[TSSF-studies] RE: TSSF-studies Digest, Vol 4, Issue 26

bill chapman bill-chapman at pilgrim-env.co.uk
Tue Feb 21 12:29:00 GMT 2006 

To be a Franciscan is not about 'self', it is about carrying the Lord into
situations that are difficult and challenging. If we are not careful we can
become too comfortable in our journey. Francis would say that we should not
be looking for comfort, but discerning the work that the Lord has given to
each one of us to carry out in his name.
William tssf 

-----Original Message-----
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To: TSSF-studies at justus.anglican.org
Subject: TSSF-studies Digest, Vol 4, Issue 26

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Today's Topics:

   1. Re Ministry - Church/TSSF/balance/david Burrows paper
      (wendy davies)
   2. Re: Re Ministry - Church/TSSF/balance/david Burrows	paper
      (sarah lawson)


----------------------------------------------------------------------

Message: 1
Date: Mon, 20 Feb 2006 15:00:29 -0000
From: "wendy davies" <wendy at aston1954.freeserve.co.uk>
Subject: [TSSF-studies] Re Ministry - Church/TSSF/balance/david
	Burrows paper
To: <tssf-studies at justus.anglican.org>
Message-ID: <01b601c6362e$bd7b2e80$769887d9 at freeserve.co.uk>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Andrews advice about the most recently posted paper (David Burrows -
reflections on Collaborative ministry)plus Penelope Fletchers comments last
week about the need to be Living Stones in our own churches and to beware of
closed cells - plus Sister Avrils thoughts on being "knocked back" (how
familiar that was!) have made me wonder if I could ask if anyone has yet
found the right balance between ministry in TSSF and "Church"/Real life out
there?

Its something I am struggling with at the moment - the TSSF group I am in
feels more like community than my church to which i feel  i can offer
increasingly less in terms of ministry. Its limited to a monthly teen
worship group at the moment which the main church seldom seems to take
notice of - and I feel i cant cope with anything but the quiet of an 8am
Eucharist (held in one of two sister churches on alternate weeks) As often
happens "my" church is dominated by a small group who effectively say how
everything goes and after years of battle in industry i dont feel inclined
to battle on this front too (when i did try I had Avrils experience and I
still bear the scars - though similarly to her case I found it possible to
grow in a better relationship with one of the 2 dominants!)
Must we have a ministry in TSSF or Church - Maybe for some of us our
Franciscan ministry is simply in family life or in another group??

i dont know.
Any views welcome - Andrew has just suggested I try AngFran so i will do
that.

Apologies if this is too trivial for most of you - I hope it doesnt result
in too much emailexasperation. thanks for any thoughts
Pax et Bonum!
wendy
ps I am a novice - not sure about profession yet.
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Message: 2
Date: Tue, 21 Feb 2006 10:01:36 -0000
From: "sarah lawson" <sarah37 at blueyonder.co.uk>
Subject: Re: [TSSF-studies] Re Ministry - Church/TSSF/balance/david
	Burrows	paper
To: <tssf-studies at justus.anglican.org>
Message-ID: <004501c636cd$cef9c9b0$2ddf2852 at 040088220349>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Dear Wendy - Church/TSSF/balance/David Burrows paper

Reading your 'thoughts' was most refreshing, helpful and anything but
'trivial'.

I am always glad when we are struggling with inner thoughts or conflicts -
it speaks to me of being alive and responding with an open heart.

After receiving so much mail I too struggled and questioned if tssf studies
was for me.  I found myself going over my stepping stones to my decision to
join the Third Order.
It was a good exercise reminding myself of how I was captivated as a young
mother with  the story of Saint Francis - how something stirred within and
then lay quietly until mid-life.  I am sure that what I had read inspired
and guided me.  In later life when I again read this time about Third Order
and Saint Francis- it touched that place and I followed it all the way to
being Professed in the Third Order.   I knew without doubt,  that my heart
had already accepted this all those years before.  I love being a
Franciscan, I love belonging with people who engage with the core of Saint
Francis and his life.  Beyond this - and how I work this out is partially,
but not totally defined.  I struggle to be free when I am tied down to
methods and procedures/small groups or hard study.   It is not that I do not
agree with such things - it is just that the procedure and methods of small
group or study is perhaps viewed and lived out differently.  

When I first received the e-mail inviting me to join the tssf studies group
- I had a feeling of thankfulness.  Thankfulness of my belonging and contact
with my wider group of Franciscan brothers and sisters.  I found it a way of
being in contact that does not involve dates, diaries and pressure of time.
A way of sharing with each other.  I am sure Saint Francis would have
approved.  It is another way of sharing, being in community and study.  

That your Franciscan life goes out into family and other groups in the
community is important and precious.  The Franciscan life is one of freedom
to serve where we feel we are called and family is very important.

I cannot conceive of Franciscan ministry as being about pressure.

Francis fought to keep free from heavy weighted rules that hindered life and
engaging with people.  This I loved in the blessed man.
Much love to you Wendy as you journey in the Franciscan way of Life.

Pax et Bonum
Sarah





  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: wendy davies 
  To: tssf-studies at justus.anglican.org 
  Sent: Monday, February 20, 2006 3:00 PM
  Subject: [TSSF-studies] Re Ministry - Church/TSSF/balance/david Burrows
paper


  Andrews advice about the most recently posted paper (David Burrows -
reflections on Collaborative ministry)plus Penelope Fletchers comments last
week about the need to be Living Stones in our own churches and to beware of
closed cells - plus Sister Avrils thoughts on being "knocked back" (how
familiar that was!) have made me wonder if I could ask if anyone has yet
found the right balance between ministry in TSSF and "Church"/Real life out
there?

  Its something I am struggling with at the moment - the TSSF group I am in
feels more like community than my church to which i feel  i can offer
increasingly less in terms of ministry. Its limited to a monthly teen
worship group at the moment which the main church seldom seems to take
notice of - and I feel i cant cope with anything but the quiet of an 8am
Eucharist (held in one of two sister churches on alternate weeks) As often
happens "my" church is dominated by a small group who effectively say how
everything goes and after years of battle in industry i dont feel inclined
to battle on this front too (when i did try I had Avrils experience and I
still bear the scars - though similarly to her case I found it possible to
grow in a better relationship with one of the 2 dominants!)
  Must we have a ministry in TSSF or Church - Maybe for some of us our
Franciscan ministry is simply in family life or in another group??

  i dont know.
  Any views welcome - Andrew has just suggested I try AngFran so i will do
that.

  Apologies if this is too trivial for most of you - I hope it doesnt result
in too much emailexasperation. thanks for any thoughts
  Pax et Bonum!
  wendy
  ps I am a novice - not sure about profession yet.


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