We’ve been supporting CATH – Churches Action for the Homeless – in Perth as our Diocesan Lent Appeal this year. David Kydd asked me if I would give a little publicity to their Timberworks Monastery Project

They are looking for volunteers who have experience of joinery and the building trade – and also for young volunteers who would be involved in a woodland clearance project.

My friends in the Cursillo movement are also looking for help. Christine McIntosh of blethers@googlemail.com says:

Cursillo has until now been able to store its materials – everything from sacristy items to table tops and polystyrene cups – in the basement at Kinnoull, free of charge. Now this is no longer possible. Ideally, we require storage space – about half a smallish room takes it just now – somewhere in the vicinity of Perth, so that the team involved in clear-up can transport it there with minimum fuss, perhaps using a number of cars. We could pay a small fee – but would find it draining to pay commercial storage prices. We also see it as a drain on resources to keep hiring vans – hence the need for somewhere close at hand. Any helpful suggestions would be warmly appreciated1

Thank you very much for cooperating in this; forgive my cheek in asking – but need is a great driver!

Having a week off next week and looking forward to it.  But the usual feeling has set in – ever increasing amounts to do and less and less time left.  A bit like revising for exams.  But, in the great scheme of things, maybe ..

Amazing day in Northern Ireland.  And it really does have the look of something which is going to last this time.  I still don’t really understand it.  I could see it coming – particularly around the time of the elections in March when it was clear that the whole atmosphere of politics had changed.  And suddenly the politicians who were mouthing what were yesterday’s conventional statements about not being ready to trust yet ….. were beginning to look like carry-overs from another age.

Two things fascinate me about it.  One is that there is no particular reason why it should all have happened now and not in 1000 years time.  So what does that tell me?  Maybe that if there is hatchet-burying to be done, then it might as well be done now.  Or maybe that there is an inevitability about the need to make peace, regardless of how unpromising the circumstances.  I think it also tells us that, if you can engender optimism and confidence, then almost anything is possible.

One of those days which seems endless both in time and distance – over 200 miles today.

I managed the early start in Glasgow for the Daily Service.  On of the things I really do like is the challenge of live radio.  The little light comes on and you’re away.  It’s really to do with economy and exactness – finish at 9.59.50 precisely.  Everything else that we do as clergy tends to be messy and unfinished.  Frikki and the Choir from our Cathedral in Glasgow were really great – highly talented, business-like and obviously very committed to what they do.

Quick excursion into the support trenches behind the episcopal Front Line.  And then Kirriemuir for a ‘do’ to mark Canon Charles’ birthday – 96 I think.  He’s as sharp and active as ever.  Wonderful.  When you see the longevity of clergy, you understand why Clergy Pension Schemes are always under stress!  Many happy returns.

One of the problems about using a PDA thingy is that it doesn’t tell you about important things like Bank Holidays – or Christmas and Easter for that matter. So they jump out and surprise one.

Anyway, we’ve been celebrating with Charles Severs at All Saints, St Andrews, his 50 years as a Lay Reader. That time has included a period as Port Chaplain for Mission to Seafarers and all sorts of other things – what Charles calls a ‘journey of grace’. All Saints – with its rich tradition of worship – is a great place for a celebration. But I sometimes think that the boat girl has a rather better idea of what is happening than I do. I take what is handed to me, do with it what I am told and hand it back with a good grace. Last weekend, I succeeded in leaving behind in two different places mitre [1] and cope [1]. My score was better this weekend but I am still short of a cope.

Tomorrow morning it’s the red eye to Glasgow by 8 am for a Daily Service Broadcast on Radio 4 Long Wave – real echoes of the Home Service there. Got to get my Number 2 accent into gear.

I think that, after umpteen student Halls of Residence and flats positioned at various points on the cleanliness-squalor index, we were beginning to think that we had reached the end of helping our children to sort out new places to live.  But no.  Out came the Marigolds and various sprays and potions as yet another pad was given a light dusting today.  And, to be fair, I have to say that the standard is rising.

Still – it’s hard not to think back fondly of happy times repairing kitchen cupboards and shower curtains in all sorts of places – and removing unspeakable objects from the neglected corners of fridges.  Best of all was the first floor flat in the west end of Glasgow.  As Mark moved out, Anna became aware from the reactions of some passers-by that there had been a fire on the second floor and that the roof was just not there any more.   It’s always good to know these things, isn’t it?  Particularly when you are moving out.

That used to be the mantra in Northern Irish elections where the main parties were adept at getting the vote out.  That meant that the dead would vote with democratic zeal – and it was wise for the ordinary punter to get out and vote early before somebody else took your vote.  The voting process was interesting too – polling stations heavily guarded and heavily manned by representatives of the political parties.  ‘Use your vote well, dear’ Isobel on her crutch would say to me as I entered the polling station.  She knew perfectly well that, in her terms, I would do no such thing.  Indeed in all my long voting history I have never voted for the winning candidate in any election.

So it was strange to wander into the Village Hall in Burrelton – no security and no harassment from the political parties – and cast a vote on issues about which I feel peculiarly unpassionate.  One of those [increasingly rare] moments when I feel like a stranger in a strange land.

When you spend much of your life in the engine room, it’s good to be allowed to take a turn on the promenade deck and have a chance of admiring the view. In fact there have been a couple of moments this week when glimpses of an brave and interesting future for our church have come into view. I had a meeting this evening with a group of people all aged under 45 – only in a church would that be classified as young – and they came from a wide range of backgrounds. We talked about how they came to belong and why – about faith and belonging and welcome and membership. And we looked at the future – about how worship which involves people has links to all the other dimensions of life and ministry. I suppose that what was most encouraging was how positive they were – and how little interest they had in defending or protecting anything. As if the very act of moving forward is in itself what builds and sustains Christian community. Hopeful.

Meanwhile, Irish politics never disappoints – particularly the desire to establish an Irish connection for all American politicians.  The Irish Times today reports that ‘Research has revealed that Barack Obama, an Illinois senator and Democrat hopeful for the 2008 presidential elections, is descended from a shoemaker in Moneygall, Co Offaly.’  So that’s all right then.  Normal service sustained.

We’re a small diocese.  But at present we have two of our charges vacant and two more to come over the summer.  The days when the bishop would arrive and say, ‘I have just the person .. ‘ are gone.  Nowadays we devise quite sophisticated ways of making a choice – while not forgetting to leave a window of opportunity for the Spirit.  It’s demanding and labour intensive.  But Vestry members seem very willing to take it seriously.  And I think that everybody learns a lot about clergy, their ministry and what are reasonable expectations.  That in turn matters more and more now that clergy ’employment’ is gradually becoming more like other employment.

All this takes place in this huge safari park in which we live.  I went over what I think was the body of a small deer on the M90 near Kinross tonight.  It dislodged a panel underneath the car – lucky not to do more.  Poppy caught a mouse outside today and lost it again.  It was seen flaunting itself on the patio later on.

‘So is it very different from being a parish priest?’  Well, yes.  Surprisingly so.  And only some of that is good news.  After all, they aren’t likely to send for you for a pleasant chat when everything is going swimmingly.

One thing I think I wasn’t quite prepared for is how far ahead my diary runs.  I catch myself obsessing about a date six months away as if it was next week.  And since everyone is trying to fit more in than there is space for, the dates keep shifting a bit.  And new things appear which have to be accommodated.  I used to think that wise virgins wishing to travel by Easyjet would book early to save money.  But actually I have come to the conclusion that they should book a bit later in the day so that they don’t have to make changes!