A few months ago I posted on a not untypical day in the life of a parish priest. In my new role things are equally varied but in very different ways. Here is my day today.
0650 reveille
0745 we send an email to console no1 son in Lawrence who has broken his mobile - hit by a cricket ball when it was on his pocket when he was in the nets.
0800 Mrs M and no3 son leave for school
I review my speech for later
0815 depart to visit the Anglican chaplain at S Pancras station whom I am to supervise. (Morning Prayer said on the tube.)
0855 finally find national rail reception on the station. Conversation about pastoral work on the station; work with homeless; ministry to the staff and shopkeepers; funding the chaplaincy; looking after the Eurostar queue when the snow strands hundreds; planning for terrorist and other emergencies.
1040 taxi to House of Lords. An expensive mistake. It would have been quicker to have gone by tube or Boris Bike; I was under strict orders to arrive on time and followed advice to get a cab. It did at least give me a moment to copy up my speech a bit more legibly.
1110 Delighted and relieved to bump into my Area Bishop at Palace of Westminster security as it meant I was not late.
1130 Through security and on to House of Lords Committee room for launch of a report on the work we are doing to support the community and build new church work at Tottenham Hale. This is a massive student and housing development - we are asserting that here and elsewhere in London new developments need to have a community heart if they are not to become the slums of the future, and saying that the Church of England is ideally placed to be the lead partner in making sure this happens. 1210 Following the Bishop of London. speak to assembled company of Lords, MPs, business, charity and community leaders on the project. Unusually nervous about it.
1220 The diocesan strategic development officer speaks making reference to Basil Jellicoe. (BF 1912)
1320 Lunch in a local sandwich bar with the Area Bishop to catch up over a number of things we are dealing with in the Archdeaconry.
1440 Set off on a pleasant walk across Green Park to the offices of Korn Ferry for the Haileybury Society Trustees meeting at 1500. Budget for next year; the work of the Society; risk management among other things on the agenda.
1640 Leave the meeting early to get to the Edmonton Area Council.
1700 Arrive at Diocesan House in Pimlico just in time - having used the tube - for Evening Prayer and the meeting.
1845 The meeting over, we gathered to say farewell to my PA who is retiring after serving three archdeacons over the last 17 years.
1930 Arrive back home to grab my Sea Cadet uniform cap and cycle to the Sea Cadet unit.
2000 Arrive at Sea Cadet Unit half way through the annual inspection evening. Delighted to see the Rep Deputy Lieutenant there - she is very good company.
2245 Back home again. Desk
2350 Write this post and off to bed.
