Author Archives: 1urcher

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About 1urcher

Erratic Vicar

Starting out I was a rubbish evangelist

Posted on September 26, 2016 by 1urcher

As I said yesterday, I spent two years with the London City Mission Voluntary Evangelism Scheme (1986-1988). I have to say I was a rubbish evangelist. I was by disposition so introverted I would jump at a brown paper bag … Continue reading →

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1986 and all that

Posted on September 25, 2016 by 1urcher

It was sometime in August 1986 that I got the coach from Sheffield Bus Station to London Victoria. I was going to London for 3 weeks to be a summer evangelist with the London City Mission. I was met at … Continue reading →

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I still lament: one week on

Posted on July 1, 2016 by 1urcher

I decided I wanted to Remain. More people it seems wanted to Leave. I accept that I am democratically defeated at the ballot box. If you are with the centre-left politically, it is not an unusual experience. I do not … Continue reading →

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A question of belonging

Posted on June 22, 2016 by 1urcher

I am voting Remain. I don’t claim to be anymore patriotic than someone who is voting differently to me. In truth, this Referendum, which I regard as needless, has highlighted tensions in our nation that will take some time to … Continue reading →

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Words are not isolated

Posted on June 17, 2016 by 1urcher

When I was writing about childlessness many years ago now, I said the words to describe those who were involuntarily childless were always entirely negative: childless, infertile, impotent. Such words defined someone by what they are not. Words have in … Continue reading →

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Faith Pictures…. Give it a whirl

Posted on June 13, 2016 by 1urcher

When I was a child, even growing up within a bog standard Parish Church in Sheffield (if there is such a thing), I was used to people from time to time confidently (in an Anglican sort of way :-)) asserting … Continue reading →

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Godparents: in praise of them

Posted on June 12, 2016 by 1urcher

I sort of had godparents. That is to say I was baptised by a nurse. Anyone can baptise. You do not need to be ordained. I was then welcomed according to my baby book, which was amongst my mum’s things, … Continue reading →

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The Vanguard

Posted on June 11, 2016 by 1urcher

I am a priest-theologian. Whilst it is my own particular view that all priests should be theologians; that is to say those who make sense of the words, works and ways of the divine to the world; I am aware that … Continue reading →

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Messy Church: where am I up to?

Posted on June 11, 2016 by 1urcher

I come clean. I am Messy. I like Messy Church. I can create disorder and chaos in the tidy and neat without too much problem. I have been involved in Messy Church for about 10 years, in rural Cumbria, urban … Continue reading →

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24 hours in Nant Gwrtheyrn

Posted on June 9, 2016 by 1urcher

The Bishop of Bangor regularly gathers Ministry Area (MA) Leaders from across the Diocese of Bangor to confer, consult, laugh and learn together. I have just returned (9 June) from one such 24 hour event. They usually take place in Nant … Continue reading →

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