I had lunch with the Church we are becoming today.
What a joyful thing.
Here’s a hint for you:
Well it has been quite a week.
In the past ten days I have:
Perhaps, then, you can see why the blog has been limping along with minimal attention.
I knew that there would be a tumult of emotions this week — real excitement at the opportunities that are opening up, sorrow to be leaving people here, and concern for what will come next for the congregations I have been serving. Not my problem, you say? Well, no. But there is so much good here, and I want to see it continue even if I can’t be a part of it for much longer.
St Mary’s, Dunblane offers me fabulous opportunities. The people I met in interview were enthusiastic about the church, and learning to be articulate about their hopes and plans for the future. There are children there. And people my own age. And all sorts of people, really.
There is a lovely church building, a hall that surpasses anything one would dare to imagine, and a rectory right there in the centre of town.
It is one church, one place; no ferries required.
There are roads (with 2 or even 4 lanes) and train lines. I will be be able to give Molly her breakfast, and be with my godchildren for lunch — and back again by midnight if need be.
It feels good to be returning to the St Andrews diocese, and to join in the diocesan vision that +David has been unfolding.
I am only ready for this because of all that my current congregations have taught me. And I am fast realising how much they have yet to teach, as I engage in this transition which is new to me, but all too familiar for them.
So, now you know. And all requests ‘not to tell” have been lifted. Comments are open again, as are possibilities.
Hermione’s Heaven is working well enough that we are going to try to make a go of it. But if it is to succeed, it needs a much wider membership base.
So, this is to stir up business.
Do you know anyone who is growing in faith and may be looking for ideas about how to engage more deeply?
Do you know any ‘perpetual students’ who love a challenge, and who find small bits of stimulus fruitful?
Do you know anyone who is isolated in their faith and may like a space for conversation with other curious Christians?
Do you know people who might like to share resources and have access to a resource base for ‘things to try’ with small groups, congregations, liturgies?
If you can answer yes to any of those things, would you please ask them to join Hermione’s Heaven?
The group is by invitation only (to maintain a safe space), so you have two options:
1. you can join by telling me you’d like to in the comments; then you can invite as many people as you’d like.
2. you can encourage them to email me or leave a comment so that I can send them an invitation directly..
Hermione’s Heaven is a ning group that offers a weekly ‘challenge’ and regular space for conversation. There is no time commitment for members. Drop is as often or as seldom as you like. But please join!
If you have a blog of your own, and would be willing to link to this, that would be helpful too.
Attention baking bloggers. A number of people who had hoped to come to the baking day on Saturday have had to back out. Right now numbers are low. I am happy to make cookies with whomever decides to come, but if you are travelling some distance in hopes of meeting lots of bloggers, you might want to ring me first to confirm.
Alternately, invite a friend, and ket us know that numbers are increasing through the comments. Right now the ‘yes’ list includes several Dunoon folk, a family from the diocese of Edinburgh, one definite and a couple of undecided in Glasgow.
wonderful exchange 