Archdeacon's Visitation
Went to to an Archdeacon's visitation out in a really old church in a little village just outside of Newport tonight to get my license renewed. Only got it in February, but have to go to one this year to get into the ongoing rota of visitations - which is where all the clergy and people who hold licences from the bishop in a particular area get together in one place so that the Archdeacon (Bishop's right-hand man kinda guy) can renew and check all the licences and child protection policies - and give a little bit of a lecture about stuff he thinks is important.
Was actually quite good fun - although I wouldn't recommend it for a fun night-out. Saw David Parfitt, my boss from last year, and had a quick chat, which was good; and got a few moments with the Archdeacon to chat a little as well.
I was easily the youngest there, probably by about 15 years or so - which also made it quite cool. Got a few raised eyebrows (and possibly challenged some pre-conceptions) when I got to pull out my little licence for Archdeacon Ken to inspect - at which point he had to explain to his aides "James has a special kind of licence - I don't think we have a list for this one." Felt quite important at this point ;-)
He asked me about the house and whether it was coming together, and wished me good luck for my "future ministry" - he retires in July. Haven't really encountered him that much in the short time I've been in Newport, but he seems pretty cool, and definitely dedicated to the Church. In his address he spoke about the need for the church to progress, and about the Church in Wales needing to borrow from the modern liturgy which is now being produced around the world.
Cheers Mr Archdeacon (as is, I think, the correct way to address him). It was an alright night.
Managed to get back to Newport in time to play a bit of parryball (a game which some of the guys made up last summer) at the end of the Christian Union BBQ - until the ball got smashed over the fence into some bushes and we couldn't find it.
Was actually quite good fun - although I wouldn't recommend it for a fun night-out. Saw David Parfitt, my boss from last year, and had a quick chat, which was good; and got a few moments with the Archdeacon to chat a little as well.
I was easily the youngest there, probably by about 15 years or so - which also made it quite cool. Got a few raised eyebrows (and possibly challenged some pre-conceptions) when I got to pull out my little licence for Archdeacon Ken to inspect - at which point he had to explain to his aides "James has a special kind of licence - I don't think we have a list for this one." Felt quite important at this point ;-)
He asked me about the house and whether it was coming together, and wished me good luck for my "future ministry" - he retires in July. Haven't really encountered him that much in the short time I've been in Newport, but he seems pretty cool, and definitely dedicated to the Church. In his address he spoke about the need for the church to progress, and about the Church in Wales needing to borrow from the modern liturgy which is now being produced around the world.
Cheers Mr Archdeacon (as is, I think, the correct way to address him). It was an alright night.
Managed to get back to Newport in time to play a bit of parryball (a game which some of the guys made up last summer) at the end of the Christian Union BBQ - until the ball got smashed over the fence into some bushes and we couldn't find it.
Comments