Not from outer space, though. After 10 and a half weeks away, I got home yesterday. It's been a busy old time, but I have thoroughly enjoyed (almost) all of it. It was a great opportunity to be the 'minister' in a couple of parishes for the summer and - for some reason I can't quite figure out - they really took me to their hearts. In some ways, maybe it might have been good to be there for the long haul, but I've maybe sown the seeds for a different way of ministry in the area (long story). If that's the case, then perhaps my time has been beneficial for the congregations as well as me.
On the way home, I also visited RAF Lossiemouth, to see how military chaplaincy works. At the moment, there's a lot to process about that - I will write about it soon. For now I will say 2 things. Men in uniform and sitting in pilot seat of a tornado. What more does a woman need?!
Wednesday, 14 August 2013
Monday, 5 August 2013
A day for meeting angels
I don't quite know what I do. People seem to like my preaching and my prayers and the way I generally engage with them and others. I don't see what I am doing as especially different (from what I think a minister should be doing) nor especially special. But, the people in Railway Crossing and First Stop seem to have a different idea.
I suppose I shouldn't over analyse this. They like me and I am just being who I am - nothing more, nothing less. I laugh (imagine that!), but I will also listen and share pain and, I suppose, just be there. As I say, nothing unusual.
Yesterday, there were a couple of angels in the congregation. Visitors on holiday. Both thought I was the minister. One is a reader in the Kirk - he genuinely seemed surprised when I told him I was just training. Another's family is from the area, so they visit the church in Railway Crossing whenever they are up. He liked my fresh approach (I didn't realise I had one), but wondered if older people may. He told me how he'd heard many people in the congregation saying how much they like my way of leading worship and that I was like a breath of fresh air. I was very humbled and touched that he wanted to tell me what the congregation was thinking. He seemed really enthused by the message he was bringing me. And I was humbled someone would do that.
Both were angels, because angels are messengers from God. They gave me a message of encouragement and reassurance I am on the right path on many, many levels. I pray I remain to do so.
I suppose I shouldn't over analyse this. They like me and I am just being who I am - nothing more, nothing less. I laugh (imagine that!), but I will also listen and share pain and, I suppose, just be there. As I say, nothing unusual.
Yesterday, there were a couple of angels in the congregation. Visitors on holiday. Both thought I was the minister. One is a reader in the Kirk - he genuinely seemed surprised when I told him I was just training. Another's family is from the area, so they visit the church in Railway Crossing whenever they are up. He liked my fresh approach (I didn't realise I had one), but wondered if older people may. He told me how he'd heard many people in the congregation saying how much they like my way of leading worship and that I was like a breath of fresh air. I was very humbled and touched that he wanted to tell me what the congregation was thinking. He seemed really enthused by the message he was bringing me. And I was humbled someone would do that.
Both were angels, because angels are messengers from God. They gave me a message of encouragement and reassurance I am on the right path on many, many levels. I pray I remain to do so.
Sunday, 4 August 2013
The end is nigh
Today I am aware I am about to enter my final week at Railway Crossing and First Stop. I have really relished the experience of being here for the summer. I know I have grown and settled in very well.
The coming week is going to be a busy one, with the summer holiday club taking place in Railway Crossing. I have warned the other leaders I am very relaxed with these things. I already surprised one of the leaders by having a laugh when we were 'quality testing' the giant jenga. Apparently they've never seen a minister laugh than much...the poor people.
I'm really looking forward to the holiday club. I have missed not having any youth work for a year, due to none taking place at Caledonia Kirk. My concern is there may be an undertone of 'get them to church', which I rail against, but time will tell.
I'm amazed how the congregations have taken me, so it seems, to my heart. I am who I am and don't try to be anything different, perhaps that's why. I also regularly get positive comments about my sermons - they like that I don't waffle and I leave them thinking - that I don't give them all the answers. That's my intent - after all, I don't have them all - but I'm glad that comes across. Surprisingly, I was told one of the congregations laps up hell-fire and brimstone and I am just not that kind of preacher, so maybe the person who told me this thinks they like that because that's his style and reflects his theology?
Though I have enjoyed the experience, have met some wonderful people and seen beautiful scenery, this experience has confirmed I am not called to remote rural ministry. Not at this stage in my life or ministry, but I'll be careful completely dismissing it, as I don't want to give God too good a laugh.
After here, I am heading straight off to shadow a military chaplain. I don't know if I am called to that form of ministry, but it's an experience which I know will be useful in any ministry. Besides, I do like a man in uniform!
The coming week is going to be a busy one, with the summer holiday club taking place in Railway Crossing. I have warned the other leaders I am very relaxed with these things. I already surprised one of the leaders by having a laugh when we were 'quality testing' the giant jenga. Apparently they've never seen a minister laugh than much...the poor people.
I'm really looking forward to the holiday club. I have missed not having any youth work for a year, due to none taking place at Caledonia Kirk. My concern is there may be an undertone of 'get them to church', which I rail against, but time will tell.
I'm amazed how the congregations have taken me, so it seems, to my heart. I am who I am and don't try to be anything different, perhaps that's why. I also regularly get positive comments about my sermons - they like that I don't waffle and I leave them thinking - that I don't give them all the answers. That's my intent - after all, I don't have them all - but I'm glad that comes across. Surprisingly, I was told one of the congregations laps up hell-fire and brimstone and I am just not that kind of preacher, so maybe the person who told me this thinks they like that because that's his style and reflects his theology?
Though I have enjoyed the experience, have met some wonderful people and seen beautiful scenery, this experience has confirmed I am not called to remote rural ministry. Not at this stage in my life or ministry, but I'll be careful completely dismissing it, as I don't want to give God too good a laugh.
After here, I am heading straight off to shadow a military chaplain. I don't know if I am called to that form of ministry, but it's an experience which I know will be useful in any ministry. Besides, I do like a man in uniform!
Wednesday, 31 July 2013
Setting down other's burdens
Part of the 'deal' doing this work experience is, in addition to Sunday worship, also offer pastoral care. I must admit, I struggle with the definition of pastoral care, but that's probably a post for another time.
Apart from 1 attempted visit, I have been welcomed into people's homes with great grace and hospitality. As time has gone on, I may not have instantly recognised the names on a piece of paper, but knew some as soon as they opened the door. It has been a good way to build up relatioships and get to know the congregations better (which is made difficult with the lack of fellowship here - e.g. no teas after the service).
I do realise that some of these visits have been very emotionally draining. Without going into details, yesterday I had an 'interesting' time. Once I returned from a couple of visits I was wore out.
Which got me thinking, and Spot and I talked about it later that evening. Where, in parishes like this could I go to discuss these matters? In a urban or semi-rural setting, there's a reasonable likelyhood there would be a minister - a colleague - nearby with whom I could have a blether and we could both (or maybe as a larger group) offer each other support. Sort of pastoral support for pastors.
Here, the neighbouring parishes are miles away and I wonder how minister here get mutual support from one another (or an I being naive, and it doesn't really go on anyway?). I suppose, what I am really saying is I need to work through how I deal with all this 'stuff' which will come my way, that it doesn't burden me down to such an extent that I burn out. Definitely something I need to think about and work out.
Apart from 1 attempted visit, I have been welcomed into people's homes with great grace and hospitality. As time has gone on, I may not have instantly recognised the names on a piece of paper, but knew some as soon as they opened the door. It has been a good way to build up relatioships and get to know the congregations better (which is made difficult with the lack of fellowship here - e.g. no teas after the service).
I do realise that some of these visits have been very emotionally draining. Without going into details, yesterday I had an 'interesting' time. Once I returned from a couple of visits I was wore out.
Which got me thinking, and Spot and I talked about it later that evening. Where, in parishes like this could I go to discuss these matters? In a urban or semi-rural setting, there's a reasonable likelyhood there would be a minister - a colleague - nearby with whom I could have a blether and we could both (or maybe as a larger group) offer each other support. Sort of pastoral support for pastors.
Here, the neighbouring parishes are miles away and I wonder how minister here get mutual support from one another (or an I being naive, and it doesn't really go on anyway?). I suppose, what I am really saying is I need to work through how I deal with all this 'stuff' which will come my way, that it doesn't burden me down to such an extent that I burn out. Definitely something I need to think about and work out.
Tuesday, 30 July 2013
Not making stuff up
On Sunday I preached my ninth sermon in a row. At this stage in my training, it has been a great opportunity to get into the habit and discipline of preparing worship every week. It's also been good to do so without a supervisor 'looking over my shoulder,' so to speak. I know they are there to encourage and stretch and challenge us, but it's still nice to not have that pressure as I make preparations for Sunday and lead the act of worship.
Throughout this summer, I have tried to vary a little how I present/expound the bible passage(s). That has been both a conscious and non-conscious effort - on a couple of occasions it is only with hindsight I have realised I'd been a little different.
Now, I am not talking 'out there' different, but using different styles of sermons. Sometimes I have started with an anecdote, other times a story. Sometimes I have gone straight to the text and just teased out what it was and is saying to us. Sometimes I have begun by talking directly about the text, had an an anecdote or story in the middle and finished by going back to the text. On Sunday past I did something different from any of those.
The readings were Genesis 18:20-32 and Luke 11:1-13. This time I told a story from the prospective of the woman in the house of the man in the parable in Luke's gospel. Using that, I realised I was able to talk about culture and context - because they were integral parts of the story. I was able to bring in an explanation about seek, ask and knock, in relation to persistence. And I was able to relate the parable with Abraham's negotiation as part of the persistence. Looking back, there was a lot more teaching and theology in that story than I even realised when I was preparing the sermon.
The thing is, if I am at church and the sermon takes that style it's not exactly what you could call my preference. I've always wondered what the point is or why the minister didn't say things directly. But now I am coming to appreciate there is more than one way to cook an egg. Jesus regularly explained things in stories, so there's definitely a precedent there! Also, I am thinking of a congregation.
In any congregation, there will be a variety of learning types, background, experiences, knowledge, etc. Varying the style of sermon (even subtly) may touch different people in different ways. Though the sermon style I used on Sunday may not be one which speaks to me (if I am a bum on a pew), it does to others. How do I know it speaks to others? Because a couple of people spoke to me after the service and mentioned how it really made the lessons come alive for them. Yes, it might not work for all and I wouldn't do it often, but I will try again.
Besides, on a practical note, if I used the same style and format of sermon for my whole ministry I think I would get bored. Never mind the congregation!
Maybe, once I am back in civilisation and I hear a sermon in the style I preached the other day I will come to it with a fresh understanding, with fresh insight and the knowledge that it isn't just making stuff up, as I have thought of them in the past!
Throughout this summer, I have tried to vary a little how I present/expound the bible passage(s). That has been both a conscious and non-conscious effort - on a couple of occasions it is only with hindsight I have realised I'd been a little different.
Now, I am not talking 'out there' different, but using different styles of sermons. Sometimes I have started with an anecdote, other times a story. Sometimes I have gone straight to the text and just teased out what it was and is saying to us. Sometimes I have begun by talking directly about the text, had an an anecdote or story in the middle and finished by going back to the text. On Sunday past I did something different from any of those.
The readings were Genesis 18:20-32 and Luke 11:1-13. This time I told a story from the prospective of the woman in the house of the man in the parable in Luke's gospel. Using that, I realised I was able to talk about culture and context - because they were integral parts of the story. I was able to bring in an explanation about seek, ask and knock, in relation to persistence. And I was able to relate the parable with Abraham's negotiation as part of the persistence. Looking back, there was a lot more teaching and theology in that story than I even realised when I was preparing the sermon.
The thing is, if I am at church and the sermon takes that style it's not exactly what you could call my preference. I've always wondered what the point is or why the minister didn't say things directly. But now I am coming to appreciate there is more than one way to cook an egg. Jesus regularly explained things in stories, so there's definitely a precedent there! Also, I am thinking of a congregation.
In any congregation, there will be a variety of learning types, background, experiences, knowledge, etc. Varying the style of sermon (even subtly) may touch different people in different ways. Though the sermon style I used on Sunday may not be one which speaks to me (if I am a bum on a pew), it does to others. How do I know it speaks to others? Because a couple of people spoke to me after the service and mentioned how it really made the lessons come alive for them. Yes, it might not work for all and I wouldn't do it often, but I will try again.
Besides, on a practical note, if I used the same style and format of sermon for my whole ministry I think I would get bored. Never mind the congregation!
Maybe, once I am back in civilisation and I hear a sermon in the style I preached the other day I will come to it with a fresh understanding, with fresh insight and the knowledge that it isn't just making stuff up, as I have thought of them in the past!
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