The good people of Christ Church Oakworth and St John's Newsholme heard the news at their Eucharists this morning that I am moving in 2008 - and this post is the blogging equivalent ahead of the formal press announcements tomorrow.
From June 1st 2008 I am moving to be "Chaplain to the Scottish Ports" working with Mission to Seafarers and The Scottish Episcopal Church alongside ecumenical and inter-faith partners.
For the equivalent of two days each week I shall be based at Grangemouth, working with other colleagues in the port - giving a rooted-ness to a role that will range across mainland Scotland and The Isles for the rest of the time.
Mission to Seafarers is an international missionary society of the Anglican Communion and you can read of its work here and I will be working closely with the The Scottish Episcopal Church and David Chillingworth (Bishop of St Andrews, Dunkeld, and Dunblane) who will be known to many south of the border through his blog Thinking Aloud. and chairs the Society's Scottish Council.
For the family this will plainly be a big change from Pennine Yorkshire, and we hope to be living in the Linlithgow area and there is much excitement in the household as we are finally allowed to tell friends and colleagues. Having grown to love so many parts of Scotland over the past 30 years on our main annual holidays we are looking forward to being Scottish residents.
For my wider commitments and priestly ministry there are also some implications which it would be as well to spell out at this stage (if only perhaps to head off any uncertainties) - and save a considerable amount of individual communication at a hectic time of the year.
I have decided, after in some cases nearly 20 years of involvement across Lancashire/Yorkshire (with only two exceptions who I have already spoken to), that I will end all my existing commitments south of the border by Easter 2008. How this happens will depend, but with the clear completion target of Easter. So pleased be willing to talk this through with me in the New Year.
I will be also ceasing my other charity consultancy and trusteeships. I may well pick their Scottish equivalents where they exist and as seems appropriate, but I am also being pressed to allow more time for music and writing.
Of course personal friendships and professional and artistic links will continue.
Your prayers would be much appreciated for all involved.
Welcome to Bonnie Scotland! Congratulations on your new post. Have read your blog for some time so it's good to get another blogger up here. I used to be Priest in Charge in Linlithgow until a few years ago and I know they will make you very welcome. Looking forward to meeting you at the Clergy Conference or thereabouts.
Posted by: Ruth | 16 December 2007 at 16:08
Congratulations Tom. Hope the move goes well and looking forward to meeting you when you come north.
Posted by: Kelvin | 16 December 2007 at 16:22
Tom
We are delighted at your news which is great for Scotland also. It will be quite wonderful to have you living, creating and simply being among us. A frequent visitor no more!!
Posted by: Susie and Ken | 16 December 2007 at 17:00
I am just stunned and rather tearful in the very best of ways - I know that you will think it irredeemably soppy, but this is just the best early Christmas present. Bless you and yours this Christmas and with all the move. Speak soon and see you in June sometime.
Naomi, Leslie and all the Cartoon team.
Posted by: Naomi | 16 December 2007 at 17:20
Congratulations on the new appointment... when you venture north try to make contact with Peter and Dorothy Neilson who produced the Church of Scotland report "Church without walls" http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/churchwithoutwalls/index.htm
Posted by: Mark | 16 December 2007 at 22:31
Just gone in having heard the news via a text from Jason. Congratulations on the new role - very suitable to your skills and creativity - lots of opportunity for writing, training and using good communications.Personally I shall be sad to see you move so far away - but it has the advantage of "forcing" a new start. Scotland's gain is Yorkshire and Bradford Diocese's loss.Will you put the details on TLL.net please. People will be quite shocked I think.
Posted by: Paul | 16 December 2007 at 23:54
WOWSADFORUSGLADFORYOU
Posted by: Kim | 16 December 2007 at 23:56
Wow! Congratulations, prayers and many blessings.
Posted by: Kathryn | 17 December 2007 at 13:54
Hi Tom,
May I add my welcome to you - as Port Chaplain based in Aberdeen for the Sailors' Society, I am sure that our paths will cross and I look forward to both fellowshiping with you and working with you under Christ.
It will be a tough ministry - many changes from pastoral work - I know having left 4 churches to take up this post in 2001. Yet it is also a very rewarding and enjoyable ministry - especially the ship visiting! ;o)
Do let me know if I can be of any help to you, but I am sure that Robin Underhill will guide you into a smooth transistion north of the border! Linlithgow is a lovely place to live - much better than Grangemouth itself - a wise decision I am sure!
My prayers are with and for you and the family as you re-locate to Bonnie Scotland - may it be an uneventful journey into fruitful service for the King!
Yours Because His,
Seachaplain <><
Posted by: Seachaplain | 09 January 2008 at 10:53