Povey Prattle

Sometime in 1975 the Bishop of Bristol, who was the Rt. Revd. John E Tinsley “released me”: meaning that I was free to look for a parish anywhere in England. That was just as well since he had never met me! (All his work with Ordinands was delegated to a very wonderful “Diocesan Director of Ordinands” the Revd. Peter Coleman - later to become Bishop of Crediton, Devon). I was to have followed the normal English practice of being a Curate, that is, an assisting Priest, who would serve under an older and presumably wiser Priest. I interviewed in a parish in Sneyd Park, Bristol, knowing that I was an unlikely bird for such a place. It was a rather snooty parish, with a decidedly evangelical Rector. Next was a parish in Birmingham. There I liked the Rector and the people. We could have been a good match. Finally I was interviewed in Swindon, Wiltshire at the parish of Christ Church. This was an exciting parish in an area of ecumenical experiment, where the local Baptist and Methodist minis...

More about that ‘phone call tomorrow. I read a number of newspapers “on line” each morning, including the London, U.K. papers “The Daily Telegraph” (conservative), and “The Guardian” (liberal). It is interesting to note their spins on identical stories. The Telegraph has the best Obituaries. Today I read of the death of the singer Jo Stafford, aged 90. Jo Stafford was a big band singer long before my era. She sold more than 25 million recordings, many made with her husband Paul Weston. I came to “know her” from an old B.B.C. radio program “Family Favourites”, broadcast each Sunday. The compere (David Jacobs in later years) would introduce and play requests and dedications mailed by the public. (Many of the requests were dedicated to military servicemen at BAOR - the British Army On the Rhine [a post WW11 occupation Army in Germany]. That dates me!) From time to time the request would be for a recording of Jo Stafford singing “It is no secret what God can do”, or “Whispering Hope”...

In late September 1974 two young Americans arrived at my Theological College, St. John’s College, Nottingham, U.K. They were freshly minted from Williams College in Western Massachusetts, where they had been strongly influenced by a very evangelical Episcopal Chaplain. These two young Americans had been accepted for Ordination by the then (Episcopal) Bishop of Western Massachusetts, who had readily agreed to their requests to take some of their Seminary education in England. They were Peter Pierson, and his wife Mary who are now semi-retired and live again in Western Massachusetts. And Jay Haug (pronounced “Haig”) from Marblehead, MA. (These days he and his wife Claudia live in the Jacksonville, FL area, Jay has since left the Episcopal Church and is now a Baptist. He hosts a very right-wing radio “talk program”. (Jay and I were, in some senses, “ships passing in the night”. Jay was coming from a Broad Episcopal Church tradition, and moving towards a much more conservative and evangeli...

This month marks an anniversary of sorts. I have now lived longer in the United States than I had lived in the United Kingdom. I came here on or about July 7th 1976 when I was just over 32 years old. Now I am twice that age. Maybe tomorrow I’ll tell you a bit of how I came to be here. But for now, please know that my immigration to these United States has been all for my good. I have served four wonderful parishes in Massachusetts. In the Episcopal Church I have found a freedom to minister which would most likely not have happened in the Church of England - bound as it is by bureaucracy and class snobbery. I served under three great Bishops, (and three who were “not so hot”). My quality of life has far exceeded that which I might have expected as a Church of England Parson, so much so that I was able to retire at age 62. My late mother was able to make at least eight visits to the States. These visits enriched her life so greatly, and she made many friends here. Five of my eight ...

I did not add to my blog yesterday. This was because I could not connect my wireless keyboard via Bluetooth. I was entirely frustrated and ready to pay big bucks to a computer guru. But I figured out the problem this morning, and patted myself on the back for figuring it out, and for saving some money. After my Eye Doctor's exam this morning she declared that my eyes are very healthy, but that I needed a new prescription for spectacles. Off I went to an Optician, and discovered that I could buy new glasses at a bargain price. All well and good, until I discovered that the quoted price was simply for the frame. To include (the somewhat essential) lenses would more than double the cost. It was a bit like buying a new car at a good price, only to find out that the engine would cost more! Eyesight is one thing, but my left hand is still swollen, and quite painful, even after two weeks' worth of oral antibiotics. I'll see the infectious diseases Doctor again on Weds 16th ...

I toddled down to St. Boniface Church on Siesta Key for their 10:00 a.m. Eucharist. It was raining cats and cats (a wee bit of humour there), but that did not deter the good folks at St. B’s, so there was a good sized congregation. I sat, as I always do at St. B’s, with my dears Adrian and Anno Swain. (I have mentioned them in previous blogs). The Rector Ted Copeland preached. He was fresh from his European vacation. Ted is rather shy, but put him in the pulpit, and he is hot! He reflected on various world events from the past week. Ted mentioned the decision of the Church of England that women priests could be ordained as Bishop. He said something like this: “The Church of England decided that certain members of the human race who are made in the image and likeness of G-d, could be ordained as Bishop. They happen to be practicing…… ………………………………..................................................................................................................................................