Gatherings

I’ve been pretty comprehensively gathered this weekend.

First with Mothers’ Union from across the Province at Tullyallan Police College – a place where I can find neither the way in nor the way out. They are thinking about the Road Ahead. So – never backward in coming forward – I offered a few directions Actually, so far as our diocese is concerned, I think the answer lies partly with me. I need to do more to enmesh them in our Casting the Net initiative for mission and growth.

Today we had the second of our two Casting the Net Gatherings – Stirling this time. I thought it was a fairly remarkable event. Some very impressive workshops … some really interesting people with potential for future leadership …. a lot of inter-congregational contact. In case you missed it the last time, this is what I said in the worship

Just to complete the day, I then had a meeting with the leader of the team from the Church of England’s Ministry Division which is at present carrying out an inspection of TISEC, the Theological Institute of the Scottish Episcopal Church. This is part of our commitment to ensuring the quality of our training. They are talking to staff, students and others. It took me back to my days as Chair of Governors in various schools when there was a School Inspection. It’s challenging stuff. It’s relatively easy to say what an academic course in theology for somebody in training for priesthood might look like. It’s quite a bit harder to say what is needed to provide adequate priestly formation. All I can say is that being a priest is harder than it used to be – but no less rewarding for that.