tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8299409348701300460.post8846694375494980623..comments2023-05-25T09:14:35.702+01:00Comments on The Vernacular Vicar: A Curate in Vicar's ClothesAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08268991293847325315noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8299409348701300460.post-13097387091026696102011-09-17T10:06:55.406+01:002011-09-17T10:06:55.406+01:00As someone who has to be careful regarding my ment...As someone who has to be careful regarding my mental health I offer you three pieces of advice. <br /><br />1. Replace your training vicar with a detailed rota for the week (Monday - home communions, Tuesday morning - sermon prep. whatever) and stick to it rigidly unless something comes along like a funeral or deanery meeting etc. If you suffer from any level of compulsive disorder you will find this extremely comforting.<br /><br />2. Never, never, never feel guilty if you find yourself with nothing to do. Enjoy such times and don't fill such breathing spaces with useless meetings which is a very common practice among clergy who feel compelled to prove to everybody that they work 24 hours a day (as if the God of the labourers cares).<br /><br />3. Never get into conversations with other clergy about how much work you do. It's boastful, harmful to your sense of worth and, anyway, clergy never tell the truth about the work they do.MadPriesthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15120376342802143188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8299409348701300460.post-81963244598314639902011-09-16T18:02:51.889+01:002011-09-16T18:02:51.889+01:00You ask what you are called to do in this parish- ...You ask what you are called to do in this parish- might I suggest you are called to 'be' and in that being to hear that still small voice of calm and guidance?highlandponderingshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04442539220150335326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8299409348701300460.post-81412336634064592152011-09-16T15:25:42.688+01:002011-09-16T15:25:42.688+01:00If the atmosphere on Wednesday evening was any ind...If the atmosphere on Wednesday evening was any indication I would say you will only too soon find yourself fully involved in your new flock and wishing for a little more space and reflection time.<br />Enjoy your peace while you can.<br />I suspect your parishioners will soon get to know you and leave you in no doubt as to where and when you are needed.<br />It must be quite a strange feeling to be flying solo, but one for which you are very well equipped.<br />Blessings.Ray Barneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09209429097744326143noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8299409348701300460.post-16419933055542508432011-09-16T15:11:17.038+01:002011-09-16T15:11:17.038+01:00You are still the Bishop's curate, a different...You are still the Bishop's curate, a different Bishop, just no longer an assistant curate. <br /><br />I'm sure you stopped being spoon fed a long time ago. <br /><br />It sounds so very exciting.Elizabethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10948356208208574420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8299409348701300460.post-60009094655910417592011-09-16T15:08:47.396+01:002011-09-16T15:08:47.396+01:00Congratulations! Having crossed (good word) over,...Congratulations! Having crossed (good word) over, I've no doubt that anyone still able to "pootle" will be as good a Vicar as they were a Curate.Kathleen https://www.blogger.com/profile/05245926913888212148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8299409348701300460.post-60417868749808611842011-09-16T14:56:09.201+01:002011-09-16T14:56:09.201+01:00David, I see the start to a wonderful ministry. Su...David, I see the start to a wonderful ministry. Sure it's starting quietly, but I sense that you will find willing mentors among your fellow incumbents in the Deanery and Diocese. <br /><br />I know that whenever I changed jobs, I went filled with hope, mixed with nervous apprehension - would I be up to the challenges? Would I be able to enable and empower those working with me? Had I made the right decision to jump ship from my comfort zone into the fire? But somehow, within days, things slot into place, pieces of the jigsaw stand out and you seem to know what needs doing urgently, and what can be given a lower priority of desirable in the longer term. You are back in your comfort zone.<br /><br />But I knew what I was doing. I was well trained and very experienced in the roles. I had rehearsed for years for them, particularly post-commissioning. I had led as a soldier, as an officer I would command. Subtly different. But very fulfilling. <br /><br />Adaptability in outlook and flexibility of mind serve you well in change, and leading change will no doubt be part of your role as Vicar. Nothing can stand still, or will stagnate, I suspect that the difference between being a curate and incumbent is the knowledge that as a curate you have a safety net of the Vicar. As the Vicar, it's in God's and your hands. What a wonderful place to be!<br /><br />I will be following your writings with interest.<br />And praying with hope and love for your ministry.UKViewerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18114944341930758335noreply@blogger.com