From the training camp.

Hello good people,

 Let me paint the scene for you. It is 6.30 am on a mid-September morning and I am three stories up sat in total silence looking out at the most beautiful countryside in the heart of the Lake District. Rydal Hall is my location; a Church of England establishment where people of faith and non-come to enjoy the delightfulness of Ambleside and the surrounding area.

It has just come light, not light enough for the huge solar powered water fountain to burst in to life and dominate the stunningly kept gardens below but enough light to appreciate Gods glorious creation. A few moments ago the silence was broken by a huge flock of geese that soared passed the landscape like a displaying squadron of the Red Arrows before they descended and disappeared into the distance. Sheep are already grazing in the fields below and the occasional car lights illuminate the twisting roads that head into the village.

It is the first morning at the beginning of my final months as an Ordinand and the dynamic and feel of the community has changed somewhat due to falling numbers. Just ten of us this time round, ten individuals with their own stories and their own pathways and their own individual relationships with the Lord that ultimately brought them to Rydal Hall this weekend. Being at this incredibly beautiful place raises a number of emotions, first and foremost is one of feeling very, very fortunate. This place doesn’t come cheap, it is very middle to upper class and some of the residents reflect this in their language and presentation, it’s a little more Mark and Spencer than Ethel Austin shall we say? Their intention is to enjoy the Lake District but probably more by the way of heritage attractions, local history and art galleries rather than let’s go on a boat and visit The Beatrix Potter world in Windermere.  Pleasantries are exchanged at meal times and then our varying groups go our separate ways.

This is the ‘induction’ weekend where we meet with fellow Christians down at the university campus in Ambleside later. The village in September is still a magnet for tourism and it’s not long before the next tour bus of people from faraway places rumble through heading to the next unexplored gem on their significant Lake District itinerary. Up at the campus, is the time of year when new students come and do all the necessaries before embarking on proper study for the rest of the year.  Often you can sense the anxiety of people beginning something new which for many is a frightening and daunting experience. Not being sure of what to expect and wondering if it is all going to be possible. I have felt that on a number of occasions I can tell you. I head there for my third and final time feeling reasonably calm about things whilst wondering how my family is doing back home particularly as Sarah and the girls are sleeping in a tent in our back garden!

In some ways I will be glad when the final induction is done it will mean no more and just a little closer to the big day. Ordination is creeping closer and closer, big decisions are approaching, house moves are looming, children are asking, colleagues are reminding and I am just worrying! Worrying that it will be okay, worrying that the family will be happy, worrying if the congregation will like me, worrying that I will like them, worrying if I can do it or not etc  etc  etc  etc and lot more act’s after that.

It’s 7.24 am now I have enjoyed a cup of tea and a complimentary biscuit, out of my other window I can see the hall and surrounding landscape coming to life, there is a rabbit nibbling on something or other in the garden and unbeknown to each other is a man taking photographs of a rather sedate river that flows with much more severity in the winter months, he must be good though as he has a tripod! He appears to be out for the day by his large rucksack and his robust walking shoes.

8.50 am, just returned from downstairs where I enjoyed 7.45 communion with the group followed by a rather disorganized breakfast to set me up nicely for the day, the fried eggs were out of stock so settled for a poached one. The teapot eventually arrived, but the satisfaction was lost due to the waiting time. Anyhow the rush to get to campus is on, ablutions, phone calls and a quick tidy round is in order. Will report back later!

You would think that after 2 years of doing this I would have taken heed of the email that said bring your own mug, I didn’t and was reduced to a little plastic affair that struggled with anything wet let alone anything hot and wet! The Induction day has gone okay, comforted that it was my last one I had more energy than I anticipated and the cheese and chutney sandwiches were a joy to be hold whilst the crisps and no cake were less impressive. Lots of new faces as people set off on their reader training, a mixed bag it has to be said, one that is hard to describe but if I had to I would suggest it was group of people that wouldn’t look out of place at concert where Daniel O’Donnell were topping the bill. The short trip back to Rydal was erm short and as I type away with a cup of Cumbrian tea and a party ring biscuit I look out where the long gone photographer stood earlier today I reflect that time sometimes moves  slowly but surely creeps ever closer to the big day.

The evening concluded with a fine send off for our departing principal, lots of old friends and faces were present, and I sat with a couple of friends and a lady I didn’t know, I introduced myself and asked ‘what do you do?’ to which she replied, ‘I’m the Bishops wife’! I sat a little more upright and slipped into my telephone voice, whilst the esteemed lady smiled a lot until the conversation dwindled into nothing. She turned to her right I turned to my left, she spoke to her friend and I spoke to mine, Happy Days !! Compline (Night prayer) brought proceedings to a close, I did a reflection and brought Marc Almond into conversation, we prayed, I felt close to my Lord and savior, I missed my family had a drink a came away to finish this blog.

Only 6 more of these weekends remain and I was wondering if you are aware of how time changes you? 24 months ago I was bursting with excitement about becoming an ordinand and whilst the novelty still hasn’t worn off, the time that has passed and has certainly changed me. It’s changed my approach, my opinions, my actions, my prayers, my priorities and my life and those closest to me. Hopefully though it hasn’t changed my personality or my sense of humor it’s still raging below like a live volcano. Rightly or wrongly it is in my DNA it is what I am about and something I wouldn’t exchange for anything. A long time ago a manager I knew who was appointed as a mentor to me, told me to achieve any kind of promotion I would have to basically change my personality, it is a conversation I will never forget. I recall ending the conversation abruptly thanking the individual for their time, explaining that I would be prepared to do many things to change but what was being suggested was simply not possible. Fortunately many years later a new mentor, God has changed me, changed me in an amazing and incredible way, but thankfully he left my personality intact and never have I felt compromised by who I am or what I do or how I do it.

My conclusion to this blog is very simple but truthful and that is be the person you are, be the person God created, be yourself, remember your mug, prepare lots of eggs, don’t bother with the tripod, and look out for them geese.

Love to you all

Alextheanglican.