Retreating

Just a quick posting from Newcastle, where I'm on our CME retreat. CME stands for Continuing Ministry Education, and is a programme for ministers in their first three years of Curacy. As well as providing a monthly get-together for curates gathering around the Word of God with a meal, it allows us to discuss issues we encounter and continue to learn!

At the end of each year's series there is a retreat in the Glenada Centre. The venue is excellent, food great, and as I discovered earlier, WiFi in the main building! As we meet in the conference room, or eat meals, we're looking out onto Dundrum Bay and towards the Irish Sea. Even better, the weather has been mostly good.

Part of the idea behind the retreat is to de-stress, so I was out last night with the camera in Kilkeel- expect photos when I'm home again. This afternoon we had some free time and I did an impromptu tour of the Kingdom of Mourne, round by Bryansford, Spelga Dam, discovered the ruins of Clonduff old church, Hilltown, Warrenpoint, Rostrevor and back by Kilkeel and Annalong.

However the main reason we're here is to do business with God, being sustained and refreshed by His Word. Bishop Ken Clarke has been leading our sessions. Last night he spoke on our call to follow Jesus. Sometimes we can be so busy leading others we forget to follow. Further, the call to follow means leaving the nets behind, the old habits which have a hold on us. While there is the initial leaving of nets when we come to faith, there are other things we also need to leave behind as we continue on the journey.

Today has been spent looking at the privileges and pressures of ministry, and dealing with stress. Lots to think about and act upon. Back to home tomorrow and back to parish life.