The Community opens its doors for its annual Family Fun Day on Sunday 1 July, from 1pm till 5pm. Families are welcomed in to the grounds for a day of fun, family friendly activities, entertainment and refreshments. Supported by a volunteer army of brethren, staff, CR companions and others, the day is being organised by Tony Devine, CR’s Head Gardener.

Attractions will include a selection of games, face painting, a tombola, bouncy castle and, of course, welly wanging. All are welcome to explore the grounds or take a tour of the Church.

We are still looking for donations for our tombola stall, if you have any unwanted gifts etc and would like to donate please contact Tony on 01924 494318.

April is now over, and I have been a brother of the Resurrection for seven weeks. We had a really wonderful Eucharist on March 12^th to mark this, which incorporated the profession rite. Thank you to those of you who came and also those who prayed in absentia. Please may you continue to do so? In some respects, this article comes as belated news to our friends and supporters, but nevertheless, I felt it was important to let you know how it’s all going.

The short answer is ‘well.’ Day-to-day life is really no different to the experience of the novitiate in terms of getting stuck in and embracing the offers and challenges of the tasks that come one’s way. There is newness insofar as an increasing sense and level of responsibility goes. I am being asked (and reasonably expected) to assume more and to be challenged further. This is good; in some ways it resembles a career-type progression which is wholly appropriate to my age and stage of life. I am appreciating the chance to investigate my own habits of learning and study within the life a little more, as this is quite closely directed in the novitiate period.

Fr Nicolas has agreed to act as my ‘warden’ during the period of simple vows, and I know I will be able to rely on his frankness and clarity of guidance as we all continue to discern the way forward with God who goes before us.

Another aspect of profession that one notices a little more is the sense of being ‘one of the family’ just that bit more. There is a greater sense that one has been ‘gotten used to’ now. Any previous desire or perception of the need to prove oneself is unnecessary, and there is a deeper freeing up to enter further into the life which calls us. This life is God in Christ.

I continue to enjoy and welcome the engagement with Christian life that CR brings, and pray that my vocation will continue to be lived through being here for the years to come. I know that it is a gift of a position, in which ‘hands are freed to welcome others into the radiant splendour of God’s love.’ So I carry on being thankful that my own hands feel so freed, that they might lead others to His love’s freedom. I carry on being thankful, with all my brothers, for your generous prayers and support.

Marc CR

We are still receiving donations for the upcoming auction, which is being held on the 23^rd June at the Community of the Resurrection. Some of these donations are very interesting and attractive, and some are quite unusual!

Pictured left are some WWI shells which have been turned into vases.

Pictured right (bottom) is a silver thurible, and (top) right is a cloak clasp.

If you wish to donate or enquire contact Fr John Gribben CR jgribben@mirfield.org

 

 

 

 

 

We are very sad to be saying goodbye to the Revd Dr Rowena Pailing after Easter. Rowena joined the staff of the College in 2012 as Dean of Pastoral Studies. This is a complex task that requires some of the skills of a magician, fluent multi-tasking, thick skin, the patience of Job, and the grace of all the saints put together. Rowena has triumphed in every part of the role and leaves behind a web of friends and supporters. There is seemingly no limit to her skills: early in her College career she heralded the arrival of the mighty haggis at our Burns night celebration with some powerful  (and tuneful) squeezing of the bagpipes… We shall greatly miss Rowena, her husband Crispin, and Ambrose and Jerome and very much hope that they will all keep in touch with us.

Peter CR

 

 

 

Those of you who visit or contact Mirfield on a regular basis may have noticed a few new names and faces on site since the start of the year.

We welcomed Mike Street into our Guest Hospitality Team at the beginning of January – although he has settled in so well that it probably appears to many as though he has been here much longer!  Working alongside our Guest Warden, Revd Barbara Clarke, and Beth Harper in the ‘Mirfield Centre’ team, Mike brings with him a wealth of experience in customer and support services, developed during his career at Oldham, Burnley, York, Tameside, Kirklees and Calderdale Councils.  Mike will administer Retreat House bookings for individual guest stays and programmed retreats, and support Beth in her administration of Day Events.

Anisha Christison began working for the Community and College in mid-February as Academic Librarian, giving her support and assistance to the Brethren, students and Guests using the site’s two main libraries.  Anisha, a Chartered Librarian, joins us from the National Coal Mining Museum in Wakefield where she managed the Museum Library Service for 11 years.

Anisha writes….

I’m from Yorkshire, but have married a Scot – Andrew! We have two boys, Roshan (13) and Nihar (9).  I love to cook, bake and collect recipes, and I have just started to learn how to knit. I’ve been a Librarian for many years working in lots of different libraries along the way. I look forward to working on the libraries here, very much.

Celebrating Holy Week together has been one of the most important features of my time at the College of the Resurrection. Many of the Brethren spend the week in parishes, so from the First Evensong of Palm Sunday the seating in Upper Church is rearranged, and the College shares the obligation of the Community to pray the Offices and Masses of Holy Week.

More than thirty guests also joined us this year for Holy Week (or just the Triduum), and the College’s Refectory during meals became as full as the Church. The rhythm and routine of CR that we particularly adopt for the week allows time for building friendships, but also leaves space for silence and reflection. The Revd Prof John Rodwell gave some challenging addresses on the nature of our connection with the whole of creation, and Fr Ben Gordon-Taylor again delivered his excellent series of lectures on the development of Holy Week liturgy.

Once the Mass had been celebrated on Maundy Thursday we remained in silence until the Easter Vigil. The Offices during this time become shockingly sparse, much is spoken rather than sung, and it is as if all creation is left in silence by the events of Good Friday. The triumphant fanfare of organ, bells, and singing at the Easter Vigil proclaims in no uncertain terms the joy of Christ’s Resurrection.

Guests are always welcome at Mirfield for Holy Week, why not be among them next year?

Sebastian Hamilton CoR

On January 22^nd I arrived in Mirfield after a long journey from Berkeley, California, where I am in my second year of training for ordination in the Episcopal Church. A new exchange program between my seminary, Church Divinity School of the Pacific, and the College of the Resurrection was created this past fall, and I was eager to embark on an adventure as the first person to make the trip. In these first two months I have cherished the opportunity to participate in the common life of the College, to worship alongside members of the Community, and to engage in parish placements here in Mirfield. After some years in California, witnessing a proper snowfall or two has also been a treat! The College and the Community are such treasures; the commitment to God and to one another is palpable in so many ways, and I pray that more of my classmates in the U.S. will have the chance to take part in the richness of life here. When I return to Berkeley in June I will have countless beautiful memories, some dear new friends and colleagues, and a lifelong connection to this peaceful, vibrant, and holy place. I believe that Christ calls each of us out into the world to leave behind the familiar and thus to grow deeper in relationship with Him; for me, Mirfield has been the place to do just that.

Phil Hooper

This piece of embroidery was loving crafted by a Brother CR during his prayer time.

‘Pray while you embroider’! The Brother would like to sell it for £65, and hopes that this isn’t too much to ask.

We are having to say that it was crafted by a Brother CR because I’m not allowed to tell anyone that it was made by  Simon CR. So, please don’t tell anyone or make a fuss!

Please contact 01924 483304 for more information

Happy Lent!

Jacob CR