Watch this space

This afternoon we have a visit from the DDO about a possible move. We have no idea what's the right thing to do. Perhaps all will be clearer this afternoon - but being unsettled like this is doing The Curate and I no good at all. This should have been a time to relax and enjoy the holidays together. We are both aware that this is not the time to say the wrong thing........

The Third Christmas Tree festival in three weeks.

It was the turn of my parish church on the south coast to host a Christmas tree festival this weekend and it was the best of the three I have seen this year. Although only a small church, there were plenty of bushy real Christmas trees decorated by local organisations or businesses. This time they each had to use a Christmas carol as their theme. I think the best tree I have seen was by our local plumbers - Bill Burnard and son. It was decorated with polished pipe fittings, shower flexi pipes, glass water droplets, taps and snow flakes. The carol was -In the Bleak Mid winter - Brilliant!

It's the Christmas Holidays and another working weekend.

 It's the holidays for me - yes I finish really early - we had school Christmas productions in November. We finished with a lovely carol service in the church with year 2 creating a nativity scene during the service. The two children in year 2 that I work with were very good - considering one had refused to do anything initially. The fact that I work doesn't seem too bad now because The Curate and I have three weeks together. These should be in one place, but we have now spent our last three Friday's (our weekend) 'exploring' possible places to move to. We know the road between the two coasts extremely well now.  So, what with very busy Saturdays and Sundays for The Curate, we are both feeling extremely tired. The Curate is on a day's training course today so I am desperately trying to get all the presents bought and get the house down south ready for our return on Boxing Day. The Curate has been asked to 'explore' another church tomorrow which is all a little stressful but exciting as well. I hope that God will guide us to make the right decision - even if this means that The Curate ends up staying in his present parish. He does like it  - it's just that he is supposed to be married to me....and I am not there.

Vestments?

The Curate is in the process of exploring a possible parish move so that he is nearer to where I work. Our Bishops have shown caring concern and understanding of the difficulties of me continuing to work while The Curate completes his training. I constantly ask myself if I am being selfish but I enjoy my work and hope that I am making a difference to those children who struggle with literacy. But, back to The Curate - the Bishops gauged his 'churchmanship' by asking about his attitude to vestments in church. I guess if he likes dressing up he is 'high church' and vice versa.The Curate is not really into gold braid and lace as he came to Christ late in life. He found nothing that connected him to the 'High' churches I had been going to. It was the reality of the message he heard in the Gibraltar Methodist church and what it meant to his life that attracted him. Robes just didn't do it for him. So I had to laugh when I found the blog - Bad vestments. Do you feel that vestments are essential or are they a barrier between the vicar and the people? What do you think? I am very open minded and think there probably is a place for their use at certain times. Why are vestments worn in churches?

Not ashamed

The Not Ashamed campaign provides an opportunity for Christians across the UK to stand together and speak up for the Christian foundation of our nation, motivated by the conviction that Jesus Christ is good news not just for individuals or for the church but for society as a whole. Indeed, He is the only true hope for our nation.

Christmas Trees Galore!

The weekend is over and I have returned to my other job down south. What a busy weekend for everyone - not a lie in to be had as The Curate was busy  at 'Men's breakfast' on Saturday and early communion service on Sunday. This meant I won the dog walking duty for two days which was not too bad although bitterly cold. I'm sure it was the healthy option but I would have liked to stay under my duvet for a little longer. Now I'm back to my normal week day 6.30 start - we do not have the snow to stop this. 
Christmas came to our church with our first Christmas tree festival. It was lovely to see the church looking festive when it was so gloomy outside. There were lots of visitors and many attractive trees from the different local organisations. I'm not sure how many in total but all the classes from the local school decorated a tree. The most moving and shocking tree was the tree from the charity that supports the children from Chernobyl by providing holidays here in the UK. The contrast of the dead tree next to all the festive trees was very thought provoking. On Sunday,The Curate was aware of the poignancy of this tree being right next to the Communion table.

Stop - I want to get off.

I want my old life back - the life before The Curate became a curate. I want to live in our own house. I want to have weekends again. I want our life to be private again. I don't want to share my husband with everyone else in the church. How selfish does that sound? How can I ever be a curate's wife if I think like that?