How scary! 7 followers already, so praps I'd better write something................Margaret my Curate colleague has just left after a long hand over session. These next 3 months are going to be a roller coaster for her as she takes on more responsibility. She is a star!  When I was a curate at Elstow Abbey my Richard, training incumbent, abandoned me in my final year by retiring so I know the feeling of impending doom that she must be feeling! At least I am only going for 3 months.


long ago and far away...when I was a Curate and before I was abandoned

In those days there were three of us in the Deanery without incumbents and we called ourselves the 'Abandoned Curates Society' - it was a good excuse to meet in the pub for and persuade the Rural Dean to buy us lunch.
I have three more days in the parishes before my sabbatical starts and the wandering begins (....mind you there's been a lot of previous wandering. Wallasey to West Yorkshire, via  Liverpool, Bedford and the Isle of Man)   But now we are heading to Adelaide in Australia to experience life and ministry in the Anglican Parish of Parkside - St Oswalds and Emmanuel.  The people there are already showing us incredible kindness and we are looking forward to meeting them all.    This was supposed to be an exchange with the David, the Rector of Parkside , and his wife Deborah, coming here to St Philips and St Cuthberts. But sadly David has had surgery on his back and he cant make the long flight so its a rather one sided exchange.  
But that's next week - lots to do before then including the re-dedication of St Cuthberts after extensive restoration.  Bishop Tony is coming - it will be a great celebration.  The torrential rain the in last few days has tested the new roof - and so far so good!