Personal
I have moved from a sheltered, exclusive Christian background to one where I begin to see myself as a Christian in a world of religions. I have to think of ceding claims to unlimited absolutes and move towards something more simple. That is about learning to live with paradox. Faith is about being comfortable with uncertainties. Life is an adventure; not a set programme of rules. It is about not being scared of differences, religious faiths, sexuality. It is about not living by rote with outdated responses, but enjoying and celebrating our diversities. It is about not passing by but an honest facing of reality.
I begin to understand the thinking of Lord Herbert in the 17th century: ‘It seems mean, base and unworthy of God to hold to any doctrine that condemns the far greater part of humanity to eternal perdition, because it appears outside the scope of Christ’s redemptive death’. Christ was lifted up ‘for all’ ... not just for some.
Ministry
I have had a career of training and collecting achievements in caring for others. Vocation is more than career. It is what makes us lose sense of time and worries, it is what fills us. Career can be about doing, vocation is about becoming. It knits skills with values. Where this meets the overpowering needs of humanity then that is the point of vocation.
So I do not care about labels, whether gay or straight, black or white, liberal or conservative, or even about being politically correct. My vocation is to serve others with love and peace. I was ordained within the Society for Independent Christian Ministry and I am a companion of the Society of St. Francis. I have had involvement with a cathedral chaplaincy team and am currently part of a hospital chaplaincy team.
Therefore I am freely available to show interest, to pray, to help celebrate or mourn, to be alongside, in whatever ways are appropriate. Please contact me by email, sebasti471@aol.com.
