When Linda and I were on an anniversary trip to London we took a side trip that included a brief stop in Oxford, a city famous for many things, not the least of which is the University of Oxford with its many colleges. A few weeks later , as I was planning a study leave, I came across a mailing about a seminar organized by two American clergy, a Lutheran and an Episcopalian, called the "Ecumenical Liturgy and Worship Seminar."
Having attended a seminar where the course on liturgy was required but given for no credit, I was interested in learning more about liturgy and decided to attend the seminar a year before the Study Leave anyway. That was the first of eight or nine visits to Oxford for a period of at least two weeks.
While at one of the seminars I first learned about "Shared Ministry," the approach to ministry which was being developed in the Diocese of Oxford and which is at the heart of this sabbatical journey. It is also where I first heard about the Rev. Robin Greenwood who has since become a mentor and friend to me and who actually helped me plan the itinerary for the first month of this journey.
I told Barrie that I wanted to visit Oxford to "see what's new," which is a joke I often tell about going into an antique shop. The city itself is beautiful (if you like old things -- something I am beginning to value more and more myself). It will remind me of times past, but I also hope it will inspire me for things yet to happen. I have seen and heard so much already from the scores of people I have met and visited with, that although I am just now beginning to relax a bit after nearly a month away, I am starting to think of new things we can do together as well as things I can renew my efforts to accomplish.
Going to worship and visit in Oxford is a chance to get back to where I can begin again.
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