Back in 2008, I began this blog and, as happens, people began to read it and comment on what I had to say. Especially through enquiry (as was - now it's called discernment), I found the support and encouragement of those who had 'gone before' me exceptionally useful. I know that part of the process can be very isolating, as we really think about our callings, our faith, our lives etc, etc. Knowing that what I was thinking and feeling wasn't unusual let me know I was not alone.
Among those who supported me, since almost the beginning, is Nikki, who I met in person at one of those 'candidate socials' before uni begins. In the 4 years since then, she has been a fount of wisdom and support. I hope I have been able to reciprocate. It's my privilege to call her friend.
(When 4 probationers are together at 1 table, at the social after wards, this is not necessarily a good thing. I think most of the laughter came for our table! Not helped by someone saying 'oh, there's another one bites the bust...')
So, I was delighted to attend Nikki's ordination on Wednesday. It was a great night, where Nikki became Rev Dr Nikki. She'll be a brilliant minister.
You're great Nikki. Really, you are.
PS You must take time off. We will get on to you about this. Really, we will.
Showing posts with label friends. Show all posts
Showing posts with label friends. Show all posts
Sunday, 2 November 2014
Sunday, 21 July 2013
Like riding a motorbike
It's been a busy weekend. Spot left on Friday lunchtime, as I had a friend visiting for the weekend, with her husband and (lovely - really lovely) children. Frankly, I was running out of beds!
It was brilliant seeing them, catching up with them, getting to know their other half and children better. It's a shame they had to leave this afternoon - but work necessitated the return to civilisation!
While they were off panning for gold and hunting for fossils, another friend, again with spouse and children, popped in for a brew before heading south. It was a flying visit, but I was touched they made the effort to look in on their way home from holiday.
(I don't know, though, you wait ages for people to visit you on work experience and they all seem to turn up at once. A bit like buses, I suppose.)
As both friends are training for ministry, I could mull over challenges and joys without having to fill in everything, as we come from an 'understanding,' so o speak. But over the course of the weekend, things happened which freaked varying parties out.
The friend who was here for the weekend invited me to her ordination. The idea that a friend, who began her training and degree at the same time as I did is getting ordained (admittedly next year, but still) is terrifying. It shows just how close and quickly this is all coming in. In so many ways, even with the placements and this work experience; even with the knowledge I will be keeping my hand in for the next academic year and have probation to come, I still go out there into the unknown, all too aware of my own shortcomings, things I haven't done etc, etc, etc. So, someone getting ordained IN LESS THAN 12 MONTHS TIME somewhat focusses the mind.
The flip hand is she and her family came to worship where I was leading worship today. It was strange leading worship where I was any way, as I was swapping pulpits with the interim moderator for 'my' parish, so I was a visitor in that church too. But, my friend was freaked out by me leading a whole service. Not because it was bad (or at least I hope that was the case), but because one of her friends and peers was (as she put it) in charge for the whole thing.
So, as we all head along the road God has called us to, there are things we are encountering which remind us of who we are, where we're from and where we are heading. It's a bit like the first ride on a motorbike, terrifying and exciting all rolled together (*said while waving at friend Nik).
It was brilliant seeing them, catching up with them, getting to know their other half and children better. It's a shame they had to leave this afternoon - but work necessitated the return to civilisation!
While they were off panning for gold and hunting for fossils, another friend, again with spouse and children, popped in for a brew before heading south. It was a flying visit, but I was touched they made the effort to look in on their way home from holiday.
(I don't know, though, you wait ages for people to visit you on work experience and they all seem to turn up at once. A bit like buses, I suppose.)
As both friends are training for ministry, I could mull over challenges and joys without having to fill in everything, as we come from an 'understanding,' so o speak. But over the course of the weekend, things happened which freaked varying parties out.
The friend who was here for the weekend invited me to her ordination. The idea that a friend, who began her training and degree at the same time as I did is getting ordained (admittedly next year, but still) is terrifying. It shows just how close and quickly this is all coming in. In so many ways, even with the placements and this work experience; even with the knowledge I will be keeping my hand in for the next academic year and have probation to come, I still go out there into the unknown, all too aware of my own shortcomings, things I haven't done etc, etc, etc. So, someone getting ordained IN LESS THAN 12 MONTHS TIME somewhat focusses the mind.
The flip hand is she and her family came to worship where I was leading worship today. It was strange leading worship where I was any way, as I was swapping pulpits with the interim moderator for 'my' parish, so I was a visitor in that church too. But, my friend was freaked out by me leading a whole service. Not because it was bad (or at least I hope that was the case), but because one of her friends and peers was (as she put it) in charge for the whole thing.
So, as we all head along the road God has called us to, there are things we are encountering which remind us of who we are, where we're from and where we are heading. It's a bit like the first ride on a motorbike, terrifying and exciting all rolled together (*said while waving at friend Nik).
Saturday, 3 September 2011
Not a good day
By lunch time today I had been given two items of bad news. Neither were a surprise, but confirmation is not always positive.
On one hand, I was told of a friend who is very ill. Very, very ill and the prognosis isn't great. I was impressed with myself, though (probably bad timing, but never mind). I managed to offer pastoral care to the friend who was telling me this bad news. Only once they were away did I reflect on it for myself and it hit me pretty painfully. My friend and their family will be in many prayers over the coming weeks, of that there is no doubt.
On the other hand, a friend of mine has been treated disgracefully at work and they may have to move city for work again, having only moved last month.
It's not fair. It's just not fair, seeing those I care for in pain. When things like this happens I feel very helpless and wonder what I can do, even through prayer. But I trust God will walk with my friends at this time and they may know and feel God's presence and support in their lives.
Everything is going to be alright. I sincerely hope and pray.
On one hand, I was told of a friend who is very ill. Very, very ill and the prognosis isn't great. I was impressed with myself, though (probably bad timing, but never mind). I managed to offer pastoral care to the friend who was telling me this bad news. Only once they were away did I reflect on it for myself and it hit me pretty painfully. My friend and their family will be in many prayers over the coming weeks, of that there is no doubt.
On the other hand, a friend of mine has been treated disgracefully at work and they may have to move city for work again, having only moved last month.
It's not fair. It's just not fair, seeing those I care for in pain. When things like this happens I feel very helpless and wonder what I can do, even through prayer. But I trust God will walk with my friends at this time and they may know and feel God's presence and support in their lives.
Everything is going to be alright. I sincerely hope and pray.
Friday, 29 July 2011
Friendship
I spent the day in Glasgow yesterday, visiting a very good friend of mine. With so much to do in that fair city, we pretty much sat around all day drinking tea!
My closest friends are important to me. We support and sustain each other. I am "Auntie" to their children, which is a great honour (and responsibility). My life would be lesser without them in it.
Besides, I need to keep them close. The things they know about me...
And on the subject of friends...
My closest friends are important to me. We support and sustain each other. I am "Auntie" to their children, which is a great honour (and responsibility). My life would be lesser without them in it.
Besides, I need to keep them close. The things they know about me...
And on the subject of friends...
Thursday, 3 March 2011
An honour and privilege
On Sunday, Spot and I attended the baptism of the son of friends of ours. I've lost count of the number of times I have been at church when a baptism has been taking place, but this was the first time I had been invited to a baptism.
There was a relaxed atmosphere in the church and almost everything during the service was explained in a non-patronising manner. That made the experience, especially for those without a Church of Scotland background, to still feel part of the worship. The only thing which could have been explained was where to find the words of the Apostles Creed and Lord's prayer, as the church does not have a projector. Not only for those who would not those by heart, but there can be (and was) variation in the words from those the baptism party members were perhaps familiar with.
It was an honour and privilege to be part of such an important occasion in the life of our friends' son. I know he will grow up in a loving and caring household, where Christ's love is ever present.
There was a relaxed atmosphere in the church and almost everything during the service was explained in a non-patronising manner. That made the experience, especially for those without a Church of Scotland background, to still feel part of the worship. The only thing which could have been explained was where to find the words of the Apostles Creed and Lord's prayer, as the church does not have a projector. Not only for those who would not those by heart, but there can be (and was) variation in the words from those the baptism party members were perhaps familiar with.
It was an honour and privilege to be part of such an important occasion in the life of our friends' son. I know he will grow up in a loving and caring household, where Christ's love is ever present.
Wednesday, 5 January 2011
Feeling old
Yesterday I had a lovely afternoon meeting up with friends. We wives were at uni together and we had the realisation we'd know each other for 15 years!
One of my friends now is a Mum to an absolutely gorgeous 10 week old son. Another is pregnant. I'm really pleased for them both, though it's not for me. But, now we're all married and they are having children, I suddenly feel old. Not middle-aged old (I've a bit before that), but I have responsibilities now old. My friends are parents and that's a big deal.
The bonus about this is I now have an excuse to buy cool stuff for children I've wanted for years!
One of my friends now is a Mum to an absolutely gorgeous 10 week old son. Another is pregnant. I'm really pleased for them both, though it's not for me. But, now we're all married and they are having children, I suddenly feel old. Not middle-aged old (I've a bit before that), but I have responsibilities now old. My friends are parents and that's a big deal.
The bonus about this is I now have an excuse to buy cool stuff for children I've wanted for years!
Monday, 29 June 2009
Infamy, infamy...
My hubbie and I have been away for the last week in South Ayrshire. Really good break, though probably a bit too hot - I know, typical Scottish comment!!! There's just no pleasing us.
We did a lot of walking, seeing wildlife (especially red stuff - a red kite and red squirrel were spotted), and just generally unwinding. We didn't even take many photos and were shooting film - yes film. My excuse was it was black and white and its just not the same digital.
Anyway, rather than come straight home after our break we headed to Dumfries to visit friends we have there. They were married in April and it's the first time we've had the chance to see them in their new house. Its a lovely house and they seem really settled. It was great to see them both. I think Dumfries is going to become a regular haunt for my hubbie and I.
While with our friends, we went to their church. It's a very busy church in the centre of Dumfries. The minister is really down-to-earth and quiet funny. Everyone was sooo nice and friendly. Genuinely friendly.
As we were leaving a member of the congregation stopped me. "Excuse me, but were have I met you before, I know your face from somewhere". Err, mmh. I'm standing there thinking - argh, I don't recognise this woman at all. Oh dear, where do I know her from. I'm usually really bad with names, but remember faces, so this was making me feel bad.
"Were you at the National Gathering" I enquired. "Yes" she relied. Now I was getting somewhere. "Did you go to the tent with the big red motorbike outside it" I knew where I needed to take the line of questioning (am I writing a bad detective novel here?) "Yes" came the answer. "I was the pillion rider on that bike; my husband was the rider". Good, I'd got that one sorted and given the hundreds of people I talked to at the National Gathering, I'm not surprised I didn't remember the woman.
We chatted a little about bikes and our crash. Her husband had had a bike when they first met and rode ever weekend from Stranraer via his Mum's (in Alloa) to see her in Edinburgh. I loved that story.
So, looks like I can't go anywhere without getting spotted. Infamy, infamy, they've all got it in for me!
We did a lot of walking, seeing wildlife (especially red stuff - a red kite and red squirrel were spotted), and just generally unwinding. We didn't even take many photos and were shooting film - yes film. My excuse was it was black and white and its just not the same digital.
Anyway, rather than come straight home after our break we headed to Dumfries to visit friends we have there. They were married in April and it's the first time we've had the chance to see them in their new house. Its a lovely house and they seem really settled. It was great to see them both. I think Dumfries is going to become a regular haunt for my hubbie and I.
While with our friends, we went to their church. It's a very busy church in the centre of Dumfries. The minister is really down-to-earth and quiet funny. Everyone was sooo nice and friendly. Genuinely friendly.
As we were leaving a member of the congregation stopped me. "Excuse me, but were have I met you before, I know your face from somewhere". Err, mmh. I'm standing there thinking - argh, I don't recognise this woman at all. Oh dear, where do I know her from. I'm usually really bad with names, but remember faces, so this was making me feel bad.
"Were you at the National Gathering" I enquired. "Yes" she relied. Now I was getting somewhere. "Did you go to the tent with the big red motorbike outside it" I knew where I needed to take the line of questioning (am I writing a bad detective novel here?) "Yes" came the answer. "I was the pillion rider on that bike; my husband was the rider". Good, I'd got that one sorted and given the hundreds of people I talked to at the National Gathering, I'm not surprised I didn't remember the woman.
We chatted a little about bikes and our crash. Her husband had had a bike when they first met and rode ever weekend from Stranraer via his Mum's (in Alloa) to see her in Edinburgh. I loved that story.
So, looks like I can't go anywhere without getting spotted. Infamy, infamy, they've all got it in for me!
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