The Reluctant Ordained » Wales

silence & news

stubiedoo — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 14:51:42 +0000

i realised this morning it has been about 1 month since i last posted something here… Since i am sat waiting for a new tyre for my m/bike there was no excuse!
News- we have finally gathered the cash together to transform the church in greenfield into a great community space. Mainly thanks to the welsh assembly government, and to think – i voted against devolution!

Hafod Eryri

stubiedoo — Sat, 30 May 2009 17:42:24 +0000

“The Summit of Snowdon: Here you are nearer to heaven”

Catchy sentiments; and maybe, but still a long way off, were my first impressions. I think I’ll have to sit out on the theological arguments about that one!! Later thoughts might have contemplated things along the lines of this: Climbers and walkers are among the most generously spirited folk and the camaraderie of the mountain climbing fraternity has something to offer to an often mean spirited world, perhaps a glimpse of heaven? Well, to the world of a popular (or perhaps less so) religion, I guess it is easier to have heaven as a place out of reach to even those who chose to climb an average-sized mountain.

However, the new building looks great and sits well on Yr Wyddfa, (something the old cafe never did, but I’ll miss the Guinness)

Hafod Eryri opens on June 12th weather permitting!!

Umeed Partnership

stubiedoo — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 10:47:41 +0000

I’ve undertaken the ‘small task’ of looking after the website of a local charity, the Umeed Partnership. I have had links with some of those involved from days in Bangor. As well as the website, Umeed now has a Facebook page. Umeed provides opportunities for disadvantaged women and children in Pakistan. You can help by spreading the word and becoming a fan on Facebook or keeping up with the news on the website.

Cycling into next week

stubiedoo — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 19:01:38 +0000

Getting into this cycling thing, I decided that I should really test out the new(ish) bike and take it for a good long run… To St. Beuno’s and back. This was a test run for next week as we are away at the St. Beuno’s centre for three days. It was about 20 miles or so, really worth it! the views are fantastic along the route, really not done any justice by these images. (below) I was slightly concerned by the large hill Moel Maenefa that was listed as being roughly where St. Beuno’s should be, however dissimilar its name to Moel Famau, it still made me double take, fortunately its height was not!

<a href=”http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-kingdom/holywell/265014666187″>St. Deiniols and back</a><br /><a href=”http://www.mapmyride.com/find-ride/united-kingdom/holywell”>Find more Bike Rides in Holywell, United Kingdom</a>

Yr Wyddgrug

stubiedoo — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 20:31:10 +0000

Or Mold, if you prefer.

No, not the stuff that festers atop the last slice of bread in the umpteenth bag you pull out of the bread box, that has a ‘u’ in it, but the little gem south of Holywell, about 10 miles round trip away.

More of these entries seem to be talking about food. Well it is something we spend an awful lot of time doing – eating. We have now found a fantastic little deli selling gourmet olives, cheese and other bits from Wales and the continent. Tasters Deli. I would give you the web address, but they don’t have one, I guess they are too busy organising the food! Well I’m not going to be one to divert their attention away from it!

Mold also hosts a market twice a week, and, (the reason we went) a farmers market. Now I can give you the address for this, also the address for the national farmers market organisation whose members sell their produce all over the UK via the web. Virtual farmers market now!

Celyn Farmers Market

Online Farmers Market

Llanfair Talhaiarn

stubiedoo — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 10:50:43 +0000

This is an unremarkable village in that it really is nowhere, at least, it is now, nestling 5 or so miles south of Abergele on the banks of the Elwe river. You would be forgiven for suggesting it is just a postcard village and if you read the village web-site you would be forgiven for thinking they were either careless with matches, or that nothing remarkable happened there at all except for fires!

The Patronal festival took me to this village, while the ordinary village life continued around, the fantastic sound of the choir and organ was a treasure to behold – simply divine!

Back to College

stubiedoo — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 14:02:07 +0000

We, that is the Deacons in Wales who were ordained this year, are back in college for a few days.

It is certainly strange being back, I did not envisage missing much, yet the nostalgia attached to being here is certainly quite unsettling. I think it must be the lack of being on show, able to relax, not caring what others think so much. This is especially true in chapel. A few of us realised that we have being giving for the past two months, not taking, as far as the worship is concerned and it is great to do something for yourself.

So if that is the perspective after two months; what will the feelings be like by next year?

Steps must be taken to avoid only giving. There is a solemn mass on Friday for the Nativity of the Virgin Mary organised by the local SCP at Llanfair TH, hopefully that should start to alleviate feelings of self neglect!

I also need to find a way to package a hug and send it through the post…

visitation

stubiedoo — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 17:10:59 +0000

A Bishop’s visitation shortly after ordination does seem a little over the top, but one cannot choose when they happen!!
We actually had a reasonably interesting day walking from Llanasa to St. Asaph with Deanery clergy, the Bishop, Dean and a few others.
It was good to see a bit of Wales without a car, we saw such a different view strolling down tiny country lanes occasionally being able to see distant mountains or Cathedrals. Walking doesn’t seem to be a big part of the job so far… I did try cycling down to the church last Sunday, however it was the hill on the way back up which was the killer.
Perhaps I will drive next week!

Itchy feet

stubiedoo — Sat, 27 Jan 2007 12:33:27 +0000

No, not athletes foot…

We all went off to North Wales last week to see a possible place for a title parish. I had already visited the vicar to see if it would be possible, but this was a longer visit with time to reflect on the town.
A small place, much like Caernarfon, a market street, largely bypassed by the majority of people as the A55 streams past it carrying its cargo between the North West and North West Wales. People off to enjoy their weekend cottages on the Llyn no doubt!

The landlady at one of the local pubs said things were looking up for the town, new businesses moving in, more jobs. More money to Tesco! I declined that invitation to comment…

I have always been reluctant to be doing this, hence the title of the blog, but, now it seems that it is going to be a reality, I am quite looking forward to it. We are only at the beginning of the spring term at college, life begins tomorrow at 11am with the Methodist Covenant service. Mercifully I am in the organ loft!

I am really wondering how I am going to maintain the energy to continue with college when there is the prospect of a new challenge, the parish to get stuck into, projects to organise, new people to meet, a new house to furnish! And will it be the Reluctant Curate or not? Some things never change!