The latest of my college updates… Those of you on email will have had this already, I’m a bit behind on the blog front!
So herewe are in June and I am 3 weeks away from finishing the first year of my course
at Vicar School, which is rather exciting I can tell you (doesn’t take much
these days). So, yes, applause and cheers are required. Thank you. Although
that’s perhaps slightly premature as I still have an essay to finish and one
more study weekend, but then the champers will be very definitely opened, I
tell you.
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| The beautiful Aylesford Priory, without goose… |
Aylesford was still as bizarre as it was the first time although my room was a bit better and the sun was shining which helped! Highlights of the weekend included: encountering a rather cross goose that sounded exactly like a trumpet (exactly like it – uncanny I tell you), I had beans for lunch again (I won’t miss those), and managed to escape a worship session thanks to a friend with a rather violent allergy to incense (you know who you are!). This weekend was particularly strange as there was a pilgrimage going on at the same time, which meant there were 1000 Catholics milling around and gathering occasionally to sing and worship. Rather strange to be mid pastoral theology class when just outside 1000 people suddenly burst into ‘Tell out my soul’. On top of that we had an exercise to do involving drawing a bus which made me burst into tears (it really was as simple as drawing a bus). It’s that place I tell you, something funny going on there…
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| Canterbury Cathedral |
At Easter we spent a whole week away studying together in Canterbury. People keep asking me about this and whether I enjoyed it, the honest answer is I don’t know. It was much better than I expected but it was still a week away from the family, it was exhausting with so much to take in, and by the end of the week I’ve got to be honest, I couldn’t take any more of the rather traditional worship. In a bible study a friend played a song by Matt Redman (a well known Christian musician) at which both myself and my equally charismatic friend burst into tears, realising how desperate we were to be free and worship in the way we feel happiest. And yes it occurs to me, there do seem to be tears at most of these things. Either it’s the pressure or God is really doing something!Some good bits…
wanted to finish by saying a big thank you to you all. If you have read my
ramblings, or prayed for me, or offered a supporting word, or a shoulder to cry
on, or generally encouraged me, then a massive thank you. Please do carry on!
It’s amazing the number of times I have had a kind word spoken to me at exactly
the right moment, or a hug when I really needed it. I really feel covered in
prayer too, so please carry on praying for me and for Phil & the kids, we
really appreciate it. And if we can pray for you, do let us know, we’d love to
return the favour!
and blessings,
3 Comments
Shelly Miller
June 18, 2014 at 1:50 pmCongratulations Jules, loved reading about your journey!
UKViewer
June 19, 2014 at 6:16 amA great insight into the first year and mentioning places like Aylesford Priory and Canterbury Cathedral which have figured oddly enough in my own journey. Now becoming a distant memory.
I'm interested in your point about worship being quite traditional and wanting to worship in the style that fits your comfort zone. Does this present a difficulty for you post-ordination and curacy? Because there are not that many places where the majority of worship in non-traditional, unless you are looking at Pioneer Ministry? Just saying really because I well remember being harangued by the DDO that you are "Being Ordained into the whole Church of God and your deployment, particularly for curacy, will mean adapting to your context". And "post curacy, your role will be where the church needs you, not where you might choose to be".
It sounds quite harsh when reading it back, but they were adamant that all who offer for Ordination need to have a 'realistic' expectation of their role and the place they might be called to serve or be sent.
Apart from that – praying for the remainder of this year and for your second year starting in September, just as I start my first year of LLM 🙂 But in different schemes sadly.
Jules
June 19, 2014 at 4:21 pmthanks Shelly! Hope all going well for you guys x
Ernie – use it's a difficult one. I feel quite definite about where I am called but they said the same to me about being called to the whole church etc. I think I just have to trust that God will put me where he wants me. I did want to go for pioneer ministry but for one reason and another it didn't happen so I just have to hope they take that into account!