Categories: uncategorized
Date: 07 July 2007 00:44:20
Geoff is a geezer I've known for a very long time. We're the same age, his family went to the same church that I did as a kid and we went to the same secondary school. I suppose we've known each other since we were about 8 or 9 years old (well, it's since then we've known of each others existence) but since the age of about 11 (about secondary school age) we became very firm friends. We grew up together and as we entered adult life, became regular drinking buddies. In our late teens and early twenties, there wasn't a pub within a five mile radius we hadn't visited and where we weren't known by somebody.
Geoff is also somebody who I greatly admire. At school, he was never someone who could be described as "academic". (Nor was I for that matter). I seem to remember his least favourite subject was French and failed dismally in his French exams. He was, however, always very practical. He left school at 16 with a small clutch of CSEs and started work as an apprentice stonemason, a job he loved and in which he excelled.
Somewhere at arounfd the age of 22 or 23, he joined a Religious Community. Although he never took full vows, he lived the life of a brother to its full extent. This involved moving around the country to various community houses, usually getting involved in local Pastoral projects and, in one place, due to his background in the construction industry, building a new chapel for one on the houses. (I think it was a converted garage, or shed, or something).
After a couple of years with the community, he was sent out to Uruguay on one of the Community's pastoral projects. If memory serves me correctly, he was supposed to be there for about 18 months, but ended up staying there for 16 years! During this time, he drifted away from the Community who had sent him there, but in the meantime, he got ordained. Now then, read back a couple of paragraphs and see what I said about Geoff and his ability at French when we were at school. While in Uruguay, he had no option but to learn how to speak Spanish. To train for the priesthood, there are no Anglican colleges in South America, so he had to attend a Roman Catholic Seminary in order to qualify, so all his theological studies and qualifications were in Spanish. (I also find it slightly amusing that his original Ordination licence describes him as "El Reverendo"
He returned to this country about 6 years ago and took the title of a parish in Suffolk. When Tina & I got married, it was very special for both of us that he celebrated the Eucharist at our wedding.
Earlier this week we were invited to his induction as Rector of his new benifice which incorporates 5 parishes. Also there were many people I'd not seen for a very long time, including his parents, his brother, his sister and one of his cousins, who is also ordained. (There's another ordained cousin too, but he wasn't there). Geoff and 2 cousins were all part of the old crowd who used to hang out together when we were young. It's weird that they're now all wearing the funny back-to-front shirt with a white collar. Also there was the Rector of the church we all grew up in as kids. He's getting older, more eccentric and more deaf, but I (and many others) have a lot to thank him for. Without him, I doubt I'd still have the Christian faith I still hold so firmly today.
The cousin that was there attended the service robed in a rather camp looking lace cotta. (Oh darling, lace is so last century). The thing I've omitted to mention so far (only because I've only just remembered it) is that the entire family were at one time very strict Methodists, and some of them still are, so I find it slightly amusing that those of that family who have become ordained are really high up the candle Anglo Catholic tat queens!
Anyway, I found the service very moving. As a Reader, I was invited to robe and got a seat in the Quire of the small village church where ther service took place. From where I was siiting, I could see just how Nervous Geoff was looking (well, "shit scared" I think would be a fairer description) but to see one of my oldest friends kneeling before the Bishop and publicly and very loudly affirming his faith in God brought a tear to my eye.
A reception followed. Wine and nibbles were on offer. After an overlong speech from some bloke from the village (who I'm led to believe is somebody "important") Geoff got up to say a few words. This was something else that brought a lump to my throat. He spoke of unity, of friendship and why friendship is the core of the Gospel, that without love for one another we cannot experience love from God.
It was a great feeling to be at a church function that wasn't my church which meant I didn't have to get involved in the clearing up! As numbers thinned out, Geoff called us over looking as though he was trying to escape. The suggestion as we returned to the car was the we decamp to a nearby pub to sink some fine Suffolk ale which is exactly what we did. On returning to the Rectory (where we were staying for the night) a miracle happened in that a few bottles of Bishops Finger suddenly appeared. In the pub and over a couple of beers in the Rectory afterwards, we reminisced about old times, laughed at lots and said some very rude swear words as we remembered the bloke who now calls himself "Christian Voice" and appears on TV a lot, but we remember what he was really like when we all attended the same church
Please join me in praying for Geoff as embarks on the next stage of his ministry.