Pure Self Indulgence!!!
My Dear Friends,
Please forgive this exercise in self indulgence, but I have had such a great weekend that I feel deeply that I need to share it with you, so that we can share in the joy.
A few months ago I was humbled and surprised to receive a letter from our Diocesan Bishop offering to make me a Canon of the Cathedral Chapter in Gibraltar and giving me the Stall of St James, the Patron Saint of Spain. I can’t tell you what that felt like.
So, last weekend the Bishop duly arrived to make it happen, and we had the most wonderful time.
I first met Bishop Robert at our Archdeaconry Synod a few years ago. It was not long after I had started on the radio, and so I interviewed him for my show. One of my first questions was to ask him to explain what Synod was, and why we were there. He said Synod means Walking together along the way, and that what we do, we come together and explore our journey.
I had this in mind when we were putting together the details of his first visit to our Chaplaincy here in the Costa Blanca. Somehow I wanted us to walk together, and I knew that he was a keen walker, and had done some climbing. So I suggested a climb up Calpe Rock. As it turned out we decided against a really difficult climb up the south face, but opted for the regular Red Route path – but still pretty scary, climbing up to 332 metres.
So first thing Friday Morning, Bishop Robert, Sandra my wife, two church members who both happen to be called David and I set out to summit the Peñón de Ifach.
It was stunningly beautiful. We had no agenda other than to walk together, and share our thoughts, and it was soon very clear that the Bishop had very positive and encouraging feelings towards our Chaplaincy.
The climb was a little tricky in places, but we all made it (nobody died) and we got to the top in good time.
The plan was for the Bishop to use that spectacular high point to call down a Blessing on our Chaplaincy as part of our 50th Anniversary Celebrations. The Chaplaincy reaches from Alicante to Valencia, and although you can’t quite make out all of it from there, you can see most of it. So, we named our churches, and the Bishop raised his hands, and quoting the form of words used by Moses and Aaron as they Blessed their people, the Bishop called down a Blessing on us all from on high. It was awesome.
Like all good mountain experiences, we then sat down and had a little snack.
This was a great opportunity for different folk to chat with the Bishop, and we raised our concerns about the financial state not only of our Chaplaincy, but of so many places as we move through and on from this pandemic. The Bishop couldn’t offer a magic solution, but he was able to reassure us that the diocese is trying really hard, and that they are listening. He spoke of the desire to reduce costs, to delay increases to our Common Fund requests, he spoke of the availability of the hardship fund, and the grant that had been made to the Diocese from the Church Commissioners.
Let on, he spoke with other members, and it is clear that he took our concerns seriously, and want us to thrive, and have a glorious future.
We came down the mountain, feeling great. It was more scary going down than up, but again nobody died, and before we knew it we were on terra firma, and ready for a shower and lunch.
I don’t need to tell you about the paella, and Eton Mess, but I just need to let you know that the if we had eaten it after my collation, the first thing I would have done as a Canon, would have been to award a point to Kathy and Andrew for such a great meal. The best Eton Mess ever!!
Over Seventy of us were safely gathered into the Church at Calpe, and the Bishop led the most emotional and beautiful service. We did all that you would expect us to do, and the Bishop reminded folk that he was offering me this honour in recognition of my service to the Chaplaincy during these last 10 years, my service organising the worship and generally being Chaplain to the Archdeaconry Synod, but also for my outreach and work on Pure Gold Radio.
www.puregold.fm (I am live every Sunday night from 6-8pm, and ready to take your requests and dedications. We do a more deep and meaningful slot around 7pm.)
So, the Collation took place, and it was all very grand and glorious, but then the Bishop invited people to clap! I wasn’t expecting that – and I genuinely felt moved to tears as it went on. Bless you, Bless you, Bless you. Thank you.
The day had been beautiful, but was not over yet. We made our way up to the Gran Sol, and had a great simple meal, and a few beers. It was so nice to be able to socialise like that, and the Bishop and his wife were great company to everyone who spoke with them.
Once I realised it was time to wind things down, I realised I should say Thank You. So, of course I did, but then what. So I made a Toast to close the evening. It was ‘To Joy!’
The Bishop is back home and has written about his visit on his blog, and you can find that here
How cool is that!
As ever,
Fr Marcus