Reflection I’ve fallen in love with Calderdale and its people
month writing down some reflections about the world, about Calderdale, and to note some of the things we ought to celebrate as well as the things which challenge us.
I hope that some of my writing will stimulate conversation that is encouraging to strengthen community life and for us collectively to do the right thing as villages and towns, and as individuals and communities.
You certainly don’t have to agree with me but it would be nice not to receive nasty letters and emails from readers who want to have a go at me or the Church of the England in general.
I hope over the months to share something of what its like to be the Vicar of Halifax, for it too has its many joys and rewards, but also its sorrows and challenges, things that give me energy and get me up in the morning, and those things that sap your strength and when people say hurtful and horrible things about you.
I came to Halifax in 2007 having spent twelve years in Manchester.
Before Ordination I was a professional musician and sang in the choir of Coventry Cathedral and sang Oratorio with numerous choral societies and music groups.
My music took me across Europe, America, even the Caribbean.
It was a good bachelor life, but then God had other ideas, and suddenly I was married and I felt the call to serve
God in a different way, and after a few years of denial and exploration, I found myself training to become a vicar at Sarum College in the Close at Salisbury Cathedral, followed by Ordination in Manchester Cathedral in June 1996, serving first my Curacy in Moston in North Manchester, and then my First Incumbency as a Vicar in Chorlton cum
Hardy, on the banks of the river Mersey and in South Manchester.
During this time children began to appear on the scene with three born in Manchester all at St Mary’s hospital, and then a little surprise six weeks after arriving in Halifax – he’ll be the only one allowed to play cricket for Yorkshire.
One of the challenges about being a vicar is that you have to live in the community in which you work and serve, and that means moving home with your family where ever God calls you to go, and then you have to make you it the place in which you work, live, have your leisure, and watch your family grow up and leave home, just like the rest of the population.
wI’ve come to Calderdale and fallen in love with it, I’m so lucky to be here surrounded by the hills and the many opportunities that exists here, and lots of people who have been so kind and generous to me.