Time Matters for Clergy

07/07/2009

The theme for the annual summer gathering for clergy this year focused on the subject of time TIME MATTERS - a very relevant and fascinating subject. And the organisers managed to put together an excellent programme with some very inspiring speakers, not least our own Bishop Tom Wright on the subject of 'Sabbath'.
The picture right shows delegates gathered in the Presentation Room at Ushaw College, ready to listen to Bishop Tom.

Much of what the Bishop spoke about was based on his own reflections, comparing attitudes to the Sabbath in the Old and New Testaments and seeing 'sabbath' as one of the signs pointing to a future destination - the real, promised rest of new creation. What made his presentation even more fascinating and engaging was that he was continuing to explore ideas as he went along.

The opening two sessions were led by Canon Stephen Cherry, the Director of Ministry, and Canon David Kennedy, Durham Cathedral Precentor
David is pictured left with Joyce Parker, PA to the Director of Ministry during the registration for the conference.

Stephen Cherry introduced the conference by speaking about 'Time perspectives', including attitudes to time, time poverty, time past, present and future, and managing time - something that many people find increasingly difficult in today's busy world. This was followed in the afternoon by David Kennedy on the subject of 'Worship and Time' - how time in the church relates to the story of salvation, the church year, and so on. He also included reference to 'TImes & Seasons', the latest resource for Common Worship, which David had worked on as a member of the Liturgical Commission of General Synod.

Guest speakers during the conference included Dr David Wilkinson, Principal of St John's College in Durham who, amongst other things is an expert on astrophysics. The title of his talk was: 'Like an Ever Rolling Stream: Augustine, Einstein and HG Wells'. He encouraged his audience to take science seriously, spoke about the concept of time travel, the beginning and end of the universe, Stephen Hawking's theories about time and space and how, since the resurrection, Jesus is no longer limited by time and space. It was all a fascinating glimpse into a subject which was completely new for many people - mind-blowing stuff!
David is pictured above during his intriguing presentation in Ushaw College's Lecture Theatre.

Two other guest speakers spoke about more 'practical' but equally fascinating subjects: Prof Tom Kirkwood from Newcastle University (pictured above left) on the subject of 'ageing' about which he is an acknowledged expert - the facts, the myths, the sociological effects and so on; and Revd Paul Witts from Wakefield (pictured right) who, in addition to speaking about the subject of 'nostalgia', also engaged the clergy in his research programme.

The conference programme also included time for worship, general conversation and 'getting to know each other', especially useful for those clergy who are new to the diocese.

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