Anniversaries.

Where it all started officially - St Mary's Cathedral Glasgow.

One of the slightly odds things that has been happening this month has been anniversaries. Or rather, since they are annual events, the sudden confluence of significant ones.  The wedding (1st) was celebrated with gunfire (see the last post) and a Chinese meal out (split timing).  Then on the 11th (St Barnabas' Day) it was the 20th anniversary of being ordained deacon.  I celebrated by .. going to work and doing it.  I look on my paid job (working with adults with disabilities) as diaconate without a dalmatic or dog collar.  It seems slightly strange to reflect that I'm halfway through what I assumed would be my active/paid ordained career - ordained at 25, due to retire at 65. (Well, 67 nowadays).  Not stipendiary anymore, but still fulfilling a vocation in a way I would never have imagined then.

20 years on I'm based in a Church where I am at home worshipping (not always the case when it's a paid job rather than what in a sense is a voluntary attachment.  I'm living on the outskirts of a city I love with some one I never expected to meet and fall in  love with.  Even after 12 months we haven't managed to kill each other because we basically get along rather well and comfortably.  Oh well, it's good to have hit calm water and for that I'm thoroughly grateful to God.

Dead Prime Minister Day 200!

Today is the anniversary of the only time we had (the sense to have?) a Prime Minister assassinated.  And I've said Mass in his memorial - the next door parish to where I was a curate in London (http://www.allsaintsealing.org.uk). 200 years ago to the day, Spencer Perceval (see above) was shot by a grumpy merchant who felt HMG owed him compensation for getting nicked in Russia.  Isn't it lucky that Fred the Shred is not the revengeful type, eh, Prime Minister?

Politics doesn't seem to stir the passions today.  Indifference and a certain level of contempt is the general response.  Having dabbled in years of youth in politics (President Aberdeen University Lib Dems, Vice Convener Scottish Young Lib Dems, failed Cooncil candidate in a no hope ward ( the traditional 1st step on the greasy pole leading to obscurity in Holyrood) etc.) I am still interested and generally think those who set out in politics start with generally high ideals and intentions (which may be eroded by expediency or corrupted by self interest - but so is the Sacred Ministry!).  The trouble is that a class of professional politicians has arisen today with little or no experience of life beyond the political cockpit.  Gone are the ex-miners and practising farmers who broadened the experience of the body Politic so usefully.  instead we have "politicians"  - a strange breed of semi-invertebrates who sometimes seem to breathe the same air as the rest of us.  And sometimes don't.  Maybe we need more real people as politicians and less of the pedigree party hacks and insiders?

Trusting in the Higher Power.

An appropriate theme I suspect, given that today is my 3rd AA birthday.  I'm just glad still to be here and not in a grave and glad to be sober.  I had a good meeting at my home group tonight and came across this prayer that some might say sums up what it means to trust in your Higher Power:

“Lord, give me the strength to greet the coming day in peace. 

Help me in all things to rely on your holy will. 

Reveal your will to me every hour of the day. 

Bless my dealings with all people. 

Teach me to treat all people who come to me throughout the day

with peace of soul and with firm conviction 

that your will governs all. 

In all my deeds and words guide my thoughts and feelings. 

In unexpected events, let me not forget that all are sent by you. 

Teach me to act firmly and wisely, 

without embittering and embarrassing others. 

Give me the physical strength to bear the labours of this day. 

Direct my will, teach me to pray, 

and you yourself, pray in me. Amen.”   

Metropolitan Philaret of Moscow

The first Pope in Scotland.

 

Never mind St Luke or much piety, tomorrow is the birthday of the 1st Pope to visit Scotland - Pius II aka Aeneas Sylvius Piccolomini. In 1435 he was sent by Cardinal Albergati  on a secret mission to Scotland. The journey to Scotland proved so traumatic he swore that he would walk barefoot to the nearest shrine of Our Lady from their landing port. This proved to be Dunbar (where I will be today), and the nearest shrine was 10 miles away at Whitekirk (I'll drive through it en route to lunch at North Berwick). The journey through the ice and snow left Aeneas afflicted with pain in his legs for the rest of his life. In Scotland he had his second natural child, the other one having been born in Strasburg.  A rather lively lad, but actually a fairly competent medieval Pope.  It's also Martina Navratilova's birthday and the anniversary of the composer Gounod's death (he wrote some nice stuff  including his famous Ave Maria - including the National Anthem for the Vatican City!).  Bless 'em all for giving some fun to the world in various ways.  one as author, one through sport and one through music.

Groundhog Days

35 years ago, the American Episcopal Church took unilateral action which threatened to divide the Anglican Communion: then it was ordaining women, now it's gay bishops and blessings. But 35 years on, on the divisive issue they stand somewhat vindicated and the world still turns and Armageddon hasn't happened. Will the same still be true in another 35 years? Probably.

For the record, I thought the world had ended back in 1994 when the SEC got round to ordaining women. I was wrong. The Church has certainly changed but they are in many ways changes for the better. I was there at the Provincial Conference when two friends took to the floor for the Gay Gordon's. Both being male this caused much comment and many said they were being brave. That was within the last 10 years. We have moved on and Laus Deo!

I enjoyed a a rather nice Indian meal last night, munching something from the menu the owners said was made just the way their mother had when they were growing up in tropical Corstorphine. Lovely spinach and lamb and a fair nippy dose of ground green chillies. And yes, before our West Coast correspondents say it, it probably wisnae a patch on the delicacies found in Curry Alley. But good it was and this place doesn't actually sell alcohol so I felt totally comfortable.