It’s been a while since I updated this blog… for a number of reasons. The College has been smaller this year and therefore there have been more demands on the time of those students present, but also I didn’t really feel like I had much to say. So here is a bumper update…
This year has been an odd one, and I think this is mainly due to the nature of training. Ordinands either complete two or three years; which inevitably means for three year students that those you start training with won’t be with you for the duration of your time at College. It is challenging to see your friends preparing to leave, and sharing in curacy stories or unpacking that long awaited parcel from Watts; knowing that you have another year to go, and they won’t be at college for those moments.
The Advent Term had highs and lows, adapting to post-Covid changes and new ways of working. We started the term on slight restrictions, which relaxed as we progressed and the nation also started to relax its restrictions. This year I was made the College Oratorian, which gave me the opportunity to ‘experiment’ a little with worship. This, at the very least, help me to become more comfortable in my own prayer life, allowing me to unashamedly express myself that I had maybe kept reserved in my first year. I remember one friend coming to visit my room near the start of the year, and not realising how many images of Mary I owned…
Our Lady in the Oratory
Lectures in the Advent Term were Biblical Studies (NT – The Gospel of John), Denominational History and Principles, Reflective Practice and Introduction to Christian Doctrine. I enjoyed exploring The Gospel of John in depth, even if the lectures were intense (!), and particularly enjoyed Denominational History, the lecturer was brilliant and it was a great lesson in Anglicanism and how to teach on Zoom well!! It’s a shame she won’t be teaching next year.
I seemed to spend a lot of the first term sat in front of the computer video editing… and was gratefully for the friends who popped in to say hello, or bring sustenance!! But after a long old slog a new video prospectus and the Christmas Revue were edited and ready. (Even if a last minute jaunt around West Yorkshire was needed for one of them). I may have taken a little too much pleasure in inviting people to filming locations and them leaving with a bemused look on their faces.
Christmas break finally saw me make it to New York, a holiday scheduled for my 30th in May 2020. And it felt good to get away before the starting the Lent Term.
At the top of the Empire State Building
Lent Term started with Intermediate and Finalist Students being on retreat, before I spent a week at my term time placement, St George’s Crypt. The Crypt is a homeless charity, that provides support for those on the streets and those dealing with addiction. They serve lunch on weekdays for anyone to drop in, provide beds to those who need them, and through their Growing Rooms project get people back into employment. Their Chaplain then provides pastoral support, both to the Staff and the Clients and I have really valued my time with them.
The Crypt’s Prayer Space during Covid
Lecture-wise, we looked at Missional Theology, Developing Preaching, Christian Worship Learning Through Tradition and Biblical Studies (OT – Isaiah). I particularly enjoyed the Christian Worship and Biblical Studies lectures, learning about the development of liturgies across the Anglican Communion and explore the history and content of Isaiah respectively.
Probably the most transformative moment for me was during the February Long Weekend when the College went on Pilgrimage to The Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham. Walsingham is a place I had not previously visited, and a place I was a little sceptical of given its attitudes towards the ordination of women. But, I went with an as open mind as I could possibly have, surrounded by great friends, and had an amazing experience. An experience that is probably another blog, when I have found the words to explain it… but I feel in love with the place and the worship and couldn’t wait to return for the National Pilgrimage in May.
The College Pilgrims outside the Holy House
And then there was the infamous Mirfield Holy Week. If you’ve never experienced a Mirfield Holy Week then I really would recommend you do at some point… This was the first since 2019 to have all students resident and guests to entertain. It was hard work, there is no point trying to hide away from that, but it was also immensely prayerful and I think the journey through Holy Week is so intense it really makes the joy of the resurrection on Easter Morn (even if you’ve been up since 3am) particularly special. But also because of the community around you, it really takes everyone to make it through.
We made it!! Student and Staff on Easter Morning
Unfortunately my Easter break was hampered somewhat by Covid… having successfully avoided it for 2 years I (and others) tested positive in Easter Week. Some were more fortunate and able to enjoy some time away from College, but I spent the two weeks break resident not really being able to walk far until the end of the second week. I did take the opportunity to give the Oratory a good Spring clean.
Our Lady in the Oratory after the Covid induced Spring clean
The final term was probably the oddest… lectures were over, and we were finishing off the final assignments whilst also attending theme week lectures, looking at Living in Love and Faith, Leadership, Death, Dying and Bereavement and Black Theology. But again as we drew ever closer to the end of the term it was the prospect of the goodbyes that made it odd.
So, I think that about sums up my second year of training. I’ve got one left, and I am waiting to hear about curacy options. Don’t expect an update on that any time soon (which isn’t a bad thing, just that it takes time and there are things that have to happen before an announcement can be made). Placements this Summer see me heading off to the Lambeth Conference and Notting Hill Carnival, and I look forward to both of those whilst I also try to crack on and make progress with my dissertation… It’s really hard to believe that this time next year College will be over and I will be happily settling into a curacy, it’s daunting but I have never felt surer about the path I am currently on.
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