Mike's musings

Moo and work

(backposting) Well, I wish Moo hadn't had to go to work, but she did. I know it was important, but still: she's really not well. Interviewing people, and if they find the right person, then it'll make her life much easier.

I had a long meeting with John, my training incumbent elect tonight: till nearly 2230. We got through lots and lots of things that we need to sort out, from how many services I'll be taking, what books and vestments I'll need, how often we'll meet: all those sorts of issues. It's good to have meetings like that: it's actually quite a good way to bond and create a team.

Labels: illness, Moo, title

Meeting with James

(backposting) James, the current curate for my title post, came round for supper tonight. Moo was still out, so it was just me and him (I'd got the girls to bed in time, despite it being a hairwash night), and we had a great chat. Talked about the team, the parishes, the people, our views, our backgrounds, our theologies, our families, and the rest. I'm really glad that he's going to be around for at least a time overlapping with my title post.

Labels: clergy, title

Title post time

Today I took Miri and Jo to Halstead for the 1000 communion service. It was the day that they were due to announce to the congregation that I'm going to be serving my title there - God willing, obviously - and I thought it would be good to be there. Added to that, Moo wanted to do some cleaning, and that's a lot easier without the girls around. A good service - great hymns - and I sat next to the kids area. Jo found a 6 year-old girl to boss around, and played with her, while Miri cuddled me for most of the service and crawled around for a bit. John, my training incumbent-to-be invited me to the front, and I did a little introduction. I enjoyed the service, and although it would be good to see a few more young people there, it appears that the team is doing lots of work with younger people, most of which takes place outside standard Sunday worship, which is probably the way things work best. So, I'm looking forward to being involved in some of that, too.

Walk with Buster, Moo, Jo and Miri. Then swimming with Jo.

Finished watching If.... Great film. I'd not seen it in ages - 20 years plus, I guess - and had forgotten most of it.

Did the ironing in front of the TV.

Jo continues to be lovely.

Labels: church, films, Jo, miri, title

Title post

I've not been able to talk about this until it's all be approved and agreed, but at 1940 this evening, I handed over my letter of acceptance to Rev. John Blore, who will be my training incumbent in the Halstead Team Ministry, which will be my title post when I'm ordained on June 29th, God willing.

I'm immensely relieved - it's been a long slog - and very happy, as I really like the team, what they're doing, lots of the worship (I've attended a number of services across the team parishes over the past few months), and the members of the team have lots to teach me.

I have three essays left to write: around 9,000 words. And three more weekends. And that's all. Things are feeling close now.

Labels: ERMC, title

Title post

Had a very good meeting with the ministry team today, and things look good. I also planned a trip to Canada, canceled it, and did lots of other work.

Labels: title

Title post

I had my first exploratory meeting with the person who may be my training incumbent. We both need to agree that we want to proceed, and before we do that, I need to meet with the rest of the team - it's a team ministry. Actually, I think I've met them all briefly before, so that's a good start. That said, it was a great meeting and we got on very well. We had a lot more in common than I think either of us had expected, liturgically and theologically. I'm very hopeful that it'll work out, for which thanks be to God.

Labels: church, title