First published 15th May 2023
Last week (w/c 7th May) my attention began to turn towards the journeying part of my sabbatical. I’ve rested and relaxed, visited mum and dad, caught up with friends for coffee and beer, now is the time to get serious, get to the holy bit – the pilgrimage. As I worshiped in St Pauls, Hills road on that Sunday morning I was encouraged by a great sermon and a line in one of the hymns, which asked us ‘what are you here for, who is this for?’ This part of my sabbatical is for reflecting on my ongoing journey with Jesus. The plan for the week was about spiritually preparing myself to meet with Him on my pilgrimage…oh and to get one or two last minute little jobs done on Molly.
Only it didn’t quite work out like that. It was quite a frustrating week. The ‘little jobs’ turned out to be quite a big jobs, honestly I don’t know when I will learn. Drastic action had to be taken, the door had to be removed and cut open, new tools had to be bought (that’s not frustrating, that’s quite fun really) and the chief mechanic’s assistant, had to call in the assistant chief mechanic’s assistant to help! The prospect of finishing the door by the end of the week was looking so bleak at one point I googled “are you allowed to drive without a door”. (The short answer is it isn’t illegal – but frowned upon.)
Thankfully towards the end of the week it looked like I would have a door, it may not be pretty, but it’s a door. Still feeling grumpy that I had wasted my week and wasn’t spiritually preparing, my thoughts again turned to the pilgrimage and the first stop, St Paul’s cathedral. I checked the email and noticed that the sacristan had informed me that Friday 19th is “the feast of St Dunstan, a London saint.”
Does that mean they want a sermon? Will someone ask me about St Dunstan? Who on earth was St Dunstan?
St Dunstan, according to the book ‘Celebrating the Saints’ was a monk who devoted his life to “creative pursuits: illuminating, music and……metalwork”. Metalwork!!! He is the patron saint of bell ringers, blacksmiths, goldsmiths, locksmiths, musicians, silversmiths and now (hopefully) rusty old camper vans.
There are lots of myths and stories around St Dunstan, including battling with the devil with horseshoes and hot ironmongers tongues. He fell in and out of political favour with various kings but eventually became Archbishop of Canterbury in 957AD. It turns out he is the one responsible for some of the traditions that went on in the coronation service of King Charles III.
As I read about him, one quote from the Life of St Dunstan stood out. St Dunstan “delighted with leisure for prayer, he seemed to speak with God.” I love the idea of leisure for prayer, and I realised that this is of the things the sabbatical has given time to do. Not as formal and structured as I often do, I enjoy the discipline of the daily office, but more of the informal chatting to God as I go about the day. My head is not as full with work and plans, my mind feels clearer, rested. I’ve had time to pray for friends and parishioners who I know are going through so much at the moment. It’s been a good discipline for me who always wants to try and fix things, at the moment the *only* thing I can do is pray. In the last four weeks there has been a lot more of that, for which I am really grateful. Even last week in the dash to find the right tool and buy the bits I need, as I welded and sanded and filled and swore – prayer was said, perhaps not the most eloquent prayer but definitely heartfelt.
The good news the door is back on, the pilgrimage is on, I don’t need to write a sermon and I am gearing up for an early start on Friday. Nerves are kicking in, will I forget my cassock, how to preside? Will I remember how to use the complicated London diocese cycle of prayer sheet? Will Molly make it to London with the door still on?
Asking for help from Saints is not really in my tradition, but as I glance nervously at my last bit of metalwork, maybe this time, say one for me St Dunstan!
VWPilgrim 
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