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Dear Friends, 'You do not know what it's like to be old but we know what it is to be young'. This was said to me many years ago by a priest's widow, when I was presumably trying to jolly her into some activity she wasn't to be jollied into. It's more confusing these days than it was. At one time old people were old - they acted and dressed old. Nowadays society seems to rely on the 'retired' to keep things going. The younger folk of both sexes are so busy with work and children, though many are also active in the community as well, but 'volunteers' are being constantly sought and these are often found amongst the 'older' folk. Old People's Groups are often manned by those who are older than the folk they are set up to look after. Why has this come into my mind just now? I think because as the traditional holiday-time comes upon us, everyone seems exhausted. End of term activities build up in the schools to a great crescendo; many organisations have a final fling in Many or June before going into hibernation for the summer. The Church has had its AGM in the form of the General Synod. I suppose exhaustion is on my mind, having come back from it. Truth to tell three days of working through reports is tiring and needs a fair bit of concentration; but with it being residential for the first time, on the campus of Aberdeen University, it made the social side more demanding than normal. It was wonderful to catch up with folk from all over the Province and find out how Church life was going for them. It is, however, many moons since I was a university student, when sitting talking into the early hours and getting up for a nine o'clock lecture was taken in one's stride. The Synod this year was businesslike but the cut and thrust of debate was somewhat muted. As a priest from Ireland said at the end though, the general feel was positive. The Church did not spend its time and energy moaning about decline but seemed to be confidently looking forward and trying to build on the good foundation we have. There is an energy in the Episcopal Church just now, even if I am feeling a holiday would be welcome. The papers on Woman Bishops and Human Sexuality did not cause great storms. The Church does not have a common view, but perhaps we are learning to listen to one another, even if it does mean beginning by collecting a series of divergent opinions. After all as the priest's widow pointed out to me I did not know what it was like to be old - apart from growing old, one only learns by listening with a certain empathy to the life experience of others. If you are going on holiday I hope you have a time of refreshment and return reinvigorated. If you are not, I hope you enjoy the summer and find time to relax. Contrary to popular belief God does not go on holiday in the summer, so we can take time to refresh ourselves spiritually as well physically and we will find our Christian commitment renewed. Janice |