Letter from the Master – March 2010

Thursday, March 4th, 2010 | Letter from the Master | No Comments

It is often ‘waiting’ that is the hardest thing to do. We need to be encouraged to explore our attitude towards waiting for God to act or waiting upon him, in his presence, just to be transformed by him, prepared for whatever the future may hold.

Jesus had to wait for his public ministry to begin – he spent time in the wilderness soaking up the isolation and the painful temptations put before him, and yet overcame that period of time stronger and then, filled with the Holy Spirit, was able to begin his public preaching, teaching and healing ministry.

The origin of the season of Lent, as you may well recall, is not just reminiscent of Jesus’ time in the wilderness, which is an important and secondary theme for the season, in which Christians undertake rigorous soul searching in the lead up to the celebration of the death and resurrection of Jesus – but Lent was first undertaken by baptismal candidates. It was seen as the final preparation before initiation into the Church in the Easter liturgy, and also those at that time who had been excommunicated by their sin were re-admitted after a period of penance.

As we approach Holy Week and Easter we have another chance to explore that time of waiting as we lead into the celebration of the death and resurrection of Jesus. On the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of Holy Week we have a Compline service and address. On Maundy Thursday there is the Holy Eucharist which then leads into our vigil. On Good Friday there is the Liturgy & Meditation (12-3pm) service with Ann Lewin leading the Meditations; and on Easter Day we celebrate that Christ is Risen!

So why not during this Lenten time reflect upon how we might use our time more effectively for the Lord, as we continue to learn what it means to wait on God and find our strength in Him.

“I believe that I shall see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!”

Psalm 27:13-14

Michael

Letter from the Master – January 2010

Monday, February 1st, 2010 | Letter from the Master | No Comments

MASTER’S LETTER

Previously I have been asked to write a little to explain my role as the Archdeacon of Winchester. Recently my role as Master of St Cross has been reviewed by the Trustees, so I thought that it may be of interest to you to write a little on that too.

The Diocese remains committed to the spiritual and pastoral role of the Master of St Cross, and delights in the history and tradition of the Hospital. But it recognizes that the role has changed recently due to two things. First, combining the role with that of Archdeacon of Winchester limits the time available for the Hospital. Secondly a change to the Charitable Scheme, by the Trustees, confirms the Master as just one voice amongst fifteen regarding the Governance of the Hospital.

Several aspects of the perceived role of the Master involve that of Governance, which now no longer applies to that role any more than to other Trustees. Therefore, a revised Role Description needed to reflect that change.

The role of the Master reflects that of a parish priest in the pastoral and spiritual oversight of the Brothers, as well as sharing in aspects of Governance with other Trustees. In this he should:

1. Read prayers every morning or cause the same to be read
2. Hold the service of Gowning of new Brothers; and approve the Order of Service of Gowning
3. Offer recommendation to the Board of Trustees of a nominee for the post of Chaplain, and supervise his/her role.
4. Receive and act upon requests from the Brothers to absent themselves from Matins or to be excused from wearing their gown and hat.
5. Review a Brother’s position should the number of absences from the Hospital exceed twenty eight days in any one year.
6. Attend the Quarterly Trustee and Welfare meetings.
7. Attend the bi-monthly Brothers’ Forum
8. Interview prospective new Brothers with another Trustee, and recommend their admission (or non-admission) to the Trustees.
9. The Master can delegate tasks (especially the following), to the Chaplain as it is appropriate:
10. Visit the Brothers, and be available to help and support them where necessary, and bring to the attention of the Clerk to the Trustees any concern regarding a Brother’s well-being.
11. Provide, or cause to be provided, quarterly updates to the Board of Trustees on the welfare of the Brothers.

Despite reviewing the role, and recognizing the changes, the role of the Master is still both rich and enjoyable, and I find it something that I enjoy doing. It isn’t clearly defined in terms of hours or days, but is often interwoven into the other roles that I hold. I can have a parish or a diocesan meeting in my study at St Cross, as well as acting as Master with my concern for the Hospital. When I go into the diocese I very often wear the Master’s cross which reminds me and others that I have another role too.

Michael

Letter from the Master – December 2009

Friday, December 4th, 2009 | Letter from the Master | No Comments

I remember my first Christmas in my four country parishes in 1986.  We had recently moved from Southampton, where my young daughters had spent their early years. In contrast our home parish was very rural, deep in the north Hampshire countryside.  I took the girls for a walk across a field just after a morning snowstorm.  The earth had mingled with the whiteness to give a dirty, mottled appearance. My youngest daughter, thinking aloud, said ‘Daddy, what’s all this brown stuff?’ She was too young to realise we were walking on the ploughed earth, covered in fallen snow.

For several years this incident came to mind, because it reminded me of something so simple, yet so profound, about Christmas. God, the Church, can feel remote (and irrelevant) to many people, but God was telling us through the first Christmas that he is deeply in touch with us. Jesus was born homeless, in a dirty stable, and soon learnt the hurts and sadness of life. The white purity of God mingled with messy human lives.

As you celebrate Christmas, remember that God in Jesus came to share the difficulties of our lives. But that his own death on the cross was not the end, for he became the Risen Lord, and is alongside you and me in all that we have to face now.

Happy Christmas!

Michael