Just back from twenty-four hours with central and dispersed TISEC colleagues. Our remit was to work on the 2011-12 Min Div (Ministry Division) QFP (Quality in Formation Programme) SER (self-evaluation review), and be briefed on the upcoming QFP inspection regime and requirements.  Plus look back at the YSJU (York St John’s University) review and revalidation.

Acronymns apart, it was a valuable time away and much was achieved during it. But it was made all the more pleasant by being held at The Bield at Blackruthven – which must be one of the most heavenly places known to retreatants.

A ‘bield’ is a place of shelter and refuge, protection and rest; a place which offers nurture and succour,  ’emboldens and encourages’. And it did all that (certainly for me and I hope for my colleagues too).  Thank you, Robin and Marianne, Melitta and George, Lorna and Muriel.

The next instalment of the history of the Growth Strategy has just been written and is available here Growth Strategy history updated May 2012 , as well as on the GS web site. This enables anyone interested to follow the strategy’s journey from its genesis in the episcopal election process of 2009 to where we are right now; to observe the values and principles which have informed both thinking and practice, and to reflect upon the unfolding potential of our diocese’s strategic intention.

The next chapter will be added after the ‘First Harvest’ event on Saturday 29th September in St Silas – of which more details soon.

It was agreed at the MAP Facilitators’ gathering last month that completed MAPs should be made available for others in the diocese to read, not simply those in the charge’s own Region. As this had not been the original understanding – ie at the time when the first two MAPs were being drawn up – the permission of the Rectors and congregations involved had to be sought retrospectively. This was received in both cases, with the recommendation – and assurance – that in future it is made clear at the outset of the process that this level of publicity is expected.  (This new arrangement will perhaps affect the level of disclosure  involved in the writing up of the MAP, at least as far as the insertion of peoples’ names in Stage 3 is concerned. Who knows?)

In any case, the first two MAPs are now available for reading on the diocesan web site - pour encourager les autres. In time we hope, with Carol Lovett’s good help, to post them on a dedicated web site. But for now they simply reside at bullet 16 of the Diocesan Growth Strategy site above.

Keep scrolling down to the bottom of the page and click on the dropbox link.

The Diocese holds Induction Days once a quarter, opportunities to welcome clergy or Readers who have arrived from furth of this Province or begun public ministry in the Diocese, share with them some of the distinctive traits and riches of SEC Canon Law and Liturgy, and speak about how CMD, property matters and governance issues are handled locally.

Today was one such occasion; the photos show the Revd Dr Charlotte Methuen (University of Glasgow and St Margaret’s Newlands), Revd Dr James Clark-Maxwell (Minister in Secular Employment and St John’s Dumfries) and Revd Mark Smith (St John’s Dumfries) being inducted into the mysteries of G and G.

One of the joys of these days (to my mind) is getting to know not only the new folk but also colleagues of longer standing. Each gathering begins with a time of ‘checking in’ when those assembled share something of their faith journeys. Amazing connections always emerge – and it is very touching to listen to the varied life-pilgrimages others have made over the years. 

Plus I always learn some fascinating liturgical fact from Canon Milne; today’s gem was about the practice of slapping the candidate’s cheek at Confirmation.

Of which enough said.

It began with sun on Cumbrae and ended with slanting rain in Great Western Road. In between there were sessions with St Margaret’s Vestry (below right) and St Ninian’s Growth Group, a meeting with returning pilgrims from TEC at the Holiday Inn, Glasgow Airport, a lunch with some of the visiting party from Gothenburg (below left), a simply ravishing  Evensong in St Mary’s Cathedral and an impromptu concert of close-harmony Swedish singing.

At this moment, it’s all a bit of a blur. And that’s before I have heard about the weekend of celebrations across here in the  east….

There will be a blip in transmission till Monday, loyal viewers; for the next few days I doubt there will be time to raise a camera, let alone type a blog post. 

Tomorrow sees me back on Cumbrae (‘Faith’ is fast becoming my second home) for a twenty-four hour session with the Vestry of St Margaret’s Newlands.  Saturday night involves a trip to Glasgow Airport in order to connect for a few hours with Fredrica Harris Thompsett, Dean Emerita of the Episcopal Divinity School, Cambridge, Mass., as she travels betweeen Iona and Boston. Fredrica is a dear and longtime friend of many of us in the SEC; her recent book Born of Water, Born of Spirit: supporting the ministry of the baptized in small congregations (Alban 2010) includes several case studies from the Highlands and Islands, and excerpts from Elaine Cameron’s DMin thesis.

Sunday will be spent worshipping with the good people of St Ninian’s Pollokshields prior to engaging with them in their first MAP-ping session. Followed by a dash to the Cathedral to meet the 50-strong party from the Diocesan Office in Gothenburg ….

Meanwhile, over in the east, an equally exciting and action-packed weekend will be taking place. Our prayers will be with John and Clare, with Susan, and with the Diocese of Edinburgh, as together they embark on a new stage in their journey of discipleship.

Last night it was the turn of Galloway Regional Council to be the host, welcoming friends from the Presbytery of Annandale and Eskdale to a meeting in St John’s Moffat. And there the Ecumenical Learning Agreement was signed once again by Alan Dodds, Presbytery Moderator, and the Revd Roger Cutler, Convenor of the Galloway Regional Council.

If you don’t know what that is all about, then please see the post for May 1st.

Now our joint work gathers pace…..

Photo courtesy of David Borthwick

Yesterday’s schedule  included attendance at meetings of two of the new Development Teams. First came the Missional Leadership team under the very adept convenorship of its new leader, Helen Ball; more of that anon as the group starts to produce materials and develop roadshow material.

Then  in the evening came a meeting in Paisley of the Learning and Discipleship Development Team under the equally skilled (but-of-longer-standing) convenorship of Gordon Fyfe. This team has responsibility, amongst other things, for lay theological education, a particular passion of mine - and thus it was really thriling to hear from the Revd Professor Peter Neil (in chasuble) about a recent residential on Cumbrae, this being the culmination of the first season of the Theological Reflection Group which he been running in Ayr this past year.

In a nutshell, theological reflection is a process of coming to know God through reflection on God’s world in the light of resources from the tradition. Various models can be applied, but in essence all involve the bringing into dialogue of three contexts: the context of the reflector with her/his beliefs, values, personal experience and world view; the contemporary context; the resources of the faith tradition. The process enacts a mutually nourishing conversation which may result in new theological insights and transformative action.  For an excellent summary, see the newly published Theological Reflection for Human Flourishing: pastoral practice and public theology. Helen Cameron, John Reader et al (SCM 2012)

The best bit was hearing that the group wanted to continue meeting and reflecting together.

Photo courtesy of Callum McGregor