Church in a spin

Past, present and future

2008 begins in Scotland. It’s both beautiful and slightly surreal. We have walked up through a Scottish forest and are standing in pouring rain overlooking Loch Fyne with pheasants flying overhead proving their clear superiority to the guns below us. Beaters are walking down the hillside opposite and five wonderful retrievers are waiting behind us, slightly redundant as yet another pheasant makes it to safety across the valley. Far from stepping into the new year, it feels like stepping back into an imagined past and an imaginary world, especially when we return to the castle of our hosts (pictured) for lunch of shepherds pie, wonderful puddings washed down with claret.

But of course it’s nearly 2008, not the 19th century, and I’m brought abruptly back to the present by sad news in a text message of the death of Bishop Ralph Emmerson at the age of 94. I didn’t know Bishop Ralph while he was an active priest in the diocese of Ripon. Hardly surprising – remarkably, his first curacy (in Leeds) began before the outbreak of World War II. His final post before retirement was as Bishop of Knaresborough in the 70’s. But in 2000, aged 86, he made an announcement that was to surprise and delight those who knew him and put him on the front page of nearly all the national newspapers – his marriage to Elizabeth Firth, also widowed, and a long time friend. Remarkably, she had been a member of his youth group in Headingley in the 1950’s and he had conducted her first wedding. Of course, at 86, he wasn’t keen on a ‘lot of fuss’ but we agreed on a one-off photocall/ press opportunity on the lawns between his home and the Cathedral. I recall suggesting that there could be three or four cameras and a couple of reporters, which proved a bit of an underestimate. But it all went well and the reporters got a lovely story. I’m sure Ralph and Elizabeth had a very happy few years together.

So a sad piece of news as the first press release of the year, but one with a level of celebration and thanksgiving too. I was pleased to be able to say something about Bishop Ralph on Radio York this morning, while reviewing the papers for the Sunday breakfast programme. Next Friday’s Requiem Eucharist in the magnificent setting of Ripon Cathedral where Bishop Ralph and Elizabeth were married, should be a memorable occasion. Thoughts and prayers to her and her family.

Labels: Bishop Ralph Emmerson, New Year, Radio York, Scotland

posted by John Carter @ 3:42 pm