Some time ago now Sally Coleman over at Eternal Echoes talked a little about something she was looking at in terms of whether it is possible to offer Pastoral Care via Blogs and Facebook. I remember at the time thinking that it could be good up to a point, but that face to face is still the best way. However, when it comes to Facebook in particular, I'm beginning to wonder how much is possible.
I wasn't an early adopter of Facebook, but I have become someone that goes on there at least once a day now, and as more and more people join the site (and some of them find me) my friend list went up. I still don't have that many compared to some, but the disparate crew on there includes family, friends from college, people from my University days, one or two people from messageboards I frequent, various people who have roles within the Methodist Church, friends of my wife's.... a wide variety in other words, of people who I have some sort of connection with.
The end result of this is that I'm discovering that I'm being a lot more cautious about what I put on there. There are things I shared last year through my Status that I simply wouldn't post this year: it used to be I knew everyone personally, and in many cases well (or at least well enough to trust with my inner thoughts and feelings), but now there are people I haven't seen in over 15 years, some who I have never actually met in person, and others who while friends are not what I would call close friends. Suddenly sharing some of those things becomes far too risky - do I really want people who are not close to know these things?
Some things are of course still possible, with Messenger conversations and private messages hidden from view - but in some ways I no longer feel that I can be as open because Facebook is throwing up too many friends, too many people who while it is nice to be back in touch with, don't have the same sort of connection to me.
Is this inevitable with Social Networking? One of my favourite Podcasts, Buzz Out Loud, reported recently on a story that a Juror who used Twitter to talk about a verdict before it was announced in court may cause a mistrial.
It's beginning to look that the more people join these services, the more we have to think about how we use them. Facebook does allow you to only share certain things with certain people - are we all going to have to learn how to use it?
Wednesday, 18 March 2009
Monday, 16 March 2009
Staff Retreat
Last month saw the Circuit Staff Retreat, which took place over three days at Whalley Abbey - picture above, and more on my Flickr Stream.
It was a great chance to stop, take stock, and take in instead of give out - there was plenty of opportunity to be creative and to enjoy the surroundings; many of the pictures were taken on a walk that some of us did literally from the doorstep.
I did a little bit of writing while there, and I thought I'd share them here....
I found somewhere to sit and rest
I found a place – just me
An opportunity to be refreshed
A chance to simply be.
A thousand things that must be done
How many want things of me!
But God demands a single one:
“Spend time alone with Me!”
The time I spent alone with God
Enabled me to see
It mattered not the speed I trod
Much more, it was with thee.
As I sought silence
Time to spend with God
Sounds reached my straining ears
Birds singing
A distant car
Footsteps
A door opening
My own breathing
Where was the quiet?
How could I seek God?
But in these moments
Those gentle noises
Helped me to know that God sought me.....
“Seek and ye shall find” came the words
And so I went out to seek.
I searched the skies
I searched the Earth
I turned over the rocks
I delved into the deeps of the ocean
I looked in every place I could find
But I did not find what I was seeking.
In despair, I stood still;
In silence, I thought of all I had seen
Then I began to laugh – for I realised that what I had been seeking was there all along,
Just needing me to name and recognise the God that is everywhere that we seek
And that is also within ourselves.
Thursday, 12 March 2009
Baptism - a lasting mark?
It's been a while since I've posted on here, partly because it's been quite busy recently - so there are a few things that I will be trying to catch up on and post here in the next week or so!
I did another baptism - or rather two, as it was two sisters - in the middle of February, which seemed to go fairly well again. A couple of days later I went back to the church to fill in the Baptismal Register and write out the Baptismal Certificates; as I did so, I couldn't help but reflect on the fact that my name and signature is now on some documents that have some lasting significance - there is a lasting mark that I have made on their lives. Should those I have baptised want to go to a Church School, or later on get married in a church, it is my name certifying that they have been baptised; and if the future equivalent of "Who do you think you are" ever features their descendants, if they go and look at registers or certificates it will tell them that I was the one who did the baptism, as well as who the parents were etc.
I say a lasting mark, but some would of course disagree; and just this week I came across an article that included the story of someone who wished to renounce their baptism and have their name removed from a Baptismal Roll (scroll down to the end of the article for it.) He was told it wasn't possible, but what is interesting is in a way that it raises questions about what Baptism is, and what we believe about it. At about the same time, I read a letter in Ichthus - the magazine of LWPT - from someone questioning whether it is still reasonable to hold the view that baptism is once, for all time, and cannot be repeated.
Now, this is where it gets interesting, because the view you take on this depends a lot on where you are coming from. The Secular Society would of course argue that Baptism is essentially meaningless - although it is a little amusing to me that they do provide a "De-Baptism" certificate for download for those who wish to display their lack of belief in God, despite the fact that by their own view the original ceremony has no effect or meaning.... They are of course free to choose this and argue their case - but then, as a believer in God, so am I.
Baptists and others that accept only Believers (ie Adult) Baptism would argue that the baptism is in any case invalid, and reserve the right to re-baptise adults; many other churches (including my own) adopt the position that whenever the baptism is administered, it remains in force.
If you accept that Infant Baptism is valid, there is no need to rebaptise - and in fact many denominations would be very unhappy about this being asked for. My own feeling is that one of the important aspects of Baptism is about God reaching out to us - some of the words are "All this for you, before you could know anything of it." (To use theological language, this is called Prevenient Grace.) It's a sign of God's love which is there for us before we love God, whether we wish to accept it or not - and so, given this, how can a baptism be revoked? I believe that God continues to reach out to us, and even if (like the person in the article) you wish to reject this by regarding it as meaningless ritual or whatever, those of us with faith are also allowed to maintain that this is what we believe is happening with Baptism.
I did another baptism - or rather two, as it was two sisters - in the middle of February, which seemed to go fairly well again. A couple of days later I went back to the church to fill in the Baptismal Register and write out the Baptismal Certificates; as I did so, I couldn't help but reflect on the fact that my name and signature is now on some documents that have some lasting significance - there is a lasting mark that I have made on their lives. Should those I have baptised want to go to a Church School, or later on get married in a church, it is my name certifying that they have been baptised; and if the future equivalent of "Who do you think you are" ever features their descendants, if they go and look at registers or certificates it will tell them that I was the one who did the baptism, as well as who the parents were etc.
I say a lasting mark, but some would of course disagree; and just this week I came across an article that included the story of someone who wished to renounce their baptism and have their name removed from a Baptismal Roll (scroll down to the end of the article for it.) He was told it wasn't possible, but what is interesting is in a way that it raises questions about what Baptism is, and what we believe about it. At about the same time, I read a letter in Ichthus - the magazine of LWPT - from someone questioning whether it is still reasonable to hold the view that baptism is once, for all time, and cannot be repeated.
Now, this is where it gets interesting, because the view you take on this depends a lot on where you are coming from. The Secular Society would of course argue that Baptism is essentially meaningless - although it is a little amusing to me that they do provide a "De-Baptism" certificate for download for those who wish to display their lack of belief in God, despite the fact that by their own view the original ceremony has no effect or meaning.... They are of course free to choose this and argue their case - but then, as a believer in God, so am I.
Baptists and others that accept only Believers (ie Adult) Baptism would argue that the baptism is in any case invalid, and reserve the right to re-baptise adults; many other churches (including my own) adopt the position that whenever the baptism is administered, it remains in force.
If you accept that Infant Baptism is valid, there is no need to rebaptise - and in fact many denominations would be very unhappy about this being asked for. My own feeling is that one of the important aspects of Baptism is about God reaching out to us - some of the words are "All this for you, before you could know anything of it." (To use theological language, this is called Prevenient Grace.) It's a sign of God's love which is there for us before we love God, whether we wish to accept it or not - and so, given this, how can a baptism be revoked? I believe that God continues to reach out to us, and even if (like the person in the article) you wish to reject this by regarding it as meaningless ritual or whatever, those of us with faith are also allowed to maintain that this is what we believe is happening with Baptism.
Wednesday, 11 February 2009
A Pettiness of Politicians
Usually when doing intercessions in Church, I will make a point of praying for all those in positions of power, whatever political party they may represent. Every now and again, you get the feeling that it would be far more appropriate to pray instead for the rest of us who end up looking on in disbelief as the politicians set forth on their latest round of metaphorical face pulling in a way that any respectable playground would find beneath them.
The latest thing is a discussion on the artist Titian. Gordon Brown comments on feeling like Titian, age 90, realising that he might just be getting the hang of painting; David Cameron decides to effectively go "ner-ner-ne-ner-ner" at Prime Minister's Question Time and says Titian died age 86. He said other things too, but when it turns out that the Wikipedia page on Titian doesn't quite back up his claims, someone (we are told some over-enthusiastic staff member) at Tory HQ alters the page to make it look like Titian died four years earlier than he did. When this is uncovered, it suddenly becomes the hot political story of the day.
In other words, rather than getting on with some serious analysis of what's going on here and across the world, a significant amount of time is being devoted to how old a Renaissance Painter was. The irony being that no-one really knows in any case.
Somewhere I once read a quote which went something like this: "At the start of every day's business in the House of Commons, a Priest comes in, looks around at the Members of Parliament, and prays for the people."
The latest thing is a discussion on the artist Titian. Gordon Brown comments on feeling like Titian, age 90, realising that he might just be getting the hang of painting; David Cameron decides to effectively go "ner-ner-ne-ner-ner" at Prime Minister's Question Time and says Titian died age 86. He said other things too, but when it turns out that the Wikipedia page on Titian doesn't quite back up his claims, someone (we are told some over-enthusiastic staff member) at Tory HQ alters the page to make it look like Titian died four years earlier than he did. When this is uncovered, it suddenly becomes the hot political story of the day.
In other words, rather than getting on with some serious analysis of what's going on here and across the world, a significant amount of time is being devoted to how old a Renaissance Painter was. The irony being that no-one really knows in any case.
Somewhere I once read a quote which went something like this: "At the start of every day's business in the House of Commons, a Priest comes in, looks around at the Members of Parliament, and prays for the people."
Tuesday, 10 February 2009
Extended Communion
Today I've been visiting people who, for one reason or another, are unable to receive Communion at Church. As I don't have dispensation to "do" Communion myself, I was doing an "Extended Communion" - taking some of the bread and wine that had been blessed on Sunday, and using it to allow the people I visited to share in the Lord's Supper (as the words in the Order of Service put it.)
I won't get into the way different traditions might see this, but while preparing sheets with the service on and thinking about what is likely to happen when I am able to preside over Communion both in the home and in the Church, I was struck by the fact that in some ways there are some fantastic things about this way of doing a Home Communion.
The main thing in some ways is that Church Members who are in a way detached from the main congregation can receive the same bread and wine, blessed at the same time, as the rest of the congregation. When we talk about sharing in the one loaf, or the one cup, knowing that you are sharing with the people who were there strikes me as being quite a powerful image of how they are part of the congregation even if they find it a struggle to get beyond their own front door.
At the same time there is something of a practicality issue. Bread can only be kept so long before it becomes unsuitable for human consumption, so I am limited to trying to fit all the visits in within two or three days of a given Communion Service. This may not always be practical - there are some people who I am currently unable to visit, and they will have to now wait for the next time there is a Communion - and in the Methodist Church, that's usually something that takes place once a month.... Once I am able to preside, that will cease to be an issue.
Part of me wants to find an alternative solution for after September - one that might allow me to retain the feeling of sharing not just with the one or two people present at a home visit, but with the whole congregation. One possibility might be to actually bake the bread myself (or at least use our Breadmaker), slice and freeze it, and then use this both in Church and in Home Communions. Literally then we would all be sharing in one loaf - even if the blessing of it takes place days or even weeks apart!
I won't get into the way different traditions might see this, but while preparing sheets with the service on and thinking about what is likely to happen when I am able to preside over Communion both in the home and in the Church, I was struck by the fact that in some ways there are some fantastic things about this way of doing a Home Communion.
The main thing in some ways is that Church Members who are in a way detached from the main congregation can receive the same bread and wine, blessed at the same time, as the rest of the congregation. When we talk about sharing in the one loaf, or the one cup, knowing that you are sharing with the people who were there strikes me as being quite a powerful image of how they are part of the congregation even if they find it a struggle to get beyond their own front door.
At the same time there is something of a practicality issue. Bread can only be kept so long before it becomes unsuitable for human consumption, so I am limited to trying to fit all the visits in within two or three days of a given Communion Service. This may not always be practical - there are some people who I am currently unable to visit, and they will have to now wait for the next time there is a Communion - and in the Methodist Church, that's usually something that takes place once a month.... Once I am able to preside, that will cease to be an issue.
Part of me wants to find an alternative solution for after September - one that might allow me to retain the feeling of sharing not just with the one or two people present at a home visit, but with the whole congregation. One possibility might be to actually bake the bread myself (or at least use our Breadmaker), slice and freeze it, and then use this both in Church and in Home Communions. Literally then we would all be sharing in one loaf - even if the blessing of it takes place days or even weeks apart!
Monday, 2 February 2009
I went for a walk on a Winter's day....
With Manchester, in common with the rest of the UK, covered in the white stuff, I thought I'd share a few photos with you all of my trip out to do some Pastoral Visiting this morning.
Now, if you are thinking "aren't you in Manchester" the answer is yes - in fact, where I live is not far away from Sportcity, where Manchester City play.
And so is all of this! This is Clayton Vale, a small stretch of what is actually part of the Medlock Valley. I walked through it on my way to do my visiting.
This is pretty much on my doorstep, and we take advantage of it - who knows what green spaces there are where you are!
Hat tip to Sally Coleman, who frequently does a bit of photo-blogging of where she has been walking, together with plenty of other stuff that's well worth checking out. Sally is someone I met at Connexional Candidates Committee, when we were both accepted for Presbyteral Ministry, just under two years ago and her blog contains reflections on where she is at, poetry, sermon thoughts and much more.
Sunday, 4 January 2009
Crying with Laughter!
Anyone that has ever seen me lose it completely would have been in for a treat tonight.... for those that have never seen it, when something really tickles me I turn into a helpless quaking laughter machine, tears rolling down my cheeks, usually to the complete bemusement of those around me as it's often something that others don't quite get.
In this case, it was one of my Christmas Presents. Some time ago I discovered a rather wonderful book that for those of an easily-offended nature I shall call the "Alton Towers Book". Written by the people behind the website of the non-existent newspaper the Framley Examiner, it was a book about what it described as "Uncommonly British Days Out" - about as far removed from the average theme park as you can get. It featured such delights as the former Nuclear Bunker at Kelvedon, Southport's Lawnmower Museum, the Cumberland Pencil Museum, the set of Eastenders - or at least such of it as is visible over the fence that surrounds it, the David Beckham Trail, and the Morpeth Bagpipe Museum.
Unsurprisingly, the same authors have come up with a sequel. While reading this tonight I came across the chapter on the National Coracle Centre, and there, in the footnotes, was something that reduced me to tears.
One of the events apparently done in coracles involves a race in Yorkshire in coracles made effectively from Yorkshire Pudding Batter. The footnote pointed out another project from the person that made this happen: the North Yorkshire Elvis Bus Tour, in which a group of people dressed like Elvis, and went on a Bus Tour round Ryedale. Singing Elvis Songs. To the tune of "On Ilkley Moor Baht 'At." (Incidentally, there's a little bit more about it here.)
This may give you an insight into my sense of humour, or it may not. Either way, you have been warned.....
In this case, it was one of my Christmas Presents. Some time ago I discovered a rather wonderful book that for those of an easily-offended nature I shall call the "Alton Towers Book". Written by the people behind the website of the non-existent newspaper the Framley Examiner, it was a book about what it described as "Uncommonly British Days Out" - about as far removed from the average theme park as you can get. It featured such delights as the former Nuclear Bunker at Kelvedon, Southport's Lawnmower Museum, the Cumberland Pencil Museum, the set of Eastenders - or at least such of it as is visible over the fence that surrounds it, the David Beckham Trail, and the Morpeth Bagpipe Museum.
Unsurprisingly, the same authors have come up with a sequel. While reading this tonight I came across the chapter on the National Coracle Centre, and there, in the footnotes, was something that reduced me to tears.
One of the events apparently done in coracles involves a race in Yorkshire in coracles made effectively from Yorkshire Pudding Batter. The footnote pointed out another project from the person that made this happen: the North Yorkshire Elvis Bus Tour, in which a group of people dressed like Elvis, and went on a Bus Tour round Ryedale. Singing Elvis Songs. To the tune of "On Ilkley Moor Baht 'At." (Incidentally, there's a little bit more about it here.)
This may give you an insight into my sense of humour, or it may not. Either way, you have been warned.....
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