Young people from Eldroth performed a natiivty play during the carol service on 18 December.  Members of the cast were Tom Purcell, Molly Baldwin, Daisy Cook, Grace Airey, Luke Harrison, George Hopley, James Middleton and Leanne Booth, with carols played by Jess Davies.

SABBATICAL – REVEREND IAN GREENHALGH

8 JUNE – 18 AUGUST 2010

I was ordained in Liverpool Cathedral on 26^th June 1977 and so my first Sabbatical commenced after 33 years of ministry.

The first 3 weeks were spent cycling The Way of St James, heading for Santiago de Compostela.  We travelled to Portsmouth and sailed, with our bikes, on the ferry to Santander.  Cycling began in Irun and we commenced the official pilgrimage route at St Jean-Pied-De-Port on 11^th June.  We arrived at Santiago on 23^rd June and then, after a rail journey to the coast, cycled back to Santander.  During those 3 weeks we met some lovely fellow-pilgrims, passed hundred of walkers, visited many beautiful churches and cathedrals daily, and witnessed at the Pilgrims Mass in Santiago the swinging of the awe-inspiring botafuleiro, filling the sanctuary with its holy incense.  Wherever we went and whatever we stopped for: a coffee, a beer, a meal or overnight accommodation, we were made welcome.  The pilgrimage was indeed a great experience and a marvellous way to begin a Sabbatical.

I returned home via Oxford to visit my daughter who had given birth to my first grandchild on 24 June.  During a week at home I was able to do a few essential jobs: visiting elderly parents and gardening, then I went to Liverpool cathedral and met my rector from the three years I served as a curate, and we shared a lunchtime Eucharist in the Chapter Chapel.

I next went to Rome, taking Thomas, my son with me and staying just outside of the city by Lake Brocciano in the village of Trevigrano.  We loved our visits into Rome, in particular seeing the Bascillica – appreciating in many ways the roots of the Christian Church.  I was amazed at the thousand of pilgrims and tourists visiting churches, sitting and being quiet, including many young people and young couples.  Again I found, as I had in Spain, how precious a building can be.  It was good to have quality time with my son, to enjoy a lovely lake and amazing views, to run and swim together, and enjoy good Italian food.

On returning from Rome I had another week of catching up with family before going to Keswick for a wedding and then heading to Cyprus for two weeks (1-15 August).  Cyprus was more of a holiday giving me a chance to spend time with my wife, but also time to reflect and read a good book.

In conclusion my Sabbatical enabled me to slow down; no rushing from engagement to engagement, meeting to meeting, church to church, school to school.  The pilgrimage to Spain reminded me of community living, as most of our overnight accommodation was in monasteries / albergues where we shared a room with 20 – 40 fellow pilgrims; and how important it was to respect each other's very limited space  and the need to be quiet.  During the cycling I particularly enjoyed the times on my own, times to think, to sing, to appreciate some amazing scenery.

During the Sabbatical I felt very much in the presence of God, answers to prayer, especially with the birth of my grandson, and a few individuals who turned out to be angels of mercy.

My thanks to those who made possible such a great time of Sabbatical.