After many months of deliberation – not ours but various committees and individuals – we have been informed where we are to move next. It is known as stationing within the Methodist Church, and as a Deacon, it’s a process they call ‘direct stationing’.
“Deacons are expected to be available to serve wherever they are needed and to be ready to move whenever needed.”
[1]
We ‘attended’ 9 Zoom meetings over a period of 21 hours. Here we met with the members of the staff and congregations across Glasgow. It was really great to see people, confident with the future. But they were also open and honest about how that future may be explored.
Then it was confirmed that we were to move to Strathclyde, ready to commence work in September 2020.
Hence, since then it has been a busy time of getting quotes to move and organising the removals. We have been clearing out 2 years of the collection of paperwork which was not needed…even then. The real busyness of the actual packing still awaits us.
It isn’t something which causes too much stress to us, as we have moved often when within the RAF. We moved from Lincolnshire to Birmingham back in 2016, and again to Todmorden in 2018.
Glasgow
I wonder what your first thoughts of this city are? Were those views based upon Taggart?, the gritty detective show based in Glasgow, Scotland. The show started back in 1983 and was discontinued only in 2010. They show followed detectives in the Maryhill CID of Strathclyde Police as they investigate crimes, notably often murders. Things you may not know about the show are here.
What I have initially noticed is the change – and that’s from just investigating online. “People Make Glasgow” isn’t merely a PR statement but one of intention. Heralded prior to the 2014 Commonwealth Games, it is still present and valid as then. Someone told me that in another city, if you asked for directions, people would point you in that direction. However, “in Glasgow they’ll take you there“. They also are enthusiastic in calling for long term use of green spaces. Glasgow wasn’t know in Gaelic as the ‘Dear Green Place‘ for nothing!
It is already looking similar to a very different sized town called Todmorden. Perhaps it’s the people that do matter, the buildings are not the principle way of changing society.
Todmorden
A dear friend write this recently: “All over the country people are recognising the value of outdoor space, to rejoice in nature, to meet friends, and to sit in the healing rays of the sun. The powers that be, suggest the only space in the middle of town, that’s used so well by young and old, the only space to sit with your market purchased lunch” is that green space at the centre of Todmorden. Currently, it is suggested that it could be ‘re-developed’ for housing. She continues:
“It’s sad, really sad, that people matter less than buildings“. [2]
What to do
Perhaps we could take a leaf from Todmorden’s focus upon green spaces. We could reconsider the impact that our living, thriving expanse of nature can bring to society. Yes, we need housing, but we also need to breathe – such a topical expression currently.
We are very much looking forward to moving to Glasgow, seeing what the Church seeks for us to do there. Trying to understand the lingua franca, and for others to understand us! But from afar – 217 miles to be exact – we are excited to be welcomed to the various churches there. It’s going to be great to be part of a different thriving community, where green space is also welcomed and championed.
[1] Methodist Conference Agenda, Ministry in the Methodist Church, https://www.methodist.org.uk/media/17613/conf-2020-agenda-volume-2.pdf, last accessed on 20 June 2020, page 366.
[2] Mary Clear, CEO Incredible Edible, and amazing things all across Todmorden.