Yesterday was about as mixed as a day as I think I can get as a pioneer curate in the establishment I love called the Church of England.

The day started as normal, with matins at 8.00am. I am finding starting the day in this way, sat in the almost silent but always calm Quire of the cathedral, in sight of the High Altar and Sanctuary light and surrounded by saints watching and in stained glassed windows, to be quite powerful. The slow repetition of Psalms, listening to scripture and prayer is, for me, a good way of reminding me what this is all about and that God is, and needs to remain, central to all I do.

Afterwards I met with Gary and Doug who are two local priests who worship at the cathedral every Friday morning at the Eucharist and then move to the Cathedral tea Rooms for breakfast. I chatted and listened as they shared their knowledge and understanding of the area I seem to be called to work in. They, particularly Gary, have lived and ministered here for a good time and will always understand more than me, so it was good to meet with these guys.

Following that I assisted another local priest, Paul, with a funeral. For a little time I felt like a ‘real vicar’! It was a privilege to join these people and share for a little time with them. I cam away pretty struck at what a privilege and honour it is to be able to stand with people at this incredibly painful and emotional time. Despite the tight timetable from the Crematorium (which is more generous in time allocated than other places) I learned a lot about how to still manage dignity and respect for both the deceased and those paying their respects.

Later on in the evening I became pioneer again as I met with a couple who wanted to talk about the community I am trying to gather. We chatted well and I came away quite excited about what we had covered and shared over the last hour. I would love these people to join and journey with us and I have left it with them to pray more and discern more of what God is saying to them.

A mixed day – but a day where I feel a little light from the Kingdom has seeped through into my consciousness in a mass of ways, from scripture, talking, peoples grief and dreaming of what may be.