Funerals are never easy, but today I had two within the space of three hours. I know some English colleagues will laugh, but that’s the first time I’ve done two funerals in the one day in 30 years of ministry. Not to be recommended. Two days of preparation and visits, publishing personalised Orders of Service Books, and the weather, dull and showery, just made the whole two-funeral thing make me feel numbed by death and grief.
It’s not that I’m without faith in life eternal and our glorious hope through the resurrection of Jesus. It’s just the grief of the people you love and care for, and the inability to take away their pain and loss. Sometimes ministry is shitty.
Added to that, someone, not a member of the congregation, has written to the Dean and made outlandish accusations about me and how I have handled the plans to build our new Church Hall. The allegations are totally unfounded and would be laughable if I hadn’t now had to dig out old pewsheets, magazines, minutes, and drawings, get in touch with the architect and Town Planning to justify the actions of myself and the Vestry, (PCC), here in St Aug’s.
This man obviously has something against me, I know not what, but he’s created a burden which I could do without. He has also raised considerable anger among the members of the congregation who have heard of the allegations.
Nope! Sorry! But I’ve handled everything in accordance with Canon Law, and with the complete support of the Vestry and congregation. It’s sad, in our small community, that someone could cause so much pain and hurt, and cause so much trouble by telling downright lies and smearing my name and the way I handle congregational affairs. He’s not even a Communicant Member, and never has been! I forsee a lawyers letter winging its way to him soon.
So…. the anti-depressants are kind of crucial today. I know the Blog Community will uphold us all in their prayers.
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