Roger Scoones' Monthly Dialogue
Rev Roger Scoones
Rev Roger Scoones is Rector of St Mary's Parish Church, Stockport and is a well known figure in the local community.
May 2009
May
begins on a happy note. I don’t know why I should expect people to
remember my birthday when I’m hopeless at remembering theirs! I suppose
the fact that May 1st is a Red Letter Day, in some countries, helps. In
the Church’s calendar it is such a ‘Red Letter Day’ being the Feast of
St Philip & St James the Apostles, which has always pleased me! This
year I shall be attending a St George’s Day lunch to celebrate,
belatedly our nation's Patron Saint of whom we actually know very
little. It seems extraordinary how much importance we attach to myths
and legends, when there are some very inspiring people alive today whose
example and whose lives have influenced and inspired countless millions
of people thanks to the wonders of modern technology and communications.
On the second Sunday of May we shall be thinking of Vocations to
Ministry, focussing naturally on the role of the lay and ordained
Ministry in the Christian Church. It’s part of a National Focus Day, but
I’m glad to be making it personal with the help of a friend from my
first parish in Liverpool (UK) (All Saints, Childwall) who has been
“called by God” to serve in the Ordained Ministry, with a wealth of
experience both in Church life and in the world of business. People who
say the Church is losing its appeal and is out of touch with the world
would do well to look more closely at how vocations are being fostered
and enabled in the Church of England. Many fine gifted men and women are
offering their lives, often at great personal cost to themselves and
their families to serve God and the Church today.
In May the Archdeacon of Macclesfield (No. 2 to the Diocesan Bishop –
otherwise known as “the Bishop’s Rottweiler”) gives his charge to the
Parishes, and swears in the Churchwardens and sidespeople – again a
clear indication of lay involvement and commitment of time, talents and
energy on many people’s part.
On May 22nd we are privileged to host a Choir from France “Chant Rive”
from St Lattier Isere, who will give a Concert in St Mary’s in company
with the Dovedale Singers. This promises to be a very special evening.
We are a superb venue for Concerts of all kinds.
And so life at St Mary’s continues quietly on, but ends with the great
service of the year, the Annual Civic Service which will be attended by
the New Mayor of Stockport, Councillor Colin MacAlister. The Preacher
will be, for the first time, the new Bishop of Stockport, Rt. Rev.
Robert Attwell. St Mary’s is the Civic Church and has traditionally
hosted the Civic Service which used to be held with much pomp and
ceremony on the Sunday after Mayor-making. Social habits and budgets
have changed dramatically over the years and this is now quite a low
key, and yet still dignified occasion.
I look forward to it and I look forward to June!
Roger Scoones