One of those ILAMFT moments

In case you're wondering, ILAMFT is a modification of something that those of us who suffer from aviation-related illnesses (Gliding, Powered Flight, Microlights, etc.) engage in whilst sitting on a bar stool in the clubhouse and it takes it's name from a 'must read' column in 'Flying' Magazine.

The column's name is 'I Learned About Flying From That' - ILAFFT
and having, once again, made a basic error in my ministerial dealings and deliberations I thought that a, 'I Learned About Ministry From That' (ILAMFT) entry from time to time (like whenever I make such a mistake or hear of one that merits mention occurs - which means it's due to become a regular column!) would make sense.

Yesterday I met with someone who put forward a scenario and asked my opinion and, being me, of course I gave it - and explained the reasons for it. It then transpired that this issue had been raised before and the outcome with the other person had been different to that with me. The problem is that then you find yourself in a situation where you're perhaps damned if you do and worse off if you don't (for there is a clear pastoral imperative supporting doing the blessed thing).

I broke one of the golden rules of ministry - that which states that we should always ensure we have adequate time, proper focus and all (or as many as possible) facts before us.

I dropped the ball and whilst convinced that the outcome is proper and well-placed pastorally - the potential for division exists.

Guess that's where grace, prayer and understanding come in.

But would have been easier without it!

Always ensure that adequate time, proper focus and all (or as many as possible) facts are ours before we act - and ensure you dialogue whenever and wherever possible. It's rare that the situation can't wait!

Made me Laugh: The 'musical' congregation

One of the best bits of being ordained is that you get invited to provide cover for churches when their clergy are on holiday and when they are interregnum (haven't got a cleric) and because wherever possible the answer is 'Yes' this means I have managed to do services in some lovely (and unusual settings using the familiar and the weird.

Some time back I was asked to visit a church to provide cover for an early communion service, and they meant early because it was before eight am. The congregation was totally made up of older folk and the setting was 1662 so what could go wrong?

Here's my account of the tale:

Having done the bulk of the service and delivered a short homily (even stood in the right places according to the directions as found in the BCP) everything was humming nicely as we got to the distribution of the bread and wine. Having given the people along the rail the wafers I began to revisit the line with the wine.

Being good Anglicans who had been taught well as I reached the third person along the rail the first stood up to make their way back to their place in the pews, emitting a note from their nether regions as they struggled to get up; something that made me smile a little to myself! Moving on to the next person I heard another note coming from person in position two and the 'performance' continued until I had managed to communicate everyone with everyone playing their piece in the score that was set for the communion service.

As I progressed along the line I found myself struggling to keep it solemn and focussed and yet I did (see I can be grown-up). As we neared the conclusion the image of the organ from the Snow White film popped into my mind and all was very nearly lost but we reached the safe haven of the blessing with all happy and my reputation intact!

The best bit came a few weeks later when a colleague mentioned that they'd been to cover the same place and had developed a fit of the giggles during the musical part of the otherwise 'said' service.

Something no one had prepared me for whilst at college or in curacy;

Always something out there to try and test us isn't there?

Always something out there to make us laugh :-)

Happy Tuesday