February ... Knock Knock

Below is an article published in the February edition of our Parish Magazine

Knock Knock its the Curate ...

I can’t believe February is here, it doesn’t seem that long since I was writing for the December magazine way back in the middle of November. Now Christmas has past and we are now embarking on a new year.

January this year for me has been a very “techie/geeky month” which has been great. In addition to the regular visiting, meetings, services and all the other things which go along with my role as Curate, my computers have been out and about on lots of occasions for various “Silver Surfer” events. I have been very encouraged by the enthusiasm of the many parishioners through the doors of the sessions as well as the patience and skills of those who signed up to help. Thank you all very much.

On the other part of the techie work, (if all goes according to plan) we should, by the time the magazine goes to print have a Youth Website (www.stcolumbasyouth.org) which makes use of the latest technology and social networking, helping us to link up with young people and their parents to interact with the parish on-line. This will allow us hopefully to communicate our message to a generation who are living through one of the greatest revolutions that the world has ever seen.

My passion for the church has always been and always will be - that we are able to communicate what the good news of the gospel is, and what it means to all ages.

Silver Surfers has been a place where we get together, learn together, chat and laugh together and help each other in community. The same is true with our new Youth website a place where as a parish we can share resources, ideas and communicate with each other in new and creative ways ... that surely is at the heart of Christian Community.

In Christ

Robert

PS A huge thank to all who sent cards, gifts and Christmas wishes to the curatage over the festive period, they were all greatly appreciated.

New month on the way

With a new month on the way ... new parish magazine available

The parish magazine

It is great to have such a good resource as our parish magazine to communicate with the parish and the wider world. In a recent development our web designer has linked up with the website issuu.com

The result is the possibility to embed the pdf on a sharable format. In order to try this out here is our September edition:



to check out our parish website ... www.stcolumbas.down.anglican.org

Review of year 1

Below is a copy of the article which appeared in our parish Magazine ... the Columban

For the Summer Edition of the Magazine, the Editor has asked me to reflect upon my first 12 months in the Parish.
To describe my first year in ordained ministry - I could use many words, but all in all it has been a privilege, a joy, a massive learning experience, a challenge and simply great!

The rich diversity of ministry here in St Columba's is humbling, busy, serious and joyful ... to be honest there is absolutely nowhere better to be. This time last year I was coming straight from college, knowing lots of theory and lots of facts. This year has indeed been a steep learning curve - from things like keeping a diary
organised to sorting out youth ministry strategy, from leading Bible
Study to preparing couples for weddings,.

It has been a pleasure this year to get to know and work alongside the Rector, who has everything a first time curate needs when they arrive in their first parish. Our Rector John is someone who is organised, dependable, approachable and who has such a pastoral heart for those whom he serve and is able to share his experiences.

For me this year has been about laying foundations - of building relationships, getting to know parishioners, of journeying with them through some dark days (in cases of funerals & illness), some fantastically life changing days (in cases of weddings), some quiet days (as I have visited many houses), some crazy friday nights (funky seaweed dance :-)).

Parish life here is busy yes,(bowling, badminton, bible study, sermons, prayers, vestry, flower festival, mag articles, marathon, staff meetings, house calls, deanery, diocese, hospitals, funerals, sunday services ...) but I cannot think of anywhere else I would rather be than here in the place where I believe God has called me to,
right at this moment in time. I would just like to take this opportunity to thank all who have welcomed me, supported & encouraged me in the parish and look forward to seeing God continue in the years ahead to do His thing in this parish.

As this is the magazine after the flower festival, it would be amiss not to include it in this review … the smiles on faces, the working together as a parish team made it the success it was, from weeders to arrangers, from those who baked the scones and made the delicious strawberry jam to those who counted the money it would not have been possible without every single person. If we can pull this off and work together “to get the job done” what else is possible?

On a personal note I would also like to thank each person supported me on the day of my ordination, by their thoughts and prayers, by being there and by helping to serve most magnificent refreshments afterwards. Thank You!

Regards
Robert