Ordination!!!!!

So I'm going to say this calmly and with serenity and dignity. THE DATES BEEN SET FOR MY ORDINATION!! Did I really scream that? I am so excited. Subject to presbytery approval at the end if June my ordination will take  place on July 10th. Excited and scared and still can't believe that I'm going to be a minister of word and sacrament, how did that happen. And at the same time there's areal  sense of peace and Gods affirmation of my call and I know He who has been so faithful in bringing me this far will journey on with me. On a more practical level. I've no idea what I should wear. As a reader I've always just worn normal clothes, but a colleague has advised me to wear a clerical shirt / robes as appropriate to circumstances( definately never to the supermarket) to define my new role. Mmm still not sure and I think I'd feel a bit of a tit. I'm really short (really short) and small. anyway need to ponder that. Can this year become any more exciting 2 weddings and an ordination!

Completion certificate!

Woo hoo. Received my completion certificate today, now just waiting for presbytery to set a date fr my ordination. I am so pleased, and also really thankful to all who've journeyed with me! Just in from conducting a funeral and it had been delivered by the postman!. Note to self re funerals, wet grass and heels are not a good combination, especially when you go to walk away and your shoe remains firmly stuck! I am more conscious than ever, when conducting services of the privilege that it is to serve God and minister and feel a real sense of peace and Gods presence. So onwards to ordination ( must admit I'm pretty excited!)

Strange

Is it just me or is there something "odd" about how today's debate on homosexuality in the church and david Cameron's  timing over legalising gay marriage is on the same day. Just a thought.

Hungarian hospitality!

Just had a week in Hungary/ Budapest as part of  presbytery exchange. I had to speak about the role of OLM and the part it will play in the future of the Church of Scotland. This was a big deal for me, ( not the speaking but the travel as I hate flying, in fact Lucy the dogs dad asked my former supervisor how he'd got me to agree to go, we're drugs or alcohol involved!) maybe it was the fact he asked me two weeks into my placement and I knew he'd be writing my appraisals influenced my decision a bit! Anyway I went and had a fantastic time. When we were in Hungary we stayed with host families. My host was a Hungarian reformed pastor and his wife and daughter, only the daughter spoke English so she was our interpreter for the four days I was there . Hungarian hospitality is unbelievable they feed you at every opportunity, they go out of their way to make you comfortable and they are so genuinely caring and thoughtful it was quite moving. Their churches are thriving and the family unit is strong. They're also very proud of their heritage and traditions. I attended my hosts church on the Sunday where I shared a bit about my background via an interpreter ( the translation took twice as long as what I said! ) although extremely traditional ( and long the sermon lasted 50 minutes) there was real sense of  worship and fellowship. It was tremendously interesting to see the differences and similarities we share. I was also introduced to the legendary "palinka" a potent brew I'd heard much about which had been described to me as tasting like paint stripper ( never having sampled paint stripper I couldn't possibly comment) I was advised  to down it in one as sipping it took the lining off your throat. The disadvantage of that was, as soon as your glass was empty they refilled it! Add to that te visit they organised to a winery and its a miracle I remember any of the vist! Now I'm back at my former placement doing supply while my "former" supervisor is on study leave and I'm waiting excitedly for a date for my my ordination.  O my I am so excited :)

Final Appraisal

I passed! Am so delighted and thrilled, placement completed yesterday. Got a lovely farewell (albeit temporary as I'm back in three weeks doing supply and cover) really nice gift lots of nice encouraging comments. I really thought I wouldn't sleep last night but I read over my learning
Serving convenant, my interim reports and what we'd just sent for final review. The morning didn't start well, I stopped to buy milk on way to the meeting to make tea and coffee and noticed I'd a flat tyre! Of all the days. Rushed into a garage I've never been to before and asked the very young man if he could put some air in the tyre as I'd an interview in half an hour. I drove (fast cos you think if you drie faster you'll get there quicker so lose less air) anyway I did get there and the interview went really well  I reflected on what I'd learned at the placement and also how quickly it had gone, and i passed and proceed to ordination pending result of final essay! I am so chuffed! Tyre repaired ( great big nail) so up and running again. In spite of flat tyre etc. I did feel quite calm so thanks to everyone who prayed for me. To be affirmed and sure you are in Gods will brings peace though must admit, it was a long day yesterday:)

Final sunday

Well tomorrow should be my final Sunday at my placement providing all goes well with my final appraisal on Monday! Having said that I then have multiple identity problems. I reappear at the same churches in two weeks time doing pulpit supply for three weeks, the if all goes according to plan I'm reinvented later in the year as locum when my supervisor retires! As he put it a couple of weeks ago in the past when students have left they've got rid of them then he mentioned something about a bad penny! I have enjoyed my placement so much in spite of being apprehensive  about leaving my attachment. I've learned a huge amount over the last six months and I can truly see the hand of God  in all that happened. To feel truly supported  and affirmed has been a tremendous blessing to me and the time has flown.  On another subject I was at the funeral of an old friend and contemporary of my old man yesterday. It was a Roman Catholic funeral, the first I'd been to, it was a brilliant service, not only did the priest preach the gospel but he paid fitting and personal tribute to a man who had a deep faith. In many ways it was significantly more meaningful than many funerals I've been at. The liturgy and tradition was very comforting, relevant and honest. I left feeling that not only had I said farewell to a friend but that I'd truly worshipped God too. Of course there was the question of communion at the end  which was sad given that the congregation was about 50/50 but no compromise there but all in all I have to say I enjoyed it.

Presbytery

Left home at 4 pm yesterday to do a pastoral visit before presbytery, eventually got home feel ing discouraged tired and hungry at 10.20pm! Discouraged because it seems to be half the churches in our presbytery are vacant and the conferencing session threw up that the way forward for the church was OLMs. Supporting full time ministers. A the moment there are two in training given the geographical range of our presbytery we're going to be run ragged! Then Church of Scotland is in crisis because there are few candidates coming out ( only 7 I think for full time ministry this year) churches don't seem willing to close buildings and unite with other congregations to facilitate an ongoing ministry and it all looks rather bleak:( I'm just having a whinge cos its raining and I didn't get out for a run this morning. And I hate late nights. )   As well as that I'm a bit stressed out by the thought of final review on Monday, its been a long week!