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Adrian Plass writes from the Scargill Community, North Yorkshire:

'Recently there has been talk of us being part of the 'New Monastic Movement'. Smart label but it means nothing to me. And I do hope someone has mentioned it to God. Being somewhat messy himself, he doesn't always keep up with these important developments'.
                            (from Family First, issue 17, M.U.)

Two Saints Way

First sight of Lichfield - the Mons Gaudium; Mount of Joy. We'd walked more than 80 miles from Chester along the newly established Two Saints Way and here we could make out the distinctive three spires of Lichfield Cathedral on the horizon.

David Pott, the pioneer, founder and envisioner of the Two Saints Way led a group of 11 who did the entire walk. Each day we were joined by others. What a privilege to be led by someone who so clearly walks with God. The Two Saints are Werburgh (Chester) and Chad (Lichfield). Our daily pattern included times of prayer, some songs, sometimes a poem, a reflection after which we would walk silently for 15 minutes or so. People would host the pilgrims and as far as possible we punctuated the journey with visits to churches and significant sights; interwoven with legends, stories and historical insights.

David had prayed that we would be converted through the

Walk and I sense this happened for me. I wasn't at all sure I'd make the full distance because of my dodgy ankles so prayed that I would go through pain and miracles and have the grace to call it a day when and if I needed to. In fact the support and energy from a trusting group is amazing - and just as my stone was carried by a fellow pilgrim before I left it with a prayer in Stone so I felt carried. Mind you I did need the painkillers and walking poles; but now, safely home, as I stagger about I wonder how it was possible.

This inaugural walk of the Two Saints Way came about partly as an expression of the birthing of the Community of St Chad. As the idea and vision for some Order or Community was emerging the knowledge that this Pilgrim Way was being developed was very significant. Certainly we seem to be at a time of a great renaissance of all things Saxon and with it the possibility of a growing sense of the spiritual resources passed on to us through Chad. The walking provides a wonderful chance to

communicate, observe and reflect at a living breathing pace; but also becomes an expression of transformation and regeneration as our feet claim the ground and build up a tangible force of healing, grace and reconciliation.

For further details about the Two Saints Way see www.twosaintsway.org.uk

Launch of the Community of Saint Chad

The launch is taking place at Lichfield Cathedral on Saturday March 3rd at 12 noon. The Bishop of Lichfield, the Rt Revd Jonathan Gledhill will be preaching. There will be an opportunity to become a member of the community in that service by joining in a response, placing a candle at the Shrine of Saint Chad and by signing a bookmark which has the Community Prayer on it. All are welcome whether you have decided you already want to join the community or else would like to see what's going on.

The following has been included on the back page of the order of service:

Drawing inspiration from the life of St. Chad, the 7th century missionary bishop of Lichfield, the Community of Saint Chad is an expression of modern day monasticism, It has a geographically dispersed membership united by a common commitment to a spiritual lifestyle shaped by five Rhythms of Grace and by participation in a Spiritual Growth Group. The Community of Saint Chad welcomes any Christian who longs to grow in depth of discipleship and who is prepared to journey with others in a quest for a life-changing faith.

Today marks the launch of the Community and provides an opportunity for those who wish to take a next step, and to make a commitment to going deeper in prayer, discipleship and mission. You are invited to sign the bookmark to indicate your membership of the Community for a twelve month period. Please take the bookmark away with you but ensure that we have your contact details so that we can keep in touch.

Copies of the booklet containing details of the Five Rhythms of Grace and the Small Spiritual Growth Groups as well as some very helpful daily resources for prayer are available today. Do please ask either of us if you would like any more information or indeed have ideas and suggestions as to how the Community can develop.

Please note the inaugural pilgrimage of the Two Saints Way taking place from March 25th to April 1st. Details of other retreats, teaching events, resource material and next year’s Commitment Service will be made available in the coming months.

Barry Wilson; 01782 750205 communityofsaintchad@gmail.com
Philip Swan; 07857 703303 philip.swan@lichfield.anglican.org

Moral Capitalism?

One day Abba Macarius returned to his cell to find a man with a donkey, stealing all his possessions. As if he was a stranger, he helped the thief to load his animal and in deep peace sent him on his way. 'We brought nothing into the world,' he said,'and it is certain that we can take nothing out of it. The Lord gave, let it be as he wishes; blessed be the Lord in all things'.

What a great reversal! What freedom! Hardly on the spectrum of what David Cameron is outlining as moral capitalism. What a challenge!

Taken from readings for Jan 19th; 'Seasons of the Spirit'; Triangle 1984. Abba Macarius was a Desert Father in Egypt - c300-c390.

A plea for 'duller and lazier' priests!

This work life balance thing is hard to get right. Many of my colleagues are unashamedly workaholic and I wish I could get a better balance of leisure and work in my own life. I seem to live with a strong sense of 'He could do better'. So I felt quite excited to read Anglea Tilby's reflections in the Church Times (15 July 2011) on the life of Barbara Brown Taylor who was one of the most admired priests, pastors and preachers of the Episcopal Church in the United States. After 20 years of ministry at what appeared to be the height of her ministry she decided to leave it all behind; burnt out, washed up, exhausted....on the brink of losing faith.

Angela Tilby expressed a 'kind of irritation at the way in which both community and individual let themselves be seduced by a perfectionist and workaholic model of ministry'. 'The memoir', Tilby concludes, 'made me wonder whether a duller and lazier priest would have produced a more mature and reflective congregation'. YES!

I believe so that I may understand

'Lord, I am not trying to reach your height, for my poor mind could never approach it. But I do want to understand the little of your truth which my heart already believes and loves. I do not seek to understand so that I may believe, but I believe so that I may understand; and further, I believe that unless I believe I shall never understand'.

(Anselm 1033-1109 36th Archbishop of Canterbury)