Ad Clerum – Petertide 2006

Dear Colleagues

Well, I’m back in hospital.  Once the shock had worn off I began to become a patient again.  The game-plan looks like being two further courses of chemotherapy, quite tough ones this time, hopefully leading to a bone-marrow transplant.  The exact time-scale is not known yet, because there are a number of imponderables to do with matching.  I have to say that I am finding the experience very interesting.  Back to genetics again.  I am told I have got good tissues, whatever that means.  Be assured, I am in good heart!

In my absence, the same arrangements obtain as before.  Bishop Trevor will look after the coming Ordinations, and the autumn confirmations, which will probably be re-jigged as last year.  The Archdeacons – including Caroline from September - will handle licensings in institutions.  The Dean will chair the two/three-weekly staff meetings.  But all sorts of things will get back to me – it is important with leukaemia to have a life outside the illness.

I am really delighted that last Saturday’s Diocesan Synod went so well.  The Dilloway proposals, suitably emended, can now at last be put into practise, in order to simplify and clarify our central structures.  All the other matters – like the Cathedral Appeal, the move of the Diocesan Offices – which I mentioned in my last letter can go ahead as well.

I am sorry to have let you down again like this.  In the past I used to preach a lot about the ‘God of Surprises’, and am now having to live with it!  Yesterday, I read here in my room of David and Goliath (1.Sam:17: 32-49) and Jesus stilling the storm (Mark4: 35-end) – which formed a poignant prelude to one of the Chaplains bringing me communion.  This morning I have been reading an extract from Francis de Sales’ ‘Introduction to the Devout Life’ which my training incumbent recommended to me years ago.  Needless to say, its theme is patience.

It is still ‘all systems go’.  Archbishop Rowan’s visit to the Diocese in November will be a great time for all of us.  I am writing a couple of Papers, some of the ideas behind which I will share with you in future letters.  I continue to pray for you all.

With every blessing.

+ Kenneth