From the Registers

Funerals.
Friday 5th July, St Mary, Leake. Alan Sayer, 72, of Borrowby, beloved husband of Mary, and father of Angela. He had farmed here for 37 years.
Sunday 7th July, St Mary, Leake. Inter the ashes of Betty Storey, daughter of Mr and Mrs G.E. Coates.
Wednesday 10th July, St Mary, Over Silton. Gladys Carvey, 83, who was born and grew up in Nether Silton, married in Over Silton. She had two sons and a daughter but all live away. Service conducted by Liz Hoare.
Friday 12th July, St Mary, Leake. Terence Taylor, 47, of Borrowby, beloved husband of Shirley, and father of Andrew and Stephen. After recent illness, he died suddenly and unexpectedly.

August 2002 - Reflections This autumn I begin my 20th year in the Hillside Parishes. It was a temporary arrangement then, and still is. Therefore it needs to be tidied up and streamlined as a proper united benefice, the more so that there is an option of replacing me whenever I stop or cease my ministry here. Also as a secure unit there is less chance of rural ministry in the area being marginalised and the parishes lumped in with a market town to be serviced as and when someone is free.

When I was ordained nearly 25 years ago the average stay of a parish priest was 5 years. Thinking of moving on when the job is just about under control is not my style. Any parish job needs stability and continuity. Yes, one has to learn to live with one's mistakes, as indeed do others, but in a very fluid and mobile world continuing in one stay as a parish priest does give some semblance of stability to the locality.

I inherited a retired professor and theologian as an assistant curate, with his wife as a reader and Mary Holmes as another. Anno domini takes its toll - yet in a way a reduction in staff roused the parishes to greater effort and self-help. Now we have Liz available with Spiritual Direction (Prayer Guidance) as her speciality - this opens new possibilities and opportunities for parsihioners. Otherwise the timetable continues much as before, although we have Common Worship replacing Series II or III or the A.S.B. Parishes still need to be more aware of the needs of the others. The quota has risen considerably - doubled really - yet it is still met, which is a very good reason for keeping the unit together. Services are a bit rushed some Sundays because of local demand, with consequences of starting late elsewhere. But I still maintain that any rural service needs a free hour afterwards for parish affairs, fellowship, and travel. We erode that at our peril - though different parishes have different needs and I try to maintain their sense of community, individuality and personality. 

 cannot say that I am a fan of the Synodical system. I think it wastes a great deal of time and money, and that there should be a Bishop's council. They are our spiritual leaders and they need to shepherd their shepherds better and encourage them in turn to look after their flocks. Certainly in training there should be a fortnight's experience of rural and farming life (hands on) and rural ministry for everyone. Not enough importance is attached to it at present.

I fully agree with the Bishop of Winchester over the remarriage of divorcees. Local clergy must sort it: if they are not prepared to do so, then do not get ordained. The church must practise as well as preach forgiveness and many couples, on the second time round, are more in need of and more aware of the spiritual dimension. I probably deal with about one-third remarriages at present. As for Charles and Camilla that is their affair and no one else's. If asked, I would counsel against marriage in their situation because of the constitutional complications.

Twenty years on, numberswise I think we are slightly down. There has been a steady trickle of confirmands every year, and new faces have popped up where familiar ones have disappeared. However, I think we should see signs of revival rather than decline in the near future - the more so when the material world has lost its shine and people discover that there is more to Life. They will be faced with decisions in an age when we are spoiled for choice. In fact, so much choice and mobility does mean that many functions fall a bit flat.

For the future I hope that more will take the opportunity of further Bible Study, for without it we have little chance of understanding our faith. Certainly LIGHT is an exciting and suitable theme to enlighten us. However it does need some commitment and priority in the diary. As Lent was such a flop this year we will do 3 Food for Thought evenings next year, with supper and some high-powered speakers - watch this space! On the other Wednesdays of Lent we can see what the Mother church in York offers and perhaps have another go at plainsong. I hope to finish some "Stations of the Cross" which may prompt some thoughts!

Anyway I'm glad to be here, and Liz and I hope to continue a good few years yet amongst you. Stand Up For Jesus! Best wishes