How to Advance by Retreating

It's just the way that things have worked out that I have arrived at Lochside Church in time to go away on a retreat day with the Pastoral Care Team.  So by way of getting to know the team, my timing has been perfect.  We took a short trip down the A9 to The Bield where we spent some of the day using their facilities, and the remainder having a training session on the dark art that is pastoral care.

There was, a bit over an hour, where we could go off and use the facilities on site for quiet reflection.  The gardens are lovely, with bits of art placed here and there to reflect upon.  There is a labyrinth, carefully cut into the grass.  A flock (is that a brood?) of chickens patrols the grounds.  In one barn there is an art workshop with a couple of potters wheels.  There is even a swimming pool.

This was a bit of the day that I actually found hard.  If I want to reflect, then I am better off going off on my own.  I don't want to share my thoughts, and I don't want to hear anyone else.  And I certainly don't want to disturb anyone else who is happy in their space.  So I went off for a walk, trying my best to avoid anyone else that was visiting that day, for fear that I might interupt them.

(It was only in reading the notes for the centre today that I realised that the bowl of ceramic leaf badges that were in a basket were in actual fact a sign that someone was on silent retreat, and not to disturb them.  I hope I didn't acknowledge someones presence and ruin their stay. Were they a sign to "leaf" well alone?)

So I did manage a pleasant reflective walk, managing to avoid everyone, and I was happy with my thoughts.  I spent some time watching the bee hives* before wandering round for a very pleasant lunch.  I think I can manage the quiet part, I'm just not very good at working out what to do to be reflective.

* The metaphor for bees came up later in the day regarding the day spent learning pastoral care.  Like the bee storing honey, we were storing up skills and knowledge that may be used for the time when we need to call upon our reserves to help the community.**

**  Although another image of bees came to mind, where the bee works its backside off all summer making the honey, but along comes the beekeeper to take away the fruits of  the bees labours and gives the bee nothing in return.  Up the workers!

Starting Over

Perhaps I'm in the wrong type job if I don't like change.

My second placement started today, the not quite immediate follow-on from my first.  I have met with my new supervisor twice now, once while we decide if we can work together, and the second time as we discussed officially the placement to come.

It's the first day of any placement that I really can't be arsed with.  I have spent the last six months making connections at Lowry (North) and now I have to start off again.  The fact that I can't remember names or faces really makes this awkward.  In the hall there is a picture of all the office bearers, so this will be my source of reference, and on a Sunday I can rely on many people wearing name badges.

So I went into the first church where I was warmly welcomed.  Some of the people on the door remembered me from when I checked out the church the week before.  Others knew there was a student coming, but didn't know what I looked like.

Worship is completely different from my previous experience, one of the reasons I picked this particular church.  The other reason was that there was nobody closer that could take me.

There is a lot to keep me busy, although this placement, I fear that I am going to have to work placement around work.  At least this will make it more like working as an OLM, having to balance work with ministry.

So it was an interesting first day, but I know that it will be weeks, perhaps months before I know the dynamics of the church. 

Poo

When you've got to go, you've got to go.

But what happens if you have nowhere to go?


There is a serious message in here about sanitation, and how many people don't have access to a real bog.  See www.poo2loo.com

Have you considered twinning your toilet?

When You Gaze Long into an Abyss...

Placement was good.  Refreshing.  Affirming.  Enjoyable.  Even the dark stuff was satisfying, and those parts which should have angered me actually empowered me.  I was in a good place.

And then something came along and arsed up my good karma.

It's just that, as with so many things in life, no job is complete without paperwork.  (And on that statement, I have a post waiting in the wings for Sunday...)  It's just that the paperwork from 121 requires a lot of personal reflection.

And there's the problem.  Perhaps I'm not as much of a reflective practitioner as I'm supposed to be.  The part of the form giving factual information about my placement was fine.  There were plenty of hard facts that I could sate to evidence the work carried out on my placement.  But there was one particular question that stumped me for the better part of an afternoon. It asked me what have I learned about my lifestyle from my experience, eg sense of worth worship life, time management , priorities, vocational commitment and comment on my spiritual development?

bugger.

So I left it, drank 1.5 litres of tea, then went back at it.  I just don't like talking about myself.  What have I learned about my lifestyle, or my sense of worth?  I'm toiling even to put an answer here, despite having written the form and sent it off to my supervisor.  The question felt a little too wooly, and I just didn't like writing an answer.  Perhaps there is something inside that I don't want to talk about, and the whole section of the form that contained this question was getting a little too close.  Yet, if I can't talk about myself, how am I going to get other people to open up to me?

Noah

Showing of Noah cancelled due to flood.  Seriously.

I suppose the tale of Noah is always going to be a hard one to film.  I did like it, but in order to fill a
decent movie length, there are going to have to be some liberties taken with the story.  The whole story is there, with a bit of fantasy effects to pad it out.

Conservative Christians have attacked the movie for including reference to Noah planting a vineyard and getting naked and pished. They say it's not in the story.  I beg to differ.   We do tend to leave that bit out for the Sunday School audience. 

I was surprised how busy the cinema was for the 4:15 showing on a Wednesday, especially for a film that is biblically inspired.  There were more than a few crosses on display in the audience...

So while I enjoyed it, I enjoyed it as a movie.  The visual effects were good and the acting reasonable.  I would like to see the same director given a chance to do a remake of The Ten Commandments, especially his take upon the plagues.

I go to the cinema for entertainment, and I received my money's worth.  If I want the real tale, I will read the book.

Fifty Acts Continued. Fifty-one, Another Corner of Airside

For a town of 15,000, Airside parish is under-represented in terms of religion.  Mrs Gerbil's summer placement had six other places of worship serving a town of 1,400, yet Airside has just two.

So this morning I went to the Gospel Church at the other end of town.  It meets in the building that the parish church vacated in the seventies, and while I have been before, that was twenty years and another pastor ago. 

There was a lot this morning that I found refreshing.  Just being able to sit back and enjoy worship, and not have to think about making my own contribution was great.  This was something that the pastor and I agreed upon, that it is a luxury to be able to sit back and listen.  And it was nice not to turn up at a church where the first thing I am asked is "are you saved?"  This time the question was "can I get you a bible?"  And as communion was shared, one of the poeple at the door let me know that we take the bread but save it and eat together.  It's refreshing that churches think to let people know about the small details that have an impact on how we share worship together.

This was a small congregation (although it is the local school holidays and many people were missing) but there was a genuine welcome and a community feeling.  I may even make a return visit, if the chance arises.

So for the moment, the fifty acts have resumed.  How long it takes me to do the second fifty remains to be seen.

No Placement

Last week was my last weekend at Lowry (North).  I was kept busy and I was welcomed into everything that was going on, making me feel like a real part of the community.  So his week has seemed a little odd.

If I was to follow the normal training route for an OLM, I would have done my first six month placement then have to take six months off before starting my second placement October 2014 to March 2015.  12 months probation would start in October 2015 taking me through to October 2016.  The problem with this is that Mrs Gerbil will finish her probation in Autumn 2015, so when she goes to find her own charge, either I would have to break my own probation or postpone it until such time as I am settled wherever we end up.

It was agreed by the Church of Scotland that I could do a placement straight after my first, then go straight into probation.  The problem I am now having is finding someone to take me for a placement.  My preferred choice can't take trainees at all.  Number 2 can't take me for a variety of reasons.  Number 3 already has a student.  Number four is actually the newly appointed Minister at Hillside church where I did my enquiry, and I don' think I'm supposed to go back to a place that I have already visited.  There are another two ministers that have probationers, so I am having to cast the net further and further.  I should hear something this week, but I would like to be in post for Holy Week.

The oddness of this week has been brought about because I have nothing to do.  No prayers, readings or Children's Address to prepare.  No time spent at this time of night making sure nothing newsworthy has happened that needs mentioned in my intercessions.  And perhaps worst of all, no community really to call my own.  I know I would be welcome at my home church, but I don't really feel like I'm part of the community - I would just be a visitor.

So if I'm going to be a visitor, I'm going to visit somewhere new.  And perhaps relaunch the Fifty Acts of Worship...

Resignation and Sunday Working

I wish this was an April Fool stunt.

The short version is that I was offered a job which should have started on Monday.  On the Friday before, this offer was apparently withdrawn, and I was given a new start date.  The reason for this is a request that I would rather not work on a Sunday, something I have mentioned at every stage of the recruitment process.  This should have been taken into account along time ago.

In a rather heated phone call on Friday, I asked what would happen if I turned up yesterday.  They seemed a little surprised when I actually did.  Well, it wasn't as if I had anything else planned.  I was wondering how far into the induction I would have got before they realised they had an extra body.  As it was, I didn't get too far past reception, however I had a very pleasant chat with one of their HR people, and I had the opportunity to hand over a letter of resignation in person.

The text of the letter is below.  Company name, location and job title have been appropriately redacted.

***************************************************

To Whom it May Concern,

Letter of Complaint and Resignation

I find myself in the somewhat unusual position of writing a letter of resignation for a job which [your organisation] may or may not have offered me. By the same measure, I may or may not have accepted.

Earlier this year I applied for a post as a [Chainsaw Sharpener] based in Pitlochry, which would entail working a variety of shifts across Monday to Sunday. As I understand, following a period of training, I would be notified of my shifts, and these would be flexible according to business need. I am a student Ordained Local Minister for the Church of Scotland, so throughout the recruitment process I have asked if it would be possible to come to some sort of arrangement regarding my not working on a Sunday. An Ordained Local Minister occupies a similar role to that of a Lay reader in the Church of England whereby their duties are carried out alongside their regular employment.

I have informed [your organisation]’s recruitment staff of my commitments on a Sunday at every stage of the recruitment process. When it came to my final interview I was told that any offer of employment would be considered separate to any decision as to my working hours. I have accepted throughout that [your organisation]’s interests outweigh my own, and if no arrangement could be made regarding Sunday working then I would thank [your organisation] for its time and withdraw from the recruitment process.

In its letter of the 18th February, [your organisation] offered me a job as a [Chainsaw Sharpener] commencing employment on 31st March. I returned all the appropriate documentation at that time, including [your organisation]’s security screening questionnaire. Section 27.9.4 of the statement of terms and conditions contained in the offer letter stated that my contracted hours would be 09:00 to 18:00 Monday to Sunday, with my working pattern to be advised by my manager.

On Friday 28th March I received [your organisation]’s letter dated 25th March, offering me a job as a [Chainsaw Sharpener], commencing 12th May 2014. While this letter is headed REVISED it does not state the reason for the revision. I contacted [your organisation]’s Human Resources, and was told that the reason for the revision was my request that I do not work Sundays. The Sharpening team in Pitlochry was unable to meet my request not to work Sundays until a later start date.

This has annoyed me for several reasons.

• [your organisation] has taken over a month to notify me of a change of start date. When it did, the letter is simply a reissue of the original letter with a revised start date. No explanation was given to me prior to receipt of the letter, and the letter itself does not explain the reason for the change.

• Section 27.9.4 of the statement of terms and conditions contained in the letter of the 25th March still maintains that I am expected to work on a Sunday. If the reason for this revised start date is that I will not be expected to work Sunday, then I would expect a written notification of this decision.

• Once I was offered work by [your organisation], I ceased my search for employment. While I accept that any offer would be subject to satisfactory security screening and references, it would be reasonable to assume that [your organisation] would not withdraw an offer of employment without good reason. What would have happened if I had tendered my resignation to my former employer and my last day of work had been 28th March?

• I have planned my family commitments around [your organisation]’s offer of employment, placing on hold any holidays until after the end of my initial training period. This also included me turning down the offer of a potential trip abroad as part of a voluntary project.

• In my dealings with [your organisation] so far, no one person has been able to take ownership of my request regarding Sunday work. I would have been happy enough if the answer had been no, however either nobody has been permitted to make a decision, or if someone has made a decision, it has not been communicated effectively. I have heard many tales of messages not being passed on, so the whole process has appeared somewhat disjointed.

I believed that, [within your industry], [your organisation] was one of the best [Arboricultural Supply] firms to be with. I would have liked to have worked with [your organisation], believing that I had much to offer [your organisation] and its customers. It is a shame that we will no longer have that opportunity.

With this in mind, I hereby tender my resignation from the post of [Chainsaw Sharpener] which I accepted and I should have started on the 31st March. For the avoidance of doubt, I also tender my resignation from the post of [Chainsaw Sharpener] which was due to start on the 12th May.

Yours faithfully,

Spotthegerbil

CC The Head of HR and the Managing Director.

Last day

Today was the last (Sun)day of my placement which ends officially tomorrow.  It's been an odd time for me, as while I am expected to do three hours a week plus a Sunday, my unemployment has meant that I have been able to drop in on more things than would be expected of me.

There isn't much that has went on in the life of the church that I have not had some involvement in.  I have missed out on the Messy Church, which is actually one of their growth areas.  \the rest of the events in the church I have enjoyed being a part of.

Six months has meant that I have been able to observe the dynamics of church life.  Who is friends with whom, who is the person that empowers everyone, and who is the person that will moan and be a negative influence on any project.  Somewhere in the middle of all this, the minister has to work between the various factions.  I've seen how the silliest things can be blown up out of all proportion, while major change can just happen without having any conflict.

It's been a friendly congregation, and the group that I will miss the most is the children.  I have went from being the scary tall bloke to being someone that they chat about cartoons with.  The come over and show me what they have done in Sunday School, and it's all big smiles and waving at me wehn they come and go. 

So today they presented me with a lovely home communion set. It's unfortunate that I'm not officially allowed to use it for another 18 months, but who knows, it might get an airing...

So that's one placement down, and who knows, I may even have another placement t start soon...

Easter Code

In my post the other week I mentioned my call for gazebos which had proven unsuccessful.

Last night I went to the church to set up for the Easter Code, and there was just Stephen and myself.  The only other person to turn up, the local youth worker,  coached football elsewhere so couldn't turn up until later.  So we attempted to set the hall for the Easter Code, with only 1.5 gazebos - one was missing the connectors although it got repurposed into a tomb. 

By the time 9pm cam round, the hall was feeling a little rough and ready.  although when the youth worker turned up, he had in his car the set from another Easter Code production so that was swiftly put to use.  That said, by 10pm, I still had a bad feeling about how the day was going to go.

This morning, after thirty minutes of work, the hall was completely into shape. We had all the volunteers we needed, and all the equipment.

P6 and P7 of the local school arrived, and we had a great time.  OK, we slipped our schedule a little bit, but the whole thing worked.  The pupils loved it, and this is a group that most of the staff know well, and they are genuinely willing to give criticism.

It was a load of work, but I got many thanks a few high fives on the way out from the pupils.

Other things I learned.

in terms of going with the crowd, 50% of pupils would turn up and rob PC world of Xboxes if they happened to leave the door open.  That figure goes up to 75% if they can grab a PS4 when they are in.

One pupil shoplifted a remote control.

Another pupil's brother shoplifted a TV, but it was OK because he gave it away afterwards.

Now I am absolutely knackered.  Youth work is not for me.