Tomorrow I'm off to St Andrews for my first ministers' conference in Scotland. The programme looks rather different from those I've experienced in England, in so far as there are a couple of seminar slots when you get to choose from two or three options: this suggests it might well be a bigger event (or that the groups will be tiny). I'm not wild about something that finishes at ~7pm with a two hour drive home, but it will be good to experience this thing in all its fullness, so will avoid the temptation to duck out early. For the record, no, I won't be spoiling any good walks, not least as I wouldn't know which end of the bat to hold! ;-)
Even though I have met some delightful ministers through my college course (which I passed, woohoo, I'm now a thrice-qualified mentor) I am a bit apprehensive of being in such a different context. I recall the trepidation with which I attended my first EMBA conference and also how it soon became evident that others were equally anxious. I recall the grace and love that was evident among ministers and lay pastors as diverse in theology and church-personship as one could imagine. Whilst I will notice the lack of women this time (EMBA was unusually high) I am sure that there will be more that is blessing than bane.
Who knows, there may even be a few other Happy Heretics out there...!
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Well, you should meet my father there - not sure if he comes into the heretical category, but he's pretty happy! Hope it goes well, and give my love to St A's - I spent 4 very happy years there, and my ony claim to spoiling a good walk is building a sandacstle in the bunker of the 18th on the Old Course, very late one night......
You could enter the putting contest at "The Himalayas" - bats provided :)
Hello Radical Believer, nice to 'meet' you.
Um, not unless I was into ritual humiliation... seriously I don't know how to hold the 'bat' never mind hit with it. Ruth's sandcastles sound more my line!
If you want a retreat, the Whey Pat is by far the best pub in town. And their Nachos are to die for. I study in St Andrews (though sadly am at home in Didcot at the moment!)
Enjoy!