Beginnings

Last night I was licensed as Priest-in-charge of St Mary Redcliffe church in Bristol. It was one of those grand affairs that the CofE does from time to time, and does well. At least I enjoyed it.

We processed round the church and I was given different things like a map of the parish, a key to the church, a Bible etc, all symbolic of the mission of the church. The music from the church choir and the worship band from the Sixth Form of the neighbouring school was excellent; the Bishop preached a sermon that gave me lots of support. There were lots of people there: family and friends come specially for the event; friends from my former parishes; lots of folk from the new parish; and even the Lord Lieutenant and Deputy Lord Mayor. Some of this will take some getting used to!

I even made the local paper!

And then this morning I got up, and had to work out what I've got to do. It's very strange, all the pomp and ceremony of arrival and then a completely blank sheet of paper. First aim - survive my first Sunday (singing 3 services, assisting at a fourth and preaching).

Comments

charity said…
Given your 'performance' last night I think you'll more than survive, you'll thrive.
And hey the methodists are supporting you so God must be on your side right?!
9:35 pm
Kathryn said…
Well, I think that the gift of a map is so startlingly sensible, it can only auger well. Lots of prayers, obviously.
11:30 pm
Phil C said…
Wait, wait, I know this one. What you do is you stick the key on top of the church on the map and then go to the place it's pointing out and there you'll find the hidden Nazi gold/lost treasure of Atlantis/long lost church cat. Or something.
11:48 pm
Anonymous said…
wot - no mothers union?!?! - Rhys
11:29 am
Anonymous said…
I'm so sorry I missed it - all the occasion needed was a token Catholic sitting at the back, explaining to everyone how we built the church in the first place and should take all the credit...

...and then drinking too much at the bunfight afterwards.

That blank sheet of paper: you don't need me to teach you to suck eggs, but fill it with mistakes, failures, the unworthy, the undeserving...

The parish is lucky to have you.

Loads of love & blessings from York.
10:12 pm
Anonymous said…
Congratulations Simon. Hope you're having fun...and of course we're praying for you too

Rosiex
11:22 am
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