Priests need Priests

Today, as has been my "tradition" these past three weeks, I have met with my clerical neighbour The Rev'd Chris Hayes each Wednesday morning. Our time together has been to share a cup, or three, of coffee and support each others ministry. Encouragement and listening has been the hallmark of our relationship and these mornings.

Often we might think that our priests function in a vacuum, kind of like local sheriffs in the old west with total control and total independence. In fact we are quite the opposite. We uphold our fellow clerics, as we do all people in our prayers, in order to build up the body of Christ. Community is the key word and intent of every Anglican priest. I know that while on the Coast it was the aspect of my ministry I most missed and needed. I needed a confessor and a guide. I needed someone who knew the vocation and could hear resonances with his or her own ministry. This relationship with Christ, and I am sure others, feeds my spirit and helps me to continue to grow and learn. What a blessing it is to be open to Christ through relationships such as this.

Today we were not in our usual meeting place but the home of a famous clown... and movie ("Supersize Me"). I hope and pray my doctor doesn't see my tray :-)