Moving On Up

Got a pleasant surprise when I heard that my brother minister Adrian is moving on up, from an 'umble curacy in St Mark's Newtownards to be rector of St Peter's on the Antrim Road. Not only a big step up in terms of responsibility, but also crossing the river, and the diocesan boundaries. He's only really on short-term loan to the Diocese of Connor!

Having been one of Adrian's confidantes through much of his recent parish hunting, it's been an interesting time to watch it all unfold. Seeing him think through where it was God was calling him, as well as the type of parish he was seeking, has started me thinking about these things too. After all, Adrian is now the first of my college colleagues to be appointed Rector. In two short years it could be my turn to move on from Dundonald either to a second curacy or even a first incumbency.

Where could that be? Another 'city church' or more rural life? An established parish or a church plant? I cannot tell right now, but the Lord knows the future, and the plans he has for me. I'm happy to wait and see, and work in the meantime where I am now, rather than obsessing about the future...

The Stupidity of Scholars

Sometimes scholars, for all their intelligence, haven't got the wit they were born with. While comprehending vast mysteries beyond most of us, they cannot get their heads around simple things.

Take, as an example, a recent programme on television about Christmas. I can't remember what channel it was shown on - I was in bed with the flu, and was drifting in and out of conciousness at the time. Nevertheless, the scholars were debating whether Jesus was born in a stable, as we find in the common idea of the Christmas story. It was one of the regular stock of anti-Bible documentaries we see around Christmas time.

One scholar made the (helpful) point that Jesus was probably born in a cave, and that the manger would have been carved out of the rock, rather than a wee rickety wooden manger that we see on Christmas card images. All fair enough. But then another scholar came on and said that Matthew refers to the magi / wise men 'going into the house' (Matt 2:11). Well, Luke and Matthew can't both be right - someone must be lying, so there you go, once again you can't trust the Bible.

How annoying! Can they not see that there is some time delay between Luke's account of the birth of Jesus, in the stable, and that later on, by the time the wise men arrive and the crowds from the census have dispersed, the family have moved into a house in Bethlehem? Surely this seems entirely reasonable and sensible? Yet it may be beyond the scholars...

All Over Again

It's amazing how quickly the time goes. It doesn't seem like a year since we were eagerly waiting for the Curacy List to see where we may well have been serving after ordination. And yet, it must be, because the current final year students are waiting on the List to be published today. To read some of their thoughts, you can check out what both Robert and Ruth are saying.

Just like last year - please be praying for these guys - there are 14 students, so it's a lot bigger than our class. Yet even now, God knows where they will be working - and will accomplish His purposes for His Kingdom and their lives. I'm just glad that we're settled here and not having to go through any appointments process for another few years at least!

BTh

BTh
Originally uploaded by Gary McMurray.

Things have been quiet on the blog over the weekend. The reason? We were off on a wee break. Thursday was down in Dublin at the Trinity College Commencements (graduation), hence the photo with my new hood - which I realise now can't be seen very well!

After a wee trip out to the Theological Institute, we stayed over in Dublin and then headed up to Donegal on Friday to stay in a friend's rectory. A nice weekend by the fire with good company ensued. More from the weekend to follow in due course.

Dublin Ordination

The first of my classmates is now a deacon! I was down in Christ Church Cathedral Dublin for the ordination of Stephen Farrell, now serving as Curate Assistant of Taney Parish, Dublin. Also ordained were Robert Lawson and Anne-Marie O'Farrell.

As if the events of last week weren't enough to make it all very real - the buying of clerical shirts, the peek at the draft order of service - today was firm reality. Stephen is now a minister! And in just seven days, so shall I.

I'm off from Friday until Sunday on my pre-ordination retreat, so if you need to get in touch, do so in the next few days!

All are welcome to attend on Sunday night - the service is at 6.30pm in my home church, Dromore Cathedral.

Five Down, None To Go!

The last exam has been completed, the pen has been set down, and I'm free!!! Well, for a few weeks anyway. Tonight we had the closing Communion service of the year, and then we were over at the Principal's house for dinner.

This year is especially tinged with sadness as it's the last one for the Principal, Adrian Empey. We presented him and June with several tokens of our affection, and wish them well for their retirement. Really, he just couldn't bear being in college without me, so he had to retire when I was leaving!

Surprisingly, I managed to fit all the stuff from my room into the car, so tomorrow's first task will be to unload the car and fit all the stuff somewhere. Then I have a free fortnight before my pre-ordination retreat, and my ordination. I'm hoping for lots of relaxation and reading, oh, and probably some photography as well!

Four Down, One To Go!

I'm now into what may be my last night's sleep in Dublin, depending on how my packing goes tonight. Today's exam was Old Testament - two questions on Prophecy, and two questions on the theology of the Old Testament. All done and dusted. Fair enough paper, and could answer the requisite number of questions.

Now just New Testament left, which is tomorrow afternoon. At 5pm you may just be able to hear the shout of 'FREEDOM' ringing out from the Sports Hall in Trinity! Then it's back to college for the last Communion service of the year, and then the farewell bash at the Principal's house.

My task now is to work out how to fit all the stuff into my car - it's a bit like a jigsaw puzzle with possibly too many pieces... the book case is in now, so the rest needs to be fitted in around it. Here goes...

Redding Out

The word in the title may not be a proper word, but it's a phrase you would hear about home. We're just going to redd out the cupboard, meaning to clear it out, or gut it. Or at the end of a work shift, you would redd up. Not sure if it should be spelt read (as in I read a book last week, past tense).

By and however, I've been redding out my college room this evening. Just two evenings left in Dublin now, and I'll be doing exams the next two afternoons, and then the farewell Communion service and dinner. So any spare moment is gladly snatched to do some clearing. Cupboards that have been ignored all year are opened to see what they contain, and papers I won't need are set aside for recycling.

The joy of such task is that you never know what you might find. For me, the greatest joy wasn't in finding some money in an envelope (no, not a brown envelope...), but rather in coming across the cards, letters and notes that I received in my first term here three years ago. Reading again the warm wishes and prayerful words was truly a serendipity - I wasn't expecting to see them this evening, but I'm glad I have. So while other things are left behind or chucked out, these cards and letters will go with me to pastures new, reminders of where I have come from, and how God has led me on.

In moving on, it's important to not forget how God has been gracious and faithful in the past. After all, it's one of the lessons we see in the Old Testament, as the children of Israel come out of Egypt and move into the promised land (eventually).

It's what is happening in Joshua 4, when the twelve stones are set up on the bank of the Jordan. 'When your children ask in time to come, "What do these stones mean to you?" then you shall tell them that the waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the LORD. When it passed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. So there stones shall be to the people of Israel a memorial for ever.' (Josh 4:6-7)

Or think of Ebenezer. No, not Ebenezer Scrooge in Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. In 1 Samuel 7:12, Samuel takes up a stone as a memorial of victory in battle against the Philistines. Its name was Ebenezer, because it means 'Thus far has the Lord helped us.'

As I prepare to finish in Dublin, I can declare Ebenezer - Thus far has the LORD helped us.' And so he will continue, for He is a faithful God.

Three Down, Two To Go

I'm now more than halfway through the exams! Ethics was this morning, and it has now been completed! This was the shortest exam, with just two hours to answer three questions. A bit tighter than the others, but I managed to write about the three case studies on the paper, looking at matters of birth, life and death. The next one is on Wednesday, and then the final paper on Thursday!

Packing Up

My Heaving Shelves
Originally uploaded by Gary McMurray.

Amidst the exams, we're also facing the task of getting packed up to leave Dublin at the end of the college year. In previous years, most stuff could be left in the room for the following year, but this year, it all has to go northwards to Dromore before heading eastwards to the Curatage.

As you may notice, there's quite a lot of books here in my room. The shelves are looking more bare now, with three boxes already packed but a lot more to do! It seems very strange to be taking stuff down and getting ready to move on again, and yet it is the time to go, with new challenges and joys around the corner.

Perhaps the most challenging part in packing up has been my Bible readings over the past few nights. In Luke 12, Jesus is speaking about the proper attitude to wealth and possessions - after the parable of the rich fool. 'Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with money bags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.'

Does my library help me to serve God in the preparation of sermons and the increasing of knowledge, or do I serve my library by worshipping it? Lots to think about!

Two Down, Three To Go!

Second exam done this morning - Anglicanism, so I've just three exams to go now and I'll be finished! This morning's paper was in three sections - A was on Anglican formularies and theologians; B was on the Lambeth Conference and global Anglicanism; C was on the Church of Ireland's ecumenical activity. Two questions from A, and one each from the others.

Well, I wrote four answers, so we'll see how we go. My next one is Friday, but in the meantime, be praying for Lyns who has her final oral in the morning.

One down, Four to go...

First exam was this morning. Ecclesiology and Cosmology. Four questions answered. Some had been well prepared, others were less well prepared, but with a fair idea of where I was going on them. With not being used to writing for three hours straight, my hand is a tad sore now, but I'm sure it'll be fine.

Day off tomorrow, then Anglicanism on Wednesday morning. This evening I think I shall relax and unwind after a hard day, then do a bit of last minute recap tomorrow.

Fond Farewells

Yesterday was my last services in the parishes of Drumgath and Drumgooland (Rathfriland and Ballyward). Over the past few months I've become a part of the parish, through my college placement, helping with the pastoral work, as well as leading services and preaching. And now it's all over, ending the placement in preparation for ordination.

It's amazing how quickly you can become bound up in people's lives, and grow so attached to people. While there were no tears, it did feel strange driving over the Dromara hills yesterday morning knowing that it was for the last time, or driving away from Rathfriland after the two services back to back (with the crazy seven mile drive from Ballyward to Rathfriland to try and get the service to start on time...).

But as I said in the services, I'm so grateful for the opportunity to have become part of their lives, and to share in ministry with them. They have been a great encouragement, support and help to me, and especially David Somerville, their Rector. I will not forget them in a hurry.

What made yesterday's final services even more special was their gift of my Preaching Scarf - so when I wear it, i will remember the people of Ballyward and Rathfriland.

Through the week in College Chapel, I was doing the readings at the Wednesday Holy Communion service. In Acts, I read of Paul summoning the elders from Ephesus to meet him at Miletus, and of his final charge to them.

'And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again.' (Acts 20:36-38).

Saying goodbye is not easy, but really and truly, it is not forever - one day we will again meet and be glad!

Introductions

Hello, my name is Gary, and I'm a Christian.

Introductions was the theme of the weekend just past for me. On Friday, I headed off to Donegal, to the village of Ardara to be precise, for the service of Introduction of the new Bishop's Curate for the parishes of Ardara, Glenties, Glencolumbcille, Lettermacaward, and Inniskeel. John Deane, a Donegal man himself is heading to that part of the world again in his first full-time incumbency.

To show our support, some of the Theological Students were in attendance, and robed. The robing room was a flurry of activity and chatter before the service, as we were meeting the clergy of Derry and Raphoe and other visiting clergy. As the rare breed of Ordinands, they all wanted to know who we were and where we were from. Lots of introductions - and I even found a man of a similar background to myself - a minister originally from Dromore, born and bred!

Then on Saturday, we moved over to county Cavan, where there were more introductions as I met the Trenier family; and then later on at the WWW youth event in Kilmore Cathedral Hall, which (as far as I know) is out in the sticks somewhere near Cavan town. Linking into my weekend theme of Introductions, the speaker was talking about Identity, and how we see ourselves.

So how do you introduce yourself? What are the things you highlight about yourself? What are the things you promote?

Study Weeks

Well, the final week of term has passed, and my college experience is coming to an end. The essays have been handed in, the work has been done, and three weeks of study have opened up.

The last week of term was probably the most busy of the entire three years. There were some essays to finish. We had the Viva Voce. We had the final year students' trip to the RCB (Representative Church Body). We had the Downes Oratory Prize. We had the Viking Splash Tour. We had the Community Weekend. And it's all over now. Three study weeks, two weeks of exam and I'm out of Dublin.

Community Weekend was fun - it's the lot of the final year students to put on a family friendly weekend for students and their families. Friday night we did a barbecue on the lawn (thankfully the rain stayed away, and it was bearable enough - no one got frostbite!). Then we had some School Sports Day events - relay races and ball games. Saturday morning we had Adrian Dorrian speaking in the two sessions - looking at times and seasons in our lives, and thinking about the baptism of Jesus and the Lord's Supper. Free afternoon, and then in the evening we hosted a TV Quiz Show night - rounds of Catchphrase, Family Fortunes, Just a Minute, Mr & Mrs (where a couple who aren't a couple got a better result than the married couple!), The Price is Right, Countdown, and a Theme Tunes round. All went very well, but we got to see that some students are very competitive! This morning we had our Family Communion service where Adrian celebrated and preached. All weekend, we also had a Wii bowling competition going in one of the rooms which was good crack as well.

Tomorrow I'm going to hear Vaughan Roberts speaking in Jordanstown, which should be a good day. And so off to bed!

Downes in the Dumps (2008 remix)

The Downes Oratory Prize is one of the noble traditions in the Church of Ireland Theological College (CITC). Each year, there is a prize offered for a person in each year who shines in the art of oratory. In previous times this was in a preaching format, but last year and this, it has taken the form of a debating competition.

Tonight was the Downes Oratory for this year, and I came second. Out of two. But to be fair, Stephen is gifted in the art of debating, with a quick wit and meticulous preparation. I entered to ensure that he had to do something at least to win the prize!

The evening was very good, though, with some interesting talents displayed in the other years as well - I've never seen anyone singing their argument at a debate before, so that was a first! The craic was mighty, and well worth the evening away from studies.

Just one proper day of term left, and it's promising to be packed as well, and then the Community Weekend. Here we go!

Viva Las CITC!

How quickly our last week of term seems to be going! Tomorrow we have our viva voce exam - the oral part of the pastoral elements of the course. Fifty minutes to talk about the project, two submitted sermons, and the overall learning of the course. It's all assessed by the external examiner who conducts the interview, and goes towards half of the pastoral section, which is a third of the final mark. So by getting 50% tomorrow on the pastoral section overall (if I get that much), I'll go into the final exams with 17% of the total final mark already in the bag. Passmark 40%.

With most things we're doing this week we keep remarking that 'that's the last time we'll ...' Strange how the time goes, and whereas the Dublin experience seemed new and daunting, we're now ready to move on, and are looking forward to the new challenges that lie ahead. Yes, there are things I'll miss about the city and the college, but it's all in perspective.

Tonight we had the last College Fellowship of the year, and the guys were praying for us as we leave - it's interesting how people might say things in prayer that they wouldn't say in normal conversation or one-to-one. Reminds me again of the title of the book on Encouragement by Derick Bingham - 'Don't wait til he's dead!'

Still, it was encouraging to be prayed for. It felt as if we were being sent out by the Fellowship and their prayers go with us. Some verses were given to me as well, so I'll be reflecting on them again and again in the days to come, and maybe I'll blog a bit more about them.

For now, though, it's off to bed and hopefully a good sleep before the oral in the morning. Viva CITC!

Passing on the Baton

Tonight was the House Meeting in College, my last engagement as Senior Student. Don't worry, there were no tears or anything like that. In some ways, it's nice to be able to stand down and let someone else run with it.

The new Senior Student will be well known to anyone who knows my blog and Flickr buddies - Robert Ferris. I wish him God's richest blessing as he takes on the new responsibilities of the post, and leads the student body in the year ahead.

For me, the House Meeting is another sign of the nearness of the end of time in college - just one more full week of term left after this one, and then three study weeks and two of exams. It's less than nine weeks now to my (DV) ordination, and less than 14 to our wedding!

Where have the three years of college gone? Will the next three years go as quickly in Dundonald? Here's to the future, all in God's hands and God's plan.

It Is Finished - John 19:30 (CITC Exegesis Class)

Famous last words. It has been said that you can tell a lot about a person by their last words. Some famous examples include Oscar Wilde – ‘either that wallpaper goes, or I do.’ Or what about the General killed during the US Civil War whose last words were: ‘They couldn’t hit an elephant at this dist…’

As we look at the last words of Jesus, then, what do they tell us about how Jesus dies? In verse 30, we read: ‘When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished”, and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.’

It is finished. Was this a cry of defeat, of frustration? Was Jesus saying merely, that his earthly life was over, ending in defeat? Remember that he was dying as a condemned man, on the cruel Roman cross, deserted by most of his followers and friends.

Just a week before, he had entered Jerusalem to the shouts of the crowd, welcoming him with cries of Hosanna. Now, he dies to the cries of crucify, crucify. Was it all a failure? I’m always struck by the sense of hopelessness and defeat in the words of the disciples on the road to Emmaus – ‘But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel.’ (Luke 24:21) did Jesus cry out in despair as he died on the cross?

By no means! When Jesus said ‘It is finished’, this was his shout of triumph, the first proclamation of the gospel. The shout of Jesus is good news, because of why he dies, for you and me.

The hours of darkness had finished, Jesus had borne our sins in his body on the cross; he had suffered for our sins. And that suffering was over, complete, finished. You see, because he has taken the burden of our sins, because he was pierced for our iniquities, then we cannot suffer for them ourselves, if we trust in him.

In some of the shops in Dromore, there is a nail that sits on the counter. When you take your bill to the counter, and pay for your goods, then the manager of the shop takes the invoice and puts it on the nail. Once it is on the nail, he is in effect saying, this has been paid; you won’t have to pay again for this.

In a similar way, Jesus paid for our sins, and took the punishment we deserved, held by the nails of Calvary, so that we can go free, and not have to pay for our sins ourselves.

I remember a chorus from holiday Bible Clubs when I was growing up which says this:

‘He paid a debt He did not owe;
I owed a debt I could not pay.
I needed someone to wash my sins away;
And now I sing a brand new song.

Amazing Grace the whole day long
For Jesus paid a debt that I could never pay.’

As Don Carson says, “‘It is finished’ captures only part of the meaning (of the Greek word tetelestai), the part that focuses on completion. Jesus’ work was done. But this is no cry of defeat. It refers to fulfilling one’s religious obligations. And so, on the brink of death, Jesus cries out, ‘It is accomplished!’"

Jesus’ shout was one of triumph. So let’s pray that we all will know God’s forgiveness, and the joy of sins forgiven, because Jesus has borne them in his body on the cross, and it is finished!

===
In Exegesis Class today, we were filmed preaching a short sermon, then in the next class we will watch it back to see what we look like!

Holding up the Tower of Pisa!

Holding up the Tower of Pisa!
Originally uploaded by Gary McMurray.

Hope you like the picture! This is me doing my bit to hold up the Leaning Tower of Pisa last week during the college trip to Italy. On Tuesday night we set off, then had Wednesday in Pisa before moving on to Florence. Sadly I can't get any photos uploaded on the college network, so it'll be the weekend before my photos are properly available to view.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa is actually the bell tower of the Duomo (Cathedral) of Pisa, of which you can see the corner at the left of the photo. Pretty impressive, all said.

For now, I'm back in Dublin, having started the last four weeks of term today. Not long to go...