At the moment, Emma and I are nearing the end of a two month
sabbatical at Westminster College, Cambridge (http://www.westminster.cam.ac.uk/).
It is a centre for training URC ministers, the URC (United Reformed Church) being
a union of UK Presbyterian, Congregational, and Church of Christ churches (http://www.urc.org.uk/). It is one of the
privileges of being Presbyterian to spend time here, enjoying free board in a
little cottage, eating and worshiping with the college community, and writing.
We also get to experience Cambridge.
Cambridge is an interesting place. Compared to home in
Auckland, although there are a range of students from around the world, it feels
quite monocultural and well to do. It is full of amazing colleges where many
greats like Wilberforce were educated. The river Cam is delightful as a place
to have a punt, for walking and riding. It is full of tourists and has a really
great feel. I love the names of the parks, like Jesus Green or Christ’s Piece.
Everyone here seems to bike, so we have joined the party hiring
bikes and doing a lot of cycling around the town and out on the bike trails to St
Ives, Ely, Newcastle, or Saffron Weldon – a great way to see the countryside. Some
of this we have done with members of the Cambridge Cyclist’s Touring Club (CTC)
in Cambridge, a social cycling group in Cambridge. They have been warm and
welcoming and great company (http://www.ctc-cambridge.org.uk/).
We have got to see many small villages, all with village greens, pubs, and
churches.
For an Aucklander, the weather has been a challenge, it has
to be said. Although the locals tell us it is quite nice at the moment, we have
found it cold – about the same as a normal Auckland winter’s day (aside from
when there is a real southerly flowing through). It has also rained on most
days. While the CTC cyclists were very road-smart, the cyclists here are in
many cases, mad. They cut through traffic crazily. Very few wear helmets. It is
quite chaotic and dangerous. The pedestrians are equally dangerous with people
walking out in front of bikes and cars – you have to be on your guard at all
times! Many times I have had cause to question the spatial awareness of locals –
I wonder if that is the English rugby team’s problem. We will find out in the
next few weeks of rugby tests I suppose.
The pubs are fantastic but vary madly in price. If you come
here, ask the locals! You can get two red wines for £3 ($6 NZ) in one pub, and
across the road pay £9! That said, the pub culture and food is great – if you
like that sort of thing. Because of travelling, we haven’t got to church much,
but the Holy Trinity night service is great – great worship, preaching, and a
mainly university student feel. Loved worshiping there.
We have also jumped in the Tardis and watched Coronation
Street live, two years ahead of NZ. Basically the cast is the same, but they
have all swapped partners. Soaps are all the same! It will be fun going home
and filling in the gaps.
The URC is a very mixed church, with evangelicals and
liberals living together. The sexuality issue remains unresolved and is yet to
be fully tackled. That will be an interesting journey indeed with varying views
as there always are. Aside from that elephant in the room, I think the URC has
a positive future with strong unity and signs of renewal.
I had an instant connection with the principal Neil Thorogood
who lived many of his formative years in the Cook Islands as did I, and his passion
for mission. The college is in good hands. The NT lecturer and soon to be
General Secretary of the URC, John Proctor, is a wonderful man full of the
Spirit and it is exciting to see him take up his new role in the URC. I have
connected with many students and other Sabbaticals. There are some great people
heading out into ministry.
I really encourage other PCANZ ministers to take up this
opportunity. It is a great springboard for weekends traveling in the UK and
Europe. If you do, fly from Stanstead (easy by train) or Cambridge itself. You
will be warmly welcomed and cared for. The College is also undergoing
renovations and is a great B and B for any travellers – a short walk from the
centre of town.
Soon we head to Israel for another part of our adventure. I
am looking forward to that greatly.
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