Monday 7 September 2015

'Take Your Vicar to Work'

I've been advised I need to change my blog title to 'Cumbrian Ramblings' so I'll get round to that sometime.

Meanwhile, this is a particularly interesting week. Those who know me will have heard me say several times, 'Church is not the place you go - it's the people you are' - wherever that may be. To make the point, as I've done in Liverpool before, I offer 'Take Your Vicar to Work' days i.e. church members invite me to accompany them to their place of work, or voluntary service. I see it as a way of blessing and affirming church members in the work they do,valuing them and appreciating the life they have beyond church services and meetings. After all, I normally only see people in that context. Of course, it's also a learning experience for me, especially as still a 'new boy' (nearly 4 months now, incredibly). I can discover a lot more about the people and culture of this area.

Last month, I shadowed one of our church members who is manager of a care home in Whitehaven. The home has a Christian foundation, and it shows in several ways. The residents were welcoming, the staff and trustees friendly. I even played the piano for a short service and later took a Communion service. Jokingly, Les and I said we'd book a place there and then; but seriously, it caused us to reflect a lot on the ageing demographic, especially locally. I wish there could be more places like this, offering care and provision for the elderly in a Christian environment. One lady told us her life story (became a Christian at 9), and others told us 'we love it here.'

Last week, I went to the warehouse which serves the North Lakes Foodbank which is managed by a church member. I was amazed at the stacks of food and drink stored there, and enjoyed meeting some of the volunteers who 'bank' it there. Many of them are local church members; some are not, but are glad to give their hours of service alongside us. This particular foodbank was started just before the Flood in 2009 (when they lost everything) by a leader from a local evangelical fellowship who had a vision for what the churches here might do together. His faith has been more than rewarded.

Today, I have done two visits. At lunchtime to a Christian counselling service in Carlisle, which serves a wide sweep of our county. One of our members is a volunteer counselor there. I was moved by the devotion and commitment of those present at their monthly staff meeting, and the way they work so hard to maintain that service in the face of many challenges and changes, financial, social and medical. Every single person is a volunteer there, some travelling considerable distances to offer their time.

This evening was spent with the Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Service, where again  a church member is a volunteer. One of only two women in the team of 43! So impressive. Every single member has to be trained in first aid and rescue techniques obviously, but also in driving skills to police standard, communications technology and orienteering. Again, every one a volunteer and (like the counselling service) entirely dependent upon fund-raising and donations. Naturally, they need a lot of equipment. Again, I was privileged to sit in on a staff meeting, and was impressed by the professional approach (of course, many are professionals in other fields); also by the robustness of debate when issues needed to be thrashed out. Church meetings could learn a thing or two from this! Unafraid to express their views, and everything out in the open.

Today's visits have both, in a sense, been about rescue, and Christians in the front line.

On Wednesday, I'm spending the morning in a charity shop where, again, church members volunteer. The charity is 'Hospice at Home' - a new one on me, but a fantastic organization  which, as the name suggests, offers terminal or respite nursing care in a patient's home because distances in Cumbria are too great to allow residential hospices. There are, of course, many other advantages to this expression of end of life care and support. Quite topical, given the current Parliamentary debate on assisted dying.

In the afternoon - something a little different. One (very) elderly lady said, 'Well, I work in my kitchen. Would Godfrey visit me there?!' Of course I will, so I will try and make myself useful.

Tomorrow morning, the Tour of Britain Cycle Race begins Stage 3 in Cockermouth. The whole town has been taken over: bunting,window dressing, and the Main Street statue of a former MP bedecked in racing colours! I have offered to help staff at the Coffee Kitchen - owned and run by a married couple, also church members. My job, I think, will be to be the runner from the cafe to Main Street to service their market stall and provide refreshments for various race organisers etc. It's a 6.30am start so better close now and get to bed.

So thankful for so many dedicated people who do what they do as Christ's representatives in these different situations, with a huge amount of skill and kindness.

Oh - and thanks to those who have enquired about the hens. They're in great form.One egg a day from each of them at present. We've started to give them away.