90-year-old retired vicar seems likely to beat current record breaking Land’s End to John O’Groats cycle run to become the oldest person to complete the gruelling journey
#PeterLangford set off on epic #Lejog trek on August 23, just 3 days after his 90th birthday - it was his 4th end-to-end #cycle run in the last 16 years
“I took it very, very slowly because of my age and it took me 30 days,” said Peter
#CofE #vicar ‘spiritually abused’ parishioners for 20 years, report finds
Rev Michael Hall, who died in 2021, belittled and humiliated members of his Buckinghamshire congregation
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jul/21/c-of-e-vicar-michael-hall-spiritually-abused-parishioners-says-report
#Religion
I forgot to add so many things to my intro. I have #epilepsy and I’m probably #neurodivergent (just going through assessment).
I love #ClassicalMusic and #jazz. I have a #PhD which has been almost useless in my professional life.
I talk like a #vicar, not in the sense that I preach, but in the sense that I have a ‘BBC English’ accent (should I have hashtagged vicar? Meh, I’ll leave it).
My SO runs a #yoga class in a local #ChurchOfEngland hall. Although she is a trained #yoga teacher, this particular class is really an #exercise session for some older people.
Nevertheless, the new #vicar has refused #permission for any more sessions because of the #word #yoga. They made no attempt to find out what really goes on. #Sad
#bigotry
Artist: #Moxaico in City: #Vicar #Almería Spain - Title: "Ventum" - (for #ViveVicar Hip Hop Festival) - #Streetart #Art #Mastoart #Mural #GoldenGirl #Artwork
Thoughts for fellow #clergy and other #church leaders:
#Advent and #Christmas are times for some of the coziest and most joyful gatherings. But, speaking as a colleague who can no longer work due to #disability, I invite you to consider ways to make these gatherings more inclusive to the #disabled and medically vulnerable.
A friend is exhausted from the need for accommodation of their family's disabilities being entirely on their shoulders, while their church continues to plan events that are inaccessible to them.
I am isolated from the organized church because #COVID is too risky for me and others in my household.
Many in the #disabled and #ChronicallyIll community are incredibly hurt by a society that has collectively decided to move on without us, to be unconcerned about spreading a virus which could kill us. Don't let the church be a part of this default eugenics.
Reach out to your disabled and chronically ill members and local community. Ask them what would enable them to participate with minimal risk.
Be willing to consider holding some events that are masked or outdoors (or both!) Know that that indoor potluck you're planning will likely cause someone to have to make a decision between keeping themselves and loved ones safe, and the mental and spiritual benefit of engaging with the congregation.
You may need to take the initiative on this, because most of us have already been crushed into silence by society's disregard of our lives. I know, you have so many things to do right now, so much planning and juggling, and congregational personalities to manage. But please, take a moment to reach out to someone like me, like my friend. You may be the star of hope they need to see.
Thanks for listening.
PS: If you would like more information, try this link from @PeoplesCDC -- https://peoplescdc.org/2022/11/17/safer-in-person-gatherings/
I'm new here having fled birdland.
I've connected with some tweeps from there here too.
I'm liking it here though. A bit about me:
- I'm just 50
- I'm a #vicar
- I'm a #metalhead
- I like #jazz
- I have an MA in #theology that the theology department thought was about Art, & vice versa.
- I've live in France & miss it
- I've visited Sweden & dear friends there many times.
- I joined a union last year.
- I have 3 teenage children. 1 is enby.
- I love cooking
- I love obscure films
By way of #introduction, I have returned to #Wolverhampton, UK, after retiring as #vicar in the #ChurchofEngland. I served in #Walsall, #Oadby, #Islington and #BuryStEdmunds.
My interests include #theology, #ukpolitics, #electronics, #microcontrollers (specifically #ESP32) and #amateurradio #hamradio #QRP.