Prestatyn revisited.

I was Minister of Calvary Church from the age of 28 to 38. Ten good years. This is where our two great kids arrived in our lives and took over completely! This is where Barbs taught the Welsh English! We loved the place and the people.



When I arrived here the church was a basic brick box. We built this church using one master builder whilst all labour was supplied voluntarily by the men of the church. I'll never forget the night we manhandled the first 7 hundred weight girder into place using a primitive block and tackle under hastily erected search lights. The rain was lashing and the wind was howling as we perched precariously high up on scaffolding. Phil Hodgson, who knew a thing or two, announced, "You are all going to kill yourselves," and promptly went home!



The worked progressed as the money came in, mostly through sacrificial giving. Progress was slow at times. I remember, one day standing in the middle of the building site when work had ground to a halt. My three year old son, Paul was with me and he looked up and said, "Our church isn't finished yet is it Daddy?" When I gravely answered, "No son it isn't finished yet," he looked at me with a sudden rush of childish enthusiasm and said, "Shall we finished it this afternoon Daddy, you and me?" Long before Obama said it my little boy was affected by the "Yes we can" philosophy. He lifted my pessimistic mood and inspired me that day as he has often done since.



It was good to be back and meet with old friends and to see the many good things that are happening there. I never left anywhere with more pain. I never return without pleasure.

Sabbatical - the end in sight.

I've got an outstandingly competent Curate. That's why I've been able to take this Sabbatical without anxiety. Laura has orchestrated everything, applied her considerable pastoral gifts and preached excellent sermons. Over the past 40 years of ministry I have had a hand in training a number of people for the ministry but Laura has something really special. I think she could end up wearing purple.

One little boy has missed me. His name is Bradley and he said to Laura, "Why have you sent Father Ian away and stolen his clothes!" Well I'm looking foward to being back at All Saints.

I've lost count of the number of church services I've attended over these sabbatical weeks. I've been to High Mass with clouds of incense, chanted psalms and glorious music. I've been to arm raising, hand clapping, barn storming celebrations with palpable enthusiasm. I've shared in every shade of Christian worship from tin tabernacles to cathedrals but it will be good to be back at All Saints where if you wait in prayerful stillness you can hear the rustlng of angels' wings.

Hadrian's Wall Coast to Coast.

Got back last night. Walked 104 miles including the final bit from Wallsend to the sea. There is something about walking across England that brings a sense of euphoria. The hills of Northumberland are wild and remote territory. They are glorious and atmospheric adorned by the wall the Romans built in AD 122.

It is surprising how many Tea Shops we found along the way. David has a faculty for sniffing out a Tea Shop up to 3 miles away! For my part I was duty bound to seek the refreshment of "Jennings Cumbrian Ale" each evening. Well, it is a matter of family loyalty!

The experience of long distance walking brings you into touch with 'the sacrament of now.' As Tess Ward says, "The natural world is a visible reminder that we are made, loved and sustained by God, and that our changes, like those of the seasons, are held in a divine flow and rhythm."

I like that. The breeze in your face and your feet on the grass sharpens that perception.