Notes from the Vicarage Garden - November 2013

November Notes from the Vicarage Garden,

Yesterday, I was mainly clearing drains in the rain. Damp on the walls and mould in the electrical cupboard suggested there might be a problem, but even so, my intrepid colleague and I were slightly shocked at the amount of soil, pebbles and yes, plant roots that had backlogged the drains. Clearly a job that had not been done for a while. And not a job I had imagined myself doing as a vicar either. As I lay in a muddy puddle, water overflowing from my gloves and even more unpleasantly, trickling down one armpit, I tried to recall if it had ever been mentioned during the ordained ministry selection process, or if I had somehow missed the lecture on unblocking church drains?

Every job worth doing, every project worth undertaking, includes tasks we would rather avoid. The unglamorous routine stuff that perhaps doesn’t seem particularly important (not many souls saved for Christ while unblocking drains) but nevertheless causes significant problems if left undone.

Likewise, November can feel like the month we would rather avoid. It begins with the annual Bereavement Service (2nd November @ 4pm in St Anne’s) continues with Remembrance Sunday (10th November 10.15 St Anne’s & 5pm, Holy Trinity). On the 25th November (IAWM) International Anglican Women’s Network launch 16 Days of Activism against Violence against Women (more information can be found on the Anglican Communion Website) when we have time to recall the work of women and men responsible for the many forms of mission and ministry aimed at ending and preventing violence against women and girls. November leads into the Christian season of Advent and we prepare for Christmas celebrations by considering the four last things; Death, Judgement, Heaven and Hell. Which, as the nights get longer, is enough to make anyone want to crawl under the duvet and stay there...

And yet, and yet,
...something amazing happens when we face our worst fears; our mortality, our sadness, the human capacity for dreadful deeds... just like degunging a blocked drain and watching the water start to flow again, we are able to begin to move from despair to hope. Despite the deeply serious themes of Advent, this is a season characterised by expectation, rather than morbid introspection, as we wait for God to fulfill his promises of abundant life through the birth of Jesus Christ. We begin again the journey to Easter, to the Cross, and beyond the Cross (for the journey doesn’t end there in despair) to new joy, life and an earth renewed and restored by Love. For as the Biblical poet writes; Love is stronger than death, many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it. (Song of Songs/Song of Solomon ch. 8 vs 6-7). Hurrah to unblocked drains, so worth doing.

General Synod Election Address

Here's my General Synod Address which means YES, I'm standing for election in Ripon and Leeds Diocese for the General Synod, House of Clergy...  

I'd say it's one of the most interesting things going on in my life right now - but then there's a Pentecost Picnic on the Vicarage Lawn after this Sunday's service, so I'm trying to keep the chickens under control, my daughter is undergoing SATS, sadly curate Peter Matthews is leaving in a fortnight, and last Sunday we made kites out of candyfloss sticks, bin bags and duct tape during the monthly OPEN2 service. (Yes they did indeed fly - The Wind blows where it will, especially in Tunstall) 

So the elections are going to have to take their place alongside other exciting things, but here's  my Election address in case you'd like to vote for me ( pretty please with a cherry on top?). I've been proposed by Rev'd Yvonne Callaghan, Richmond Deanery and seconded by Rev'd Canon Tony Shepherd, St Peter's, Harrogate Deanery.

General Synod Election Address

Lindsay Southern? Who's she?

Currently a newbie incumbent at the Parish of Catterick and Tunstall, Richmond Deanery, bordering the largest garrison in Europe, following training at Cranmer Hall and a curacy in Wensley deanery. Grew up in Hong Kong and rumoured to have Methodist roots, but of Heinz churchmanship owing to years as an army wife in contact with Padres of all traditions. Currently serving on the Diocesan Synod and actively contributing to debates there and at Deanery Synod. Attended the Lambeth Palace Transformations Conference in 2011.

Why the interest in General Synod?

Passionate about General Synod (admittedly, I don’t get out much), esp. as a forum for lay, ordained and episcopal perspectives to be shared as we discern together where the Holy Spirit is leading us as a church and how best to serve the Kingdom of God here and now. Rather than being disillusioned by its flaws, I’m mostly impressed a lot of the work being done, for example the Living Wage and qualifying connections. Having watched attentively from the sidelines, I’d like to engage more actively. It’s been said that often I ask

questions privately thought by others but not always articulated. So it’s likely I will be a questioning voice at Synod, possibly tentatively enquiring about the Emperor's new clothes. If, after reading this, or speaking with me (licensetobless@gmail.com, T: 01748 811462), you think I may be the right candidate for the role, please put me as your first preference General Synod representative.

Likely to get excited about?

Faith schools and RE as a core curriculum subject, military, chaplaincy work, Methodist covenant and other ecumenical initiatives, learning from other churches within the Anglican communion, encouraging discipleship in the context of everyday life 24/7.

Where do you stand on controversial stuff like...

Dioceses Commission Report? I voted in support of it at Diocesan Synod because of clear mission opportunities for the urban conurbations. But I also expressed concern about the potentially negative effect upon rural areas, should the urban centre of gravity eclipse rural concerns and access to resources. I think it’s important that at General Synod both rural and urban perspectives inform the Church of England’s decision making. I’m aware that the Archbishop of York has decided to present the report to General Synod for

consideration, despite Wakefield Synod’s lack of support, and that it still commands the support of Ripon and Leeds Diocese.

Women Bishop’s legislation? 

The current situation is detrimental to the life and witness of the church, as well as the spiritual wellbeing of many women. Initially I supported provision through a code of practice but now think it’s likely to exacerbate division rather than promote unity in the long term. A single clause measure, with pastoral provision made outside the core legislation, has the most integrity in terms of justice, theology and ecclesiology and is the most constructive in terms of mission. However, I look forward to seeing if new proposals offer a way forward through the current impasse and would vote for something that enables Bishops, both male and female, to flourish in their ministry. I’ve served on the National committee of WATCH

(Women and the Church) for four years, recently stepping down as Chair of Ripon and Leeds WATCH and am aware of the complexities of the issues.

Gay marriage? 

Sympathetic to C of E reservations about redefining marriage, but concerned that recent pronouncements from both Church and State jeopardize engagement with the Anglican Communion’s own commitment to listen to the experience of homosexual persons, (Lambeth 1.10) which was made as long ago as 1998. It’s untenable for the Church of England end up in a situation where it’s illegal for us to conduct same-sex marriages even if Synod’s own discernment process found it acceptable. As a priest, I would like to

see the church remove the official ban on blessing of same-sex civil partnerships.

Is General Synod doing too much navel gazing?

No, I don’t think so, it’s important we don’t set up long term structures and systems at odds with the gospel message we proclaim. In 2012 there were Diocesan Motions about internal structural issues such as; how the Anglican communion links should maintained, the organisational shape of the Church of England, workings of the General Synod. How the church decides to integrate, or fails to integrate people of differing races, ages, genders, sexual orientation, abilities, social and educational backgrounds, are genuinely important matters rather than self indulgent naval-gazing precisely because organisational systems and structures communicate something about how people are valued. That in turn effects how people see themselves in relation to others and to God. The outcomes of these debates will have an impact on our ability to communicate the good news of the Gospel effectively with integrity and to care for people pastorally. Desmond Tutu wrote that ‘In South

Africa, the victims of the apartheid system often ended up internalizing the definition the system had of them...One of the most blasphemous consequences of injustice and prejudice is that it can make a child of God doubt that he or she is a child of God. But no-one is a stepchild of God. No-one’ (God has a Dream p.40 Kindle edition). Our structures, processes and decisions should strive to reflect that reality.

Blessing the Bridleway bridge at Catterick tomorrow together with Methodist minister. Much excitement - Tyres pumped, blessing written, fluorescent pink cycling vest emblazoned VICAR located. So all set.

A Blessing for Catterick Bridge

Blessed be God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, bridge between humanity and God,

Blessed be this bridge, the communities (Catterick, Brough and Brompton on Sw

ale) it links, the water flowing beneath,

Blessed be the bridge builders and all who use this bridleway,

May those who hike, bike, amble, ramble, ride or run this way be blessed with health and wholeness in body, mind and spirit.

Amen

On the move...

As I sit in my first-ever Vicarage, surrounded by the debris of half unpacked boxes. I have to ask myself the deep and spiritually profound question; Where did all this stuff come from? And where on earth is it going to go? And when, oh when am I going to take seriously Jesus’ challenge; ‘Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and thieves break in and steal, but store up riches for yourselves in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy and thieves cannot break in and steal. For your heart will always be where your riches are.’

I think I am almost relieved you can’t take it with you when you die. Heaven, I’m hoping, will not involve four removal vans, a removal crew of six and enough stickytape to wrap the entire earth. I would like to blame having three children, but if I’m honest I’m the hoarder in this family. My husband would happily live with whatever he could fit in a backpack. I’m the magpie who can’t bear to part with some moth-eaten relic I picked up at a car-boot sale. (It was SUCH a bargain – honest.) You would think 15 years moving around as an army wife would have taught me a life lesson in travelling light. But I am clearly a slow learner.

I blame the Brownies.  Do you remember the motto – ‘Be prepared’? And all the stuff we had to carry in our pockets -  2p, pencil, piece of string, penknife (you’d be arrested for that now!), notebook, handkerchief etc. etc. etc? I think there is a part of me that still thinks I need lots of stuff, just in case. And if there is ever a job where you need to be prepared for the unexpected – it’s definitely ministry.

The people in this new parish have spent considerable time during their interregnum pondering what they want from a vicar. They asked for someone who will; draw out and channel new ideas, inspire through teaching, preaching and encouragement with personal discipleship, encourage regular members of the congregation to use their gifts and to take responsibility within the Body of Christ, maintain and develop links with the Primary School, build up ministry among young people and families and to work with Sunday School, identify new opportunities for the churches to work in partnership with their communities, liaise with the local Armed Forces’ bases to provide appropriate worship, pastoral care and support for military personnel and their families, exercise leadership that is collaborative wherever possible.

Phew! Where to start? I’m preparing for this challenge firstly by buying a bicycle. Not simply in a fit of panic-induced retail therapy, I hasten to add, but because sustaining ministry is a demanding business and it’s important that I’m physically as well as spiritually fit…

Secondly, one of the joys of ministry is loitering with holy intent, and it is amazing how many fascinating and wonderful conversations occur when I’m out and about, rather than holed up in my study. So I’ve already discovered the delights of the local teashop and couple of good dog walks.

But perhaps I can think of a better model for ministry than the old Brownies’ motto; ‘Be Prepared’. Because in truth, we never really know what is round the corner. Perhaps what I need more than preparation, or stuff, is trust. Trust that God is already at work here. Trust that if we need something, we can ask Christ and we will receive it, that if we seek, we will find and if we knock, the door will be opened.

In the meantime, if you need any boxes, I may have a few to spare…