Vicar's Letter

Dear Friends, 

I am sure that time goes quicker the older you get! Many of you may agree with me. Another month and another Inspire letter! I suspect it is not so much that we can't cope with the passage of time, but rather that we are still trying to complete the hectic schedules of our youth. It is good to see the energy and verve of young people at school and at college, but most of us have to work out a rather more considered and perhaps even staid life style where we have to put more thought into prioritising the use of our time. No one can do everything, no matter what we might think!

Time management is not always taught in school or college, but it remains one of the most important frameworks for our lives. Time might be called our fourth dimension. It is a dimension we cannot afford to neglect. I always say to those about to retire - keep your time management skills honed - otherwise you might even begin to wish that you were back at work! At the end of time I am sure that we shall have to give an account to God of how we have used or misused this fourth dimension.

This month sees our Diocesan farewell to Bishop Jack after over ten years as our Bishop at a final Eucharist in the Cathedral. Bishop Jack is presiding and so many people want to bid him farewell that there is a video-linked congregation extended into the Cutlers' Hall. We are very fortunate to have fourteen parish places for the occasion - split between the Cathedral and the Hall. Bishop Jack has had a very special place in our affections, which is quite an achievement considering his Lancashire roots! He has brought the red and white roses together and been a Bishop in both areas. He is "retiring" to Derbyshire at the end of July, but looks to having a very busy time as a retired Bishop.

If the whole process of finding a new Bishop of Sheffield goes extremely smoothly according to plan we might with luck even hear next month who is going to follow Bishop Jack. The processes of consultation continue but it could be the autumn before good news breaks. Personally I think that we shall be extremely fortunate if we have a new Diocesan Bishop installed before the end of the year - but time will tell! It is more likely to be by Easter 2009. In the meantime, after July 26^th Bishop Cyril, Bishop of Doncaster will carry through the interregnum.

How we use our time is often a measure of our commitment to something. As we approach the summer it might be a good time to reflect on an analysis of how we spend our time and what it says about our commitments. You might be amazed at how much time you spend asleep or eating or just watching television - the latter being a passively dangerous opting out of time! What are we actually committed to? Ranmoor people have often been described to me as "time poor" but "resource rich". How true is this - and should we do something about it, to get the life balance right?

All time belongs to God. It is appropriate therefore that we demonstrate a proper stewardship of this great gift. Most of us have been given at least three score years and ten to live God's life in all its fullness. The average male life expectancy at the time of St Paul was 28 years. St Peter and St Paul whose lives we celebrate at the end of this month (29^th) managed to pack in a tremendous amount of adventure and commitment in their short time on earth. We have nearly three times that average life expectancy. At the same time our brothers and sisters on the other side of Sheffield have an amazing fourteen years less life expectancy than us. What is our city's commitment to them? These thoughts raise all kinds of questions for us. It might be good to spend more time reflecting on them!

Your friend and Vicar,

David