well, hello again, my friend !

Welcome back, I say to myself as much as to my readers.

It’s been 5 months during which I’ve kept quiet, during with snippets from East Staffordshire and South Derbyshire filtering through asking if Alison and I have settled into our new life. As Presbyters are encouraged to do upon leaving a circuit I’ve worked hard at keeping my distance and therefore not interfering in the life of my former circuit. Over the years it’s been easier as there’s always been new .work to get to know, fresh visions, new colleagues to share the work with and learn from, so time is filled quite quickly; however ‘sitting down’ (retiring) has a different feel about it.

It’s about learning a new routine without any of the familiar hooks and signage to show the way; it’s like being in a foreign land without a map or itinerary; it’s about trying to work out where to put your roots and who to trust; and as both Alison and I have retired it feels like twice the uncertainty.

During the last five months we have also found that the house we have moved into has some ‘interesting’ structural issues, namely the electrics are all over the place and were labelled in the survey as ‘dangerous’ so much of the wiring had to be re wired. Even now we have wires that we can’t find where they might lead to !

The other challenge has been the damp and mould particularly in what should be the dining room (& a damp patch starting in the garage). The house owners, Methodist Ministers Housing Society, feel they’ve identified the problem. To rectify it they intend to take the old render off and re-render it in the better weather. As a consequence we still have boxes to unpack ad sort out remaining in the garage.

Amongst those boxes are items from our eldest daughter and her partner who sadly received the news that their landlady hadn’t been paying her mortgage and so the bank reclaimed the property and they were evicted. Thankfully they now have somewhere to live but Christmas was consumed by anxiety in case bailiffs arrived. To add to the chaos our second daughter was made redundant but thankfully has a new (& seemingly better) job. Alison’s Mum at 98 has declined significantly and just last week I heard that my brother has had a stroke, so dashing to the North East remains a regular passage. Retirement has allowed for that.

but it still feels like a desert at times……………

However, we aren’t downhearted. The house will be resolved in time. I restart my preaching in May which will help to give me roots again. Alison awaits word from the Bishop.

The Churches we’ve attached ourselves to, St Marks for Alison and Rise Park, for me have been very welcoming of us and Chester, as indeed has the Circuit. I miss the folk in my previous circuit hugely and the last few months have been very lonely but just as the rain has eased and the sun is emerging and leading us to Spring there is fresh hope at last for the new start we expected last September.

God is good and ever leads us on. Maybe that’s the lesson I’ve needed to learn again; to grasp the Fathers hand and like a little child continue to trust. I continue to hold to the Scriptural instruction in Proverbs 3:5-6 and in the New Testament, 2 Corinthians 5:7

I continue to love and pray for all who have been a part of my life

Where am I ?

An interesting Question…….. My thoughts on this have come about because Alison bumped into some Church folk who assumed she and I had returned to the area on a visit. When she told them that we still hadn’t moved away, they were genuinely suprised, thinking we had already gone.

So why haven’t we moved yet ? The simple matter is that in the closing actions of buying the house on our behalf (prior to renting it to us), one of the final reports that by law they’re required to have came back marked ‘danger’. They have started to commision the necessary work to rectify whatever the problem is. It is incredibly frustrating to build yourself up and to look forward to new friends as well as keeping old friends only to have to wait goodness knows how long.

Family and friends who have supported me, amongst so many others, over the years.

So, especially to the members of the Methodist Church WE’RE STILL HERE (although we hope for not much longer)

What does that mean for us ?
Various things; firstly it’s affected our motivation levels. One day we’re full of busy getting rid of things and creating piles everywhere; visiting charity shops with donations and the next de-motivated enough to think “what’s the point ?”

It also creates a limbo effect. Ministers are always encouraged, for good reason, not to return to a Circuit/Church for about a year so I feel in a situation where I can’t have dealings with my local town, it’s Churches and area. Nor can I invest in my future area as they don’t know me well enough (most of them) and it’s a 60 mile round trip so regular Church visiting is out of the question.

As I go through memories you can’t help remember the mistakes and it takes more to convince yourself that there are more memories than bad. This is why coming across this booklet today has meant so much to me. Created for my anniversary in 2017 it has entries from folk in this circuit and my previous circuits; it is a wonderful reassurance that I haven’t been a totally useless Minister. There truly have been special times (including taking “Burning Questions” on the road [2 churches]) and sharing in theatre productions around the country but more importantly times I’d sharing the Gospel and sitting with folks as a frown and Pastor.

I also wish to add, again, my thanks to the good folk of the East Staffordshire and South Derbyshire Methodist Circuit who organised my farewell at the Pirelli football stadium which included folk from all of my previous Circuits, my Rotary, BAC, YMCA and Pirelli staff. The presents and cards were wonderful and will be unpacked again when we get to the new house, so that we can enjoy them again. This includes the gifts and cards Alison received from the Anglican Minster here in Swadlincote.

We have been truly blessed so why do I find myself swaying from one emotion to another ? Partly because it’s my nature but also another reason, IDENTITY.

For the last 34 years (36 counting college) my identity and purpose has been wrapped up in Presbyteral Ministry (including 18 as Superintendent and 3/4 years as Deputy Chair of District). This was pointed out to me by a much respected and wise Supernumerary Minister this week: it has been food for thought but also brings the realisation that I’ll never truly grasp this re-set in my life until I’ve moved and experienced it. In the meantime it’s a sort of enforced limbo in which I feel guilty when I see former colleagues working hard, so maybe I just need to learn patience and have a renewed trust that the God who has led, comforted and blessed me is still with me.

One day …………….

Sitting down

Last night I had the privilege of attending the Pirelli football stadium, home of Burton Albion football club as over 150 people from Manchester to the East Midlands gathered to say farewell as I “sit down” Methodist terminology for retiring, not that we ever do. It was a wonderful evening and I’m so grateful to everyone who came along. However I’m aware that some folk couldn’t hear everything and sadly some missed parts of the excellent and challenging sermon by a good friend, Revd Loraine Mellor. I cannot print what Loraine said as I obviously don’t her notes but I can print here my farewell part of the evening. Please, as you read it, try and capture the sheer passion I felt in it.

Sept 1991 arrived Oldham or ‘Owdam’ as the tv advert used to say, ‘I tow’d em owdam.’ Interestingly one of the first families Alison and I met was the Weston family and they have continued to support me ever since on mission work, in personal times such as their support of Alison when my Mum died and I was in London. Delighted Judith has been able to be here today. Highlights to me that amongst the difficulties, loneliness and stress there are real joys, privileges and pure moments of a sense of being called by God to a special work. When asked to put my preaching into context I once answered “a simple Gospel, preached simply by a simple man” and it’s the same today.

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Why here in a football stadium not a Church ? Because I’ve always tried to mix and mingle with folk for whom Church seems foreign and whilst in Burton it’s here in the Pirelli where a lot of that interaction has taken place from the club shop, reception and all the staff including Pettie who supplies Chester with the left over fruit salads after Rotary, where he looks forward to seeing Graham (Deano), and others.He would and has pushed me out of the way to get to Pettie and Graham

It’s here where I’ve been privileged to support the YMCA sleep outs over many years, it’s here where I’ve attended BAC annual events as a Trustee. If any visitors need to know more about BAC or indeed Langans tea rooms, please ask. BAC is probably the most rewarding and satisfying of all my Ministry in this area.

Of course it’s here where I’ve been a part of Rotary. Many think football is the main thing in my life, but if it is then Rotary comes a close second. In both West Ashfield and the Burton clubs I’ve made great friends and now that I’m moving on Burton have made me an honorary member and I’ve received an open invite to return to West Ashfield whenever I wish. Through YMCA, BAC and Rotary I feel it’s put my Christian faith into action and out there. I would urge all of us, people of faith or not, seek to work amongst others and bring Christs love, not judgement.

Of course in many Circuits you’ve afforded me the privilege of working in Poiana Constanta in Romania, where there is very real poverty and the presence of teams building houses, running holiday clubs and so much more is invaluable. Thanks to the Church in Langley Mill who first had the vision to join in the work.                                We should’ve been in Wales tonight as our friends Alex and Heather celebrate their 20 years of working in Romania at their sending Church, but it is our hope to get back there again next year.

I could go on but I promised Alison that I’d keep it short !  I want to draw my thanks towards its close by pointing out that in Ministry so many friends have been made and in this past few years when my health and hearing have been ‘suspect’ the staff of this circuit have been wonderfully supportive and I appreciate that so much. They have kept me from feeling like an old and worn-out Minister.

Finally my personal thanks to Alison and my family. The danger in any faith-based organisation is to unfairly see the family as an unpaid ‘add-on to the Minister. We so often take the Ministers family for granted. Thankyou to all of my circuits and churches for loving my family as you have loved me. To Alison, Rebecca, Vicky, Michelle, Mark, Piper and Emett my aim now in life is to grow into being a grumpy old man with a twinkle in my eye (some would say no practise is necessary !

Thankyou

Soap ?

was the title of a bizarre American comedy parodying the popular soap operas of the time like Dynasty.

I loved it but each week the part I enjoyed the most was the recap at the begining of the previous weeks episode ending with the words “Confused ? You will be !”

Well that’s how I’m feeling today after the last few eventful weeks. Just before Christmas I tripped and fell over a raised paving slab en route to a carol service; cue a black eye for several weeks followed by the annual busyness of a Ministers life rushing from one service to another gradually tiring of the same old carols that over 8/9 carol services are regularly trotted out (& woe betide you if you omit someone’s favourite).

After this Alison and I went into house hunting big time under the strict details of the excellent Methodist Ministers Housing Society. They really have been good and caring but the limits on what you can spend, the sort of area you can live in, the necessity of a downstairs toilet, proximity to bus routes, GPs, hospitals etc (all designed to give us a good retirement) are limiting. We even went into one house with wide patio doors; Alison commented how that would help get the piano in and all I could think was “that’ll make getting the coffin out easier !”

We’ve now looked at several but none have been quite right except one and the day MMHS telephoned the estate agents we discovered that a couple had made an offer that morning just after we’d spoken to MMHS

I then followed this up by being involved in a car accident which has resulted in my car being written off as it’s not worth repairing due to age. So we’re not only looking for a house but also a car !.

Finally last Friday morning I woke to a major nosebleed which after two hours left our bathroom looking like a war zone and me in hospital with Alison and Chester having my nose cauterised. Between my black eye and the bloodied clothes Alison wouldn’t let me answer the door in case her reputation was at risk. It leads into anxieties unrelated to today’s worries. At the moment it creates a sense of confusion all around me; where am I ? Am I doing things right ? Am I prepared for retirement ? Will we have enough money ?

you have to laugh for it detracts from the joy of anticipation

As Christians how should we react when things aren’t going smoothly ? I like 2 Corinthians 6:10 from the Message Bible which reminds us that we should keep on keeping on. Obviously it isn’t immediately clear but that’s what it amounts to, I believe. When life is tough, when we feel that everything’s against us it can become very tempting to give up and try a different route, turning to other pursuits because they’re more attractive, easier, comfortable etc.

This passage reminds us that God is always with us and we walk with Him keeping our eyes on the work he’s called us to: its very much ‘bear against the wind’ mentality

Bear against the wind mentality

Now please note that I’m NOT speaking into those dreadful cases which seriously impact the lives of people, especially issues surrounding health and relationships. NO I’m referring to what might be termed as ‘minor’ issues which if untreated can become major. I’m not trying to trivialise these but pointing out that when they come thick and fast they can distract us too easily.

On Sunday morning I shared in an Ecumenical Covenant service with one of my local parish Churches; afterwards one of the Anglican friends came to thank me for what he called an ‘inspiring’ service and asked how I could have put it together “with all you’re going through” (I had mentioned none of the above in the service or sermon. One of members must have said something). That’s what set me thinking. Many times over the years there have been occasion’s that could have knocked my Ministry off course or indeed my faith but at each point I have leant on God, sought inspiration in Scripture and prayer AND most of all seeing the goodness and graciousness in Gods people around me, supporting and carrying. The times I haven’t turned to Scripture or prayer and the times I’ve cut myself off from others have prolonged my sense of loneliness or of self doubt: I hope you realise that I’m not saying I’ve got everything right, but like all people there are times in my life when I get it wrong

I’m no saint and I make a lot of mistakes but I am blessed by a Saviour who keeps leading my way through the storm with the promise of daylight ahead

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Thankyou for following my ramblings

ME/WHO ?

As I prepare to ‘sit down’ from active Ministry (if granted permission) I find myself thinking over the past 32years. My final act in the active work will actually be to lead worship for the United Reformed Church annual holiday week at The Hayes Conference centre Swanwick, next August. In preparation I was asked to write an article about myself for the participants before Alison, Chester and myself attend. I was then challenged in a conversation to record the article, and so I have.

Here is the amended article

I’m a Methodist Minister of 32 years standing and due to retire next year, having studied theology in Durham University and through the Methodist training college, the Wesley Study Centre. It’s been a long and varied journey from my home town of Consett in Co. Durham.

On that journey I’ve worked briefly amongst the homeless in London, travelled with several theatre tours and companies, become a Methodist Superintendent Minister, Deputy Chair, working annually in an impoverished Romanian village since 2008, working annually leading teams in mission work with Rev Rob Frost around the country up to 2010 (I think) and more recently as a Trustee in an addiction centre here in Burton where I’m currently living. You can see it’s been a mixed journey, but throughout it all I’ve been sustained, helped, and comforted by my ‘sidekick’ Alison who I met in my pram in her Church pramclub. We renewed our acquaintance in secondary school where allegedly we couldn’t stand each other (but I know she was secretly chasing me !!), in our very late teens began to court and in our early twenties were in love and married. Alison is currently the local Vicar for the town of Swadlincote, and I live in her parish !

We have two daughters and two grandchildren and of course “Chester” my hearing dog as I’ve had a profound hearing loss since birth.

I’m looking forward to being with new friends next year as I endeavour to lead the morning worship with folk I don’t yet know. (Quick reminder, Swanwick Hayes want bookings by Feb with 50% deposit, if anyone wants to go)

That’s been a lengthy introduction but when Wendy asked me to help out I took a long time praying, thinking it through and quizzing the co-leaders Wendy and Abi about what it would entail before making the decision to say yes. This was because when I agree to something it’s a wholehearted commitment.

It’s the same with faith: I don’t think it should be half-hearted, Sunday only and just for an hour. No, my belief is that for some reason he’s chosen me with my faults and failings to carry out his work (many times getting it wrong).

I try to follow the great commision at the end of Matthews Gospel “Go and make disciples of all people” although I prefer the Message Bible translation, “Go out and train everyone you meet in this way of life………. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you”. I like this translation as I think it takes the pressure of evangelism off us and reminds us that we’re about Gos mission, not ours and remember teaching others is also about teaching ourselves.

it’s not that I’m special or a specialist but I firmly believe that God has a purpose for each one of us to use the gifts and talents he has given us in sharing his love and in so doing recieved his love for us in new and exciting ways.

I have a simple mantra to explain my faith…….

A simple Gospel, preached simply, by a simple man

Heroes

Excellent presentation at my Rotary Club today from a lady (I’ve withheld her name for confidentiality) who has had a tough life blighted by Heroin addiction and alcoholism, but she has come through it and today she shared her story with us. It was moving and some of the club shed tears. I wonder how some folk can plumb the depths of despair, but then find the strength and courage to say “enough is enough” while sadly others succumb to their demons.
Through my work with the Burton Addiction Centre and in particular with Langans tea rooms I got to know its founder, Noreen Oliver and her husband Tony, and similarly learnt her story; a story similar to the one we heard today.

Noreen, not only conquered her addictions even though they seriously damaged her health, went on to launch the O’Connor Gateway charitable trust. Designed to help folk overcome those things holding them back in life and they have a remarkable success rate leading them to become one of the most successful recovery units in the Midlands and gaining the admiration of politicians of all parties, local and National.

I am proud to be a trustee and when I retire from active Ministry next year I’ll look back and see this as one of the best things I’ve been a part of in my 32 years since Ordination and indeed in my life.

Noreen passed from this life last year but still remains in my thoughts and I’m still inspired by her faith and determination to improve the lot of those with addictions

Hero

So what makes a hero ? I think it’s someone who not only has a vision to create a better world within their own circumstances for other people: a person not content to settle simply for ‘how things are’; a person of bravery prepared to be sacrificial. For me that is not only Noreen, but it’s everyone in the Burton Addiction Centre for they stand against that which would pull them down and have committed themselves to make a difference in their own lives and in the lives of others, family friends and communities. Such heroes can be found in all walks of life, the rich, the poor, religious and non-religious

Scripture speaks to us of such heroes, and we often label them as saints, but the New Testament also includes all believers as saints/heroes for when you think about it we all carry out heroic acts and often without realising it. Carrying on when life is tough, or when depression hits is heroic. Being the one who stands, even in a small way, on behalf of another. Following a difficult and unpopular way of life advocating policies such as climate change is heroic. Becoming a politician, local or national, out of conviction (and there are many) is heroic.

I think that for me it’s a question of “how am I being heroic in my life”, as a Grandad, Dad, husband, friend etc ?

Lord give me the strength to be heroic in my day to day little things and when necessary in the bigger things.

A difficult and disappointing day

Today I had an appointment at the hospital in the area were expecting to move to. The appointment was offered by the hospital after they had said they thought they could improve my hearing with a ‘small’ operation. An hours journey to get there (including a rather difficult tram journey with Chester who struggles with tram & train journeys), and we arrived 15 minutes early.

First problem was that they couldn’t find our notes and anxiety begins to kick in.

They invited us to wait in the waiting area; we were there for virtually an hour, watching other patients coming in and being seen to while we still waited in an emptying room.

Eventually, it felt as though the clinic was over and suddenly they wanted to see us. The consultant had no idea what the previous consultant had in mind as no notes were available and so she wasn’t prepared to do anything other than another hearing test to see where my hearing was at. They’ll call me back for that at some point. She pointed out that there is tissue scarring in my ears, but after 60+ years that is not a surprise and that apparently some is caused by infections I have had over those years where anti-biotics were the GP prescribed solution.

She spoke about an operation where a small prosthetic bone could help and pointed out I had a very narrow canal in my right ear (as if that was my fault ⁉️).

It would seem as though some of this should have been monitored over the years, but if Mum & Dad were ever told I don’t know, but certainly as an adult none of this was ever explained to me.

So the upshot of today is that I’m no further forward. How do I feel ? Tired and disappointed to be honest; my sense that the hearing issue has robbed me of a lot of Ministry and even the thought of constantly changing doctors and hospitals because of Ministry has given me inconsistent treatment, is on the rise. I’ve spent most of the day since we got back sitting and snoozing in my favourite chair but also becoming depressed again.

I think the NHS are a wonderful organisation that I’ll always proclaim the blessing they’ve been to me but today I feel let down

And yet I return again to my faith in God, in whose image I’m apparently fearfully and wonderfully made. I think of the skin condition which means that boys usually die about the age of 10 & I’m now 50 years overdue ! Blind in one eye and a history that means I had so many illnesses as a child at the same time that I was advised not to give blood just in case.

When I reflect on all that I’m grateful to still be alive and to be enjoying life, surrounded by a loving family and friends.

Yes, disappointed and down but knowing that in a few days weeble mode will have kicked in and I’ll be ok;

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New Start

Yesterday, at Church, I was challenged by a Church member to restart this blog which got lost during the pandemic so this is my new start (as I prepare to look towards the next stage of my Ministry. Most of you are aware that our next stage in Ministry is actually to request permission to ‘sit down’. This is Methodist speak for retirement, but I rather like the expression as it says to me that Ministers keep working but from a far more relaxed position !

It’s scary stuff: how will we manage financially ? Where will we live ? How will we fill our time without getting on each others nerves ?

Well we’ve taken advice from friends, colleagues and have attended pre-retirement courses held by both the Methodist and Anglican Churches, and are reassured that any worries, anxieties and fear are natural expressions as we contemplate what’s next on our journey with God. We cling to the promise of years ago when Alison wisely and faithfully said “He ain’t let us down thus far and He ain’t about to start”

So what will we do with our time ? Who knows ? The certainties are that Alison will continue with her Inner Wheel (my insistence) but we don’t know about Rotary (cost); we will find new Churches to be a part of and so new friends to add to our very large group who we’ve got to know over the past 32 years of Ministry; I’ll continue preaching but Alison is undecided as to whether to apply for ‘Permission to Officiate”.

I’m thinking of checking out U3A & seeing what they might have to offer, and also other possible groups. And of course I’ll still have Chester to look after; such a good friend.

Of course, as we’ll probably be living in Nottingham we’ll have more time to be with our family, Rebecca, Michelle, Vicky and Mark; Also we’ll see so much more of our FoxCubs Piper and Emett. Now that’s a part of sitting down that we’re really looking forward to.

Most Ministerial families miss out on what the world would deem as ‘normal’ (that’s not to say other professions don’t have similar issues). There’s something about having a calling which pushes you to run the risk of giving your time away too easily because other people struggle to get their heads around what it is to be a Minister or in our case a life as both Vicar (Alison) and Minister. So if sitting down gives anything special it’ll be a renewed opportunity to be ‘Dad’ or ‘Grandad’ again.

How does the timescale pan out ? In Dec 2024 we’ll get our information pack as to our does and don’t; in January 2025 we can look for a property to be owned by the Methodist Ministers Housing Society. If they find a suitable house the wheels will begin for them to purchase and rent to us. However they’ll also be looking at properties they may already own.

And then we’ll retire in August 2025.

After that the fun of a new Ministry will begin

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How do we treat deaf People ?

How do we treat deaf people ?

Increasingly I’m becoming more and more frustrated at my deafness (see blog entry for Nov 5th) but what is worse for me isn’t about not hearing the TV, radio or music; it actually isn’t even about not hearing people when they speak to me.

It actually two things at play here. Firstly, because the NHS doesn’t seem to have the capacity to cope since covid in Audiology departments, my hearing hasn’t been assessed for three and a half years now. As a consequence I have little clarity in my hearing despite two aids and in most conversations I have to ask people to repeat themselves but it makes me feel thick and stupid even though the other person may not intend that result.

Secondly some people can’t actually help themselves and register a mixture of surprise, that someone didn’t hear the question/statement etc. Again when I see eyebrows raised, exasperation on faces, see a big sigh, and then the statement etc repeated with a degree of impatience then I again I feel stupid and thick.

Ive known this all my life, especially at school (thinking of one teacher in particular). Snide comments made by fellow pupils, schoolwork incorrect because I didn’t hear the question all affected my confidence, and my blindness in my right eye didn’t help in lipreading.

This continued into working life but although two ear operations helped me enormously and have carried me through most of my adult life I’m now back at that childhood status of near deafness and its worse now. I may not have clarity any more but without the aids I only have silence (and trust me silence doesn’t always feel golden).

Chester is magnificent and the Hearing Dog community believe that HD (hearing dogs) help with confidence; to a large extent I think they do but in a strange perverse way they also turn the deaf person on themselves as its much easier to have a chat with him than risk not knowing what others have said. Also there are some even in the Church who resent my deafness. Several years ago a lady in a Church informed me that I shouldn’t be a Minister if I was deaf; when I pointed out that she too had hearing difficulties so should understand, apparently it was different as she didn’t want to pay me when I wasn’t catching all she said.

Reflecting on this tonight after a day in which I sensed/saw someones frustration at yet again having to repeat things has made me question why society and the church thinks less of deaf people; if we were to come across a blind person we wouldn’t have the same frustration but an increased desire to help. Someone with a serious medical condition wouldn’t be ignored in their views which I often feel I am because in a discussion it takes me longer to assess what I’m hearing and by the time I do the conversation has moved on.

I find deafness also increases tiredness and that leads to loss of concentration.

Please don’t read this as a rant to say “poor Mike”. that is NOT my intention; my intention is to simply encourage all of us, myself included, to be more understanding, tolerant and accepting

Ive taken to rereading this small booklet that the Methodist Church produced man-years ago. It opens with these words………

Hearing loss is not fatal……but its not much fun either…..and its mighty frustrating

to which I add “for all”

Time to sit down ?

Alison and I had a few days away last week on a pre-retirement course; to give a bit of context I won’t retire until 31st August 2025 but these few days were a gift from the Methodist Church to begin to tune our minds into what will be here before we know it.

in Methodism you don’t stop being a Minister (Presbyter or Deacon) just because of an age requirement. No, you remain a Minister alongside many of society’s expectations and often your own ! So our thinking has to adapt to a new role in life which is why Methodism doesn’t speak of retirement, but instead speaks of “sitting down”. In other words continuing to work (as Supernumeraries) but from a far more relaxed position.

first of all the course was set in the delightful house and grounds of Wynyard Hall, near Scarborough, and it covered various areas such as finance (living on a reduced income), choosing an area to retire to, what activities/hobbies might we like to get involved with, looking at our current skills and which may be useful in the future.

a lot to think about and pray towards; so what does the future hold for the Redshaw’s ? Reduced income at a time when we’ll suddenly have to pay bills we’ve never had to look at for the last 30+ years such as council tax & water rates, means we’ll have to reduce to one car and tighten our belts somewhat. On the positive front it’ll mean more family time especially with the FoxCubs. As they grew up Rebecca and Vicky had to give up so much to follow Alison and I to different churches. It’ll be nice to try and help them out.

It’ll mean more time on our hands but sadly less finance to visit other friends and places. We loved Orkney but probably won’t get the chance to go back; our hopes to go to Romania in 2024 to see our friends means it may well be our last trip there.

My enjoyment of Rotary will probably have to cease because of cost as will my football season ticket and so we’ll need to find new interests because one of the things that came through strongly was that we mustn’t stop being active both for the good of our bodies and for our mental health. I’m already exploring ways to support the charity “Hearing Dogs for Deaf People” & maybe my speaking skills (!) might be utilised there.

We certainly have a lot to think about.

The certainty is that if the Methodist Ministers Housing Society will allow us we’ll be moving to Nottingham, as that’s where the family live. I always wanted to retire to Orkney or Cornwall but the practical reality is we want to be with family.

one of the exercises we had to engage in was to come up with a chart/spidergraph showing our current life. I attach the photograph below and apologise if you, dear reader, are not on it. We had limited time to produce it and talk about it. Obviously Alison’s will be different but notice how I’ve encircled everything by recognising my hearing deterioration has an effect on every part of my life. Something else to cope with, but thanks to the brilliant NHS I’ll have support in all areas.

Thanks to this course we have time to reflect and prepare for an exciting new phase of Ministry. God ain’t finished with the Ministry of Alison and I and we just have to find where he’s taking us to next. 😀