Vicar's blog 19th August

McLARENS BLOG MONDAY 19^TH AUGUST 2013.

TRWYN PORTH DINLLAEN, WALES.

This trip has certainly been full of challenges, spending three months living in a confined space, me having to learn basic sailing skills, Chris and I taking Pilgrim through locks on the Crinan Canal, sailing in different sea conditions. But we reached our hardest challenge, when we left Isle of Man, Port Erin, to make for HolyHead Wales, we left at 7.50am and were still sailing through the night……..this was meant to be a days sailing!!!!!!

But the sea was choppy, a South West wind, Force 5-7, visibility poor. We fought the force of the sea all day, as it was getting near dusk we thought we could see our destination, then it got dark. Pilgrim was riding the waves which swept over her bow, and then would come crashing against the wheelhouse, we would be clinging on, with the weight of our bodies against the way the boat was swaying. I became more frightened…….as it got dark and later, I just curled up and started crying. There was no harbour near us we just had to keep going…….even though the sea was not taking us anywhere. I turned my back to the windows I couldn’t bear to see the height of the waves and Pilgrim being battered by the sea. I reached a black moment when Chris put a safety harness to our life jackets. I was in this state for many hours. Then I looked at Chris and knew he was ‘rooting for me’ but he was actually in so many ways alone.

At some point I pulled myself together, I remember looking at the clock on my mobile at about 1.30am, I think it was about that time that I became a crewmember again, and started telling Chris what I could see while he did the co-ordinates to plan a course. Eventually we did begin to see lights in the distance, although it took hours to see the lights become towns.

We finally sailed into an anchorage at six o’clock in the morning, just as it was getting light. We had arrived in Anglesey near the Menai Straits.

Despite the fact that we had been up all night we were up drinking tea at eight-thirty next morning. The sun was shining, we decided to have a day’s rest. Throughout the trip, Chris has tried fishing with a line, he decided to get the line, after seeing what was movement on the water, which was definitely fish, he quickly retrieved his line from the cabin and caught us five mackerel, which made a wonderful supper.

Later that afternoon, we sailed along the Menai Straits, into Caernafon. When we walked around the town it was lovely to hear people speaking welsh.

On Sunday morning (18^th) Chris and I didn’t get to visit a church, but we did say Morning Prayer.  We thought it appropriate that we read Marks account of Jesus calming the storm. (Mark 5. 35-41) I must admit that I related in a way I never have before, to the disciples saying to Jesus ‘Don’t you care that we drown.’

When Chris and I were riding the waves in the Irish Sea that night I did say to Chris, ‘At what point do you call the Coastguard.’ He responded by saying, ‘ I know what you mean, but that is a last resort.’ As a sailor, he knew he had to rely on his own skills to get through, and he had the confidence. It was my own lack of experience as a sailor that made me fearful. After talking to other people we have met in Marinas our experience was not unique. And is all part of the challenge and risk of sailing.

I have mentioned the word ‘risk’ in this blog a number of times. Risk was part of this trip, even before we set sail. It was a risk to buy a boat that had been sitting in dry dock for eight years. It was a risk to keep working on Pilgrim making her seaworthy, when we were let down by those we had employed to work on her, it was a risk to continue with the project when we were the victims of ‘boatyard politics.’ After a period of work not going ahead, we decided on a day off, to do some work on her anyway, only to get a phone call as we were replacing paneling, from Chris’ brother to inform us his Father had died.

Two days before we were due to be blessed by the Bishop of Rochester, the mast went up. The night before we were due to meet the Bishop, we were sailing Pilgrim down to Hoo Ness Marina, which is where we were due to meet family, friends and members of our Church, for the blessing.

At times I would want to give up, even days before we were due to set sail, I was texting Chris full of doubt as to whether we would actually ever be going to sea.  It was only Chris’ tenacity and faith in the Project, which made it happen.

RISK
RISK
RISK

Risk, so often in life we try to avoid it. Risk makes us fearful, unsure of ourselves. Risk means we may fail, be laughed at. Risk may leave us feeling stupid. Risk takes us out of our comfort zone.

Some years ago Chris and I came across a poem by William Arthur Ward, we have both pinned it above our desk, and has continued to inspire us since we first heard it.

To laugh is to risk appearing the fool.

To weep is to risk appearing sentimental.

To reach for another is to risk involvement.

To expose your ideas, your dreams, before a crowd is to risk their loss.

To love is to risk not being loved in return.

To live is to risk dying.

To believe is to risk despair.

To try is to risk failure.

But risks must be taken, because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing.

The people who risk nothing, do nothing, have nothing, are nothing.

They may avoid suffering and sorrow, but they cannot learn, feel, change, grow, love, live.

Chained by their attitudes they are slaves; they have forfeited their freedom.

Only a person who risks is free.

The Quakers talk about living the faith journey ‘adventurously,’ adventures can be risky, that’s what makes them exciting. But as Christians we have a God who is constantly with us, and so we shouldn’t fear the risk of the unknown.

As I write this I am aware of a slight irony, in that because of being taken off course and ending up in a part of Wales that we never intended to visit and have got behind schedule. But I do know that God has blessed us on this Pilgrimage, he brought us through the rough passage of Wednesday night and we will trust him in the final two weeks of our trip, we don’t know the details of our final destination at present. We are hoping the weather, winds, tides, will allow us to make headway.

But I will say this, in the past I’ve waxed lyrical about the spirituality of sailing,……………but the reality is very different!

One of the books Chris and I brought with us was At Sea with God, written by Margaret Silf. A book in which the parallels of sailing and spirituality are explored. I found this wonderful passage, which really spoke to me.

‘Perhaps the destination is nothing more, or less, than the ocean of God’s love with its potential to transform us from the partialness of who we are now into the fullness of all creation into which we are being called. To live a life of faith is to trust the journey and to shape our choices in favour of the spiral that leads to life.’

   

  

Skipper

Skipper’s Log UTC 1720 Saturday 17^th 2013-08-17

You may have heard from Jeanette on Facebook that we had a bad passage down the Irish Sea.!!  We are at rest after what can only be described as exhausting and quite terrifying for Jeanette who hasn’t experience open sea on a 12m yacht.  I was very impressed by her lack of seasickness in general but when you are in fear for your life and very very anxious one would expect sickness.  At one point Jeanette suggested we call the RNLI and I reassured her we were safe and in no immediate danger. The RNLI is not there to accompany frighten sailors but to rescue when life is in danger.  Had one of us been injured or the boat was compromised due to water intake or dis-masted then one can call the RNLI.  In our circumstances, they would have only accompanied us to a safe port.  It was frightening but not dangerous with a 12m steel blue water boat capable of crossing oceans.

We left the Isle of Man at 0750 Thursday and reach Anglesey 22 hours later!!!!!!!! 0620 Friday. The South West wind drove us towards Cumbria.  The large waves kept us from going South West and we needed to get into the lee (behind) Anglesey to protect us from the wind.  The wind was force 5-7 went up to 34 knots, near gale at one point and the boat went backwards. The boat speed was painfully slow and we did not want to do night sailing but once you are in the situation the choice has gone.  When we reached a safe anchorage we had hot chocolate and went to bed. Amazingly, the same day we went into the Menai Strait at 1500 and had a wonderful sunshine sail.  What a crazy weather world we live in.  Even caught 5 mackerel with a line over the side of the boat. Supper was very nice with a slice of lemon.

The passage reminded me of a cartoon with a group of 3 sailors after a long sea passage, 2 sailors walking towards a pub and a third walking towards a church.  When the third sailor is asked by his friends where he’s going he says, “I’ve got a promise to keep I made out at sea”.  The sea must have made many a believer.  According to my reading, John Newton who wrote Amazing Grace was converted at sea in a storm.  When I asked Jeanette if she had prayed on our trip down the Irish Sea, she said “many times that God would keep us safe”.

Hope you can see the chart of our journey, Jeanette is going to put it on a wall.

Pilgrim waiting in Portpatrick for a fair wind to Isle of Man.

Not happy with the Met Office forecast of force 6, frustrated as we lost a favourable tide and wind.

Still it's nice here and lots of people are taking an interest in my colour and design. Pilgrim speaking!!!!

Moving tomorrow!!!

11th August

MCLAREN’S BLOG.

PORTPATRICK, SCOTLAND.

11^TH AUGUST 2013.

PILGRIM’S PROGRESS.

‘Will your anchor hold in the storms of life

when the clouds unfold their wings of strife.

When the strong tides lift and the cables strain

will your anchor drift or firm remain.

We have an anchor that keeps the soul,

steadfast and sure while the billows roll,

fastened to the rock which cannot move.

Grounded firm and deep in the saviours love.’

Hi me hearties, Pilgrim here, her Holiness has finally sat down again and given me a voice.( All ‘me’ that one.) By the way if I actually spoke, I would have a slightly nasal, sound to my voice, and if I was human I would have a broken nose, but more about that later.

I begin MY BLOG, with my favourite hymn, and it has certainly been appropriate these last few days or so. At times it’s been so windy, we haven’t been able to move, when we were in Stranraer, the Captain had to hold me down to the mooring with extra rope, so choppy were the sea conditions, and that was in harbour.

We have also been battling against wind on tide. ( Her Holiness doesn’t know what that means. She don’t speak ‘boaty speak’ like me and the Captain. She just says things like ‘Blimey it’s a bit lumpy,’ when the sea is rough. But the Captain and I know when it’s a North-East wind going against the tide.)

I’ve had the most marvellous time on this Pilgrimage. I’ve heard seals singing at Holy Island, since coming North I’ve seen the most amazingly huge Jelly Fish swimming so close to my hull,  I’ve sailed across Loch Ness ( Yes under Canvas) sailed into Holy Celtic places, the way the early Celtic missionaries did, sailed up the Caledonian Canal, with the posh boats.

Actually, this is where I put up with ‘boaty discrimination’, from other boats and their owners. This is because I am quite big, made of metal and have a huge…….huge………huge, belligerent bowsprit. (For those who don’t know what a bowsprit it’s a huge feature on the front of boats that people can stand on. Think Kate Winslet and Leanardo and ‘I’m Flying’……that’s a bowsprit.)

Mine is huge, metal, slightly rusty, (although the captain has put anti-rust paint on.) Well, on the Caledonian Canal, right from the very beginning I was met with derision, I could see boat owners and the actual boats thinking ‘Please don’t put that thing next to me.’ I would enter the lock chamber full of the love of Jesus, singing ‘Does your anchor hold’, and get looks as if I was a punk rocker, walking into the posh enclosure at the Derby. Well, I could say that Jesus loves you even if you do look like something lethal that could smash every boat within the lock. But no, I say to the ‘You shouldn’t stereotype boast like that. I may look like something, ugly but I’m loved and was blessed by the Bishop of Rochester, I have visited Holy sites, I’m going to visit the Buddhist monks and nuns on Holy Isle.

JEANETTE. Hang on we didn’t know we were going to Holy Isle when we were on the Caledonian Canal.

PILGRIM: Do you mind this is my blog. Why don’t you do something useful, like cook a meal for once.

Right that told her Holiness.

Anyway, there was one group, who made her Holiness very angry. A Skipper, had given all his crew jobs to do, to get their boat through the locks. One was given, the job of holding a fender, in front of my bowsprit, in case I got too close. Her Holiness, tried smiling at him, but all he did was give grim looks my way. This really annoyed her, all the way up the locks I could see her…….its like she was really quite protective of me.

But there was an incident on the Crinan Canal, when I thought this Pilgrimage had come to an end. On these Locks Jeanette, was ashore attending Lock gates, filling the Lock chamber, while Chris was in on board. We were going up the Locks, we had gone through the first Lock, without incident. But on the second Lock, Her Holiness had accidently let the water in too fast forgetting how heavy I am. (She is used to Narrow Boats which are lighter.)

The water gushed into the Lock chamber, the Captain couldn’t hold the ropes because of the surge of water, so the conversation went something like this.

CAPTAIN: Jeanette get the ropes……….shut the puddles……get a rope…..shut the paddle.

Her Holiness floundered around, not knowing which one to do first.

In the end she did decide to close the paddles.

CAPTAIN: Jeanette…….JEANETTE (Sounding anxious and angry.)

I was heading…..or my bowsprit was heading for the Lock gates.

PILGRIM: Oh, no,……….I’m gonna crash! I’m Gonna crash.  I’M GONNA ……..BOOM, BOOM.

I had hit the lock gates.

Her Holiness was fighting back tears. Chris was anxious and angry.

CAPTAIN: JEANETTE, JUST GET A ROPE WILL YOU!!!!!

It was at this point that Her Holiness got a rope, reeled it up made it neat, but then she lifted it up, and actually aimed it at him.

I MEAN CAN YOU BELIEVE IT!!!!!!

HER HOLINESS: Right, there’s a rope, this is the last time I ever do anything with you again, in future I want relaxing holidays!!!!!!

The rest of the trip up the locks was done more carefully……….but I have to say more silently.

The captain would try and make conversation, but there was no reply, from Her Holiness. After Her Holiness, had chatted, with a women at one of the Locks for quire some time, the captain tried to make conversation.

CAPTAIN: You and that  woman were having an animated discussion, what were you talking about.

HER HOLINESS: Nothing.

Later.

CAPTAIN: Right time to moor up, this would be a good place to moor up, what do you think.

HER HOLINESS: I couldn’t care less.

They moor up, when I’m tied up, she just walks off. It’s like that for a few hours, they manage to go shopping, the meal that evening is eaten in silence, she’s outside, he’s inside. Then he walks off.

It goes on and on…..threats of going home……honestly.

But then I said to them, hang on doesn’t the good book say do not let the sun go down on your anger. Come on guys make it up, this is a wonderful trip, don’t ruin it because of a couple of mishaps, one of them being a bent bowsprit…….but I’m forgiving, I move on.

HER HOLINESS: No, you didn’t. From what I remember, we both apologised. Talked about the positive aspects of the trip, and decided to put it behind us, and look forward to the places we would be going. We both agreed this was a chance of a lifetime, something we have both been wanting to do for a long time, and make the best of the rest of the trip……although we still had challenges ahead. I do feel guilty about the bowsprit, I must say. I like the fact that you look like a boat made in the bowls of hell, but that you are called Pilgrim.

Right, how about , you and I sing the chorus, of my favourite hymn.

Here we go:

We have an anchor that keeps the soul,

 steadfast and sure while the billows roll,

fastened to the rock, which cannot move,

grounded firm and deep in the saviours love.

PILGRIM: I must say Vicar, I would do anything to attend one of your marriage preparation courses.

9th August

VICARS BLOG FRIDAY 9^TH AUGUST.

STRANRAER.

As I write this I am feeling somewhat queasy, and we are not even at sea. We are moored on a pontoon in Stranraer. We were on our way to Portpatrick, but because we were fighting the wind decided to bring Pilgrim into the nearest possible port.

This morning we awoke, hoping to make way, but by the time we had got up, the winds were up again. So instead of moping on the situation we are in at the moment, I have decided to think about and write about more positive aspects of our trip in the last week or so. (Chris has just had to go out with more rope.)

On 5^th August we left the Crinan Canal, after being there three days, again because of strong winds, to head for the Isle of Arran where Chris has some friends who run a Bed and Breakfast in Loch Ranza. After mooring up, and pumping up the dinghy, (we are getting very efficient at this.) We rowed over, well I didn’t, Chris did the rowing…….. but I do carry out most of the pumping, on the ‘blowey uppey’  pump thing though. Although just to explain I don’t blow it up using my lungs, I use my legs.

Anyway we had a meal with Jean and Andy, and during the conversation we had explained that we had been to some of the other Scottish Islands in the past to visit many of the amazing Standing Stone sites. Jean happened to mention that there were some stones on Arran pre-dating Stonehenge, and she would be willing to take us. We were delighted and took her up on the offer.

Jean, in the past had lived in Beckenham had spent many years as a child holidaying on the Isle of Arran, and was so knowledgeable about the local birdlife, wildlife, and geology of the Island she was an excellent guide as we drove around the island. And the six stone circles at Macrie Moor were spectacular. We had lunch in a Golf course with spectacular views of Mull. Jean drove us back to the B& B, for a cup of tea before a quick pint in the local hotel, before returning to Pilgrim.

After a drink in thehotel, Chris tried to row us back to the boat, but because of the wind and an incoming tide, we made our way back to the shore, resigned to waiting the wind to calm down. It was as we carrying the boat along the shore that we noticed Pilgrim’s anchor was hanging down, in a very precarious way, swaying in the wind. It definitely began to dawn on me, that sometimes it seems sailing is just going from one possible disaster or hazard to another. Those who have romantic ideas of sitting on the front of the boat drinking wine, sunbathing, and relaxing, HAVE NO IDEA! My sister and her husband went sailing with friends in the Mediterranean Sea, and she told me that when it came to mooring up in a harbour, she would make her way down to her cabin, because  of the inevitable tensions that arose between the couple who were responsible for the trip.

Anyway because of the anchor we needed to get back to Pilgrim, Chris suggested we walk over to the little jetty, near the harbour as there may be someone who could help. Luckily for us, a chap came along to check his dingy; Chris explained our situation and he offered to take us over to Pilgrim.

I’ve had to take a break from writing as I have been feeling really sea sick, as I was walking up the pontoon, which was moving, Chris shouted out, “ Are you sure you don’t want to go to sea.” This rather barbed comment, because it’s always me who wants to be moving on, and I get frustrated when we are held up by the weather.

“Oh blimey, what now another crisis.”

Right a charter boat that normally moors on the Pontoon, (although we are on approved visitors mooring) where Pilgrim and another boat are at present, wanted us to move to make room for him, but decided the wind was too strong, has gone somewhere else.

Right, anyway.

After our stay in Loch Ranza. We sailed down the breathtaking coast of Arran making our way to the south end of the Island, to the bay of Lamlash, as we wanted to visit Holy Isle, which had been the site of a hermitage of a Celtic Saint, St. Molaise, monk, who had been born in Ireland, raised in Scotland.

St. Molaise, lived in a rock shelter above the shore western shore. By the 1100’s a monastery had been founded, to act as a hospice for the many pilgrims visiting his monastery.

Holy Isle is now owned by Buddhists from the Tibetan monastery of Samye Ling, in Dumfries, which Chris and I visited some years ago, we were very impressed by the gentle, respect for all forms of life that Buddhists have, for me the spirituality of Buddhist monks and nuns is very like that of Franciscan monks and nuns within our own Christian tradition.

When Chris an I were at Samye Ling monastery, we saw information on Holy Isle, and back then I had hoped that one day I/we would visit Holy Isle, and the Centre for World Peace. At the centre an ongoing programme of retreats and conferences are held, the community who run the centre work with environmental groups, working with nature for the well being of the plants and animals that thrive on the Ireland. There is a community of Lay people who work with the monks and nuns.

Holy Isle has is a rocky geology, with a high peak. From Lamlash you can see the Jetty where guests arrive, and the Centre for World Peace. There is a small ferry that motors across to Holy Isle, run by Jim a real ‘salty sea dog character’.

Jean our friend on Arran, had told us of the anxious reaction of the local people, when it was announced that Buddhists, were moving on to the Island. But over the years, they and their work have come to be respected, especially the environmental aspects of conservation and ecology that are so much part of the ethos of the community, both religious and Lay.

,

On Wednesday (7^th August) Chris and I caught the first ferry (a small motor boat) to Holy Isle. All visitors are met at the jetty by a member of the resident community. The history and the ethos of the centre is explained, and visitors are encouraged to visit the organic garden, and walk around the Island. There are two main suggested walks, around the coast path, which passes, the healing spring, St. Molaise’s cave. Which is regularly swept and cared for by the community.( The cave continues to be a place of prayer.) There are also three ecological pods, built into the hillside, where people live in retreat. There are also painted rocks along the way of different Buddhist deities.

As well as the amazing birds that make the Island their home, there are also Eriskay ponies, Sanaan goats, and my favourites the Soay sheep. It was the Vikings who brought these to Holy Isle, so that when they were passing through on their various voyages, there would always be a meat supply. However, these animals live long and happy lives, as the diet of the Buddhists and the guests are vegetarian.

The walk along the coast ends at the Southern Lighthouse and lighthouse cottages, where an international group of twelve women are participating in the first Tibetan Buddhist closed retreat in Holy Island’s history. This is a traditional Tibetan retreat, which lasts THREE YEARS AND THREE MONTHS, and is made up of silence, study, meditation and prayer. The women are now half way through their retreat.

I put the period of time of the retreat in block capitals, because for the last few years I do an annual silent retreat of five days. I would at some point like to take part in a thirty day Ignation retreat, as many people do, but the thought of three years is certainly challenging.

The second walk that visitors to the Island can do is across the top peak which is a rugged walk……climb. Which Chris and I tried, but felt we didn’t want to climb the last bit. (“Oh! If you had approached by the other side it’s so much easier”, we were told afterwards.)

When Chris and I arrived on the Island, we visited the organic garden first, I am not a gardener, but I came across a notice which made me smile.

‘The centre and the garden are staffed entirely by short and long term volunteers. The garden is also staffed by worms, insects, birds, slowworms and the odd red squirrel.’

This made me smile and resonated with me because so much of what the Celtic Church was about, the interconnectedness of all that is on the earth. The Celtic church with its creation centred ethos is not unlike that of the Buddhist ethos.

It was Chris who pointed out to me, what the Celtic Church started, living on Islands, the appreciation of ‘thin places’, the promotion of the interconnectedness of all creatures, the Buddhists now seem to taking up the mantle. The same principles that we found at the Community of Iona are the same as the Buddhists of Samye- Ling.

Although Jesus for me is the way, the truth and the life, I have never subscribed to a Christianity that writes off the truths, wisdom and religious writings of other Faiths. I prefer to seem them as fellow travellers.

Chris actually brought  ‘The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying’ by Sogyal Rinpoche.  I would like to conclude with a prayer as I always do with these blogs, and I will choose one from the above book, that sums up what the spirituality of Holy Isle is all about.

May I be the protector to those without protection,

A leader for those who journey,

And a boat, a bridge, a passage

For those desiring the further shore.

May the pain of every living creature

be completely cleared away.

May I be the doctor and the medicine

and may I be the nurse

for all sick beings in the world

until everyone is healed.

Just like space

and the great elements such as earth,

may I always support the life

of all the boundless creatures.

And until they pass away from pain

May I also be the source of life

For all the realms of varied beings

That reach until the ends of space.

PILGRIM: When am I gonna get a say. You said I would write the next Blog. I’m being censored……even though I know you would say you don’t believe in censorship.

Jeanette. Why would I censor you, its just I wanted to write about Holy Isle, it’s such an amazing place.

PILGRIM:  Your censoring me ever since you and the captain had that row.

Jeanette: Why would I do that.

PILGRIM. Well, for a start, your waxing lyrical about peace and harmony, when you…

Jeanette. No don’t….you wouldn’t dare.

PILGRIM. I’ve been censored since you had that argument on the Crinan canal…..

Jeanette. No don’t I would be very embarrassed.

PILGRIM: I saw you throw a rope at the captain in temper.

………hey everyone her holiness threw a rope at the captain!

Jeanette: That’s it I’m off to the pub.

Holy Isle

Ardrishaig Scotland

 MCLARENS BLOG-2^ND AUGUST 2013.

CRINAN CANAL.

ARDRISHAIG

Before visiting Iona last week, I turned to The Venerable Bede’s, The Ecclesiastical History of the English people, to read about St. Columba founder of Iona Abbey. However as I was turning the pages of the book, my attention focused on Bede’s account of St. Augustine’s mission to England.

As I was reading this I was getting more and more angry. I read about how Pope Gregory sent Augustine and some companions from Rome to convert the ‘the English Race.’  However on the journey, they become fearful, as Bede writes, “They began to contemplate returning home rather than going to a barbarous, fierce and unbelieving nation, whose language they did not even understand. Pope Gregory however, sends them encouraging letters, and basically tells them to get on with the task. Which Augustine does, he preaches to the king of kent. (There is a cross on the site, where he preached in Pegwell Bay.) Augustine and his monks convert the king, and wins his favour so the king gives them land in Canterbury where they can set up a community.  Bede describes the lifestyle of the monks, “ As soon as they entered the dwelling place allotted to them, they began to imitate the way of life of the apostles and of the primitive church. They were constantly engaged in prayers, vigils and fasts; they preached the word of life to as many as they could; they despised all worldly things as foreign to them.”

This is all inspiring stuff.  Then I read further, about the letters that St. Augustine sent to Pope Gregory asking his advice. This was when I started getting angry with Augustine. Some of the questions are relevant, about matters regarding the setting up of new churches, and the living arrangements of new monasteries, but then they take a most bizarre turn.

For example;

“ Augustine’s eighth question. Should a pregnant woman be baptized? And when the child has been born how much time should elapse before she can enter the church? And after what length of time may her husband have intercourse with her; and is it lawful for her to enter the church if she is in her periods or to receive the sacrament of Holy Communion? Or may a man who has had intercourse with his wife enter the church before he has washed; or approach the mystery of Holy Communion?   All these things the ignorant English need to know.”

(The highlights are mine not Bede’s.) But the letters go on questions about how long women should breastfeed, questions and comments about the unhealthy habit of women who lactating, give the babies to other women to breastfeed.

As I read this I couldn’t get over to celibate men wondering about such things. I mean I really do think it is perverse. In these discussions, piling on more and more misogamy, that has beset the church ever since. No wonder the church continues to have issues with human sexuality. To my mind Augustine was a body hating individual, who has much to answer for.

St. Francis left us his beautiful canticles to nature, St. Bede gave us the history of the church, St. Aiden gave us an example of simplicity and humility, St. Cuthbert  life inspired the writings of the Lindisfarne Gospels. Augustine, well he did inspire the building of Canterbury Cathedral, but to my mind he introduced a ‘body hating form of Christianity, that we could have done without.

In my opinion the Celtic missionaries were doing a good job before the arrival of St. Augustine.

I was looking in the prayer book for the collect of St. Augustine and it made my day, to discover that under his collect,( Special prayer) is the collect of Josephine Butler. And what did Josephine Butler do……..she, (and I love the irony here, and I like to think that those who compiled the prayer book did place those two together on purpose.) campaigned and worked for prostitutes to receive proper medical care, without discrimination.

YES, YES, YES, one in the eye for St. Augustine.

I was delighted to read in the introduction of the Iona worship book. The main concerns of the present community there.

The promotion of justice and peace, through for example

-      opposing nuclear weapons and seeking reduction in the arms trade.

-      supporting the cause of the poor and the exploited in Britain and abroad.

-      Political activity in combating racism,

-      engagement with environmental and constitutional issues;

The exploration of human sexuality.

Commitment to strengthening understanding between church traditions, and to the sharing of communion.

Concern for young people.

The promotion of inter-faith dialogue.

The rediscovery of an approach to spirituality appropriate to our times;

The development of the ministry of healing.

Also looking through the Iona Worship book, I was delighted to come across a hymn, that affirms women’s ministry.

THERE IS A LINE OF WOMEN.

There is a line of women,

extending back to Eve,

whose role in shaping history

God only could conceive.

And through endless ages,

their witness was repressed,

God valued and encouraged them

through whom the world was blessed.

So sing a song of Sarah

to laughter she gave birth;

and sing a song of Tamar

who stood for women’s worth;

and sing a song of Hannah

who bargained with her Lord;

and sing a song of Mary

who bore and bred God’s word.

There is a line of women

who took on powerful men,

defying laws and scruples

to let life live again.

And though, despite their triumph

their stories stayed untold

God kept their number growing,

creative, strong and bold.

So sing a song of Shiphrah

with Puah at her hand,

engaged to kill male chidren

they foiled the kings command.

And sing a song of Rahab

who sheltered spies and lied;

and sing a song of Esther,

preventing genocide.

There is line of women

who stood by Jesus’ side,

who housed him while he ministered

and held him when he died.

And though they claimed he’d risen

their news was deemed suspect

till Jesus stood among them,

his womanly elect.

So sing a song of Anna

who saw Christ’s infant face;

and sing a song of Martha

who gave him food and space;

and sing of all the Mary’s

who heeded his requests,

and now at heavens banquet

as Jesus’ fondest guests.

I always end my blog with a prayer, and would like to end with collect of Josephine Butler, who worked to give dignity to prostitutes. Remembering that one of our Lord’s closest friends had been a prostitute. I will also, in fact include the collect for Mary Magdalene.

The special prayer for Josephine Butler.

God of compassion and love,

by whose grace your servant Josephine Butler

followed in the way of your Son

in caring for those in need:

help us like her to work with strength

for the restoration of all to the dignity

and freedom of those created in your image;

through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.

The Special prayer for Mary Magdalene.

Almighty God,

whose Son restored

to health of mind and body

and called her to be a witness to his resurrection:

forgive our sins and heal us by your grace,

that we may serve you in the power of his risen life;

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever. Amen.