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Sunday 7 May 2023

Great fun, this retirement lark

Stainton le Vale

 One of my close (clergy) friends has been on a cruise around the world in eighty days (lucky girl!) and will be back next weekend.  So next Sunday will be the last of a run of twelve Sundays when I have been booked to take her services.  These are the churches where I have been doing my bit with God's help.  It's still a joy to serve Him but it's getting to be a rather tiring joy!
Normanby le Wold


Great fun, this retirement lark.  I started to draw my pension over thirteen years ago but I keep being needed to cover for sickness and holidays.  I'm no longer willing to cover because a parish wants more services than the regular clergy can take but I want the regular clergy to have holidays and to recover from illness so I still help out.  
Claxby

I'm glad to help because I care about my fellow clergy and their congregations.  There are far less clergy on the payroll now than when I started in ministry over thirty years ago and those who are in stipendiary ministry are having to work even harder.


Croxby
I'm leading worship next Sunday then I have one Sunday off before I take two services the last Sunday in the month.  Great fun, this retirement lark!

Walesby


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8 comments:

  1. Marcia7 May 2023 at 18:54

    And if the church could find no retiree to fill the pulpit would they rely on lay leadership or cancel the service? Seems like quite a burden to put on retirees.

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    1. Frugally challenged7 May 2023 at 19:42

      It would be a mixture of lay leadership and cancellations. Apart from Walesby those churches get no more than one service a month anyway. Croxby gets only six a year.

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  2. Poppypatchwork8 May 2023 at 08:09

    I have fully retired and have plenty to fill my days, I sometimes think I need to use my brain more, as it does not get the work out as it did when I was working.

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    1. Frugally challenged9 May 2023 at 05:24

      My brain definitley gets its work out! The body struggles a bit.

      Delete
  3. kate steeper8 May 2023 at 18:14

    it does make you wonder about the future of the CofE fewer attenders and the age of many of the vicars

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    1. Frugally challenged9 May 2023 at 05:25

      It does. People don't want their village churches to be boarded up though.

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  4. Terra16 May 2023 at 06:32

    What charming churches. I like that you fill in for clergy who need a vacation or who are ill. Plus it is nice to be needed!

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