Looking ahead...
One of the joys of retirement, according to 80’s pop star turned radio presenter, writer, Strictly contestant and now retired parish priest the Reverend Richard Coles, is being able to stand back from the church’s debates. “When one erupts,” he wrote not long ago, “it’s like walking past a pub you used to drink in and seeing someone throw a chair through the window: startling, but not your problem.”
I wouldn’t know - I’m not there yet. I think I know what he means - but these debates aren’t trivial, which probably explains why the Church of England’s troubles seem to keep making headlines.
But more about retirement. I’ve had the seminar: Move away from your last parish when you retire, so that the new priest gets a fair chance to make a go of things… If you’re asked to help in a church somewhere, remember - you’re NOT the vicar … Don’t hoover up all the funerals at the local crematorium and expect to be popular – the list goes on. And now I’ve spoken with my boss, completed the paperwork, and received an email asking me to get on with telling everyone when it’s happening.
And so here it is: I shall retire as Priest-in-Charge of the Parish of Alkham with Capel le Ferne and Hougham in the autumn, when I reach age 70. My last Sunday will be 28th September - the 23rd anniversary of my Ordination as a priest.
“The Fruit of the Spirit,” St Paul wrote, “is Love, Joy and Peace.” Debates aside, there really are churches near you where Christians are trying to live that out through prayer, caring for others, running lunch clubs, supporting food banks and so on. Sadly, things like that don’t usually make headlines…
Brian