Sabbatical 2026 Starts Here....

 Well, it's been a long time coming (seven years in fact), but the time for my Sabbatical has arrived. Officially as of Monday 13th April 2026, I will be released from my regular Ministerial Duties for three months to do... what exactly?

There are more ways of having a Sabbatical than there are people taking them, but in the Methodist Church the idea is that once every seven years you're given the opportunity to spend that time doing something different - ideally, something that will refresh you spiritually, giving you a break but also hopefully an oppourtinity to explore something different that will enrich both yourself and the churches that you will be returning to. You're not supposed to treat it as a three month holiday - although rest and recuperation is part of what it's there for.

My first Sabbatical, back in 2019, saw me looking at Cinema and Theology. So yes, in a way it was an opportunity to go to the pictures - but I did some academic reading as well, and reflected briefly on what I as a Christian Minister noticed in the films I watched. It was interesting to watch for example the Elton John film Rocket Man; he literally starts the movie checking into Rehab dressed in a Devil Costume, and ends it dressed in pure white singing "I'm Still Standing!" Or there was the Rob Brydon film "Swimming with Men" - not much remembered, hardly a classic, but enjoyable enough and with that arc of redemption in it that always takes me back to the story of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15. 

So what am I doing this time?

Well, some things are still happening and need me, regardless of Sabbatical. I'm continuing with the New Superintendent's Course for example, and will be attending one of the Super's Conferences that the Methodist Church runs every year; I'll also be travelling to Queens in Birmingham to meet with them ahead of our Probationer Deacon arriving in the Circuit from September.

My main focus though is going to be about Pilgrimage. I want to engage with it, go on some Pilgrimage Trails, but also think about my own personal journey. I intend to go to places where I have lived and worked, and reflect on the places and people that have shaped me. I intend to do some reading and listening around the subject - one of the books being the one there's a picture of here, "The way under our feet" by Graham B. Usher. I also want to explore other kinds of Pilgrimage - one of them being to go to Bushy Park, the site of the original Parkrun, and take part in it - something that's described by some as doing the Bushy Pilgimage! 

And there will be other things too along the way. I'm going on a Retreat at Wydale Hall. I'm intending to visit Epworth for a Guided Walk described as "The Wesley Way". And there are some other, more personal things that I'm planning to do - such as booking a day's tuition in Woodturning.

I'm intending to update this Blog once or twice a week, so if you want to  keep up to date - just keep an eye on https://tellingchurchstory.blogspot.com/ and you can see how I'm getting on!

God Bless

Rob

A Holy Week Labyrinth at Great Ayton - April 2025

What’s all this about?

During Holy Week, we've got a Labyrinth that anyone can come and use as a Prayer Aid over this special time. The idea is to walk the Labyrinth and pray as you walk. We have suggestions on the Window for each day of Holy Week - but if you prefer to use it in your own way, feel free!

Is this a new thing?

It might not be something you've come across very often, but Christians have used Labyrinths as Prayer Aids for centuries; one of the most famous is in the Cathedral at Chartres, France, and is believed to have been in use since the 13th Century. Ours is a lot smaller and less complicated!

How do I use it?

Easy! You can’t get lost – it forms one continuous path from start to centre, despite all the twists and turns. This is the difference between a Maze and a Labyinth - there's just the one path you can take. The idea is to pray while walking the path, following the journey to the centre, and then turn and retrace your steps to the beginning. There are many ways to pray while walking a Labyrinth! 

Where's it from?

The Labyrinth itself was made by Revs Rob and Fiona some years ago. 

The Prayer Suggestions offered here are based on those produced by Eileen R. Campbell-Reed, originally for Glendale Baptist Church in Nashville, Tennessee, in 2006 - you can find more information (and sign up to download a copy) here. For each day from Palm Sunday to Easter Day, there is a reading from the Bible, followed by suggestions of what to consider as you walk, and what you may like to pray about. They are however only suggestions – feel free to walk the Labyrinth and pray however you choose.

 

Christmas Day: O come, all ye faithful

 The final day! Today's angel is the other one from my Hand-Carved Nativity Set:

Christmas Day, the waiting is over, and the time to celebrate has come. Across the world, voices will be raised, and the invitation is made to all who believe to join together in worshipping the one that has come for our sakes. Sing, choirs of angels! We add our voices to theirs and with all who have ever answered the call of Jesus: "O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!"

Day 24 - Angels from the realms of glory

 Today's Angels are the final set from the White House School!

The angels, the shepherds, the Sages, Simeon and Anna in the temple; this carol gathers them into one, joining in the praise of Christ. The final verse, written later, though, is something to remember: "Though an infant now we view him, he shall fill his Father's throne" - we worship not a baby in a manger, but the Son of God, reigning with the Father, and the Holy Spirit - "Every knee shall then bow down"

Day 23 - Joy to the World

 Today's Angel is on the Banner outside St. Johns!

Is this in part what the Angels were there to do? To lead the whole of creation in singing God's praise? When Christ comes into the world, he comes not to condemn it but to rescue it; and the whole creation rejoices - "Heaven and nature sing", as Earth receives her King. Finally comes the Saviour, who rules with truth and grace, and this is a time for celebration - for Joy to the world.

Day 22 - Cradled in a manger, meanly

 Today's Angels are in Rowlands Pharmacy and Colour Supplies - there are also Angels in Fiona's Cafe, and Dodington Jewelers, but you may need to go inside to find them!

"Who have winter, but no Christmas" - words that somehow seem especially poignant as the inevitability of the restrictions of this year, those who mourn loved ones, the enforced loneliness of many, may seem to bite all the more strongly in the winter of 2020. And yet, there is hope: the hope that the Angels sang about, the hope that we are called to share.  We can add our voices to the heavenly host: "Praise to God, the Christ has come!"

The Video for today's carol is courtesy of the North Cheshire Methodist Circuit.

Day 21 - While Shepherds Watched

 Today's Angels are more from the White House School.

The Angels are sent first to the Shepherds, the ones who care for others; and Jesus calls himself the Good Shepherd. Just as they had protected their flocks, Jesus would protect his -at all costs. Blessed are the merciful, for they too will be shown mercy; and so, on this night, it is to those who protect the sheep that the Good News will first be proclaimed.