The end of term is here. We've had the end of term formal dinner, final communion, those that are leaving the college for the vacation are packing up their belongs and filling they're cars. Life the next five weeks will be very different from the last eight!
However, though I may not have lectures, it is not time to sit back and put my feet up (unfortunately). There are two 3,000 word essays to get written, five chapters of John to attempt to translate and two acts of worship to prepare! Plenty to keep me out of trouble and encamped in the library.
BUT life will be different, there is another new routine to get my head round. The faces that I see everyday won't mostly be here, but other new faces will appear. No chapel every morning. I have to remember not just to go and eat, but that I have to cook what I'm going to eat! By week 5 of the vacation I will have just about got my head round the change, when it will all change again! If I have learnt anything over the past two terms, there is not a normal rhythm to life at Westminster! Sometimes this can be a real challenge, but other times a real blessing.
Ministry is a vocation and it's not just about being sat at my desk from 8-12 writing sermons and then visiting my congregations from 1-4, it is about my whole life, about who I am. Every day will potentially be different, filled with challenge and blessing. This both excites me and scares me, but that is why I am here, living in this community and being prepared for what is outside the safety of these four walls.
Friday, March 16, 2012
Thursday, March 8, 2012
And so the end is near...
Week 8 of the Lent term... in six days time I will have finished my second term in Cambridge! Gulp! And I'm able to sit down and write my blog on a Thursday evening! I'm a little worried that I've forgotten to do something or missed something vitally important, but a part from the Greek (which I'm avoiding), most of my work is done for the end of term! How did that happen?
The second term was no less mad than the first term, possibly even madder! We may have had fewer hours in lectures, but my days have seemed to have been even fuller. The rollercoaster ride has just happened all over again. What am I do? Who every thought this was a good idea? Why did I ever agree to this?!
But though it has been another rollercoaster ride (and I hate rollercoasters), it has been great. I may sit any wonder what people are going on about at times and sometimes things just go in one ear and out of the other. But the challenges I have faced, the things I have learnt, have not only taught me more about theology, but also about who I am and most importantly about my relationship with God.
So bring on the Easter term... my assessed service... my five exams... and my two essays!
The second term was no less mad than the first term, possibly even madder! We may have had fewer hours in lectures, but my days have seemed to have been even fuller. The rollercoaster ride has just happened all over again. What am I do? Who every thought this was a good idea? Why did I ever agree to this?!
But though it has been another rollercoaster ride (and I hate rollercoasters), it has been great. I may sit any wonder what people are going on about at times and sometimes things just go in one ear and out of the other. But the challenges I have faced, the things I have learnt, have not only taught me more about theology, but also about who I am and most importantly about my relationship with God.
So bring on the Easter term... my assessed service... my five exams... and my two essays!
Saturday, March 3, 2012
A moment in history...
Now there are old books and then there are old books. I spend many hours in my college library surrounded by books that have been written by great theologians and philosophical thinkers from across the centuries. For one essay last term I even managed to read (well part read) a book that was over 200 years old. But in Life and Service on Friday we were looking at two books that were over 350 years old - the Westminster Confession (the original manuscript) and the copy of the Confession which was given to Francis Bacon for his consideration prior to its discussion in Parliament in 1646. The Confession was to suppose to further reform the Church of England, unfortunately it didn't as Parliament vote against it. However, if they had the Church of England would now be Presbytarian... interesting!
I love Church history!
I love Church history!
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Hello, my name's Elaine...
this week has been a little busier than normal... I've actually been 'working' and not just studying! In this first year I undertake a social context placement, which for me was to spend a week at the local hospice with the chapliancy team.
Well as some of you know, I'm not good at walking into a room and introducing myself, so having to do this all week has been a huge challenge. Then I've had to hold a conversation with that person - ahhh! Why does ministry have to include pastoral visiting? Can't I just write them a letter?
Aside from this hugh challenge set me, it has a been a fantastic week and given me a real insight into people. Though you might expect the hospice to be a place of sadness and distress, it is not. It is a place of love, joy and even hope. Though there is a realisation that life may be near its end, and there is much grief surrounding that, people know that what ever happens it will be ok. Now I'm not saying that everyone I have met has it sorted, there are those who are in denial both patients and families. But they wouldn't be human if denial didn't feature at some point whilst coming to terms with what is happening and what's to come. I think all of us are to some extent in denial that eventually are life will come to an end. Personally, things that surround death scare me even with knowing God's amazing love for me.
So after this week, I may still be rubbish at walking into a room and holding a pastoral conversation (really need more practice at this), but I have learnt that whether you are seriously ill or even dying, you are no less human and you still want to know what the weather is like.
Well as some of you know, I'm not good at walking into a room and introducing myself, so having to do this all week has been a huge challenge. Then I've had to hold a conversation with that person - ahhh! Why does ministry have to include pastoral visiting? Can't I just write them a letter?
Aside from this hugh challenge set me, it has a been a fantastic week and given me a real insight into people. Though you might expect the hospice to be a place of sadness and distress, it is not. It is a place of love, joy and even hope. Though there is a realisation that life may be near its end, and there is much grief surrounding that, people know that what ever happens it will be ok. Now I'm not saying that everyone I have met has it sorted, there are those who are in denial both patients and families. But they wouldn't be human if denial didn't feature at some point whilst coming to terms with what is happening and what's to come. I think all of us are to some extent in denial that eventually are life will come to an end. Personally, things that surround death scare me even with knowing God's amazing love for me.
So after this week, I may still be rubbish at walking into a room and holding a pastoral conversation (really need more practice at this), but I have learnt that whether you are seriously ill or even dying, you are no less human and you still want to know what the weather is like.
Friday, February 17, 2012
Seven!
Compared to last week, this week has been fairly uneventful apart from the College Revue last night. Each year at Westminster, the students and the staff turn their hands to something that is a little less theologically-minded to something that displays other talents which may or may not help with ministry within the URC (or another denomination as we do have students who are not URC).
Now Senatus as the Strictly Come Liturgical Dancing Judges was a triumph - I don't think I will every be able to look at the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Archbishop of York or the General Secretary of the URC again without picturing them liturgically dancing! And as for the rest of the acts, well there is nothing more that can be said than what a talented bunch we are!
(Please note we didn't have footage of esteemed members of clergy performing liturgical dance, so there is no point searching YouTube. Senatus were just very good at describe what it maybe like if any of them took it up as a past time!)
We spend so much of our time reading, reflecting and attempting to be theologians, that it can be easy to forget who we are. Last night I think we all showed another side of ourselves to the community and we that we haven't forgotten who we are. (Well not yet anyway!)
Now Senatus as the Strictly Come Liturgical Dancing Judges was a triumph - I don't think I will every be able to look at the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Archbishop of York or the General Secretary of the URC again without picturing them liturgically dancing! And as for the rest of the acts, well there is nothing more that can be said than what a talented bunch we are!
(Please note we didn't have footage of esteemed members of clergy performing liturgical dance, so there is no point searching YouTube. Senatus were just very good at describe what it maybe like if any of them took it up as a past time!)
We spend so much of our time reading, reflecting and attempting to be theologians, that it can be easy to forget who we are. Last night I think we all showed another side of ourselves to the community and we that we haven't forgotten who we are. (Well not yet anyway!)
Friday, February 10, 2012
shaking hands with the Archbishop of Canterbury
It has been a busy week and Friday seems to have arrived without me realising it! There has not been much time to sit back and watch the world go by or in my case this week, build a snowman! (Yes... have re-embraced student-dom and did used one of my short reading breaks to play in the snow and build a small, but very happy snowman!)
Anyway, down to some more serious stuff. This week I got out of Cambridge for a few hours and headed to London and to Westminster Abbey. This was not for a sight-seeing visit (though we did pop our heads into the National Gallery), but to attend a service which I think should have been of great significance for the church within England.
For those of you who may not know much about church history - in 1662 Parliament revised the Act of Uniformity, which led to a great ejectment of clergy (2000 ministers) from the church of England. These became the non-conformists from whom my denomination has its roots.
Therefore, to commemorate this 350 years on, members of the URC and Church of England gathered together for an act of worship. But this was a commemoration service that was about woe and how badly are founding fathers were treated; it was about looking forward and starting to build a relationship between the two denominations. We may have different outlooks on theology, doctrine and churchmenship, but we do all believe in one God and our purpose should be to honour Him.
This is also the 40th year since the URC came into existance from the coming together of the Congregational churches of England and Wales and Presbyterian churches of England. The vision in 1972 was that this would be start of the end of division within the church. It might have not quite worked out like that, but for 800 of us to turn up at the Abbey must show that as a denomination we believe in the denominations coming together in some way, even if it is just to recognise that we are different.
And whether you are a URC ordinand who still has much to learn about her own denomination's traditions or the Archbishop of Canterbury who is leading a denomination steeped in tradition... we can shake hands and say that was good!
Anyway, down to some more serious stuff. This week I got out of Cambridge for a few hours and headed to London and to Westminster Abbey. This was not for a sight-seeing visit (though we did pop our heads into the National Gallery), but to attend a service which I think should have been of great significance for the church within England.
For those of you who may not know much about church history - in 1662 Parliament revised the Act of Uniformity, which led to a great ejectment of clergy (2000 ministers) from the church of England. These became the non-conformists from whom my denomination has its roots.
Therefore, to commemorate this 350 years on, members of the URC and Church of England gathered together for an act of worship. But this was a commemoration service that was about woe and how badly are founding fathers were treated; it was about looking forward and starting to build a relationship between the two denominations. We may have different outlooks on theology, doctrine and churchmenship, but we do all believe in one God and our purpose should be to honour Him.
This is also the 40th year since the URC came into existance from the coming together of the Congregational churches of England and Wales and Presbyterian churches of England. The vision in 1972 was that this would be start of the end of division within the church. It might have not quite worked out like that, but for 800 of us to turn up at the Abbey must show that as a denomination we believe in the denominations coming together in some way, even if it is just to recognise that we are different.
And whether you are a URC ordinand who still has much to learn about her own denomination's traditions or the Archbishop of Canterbury who is leading a denomination steeped in tradition... we can shake hands and say that was good!
Thursday, February 2, 2012
the gift...
Well I should be working on an essay on Eschatology, but work avoidance is far more fun and actually I can count blogging as work this!
Last week in our Life and Service session we were looking at the confession we make at our ordination. Now, you may think that this is a bit premature, since I still have three years, 1 term and 6 weeks to go, but if you're going to look at what it means to be a minister in the URC I guess it a good a place to start as any. This week we were asked to consider a particular phrase within the statement and how we might explain it to someone who has absolutely no concept of what this is all about. So I thought I might attempt this as my blog this week!
The phrase is "the gift of God's very self to the world".
Over Christmas did you see the John Lewis advert? This little boy is really impatient for Christmas to arrive, but not because of presents he'll receive, but because of the one he has to give. It is big and not very well wrapped, and the smile on his face as he bursts into his Mum and Dad's room is magical. It is a present that he has put himself into and is his way of showing how much he loves his Mum and Dad. And this is how I see this phrase in our confession of faith, God has this massive gift for the world and it's himself! And he's really impatient about giving us this gift. He doesn't really care about the things he get's back, the presents the little boy runs past at the end of his bed, what is important is his present to us. Maybe its not as neatly wrapped as we'd expect, but it is big, bigger than we can really image and it is for everyone! And its not easy giving yourself to people!
Fairly awesome! Even mind blowing when you really think about it. Well I think so any!
(P.S. You can watch the John Lewis advert at http://www.johnlewis.com/Magazine/Feature.aspx?Id=993&intcmp=HP_minipromo_featuresvideo_993_111111)
Last week in our Life and Service session we were looking at the confession we make at our ordination. Now, you may think that this is a bit premature, since I still have three years, 1 term and 6 weeks to go, but if you're going to look at what it means to be a minister in the URC I guess it a good a place to start as any. This week we were asked to consider a particular phrase within the statement and how we might explain it to someone who has absolutely no concept of what this is all about. So I thought I might attempt this as my blog this week!
The phrase is "the gift of God's very self to the world".
Over Christmas did you see the John Lewis advert? This little boy is really impatient for Christmas to arrive, but not because of presents he'll receive, but because of the one he has to give. It is big and not very well wrapped, and the smile on his face as he bursts into his Mum and Dad's room is magical. It is a present that he has put himself into and is his way of showing how much he loves his Mum and Dad. And this is how I see this phrase in our confession of faith, God has this massive gift for the world and it's himself! And he's really impatient about giving us this gift. He doesn't really care about the things he get's back, the presents the little boy runs past at the end of his bed, what is important is his present to us. Maybe its not as neatly wrapped as we'd expect, but it is big, bigger than we can really image and it is for everyone! And its not easy giving yourself to people!
Fairly awesome! Even mind blowing when you really think about it. Well I think so any!
(P.S. You can watch the John Lewis advert at http://www.johnlewis.com/Magazine/Feature.aspx?Id=993&intcmp=HP_minipromo_featuresvideo_993_111111)
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