Category: pastoral Page 4 of 6

Tasmania

On October 9, 2012

In community, Faith goes walkabout, pastoral

2012-09-27 11.13

Tasmania, the most southerly state in Australia, an island, separated from the mainland by the Bass Straits. A beautiful place with huge diversity in the climate, landscape and wildlife.

Vast areas of wilderness and huge untouched forests with no roads or population are unchartered territory, especially in the south west.

We spent a week in Tasmania (see section on Faith Goes Walkabout- Walkabout Australia).From echidnas and wombats to Tasmanian Devils and Duck Billed Platypus, the wildlife is amazing. The temperate rain forests with the Tall Trees of Sassafras and Arras and beautiful beaches are stunning.

The history of Tasmania since the arrival of the white settlers doesn’t make good reading and the church was part of this difficult time. Tasmania was established as the place of last resort and conditions were really bad. Conditions were harsh and made worse by the elite class who continued to make large amounts of money.
The aboriginal population was destroyed and any people left were made part of the settler’s way of life. There are many stories, and a recent book called Wanting by Richard Flanagan is about a young girl Mahinna around 1839 and her move into the governor’s house.

Maybe it’s when travelling that we are taken to places, not only beautiful but where we learn about life, that we start to increase in wonder and look back in amazement.

Tasmania, a great place and very far south on the other side of the world.

Rev’d Sue Martin
Curate at Gayton group of parishes

Passing People By

By faithgoeswalkabout

On July 16, 2012

In church seasons, community, Faith and business, pastoral, theological

Passing people by, walking on the other side of the street, not sharing a glance…an every day happening on most city streets. The Big Issue seller, with his back pack resting by the side has a struggle to make contact with those walking past.

What does it cost to be civil or smile or show some support, it doesn’t always mean parting with money.

A lack of care or an indifference seems to happen more in a wealthy society. And however many laws and regulations we have, a system built on increasing individual’s or an organisational wealth then maybe that inner morality is hard to maintain.

The Chief Rabbi, Dr Jonathan Sacks says in article for the Times,

‘Morality matters. Not just laws, regulations, supervisory authorities, committees of enquiry, courts, fines and punishments, but morality, the inner voice of self restraint that tells us not to do something even when it is to our advantage, even though it may be legal and even if there is fair chance that it won’t be found out.

Because it’s wrong. Because it’s dishonourable. Because it’s a breach of trust.’

The book of Amos, from the Old Testament, is also a book about society around the 700’s BC. A central plank to Amos is about social justice, and he wrote as a prophet about a society, where people were greedy and had stopped adhering to values, the wealthy elite had become rich at the expense of others. They had also reached a low point in their relationship with God.

They were passing people by, walking on the other side of the street and caring for themselves.

There is more about this under Trinity, in Faithgoeswalkabout.org for the Sixth Sunday after Trinity.

Rev’d Sue Martin

Aung Sang Suu Kyi

By faithgoeswalkabout

On June 27, 2012

In community, pastoral, theological

aung sang

A person who I have enormous respect for and who is in the news at the moment is Aung San Suu Kyi, back in England after 24 years in Burma, leader of the pro democracy party in Burma.

Her father was the leader of the Burmese Democratic Party and was killed by the military when she was very young. Her mother remained in Burma and Suu Kyi came to England and was educated at Oxford and married Michael Aris and they have two sons.

24 years ago, they all went to Burma for a visit to her mother who was not well. Whilst she was there she was asked by members of the democratic party to become their leader. She had no intentions or ambitions to become leader but over time felt that she should do this.
Michael took the boys back to the UK and it was expected that before long suu Kyi would follow. It took 24 years.

In that time, she was threatened, her home was destroyed, her followers were treated abysmally in dreadful conditions and the military were convinced that at some stage she would leave to retrun to England.

Her mother died, her husband died, her boys grew up. There were times when they were allowed into the country and the military always thought that she would go back with them.Then they would not allow her to return.

An amazing story full of courage, full of quiet resolve in the face of fear, full of life’s terrible moments. She was not a woman with wealth, domination or anything else that would give her power. She was awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace in 1991 whilst still held in Burma.

But what she did have and I’m sure still does, is inner strength a quiet resolve and an ability to dissolve fear, which is the greatest weapon that her enemies had against her.

Portrayed so well in the film The Lady, directed by Luc Besson.

Rev’d Sue Martin, Curate in Gayton group of parishes

The Mustard Seed

By faithgoeswalkabout

On June 21, 2012

In church seasons, Faith goes walkabout, pastoral, theological

The Mustard Seed 2nd Sunday after Trinity

mustard seed

The kingdom of God is like a mustard seed.

I have to say that the world is a pretty big place.

The vastness of the oceans, the great continents and land masses, no-one could say that our world is small.

And the universe, well there is something that is so vast it the size is beyond our comprehension.
But is that really so?

A visit to Sydney Observatory, a close look at the craters of the moon through a very large telescope and a glance at the southern skies in the planetarium… how to find an emu in the black spaces or the winged fish in the southern cross.

This is quite a big universe we are part of.

But how big is the kingdom of heaven? Bigger than the widest ocean, taller than the highest mountain(to quote a children’s song). But yet it is as small as a mustard seed!

Our understanding of the size and dimensions of heaven can only ever be hinted at.

Jesus uses this story along with the other parables as a way of trying to makes sense to us and to the people he was talking to on the banks of the Sea of Galilee about the kingdom. A place for us all, so vast and yet no size at all or at least not as we know it.

Our world and creation is a wonderful place, but yet, is like a tiny part of that mustard seed.

Visit Trinity page on Faith Goes Walkabout.

Rev’d Sue Martin

Curate at Gayton Group of Parishes

Singapore and Spirituality

By faithgoeswalkabout

On June 12, 2012

In church seasons, community, Faith goes walkabout, pastoral

DSCF1570

On my way home from Australia I stopped over in Singapore for one night to break the long journey home in the hope of preventing some of the jet lag.

Singapore is an amazing place. Full of the most impressive buildings, hugely tall and wonderfully architect designed. Blue glass surrounds with flashing steel girders over 60 stories high.

The Marina Bay Sands, over 56 stories high, 220 metres and with a garden, restaurant and observation platform.

I paid the 20 Singapore dollars to look at the view.

The view was spectacular, the waterfront with the container ships moored into the sea in a real South Asian feel, the huge high rise buildings that seemed to go on forever and the Boat Quay a real haven for tourists, especially in the evening.

But it was somehow, surreal. An air conditioned walkway for people to spend and then spend again, drawn into the shining shops with wonderful goods.

No where did I feel anything spiritual at all. I wondered if it was the fact that it was all ‘man made’ or was it just me being spaced out with travelling!
Maybe this is what happens when life becomes over designed with no spaces for real life to be found.
Amazing but not for me!

Rev’d Sue Martin

The Vine and the Vine Grower

By faithgoeswalkabout

On May 6, 2012

In church seasons, pastoral, theological

viney I am the true vine and my father is the vine grower. The Son and the Father.

Jesus uses the vine as a powerful illustration of the relationship between himself, the Father and the disciples. In nature and in spiritual life pruning produces abundant fruit.

And then there are the branches… or the disciples and ourselves. The branches that keep on spreading outwards and producing fruit. Fruit, the same as in a harvest, but this time in the goodness and love that shows in our lives and just as how we are.

Abide in me and I will abide in you. The last chapters of John are packed full of meaning!

Abide, or long lasting, to dwell, to endure and to remain. A promise that doesn’t go away.

This is one of the ‘I am’ stories. No longer just a parable but a strong statement. A paraclete, coming from the Greek word parakletos meaning comforter, teacher, advocate and mediator.

Rev’d Sue Martin

Curate at Gayton group of parishes

Octavia Hill

By faithgoeswalkabout

On April 21, 2012

In community, pastoral

oct

Social reformer and co-founder of the National Trust.Octavia had a vision and a belief, alongside energy, commitment and resolve; a socially inclusive society for ever for everyone. Good housing, recreational open spaces and education for all.

Remembered mostly for the National Trust, her real vision was as a campaigner for improvements to people’s lives and to broaden horizons through enabling all to have access to open spaces and a better quality of life.

Born in December 1838 in Wisbech, to a family where her mother was very instrumental in the formation of Octavia’s beliefs, she was part of a large family, five sisters from her mother and father, and six children from her father’s previous marriage.

Her father owned a bank which in 1825 was closed and her father became bankrupt, It was during a time of a national banking crisis.

Memories of Mary Poppins!

Her maternal grandfather Dr Thomas Southwood Smith was a champion of rights for the poor and involved in preventing the unsanitary conditions in the slums of London.

In 1848 The Christian Socialists developed and Octavia became involved and was confirmed in 1857. Her faith was profound and enduring, action not words were her expression of her belief.

She became involved with John Ruskin, a social and education reformer, between them they worked to ensure that ‘the poor’ had access to housing, food and sanitation. This was the time of the Poor Laws, the workhouses and soup kitchens.

There are a number of parallels between life then and now, and there is much evidence of the work of Octavia Hill especially in London.

To read more, go to Easter 3rd Sunday on faithgoeswalkabout or through the Octavia Hill website.

Rev’d Sue Martin

Curate in Gayton Group of parishes

The Rockingham Centre

By faithgoeswalkabout

On March 31, 2012

In community, Faith and business, pastoral

Rock ctr

The picture is from a mural at the Rockingham Centre near the Elephant and Castle. I visited it many times whilst at my placement, based at St Peter’s church.
The mural is separate from St Peter’s but a great picture.

The placement is through an organisation called Near Neighbours who work in the area as part of the Anglican Church funding and developing local projects.

I have been looking specifically at activities for children in churches and other faith groups and some non faith groups and how those activities ensure the safety of the children and young people

There was much walking around Walworth Road and the areas nearby. It has been excellent and I have loved the many different groups that find ways to deliver projects, some great ideas turned into action, wonderful. At St Peter’s the crypt below and Inspire, offering activities and space and a wonderful cafe.

In the area, there are many different faith groups and activities for children and in time I will write about how these are working towards a better future for children.
But in the short term this has been a really great experience.
Thanks to all at St Peter’s and God Bless.

Rev’d Sue Martin

A Service of Reflection at the End of the Day

By faithgoeswalkabout

On March 11, 2012

In church seasons, pastoral, theological

catkin

St Mary’s Church, Gayton Thorpe, March 11th

As the winter slowly turns to Spring, we look for signs; signs that will show new life and new beginnings.

The catkins and pussy willow in the hedgerows are a joy, the small birds emerging in song and that tiny glimmer of the sun give promise. The feeling of gladness in your hearts as the winter is being left behind.

And so with Lent, a time for reflection as well as the giving up of something special.

This is a new style of service in a deeply rural church with a round tower and ancient footpaths leading to the Norfolk coast, where(so we’re told!) travellers caught ferries to the continent.

And so a service of reflection in Lent, a time for stillness and for letting God find us where we are in our lives, before the business of Spring catches us in its arms and whisks us away.

More details can be found in the Lent section on Faith Goes Walkabout.

Rev’d Sue Martin
Curate at Gayton Group of parishes

Thoughts and reflections

Category: pastoral Page 4 of 6

Tasmania

Sponsored Cycle Ride – 18 miles!

Passing People By

Aung Sang Suu Kyi

The Mustard Seed

Singapore and Spirituality

The Vine and the Vine Grower

Octavia Hill

The Rockingham Centre

A Service of Reflection at the End of the Day