Geez, I must have been a sleepy Rosa last night!
Last night, I wrote the start of Version 2 of Pirates. Only I've called it the 'Epilogue' - which is something that comes at the end, of course! *slaps forehead*
And so much for a quiet day, today. I didn't do anything on my 'to do' list! So, I have a really mega-list for tomorrow.
I did see Guy, though, and we chatted about Sunday and how that went, and then went over my application to be considered for training. He made some suggestions, which I'm going to follow. Then I went over it with Wayne in the afternoon. It is really, really interesting going through this process with someone who isn't a believer in any way, shape or form, yet seems to have a good working knowledge of the Bible. He was surprised by some of the questions (which include questions about your personal faith, what 'good news' you want to share with others, and personal morality). Having just come from my meeting with Guy, I reminded Wayne (and myself) that being a vicar isn't a 'job' in the way that being a Planning and Information Officer is. You can't switch it off. Even doctors and police officers can be 'ordinary', some of the time - but once you are a vicar, you are always a vicar.
On the way home, I had a bit of a revelation. So far, I have been treating this as a bit of a job application process, just more drawn out. One section of the form asks for important moments in your life, and Wayne commented on how honest I'd been. I replied that I have to be, that's the whole point. It's me that would be put forward for training, so there's no point in trying to hide anything about myself. And on the way home it struck me - this process is about me offering myself to God, forever more. Even if it doesn't end with me being a full-time stipendary priest, this process will change me. It has to.
I'm not applying for a job - I'm applying for a way of life, in some senses.
I also need to talk through the implications of what I said above with Colin. If I do become a vicar, I will be a vicar. It's not just about us living in some cosy village vicarage, and me popping out to do services a couple of times on a Sunday. I certainly haven't really thought in those terms before, and I don't think he has. I've thought of it as a life-long commitment - but not as a life commitment.
I think that's the phrase I've been looking for. This is a life commitment.
That's a sobering thought, but not a frightening one - at least, not at the moment!
Sunday-wise, I'm going to continue doing the full hit for Morning Prayer - putting the service together, choosing hymns, giving a short talk, and writing prayers. I need to be brave and ask someone else to read the prayers, though! Writing prayers has always been a really personal thing for me - it would feel really strange hearing someone else read them.
Well, Lost is on in a mo, so I'm going to sign off. Night, LJ!
And so much for a quiet day, today. I didn't do anything on my 'to do' list! So, I have a really mega-list for tomorrow.
I did see Guy, though, and we chatted about Sunday and how that went, and then went over my application to be considered for training. He made some suggestions, which I'm going to follow. Then I went over it with Wayne in the afternoon. It is really, really interesting going through this process with someone who isn't a believer in any way, shape or form, yet seems to have a good working knowledge of the Bible. He was surprised by some of the questions (which include questions about your personal faith, what 'good news' you want to share with others, and personal morality). Having just come from my meeting with Guy, I reminded Wayne (and myself) that being a vicar isn't a 'job' in the way that being a Planning and Information Officer is. You can't switch it off. Even doctors and police officers can be 'ordinary', some of the time - but once you are a vicar, you are always a vicar.
On the way home, I had a bit of a revelation. So far, I have been treating this as a bit of a job application process, just more drawn out. One section of the form asks for important moments in your life, and Wayne commented on how honest I'd been. I replied that I have to be, that's the whole point. It's me that would be put forward for training, so there's no point in trying to hide anything about myself. And on the way home it struck me - this process is about me offering myself to God, forever more. Even if it doesn't end with me being a full-time stipendary priest, this process will change me. It has to.
I'm not applying for a job - I'm applying for a way of life, in some senses.
I also need to talk through the implications of what I said above with Colin. If I do become a vicar, I will be a vicar. It's not just about us living in some cosy village vicarage, and me popping out to do services a couple of times on a Sunday. I certainly haven't really thought in those terms before, and I don't think he has. I've thought of it as a life-long commitment - but not as a life commitment.
I think that's the phrase I've been looking for. This is a life commitment.
That's a sobering thought, but not a frightening one - at least, not at the moment!
Sunday-wise, I'm going to continue doing the full hit for Morning Prayer - putting the service together, choosing hymns, giving a short talk, and writing prayers. I need to be brave and ask someone else to read the prayers, though! Writing prayers has always been a really personal thing for me - it would feel really strange hearing someone else read them.
Well, Lost is on in a mo, so I'm going to sign off. Night, LJ!