waterside Churches
Liz Lane
Reader, St Neot & Warleggan
Tony Le Fevre
Reader, 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 goose tires, it drops back into the formation and another goose takes over the lead.

· when a goose falls out of the formation, it feels the drag and resistance of flying alone, and quickly gets back into the formation.

· when a wild goose is sick or wounded, or shot down, two others follow it to help and protect it until it recovers or dies, while the others continue to fly on. When the goose recovers or dies, a new formation is created, heading in the same direction as the first.

· when geese are flying in formation, those flying behind honk to encourage those in front to keep up speed.

09:55:21 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-faith
09:56:04 From Hugh Nelson : And you can read Kingdom Calling here – https://www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/2020-10/Kingdom%20Calling%20Web%20Version.pdf
09:57:04 From Lydia Remick : Thank you +Hugh
09:58:53 From Hugh Nelson : https://transformingministry.co.uk/
10:13:40 From Lydia Remick : Amen, thank you Imogen
10:36:59 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 Imogen
10:37:53 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 another
10:38:19 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 speak
10:38:58 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 : Foundations in Christian Ministry fulfils some but not all of these functions.
10:51:37 From Jane Darlington : the Readers in my group and those speaking seem to have been Readers for twenty years….. so trained in 30’s why are we not appealing to this age range to train now? Because we have none in our congregation’s week by week only once a month or festivals, nor at Lent Groups. We need to grow disciples in our church. I find I am approached more in my day to day life or when sitting on the train because of comments to my badge.
10:52:00 From Kathryn : For myself I see my calling as being to my Parish & although I am happy to do stuff in the rest of the benefice I would not want to be licenced to the Deanery and even worse to the Diocese
10:52:45 From Kathryn : Sorry I don’t know why my post said ‘me instead of ‘Kathryn’
10:52:53 From Andrew Hicks : could not to whom you are licensed be a choice?

10:53:14 From Jim : does the age of those coming forward to reader training reflect the ages of people in our congregations? If you don’t have the younger people in worship how can you foster their vocations?
10:53:18 From Lydia Remick : As I tell my LWLs being licensed to benefice doesn’t mean they HAVE to work across the benefice but it means they CAN. Same could the same for deanery or diocese. Doesn’t we have to work across the area but we could if needed.
10:54:14 From Kathryn : We can minister anywhere now if invited by the parish priest, Kathryn
10:54:20 From Deborah Crocker : Your point is very true Jane, at 63 I am one of the youngest people in our benefice – before training younger readers we need to find ways to bring younger people back into church or there will be no one to train.
10:54:24 From Martin Smith : it would be ones own choice as to where you practise,
10:54:25 From Anthony W : When someone feels called to ministry, is there an inherent focus (which may be implicit) towards ordination? Is Reader ministry given the same ‘weight?’ There appears to be a lot of younger vicars but not Readers/LLMs

10:54:58 From Sheri Sturgess : Thank you Imogen
10:55:29 From Lydia Remick : There is also something about needing younger people up front to encourage younger people through the door in the first place… It’s all self perpetuating.
10:55:29 From Caroline-Iain : thank you Imogen – so much to think about

11:09:01 From Don McQuillen-wright : Although I have generally been very fortunate with the clerics with whom I worked I have of many instances where Readers feel very unused. Committees fill me with dread but teamwork is in my view an essential element of parish operation. Incumbents will on occasion meet up with Church wardens and sundries others but no the Readers. Somehow any training should ideally include building relationships with clerics from the very start.
11:12:00 From Andrew Hicks : training alongside clergy was a huge benefit to me

MESSAGES FOR CARRIE

11:20:01 From Claire Salzmann : A huge thank you to Carrie for all your support and hard work behind the scenes, we wish you every blessing on your Road Ahead.
11:20:27 From Sheri Sturgess : Hear hear
11:20:56 From Paul Arthur : Thank you so much for your massive support and keeping me ‘on task’. Blessings, Paul
11:21:00 From Andrew Hicks : great communication, support, and friendship
11:21:03 From Lydia Remick : Care and concern for us as people. Being there to listen when it was tough in parish and the advice she gave me.
11:21:15 From David Watters : Thank Carrie for your wisdom, kindness, understanding and the love you brought to your role as our Diocesan Secretary!
11:21:16 From Jane Darlington : always smiling
11:21:22 From Robin West : Ever kindness
11:21:30 From martinadams : Thank you, Carrie, for keeping me on my toes when I failed to do things, and for warning me when a deadline was coming up. All done with great personal concern and love. Thank you!
11:21:32 From Kay Short : Thank you for all your help Carrie, in getting my license transferred to Truro and making sure everything was in place.
11:21:37 From Jane Kneebone : Carrie, you’ve been an invaluable support to me over several years. I have valued your support, love, efficiency, early prompting to get jobs done and attention to detail.
11:21:44 From Kathryn : Thanks for always asking my questions and reassuring me I am not an idiot for having to ask them, I will miss you! love from Kathryn
11:21:45 From Martin Smith : thank you Carrie for your love and support. may the grace of our Lord go with you.
11:21:50 From Sheri Sturgess : Your efficient administration and organisation. Your friendliness.
11:21:50 From Tony Le Fevre : Thank you so much for keeping us all together so very well
11:21:55 From Claire : Constant support and encouragement. Thank you Carrie. Every blessing for your future.
11:21:55 From Alan Coode : Thank you for carrying the torch for so long!
11:21:56 From Margaret Sylvester-Thorne : Thank you, Carrie.
11:22:01 From Susan Irving : Thank you for being a true shepherd to us all and me in particular
11:22:02 From Mrs Claridge : we trained together and you got me through thank you. Good luck for the future and the new adventure that you will be starting.
11:22:12 From Jim : https://youtu.be/uXxXWKeEfhA interview with Carrie
11:22:16 From Don McQuillen-wright : Always there
11:22:17 From Matt Frost : always helpful and kind. God Bless you richly on the road ahead
11:22:17 From Debbie Mitchell : Thank you for holding us and this space with such gentleness
11:22:28 From Sandy Massie : Thank you Carrie for the extraordinary way that you organised our Reader Licensing in the Cathedral in the midst of Covid restrictions. You did it with such kindness, thoughtfulness and skill.
11:22:29 From Tim and Zinnia Symonds : For all your hard work and efficiency I am most grateful.
11:22:31 From Penny : Thank you for all you have done, blessings
11:22:36 From David Fieldsend : Thank you, Carrie for your support in times when I needed it.
11:22:40 From Eileen : Thank you for all your help and for welcoming me to the Diocese in 2018.
11:23:00 From Richard Laugharne : Always patient when I forget to reply to emails! Thank you Carrie
11:23:41 From Michael : Thank you for everything you have done for Reader ministry in Cornwall. Love & prayers for the future.
11:23:57 From David : Quiet care, consistency and patience. Thank you. May God bless you.
11:23:58 From Wendy Earl : God bless you Carrie in your future ministry. You have been an absolute star in organising events and keeping tabs on us all for so long. VERY many thanks, Wendy xx
11:24:02 From Sue Wilcox : Thank you Carrie for your understanding and kindness when there were difficult times. x
11:24:13 From Esther Brown : Thank you for your support
11:24:21 From Rebecca Greenough : Thank you for steering me in the right direction. Becca x
11:24:46 From Peter Simmons : Thanks for all your care and encouragement will miss you lots.
11:25:13 From Claire Salzmann : Although you are crossing the border, please remember it will still be jam first! Cx
11:25:46 From Mike Waring : Transferring to Truro Diocese was so easy with your help and guidance. Thank you and every blessing for your future ministry.
11:25:54 From Helen Purchase : Thank Carrie for always being there, so patient and such a fount of

knowledge. I have always known that you would sort things out. Every good wish for you future.
Helen x x x

11:32:38 From Kathryn : Robin, you will enjoy it, I did when I did it and only stepped down because of health issues, Kathryn

11:49:21 From Andrew Hicks : Reader calling, at least mine, is changing. thanks for this encouragement!
11:51:38 From Wendy Earl : The world is changing with so many challenges. Where is the prophetic voice?
11:57:48 From Kathryn : What Bishop Hugh said reminded me of an old Hymn – “How good is the God we adore, our faithful unchangeable friend; His love is as great as his power and knows neither measure nor end. Tis Jesus the first and the last whose spirit will guide us safe home; we’ll praise him for all that has passed and trust him for all that’s to come.” Kathryn
11:58:45 From martinadams : Thank you, Kathryn.
11:59:52 From Andrew Hicks : …with Christ at the centre…
12:03:56 From Kathryn : I love the concept of being On The Way; In the Hausa Language a Christian is a ‘Maibi’ which translates into English as someone who is ‘On The Way’. Kathryn
12:38:33 From Jane Kneebone : Hear hear!
12:41:34 From Wendy Earl : A big thank you David! Some very encouraging reommendations.
12:42:10 From Kathryn : I agree
12:44:33 From Robin West : My group basically wanted to say – A Reader is a Preacher and Teacher of the Gospel of Jesus Christ
12:45:15 From Kay Short : A lay minister helping others to be who God calls them to be
12:55:19 From Tony Le Fevre to Jim(Direct Message) : no audio!
12:55:26 From Hugh Nelson : You might have to sing for us David!

13:02:00 From Andrew Hicks : Thank you all
13:02:20 From Mrs Claridge : Thank you to everyone as always it has been good to meet together even if it is over zoom.
13:02:42 From Jane Darlington : Thank you all x
13:02:44 From Kay Short : Thank you everyone – good to ‘meet’ you
13:03:01 From Anthony W : Thank you
13:03:07 From Martin Smith : thank you everyone. lovely to see you all .until next year. deo gracia

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 reader
Feel called to feed sheep? Be a Reader
Reader ministry reaches the parts that others don’t
Probably the best preaching in the World
Reader Ministry – Just do it
Reader Ministry because you’re worth it…..
Cornish Reader ministry- not jam tomorrow – Jam first
Reader ministry – have it your way…
Reader ministry – is it in you?
Reader Ministry- we go the extra mile.
Reader Ministry now appearing in pulpits everywhere
Reader ministry – it gives you wings,,
Reader Ministry- Any time anywhere
Reader ministry- we can pass the buck
You don’t have to be crazy to be a reader but it helps…
Keep Calm and carry on …… preaching
Become a Reader- your country needs you
Reader 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 play

A 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

Life with Barney a.k.a. Mr Dog enters its second month with more early morning walks. This week the tide has been fairly low first thing so we have gone down there most days. Mr. Dog is very good at returning the missiles launched from the ‘Chukkit’ and so exercises hard for an hour. If he needs a break he chases the waves instead while we take in the joys of being alive under heaven from the dawn and the sea air.

One end of Portreath Beach is freezing and the other end is warm once the sun begins to get to it. Prayers today were for those who for one reason or another cannot enjoy the warm enfolding of the rising sun or the Risen Son. (I post on photos and prayers on Twitter @Trewirgies )

An Interview with Carrie Tucker as she leaves the Diocese and he role as Secretary to the Readers.

So in attempting to replace Carrie with three people we have so far received enquiries from er…. one person. Readers / Licensed Lay Ministers we really do need you if you have minute taking skills, enjoy organising events or just want to help your fellow Readers in a practical way. I asked Carrie the question that we so often ask those discerning their vocation to become a Reader which is; If you could only preach one(more) sermon what would be the topic and why? Carrie only thought for a moment before saying that it would be a bout practical love – all very well to follow Jesus commands to love one another but practice has to follow intent and rally that is what Carrie has done, to love her felw Readers through service and for that we are all hugely grateful. In the interview she says what she enjoyed and some advice for us all – please do pray for Carrie and pray for your own evolving vocation and ask God if it is something to which you should contribute some time.

Unconscious Bias

I attended the course yesterday ably led by Dawn from somewhere in the South East on ZOOM. It is always good to be reminded of these things although through my work as a Governor and in my pre retirement career in primary schools I was steeped in the culture of non-discrimination and often had charge of writing the equalities policy. the racial abuse policy and the bullying policy as well as the school access plan so I probably did not learn anything new.

When I moved to Cornwall from London having been brought up in Birmingham where my friends were from a variety of ethnic backgrounds I was actually surprised by the level of racial prejudice. Examples were often preceded with the phrase, “of course I am not racially prejudiced but………………..” At the time (1978) I was teaching 38 children in a temporary classroom in a medium sized village school. When plotting where the children had been on holiday I was amazed that 10 had never visited the beach and only five had been abroad and one of those was Plymouth! Racial prejudice, like all prejudice I suggest comes from ignorance rather than knowledge.

As a church we discriminate against the over 70s, the divorced, the non-heterosexual and even those with a different coloured skin.

Mind you, I should probably not refer to holiday-makers as emmets or suggest that a number of them will be abusive to till staff.

It is easy to become comfortable in our own skin and not question the values we hold and whether they prevent us from loving our neighbour as ourselves, or loving each other as Jesus loves us.

Living in Love and Faith

The Readers Post Licensing Group met on Saturday to look at and discuss the “Living in Love and Faith Materials”

The Truro Diocese LLF Page

The Church of England LLF resources

The discussions were certainly frank and varied!

We can however, recommend looking at the Preview of the Course Materials which are really good, professional looking and stimulating for conversation. Course: Introduction (churchofengland.org)

So what is God asking you to do in the near future?

Vocation evolves, it does not stand still and it is not restricted to accredited ministry. We should all leave regular space in our prayers to ask God about what we should be doing, or exploring.

I am sure many of you will have stories about where God has dragged you out of your comfort zone into something which you realise is what was needed. As a young reader when i was teaching I was a preacher and teacher and specialised in anything to do with children from assemblies to youth groups and from family services to drama groups. I did the funeral training, and discussed pastoral visiting and even took a few home communions but I never envisaged doing much of those things and in fact avoided anything to do with funerals, age and illness.

35 years on and funeral ministry turns out to be something that I am actually quite suited to and sitting listening to the bereaved and teasing out the stories about the departed is s huge privilege.

That I was asked to be chaplain was a surprise too – but that is another story.

So why am I writing this now?

Well as you will have heard, Carrie, our brilliant, hard working, efficient and tireless secretary to readers is moving out of the county and away from the job. She did so much that after some thought we have split the role to make it more manageable by ordinary human beings rather than Super-Carrie who would be almost impossible to follow! Below are two links to documents from Bishop Hugh! Readers / Licensed Lay Ministers we really need you to pray for the discernment process and to ask yourself whether you might be called to one of the roles.

Clergy colleagues are asked to pay and give their readers a nudge if they think they might have the skills….

and other readers with a small ‘r’ are asked to pay that we find someone

2021 April 28 – letter to Readers re Admin roles

Readers Administrator role descriptions

Please do contact me for further information or to chat through the commitment.

This Mixed Week....

it has been another interesting week…. time seems to fly past at alarming speed, I am surprised Barney does not bark at it as it whooshes by!

Lez and I had our second covid (Pfizer) jabs on Wednesday and both felt a bit groggy yesterday so dog walking was a bit of a chore but either side of that Barney and I headed over Carn Brea in mist and in sunshine and prayers were said.

I was booked to do a funeral yesterday but it had to be postponed for a week for lack of official paperwork which was something of a blessing because I was not at my best!

It has been wonderful to see the grandchildren this week who are all desperate to play with Barney – eleven year old Ellie, on hearing that I had had my second jab asked, “Does that mean I can hug you now?” She was as disappointed to hear that she could not as I was in telling her. My prayers this week for all those grandparents who cannot see their grandchildren and for all children who are missing hugs.

In the beginning was the ball, and the word was ball

Dog looked at the ball and gave it freely expecting that it would be thrown

And it was thrown

And Dog saw that it was good…..

Then created was the walk,

And dog was told that he may partake of any pleasures in the walk excepting the fruits of chasing cars, cyclists or eating joggers.

But the seed had been sewn and dog saw only the moving cars, the delicious cyclists and the scrumptious joggers no matter whether they were lithe and fast or large and wobbly…. And dog could not resist.

Thus there was much gnashing of teeth, of cries in the wilderness and elsewhere and there was much anguish.

Thus came the great commandments

“Closer!” – thou shalt place the ball within easy reach if thouest wants it lobbed verily.

“Sit!” – Thou shalt sit, an remain sitting until thy owner allowest movement

“Stay!” Thou shalt remain, until told “good boy” or instructed otherwise.

“calmmmmm….” Thou shalt sit, make an attempt at relaxing and breathe – and take in the good air

“Oh Barney / Barnabus !!!” Thou shalt consider what sin thou hast committed and repent with an

appropriate sorrowful expression.

“Get DOWN! ?Get Off!” Thou shalt not attempt to climb into thy owner’s ear, nor trample the flower beds, or share the duvet.

“Come to me/ Barney come!” Thou shalt come.

Nb. The final commandment currently needs more work.

(With thanks and credit to Simon Cade who created a version of this on Facebook a few years ago and from whom I pinched the idea)

Barney the 10 month old Collie has been with us for a fortnight and progress has been made albeit slowly… but the taste for cyclists and joggers in going to be hard to break. The head harness has stopped the pulling to a large extent which means I no longer have to stop to recover while I sew my arm back onto my shoulder!

Saturday morning’s dawn expedition yielded something of a breakthrough when a jogger ran past without much reaction from Barney and he did not jump at any cars until the final one before we got back through the gate.

A fortnight ago I was celebrating a year of solitary morning lockdown walks when I prayed, wrote sermons in my head, rehearsed sermons and mulled over the issues of the day. Then suddenly all changed and all focus was on whether a jogger might be around the next corner or whether I could grab his collar at the sound of a car which has rather curtailed the spiritual meditative rhythmic pacing in the dawn light along the mineral tramway and the Great Flat Lode.

Life changes suddenly and lurches off in a different direction from that which you expect, sometimes in a good way and sometimes in a way that can devastate. As chaplain, a spiritual director and as a licensed Lay Minister who now has a funeral ministry I talk to all sorts of people about tragedies ranging from grief for a recent bereavement to the diagnosis of a serious illness and from family issues to the loss of faith and consequent heart break. It was never something that was on my radar to do, Lez is much better at that stuff than me and my ministry was always from the pulpit or with children, I never thought I was equipped. God has other ideas however and the Holy Spirit provides us with the wherewithal to accomplish the tasks he sets for us whether we are in good health, in adversity or even at the point of his calling us home. “Do not fear,” says Jesus on countless occasions… but I think being nervous of doing something we are called to do outside our comfort zones is air enough.

Zoom Transitions

Love Zoom or hate it, in one form or another it is here to stay. There are times when I love it and some when I hate it but all things considered I would not want to be without it, or its equivalent. Our morning prayer crew are still faithfully there across the week at 9am each day but they would certainly not gather so faithfully if that service was in a church. Meetings are so much better on ZOOM or Teams

You don’t have to travel which saves time, fuel and the environment
You have time before a meeting to make your coffee as you like it and roll into the meeting punctually
If it is really boring or if someone is irritating beyond your endurance you can always feign a connection problem and switch off.
You don’t have to travel in the dark….
You can have a comfortable chair!
You are not near anybody else’s germs.
You don’t have to wear a mask
and very importantly it is possible to have a meeting with folk who are geographically very distant.

So I rather hope that training sessions will continue on Zoom along with governor meetings and study groups…. Though I really am missing going to my favourite restaurants and the theatre!

Saturday 24th

So this morning was a walk with Barney on my 5 mile trek through Wheal Euny, a section of the Great Flat Lode and around Carn Brea.

Dog did well although he greated a standing cyclist having a rest and admiring the early morning view across the valley rather enthusiastically. The cyclist proceeded to tell me about his recent return to cycling following a quadruple heart bypass after a previous heart attack, his move from Falmouth and how he was discovering the Great Flat Lode…. and much more. Barney lay down at my feet and waited patiently while two ladies with half a dozen assorted dogs between them passed by and the life story continued. The last half hour was the most trying for him with a few cars that made him a bit twitchy but at least he did not rear up barking! Job done….. Lez can entertain him in the garden!

Reflective walking continues….. 🙂 Thank you God.