tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2397377665790588556.post700638760268249802..comments2022-12-13T13:51:09.590+00:00Comments on Wool gathering of a northern dean: Retirement: an interim report from Haydon BridgeAquiloniushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15098649175728796819noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2397377665790588556.post-84793884294709159152015-08-17T07:16:05.123+01:002015-08-17T07:16:05.123+01:00I think that you're taking a realistic approac...I think that you're taking a realistic approach to retirement. I was fortunate that I had already settled when I retired. Having a nomadic military life for the first 23 years of my military service, I finally settled in one place, and traveled to postings, the last one being in Canterbury, with a remit across the whole South East, where the Reserve Army unit I was part off, had Company locations. Travel and the M25 (horrid road) featured in my life weekly, as the journey to and from home daily was at least 120 miles. But being settled, allowed my spouse to find permanent employment in her own community, and for us to put down roots for children and grandchildren to have their own roots, after their nomadic upbringing.<br /><br />Your new community, sounds very much like the rural benefice that I joined while working in Canterbury - five churches, on Vicar and a gaggle of retired priests, one of whom became my SD as I entered the discernment process. The people who welcomed me, took me into their hearts, invited me into their homes and gave out Christian love and grace unstintingly. Curious about me, about my Army Career, places that I had been and things that I had seen and done - and the historic Reserve Forces Battalion that I was serving with - intimately linked to those communities in which they were raised. Names like 'The Buffs' and Royal West Kent Regiments (RWK) and the proud tradition of being the holders of more Victorial Cross members than any other Infantry Regiment.<br /><br />Retirement meant new paths, new ways, learning about ministry in this strange new faith that I had gained. Fighting to work out how Anglicanism was different, but similar to my former Catholic faith, and adjusting to 'Church Speak' and away from 'Army Speak' - which can be confusing and unsettling for someone used to giving orders to submit in obedience to a country Vicar and the Bishop, who I met early in that journey.<br /><br />I have no regrets. The decision that I wasn't right for Ordained Ministry, while trouble some and painful at the time, opened vistas in different directions, which meant thinking wider than one place and eventually moving dioceses to my home diocese to ministry and training in a local context. Having just completed my first year, ever of academic study for Licensed Lay Ministry, I'm happier, more settled and content than at any time in the last 6 years since retirement, and perhaps in all of my life.<br /><br />I'm still adjusting, but I think that this is part of God pushing and pulling me in different directions. This year starting in September, there are decisions to be made about which area's of ministry I will specialise in in year three. Wonderful choices, but only four to be chosen - prayer and reflection, along with others will decide and God's will to be discerned as part of it.<br /><br />For me this is retirement - time for allowing God to work his will - a bit like Stephen Cherry's book about 'busyness' putting that aside and allowing life and God to take me with them. Sometimes like his 'Barefoot Disciple' walking the path, feeling every stone, dip or dent along it, but going in God's direction, not my own.<br /><br />Prayers for you as you continue to prepare and for your family, who are having to make these adjustments with you. May your retirement be as blessed and fulfilling as your ministry has been over the last 40 years.UKViewerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18114944341930758335noreply@blogger.com