First there are are curates who come here to train
So they don't make the same mistakes over again
Stay for the long haul through fire and rain
Embrace the diaconate; try to stay sane
Stay for the long haul through fire and rain
Embrace the diaconate; try to stay sane
Pioneer ministers - new on the block
Out on the edges and far from the flock
Their lack of traditionalism can be a shock
But give it a few years before we take stock
Out on the edges and far from the flock
Their lack of traditionalism can be a shock
But give it a few years before we take stock
Associate Vicars are semi-detached
They're like normal clergy with more jobs attached
Missional policies all newly hatched
Youthwork and priesthood and culture all matched
They're like normal clergy with more jobs attached
Missional policies all newly hatched
Youthwork and priesthood and culture all matched
Who'd cure souls if there wasn't a vicar
Listen with patience then make us go quicker
Move us to healthiness when we are sicker
And manage to do this without too much liquor
Listen with patience then make us go quicker
Move us to healthiness when we are sicker
And manage to do this without too much liquor
Rector or vicar - you may find a tension
In fact they're the same but a different dimension
Subtle distinctions not worthy of mention
It makes little difference to the size of the pension
In fact they're the same but a different dimension
Subtle distinctions not worthy of mention
It makes little difference to the size of the pension
Ridiculous is the next stop from sublime
An Area Dean at the heart of my rhyme
The powerless in middle management time
Installing potential and sniffing out crime
An Area Dean at the heart of my rhyme
The powerless in middle management time
Installing potential and sniffing out crime
Sub-deacons, precentors, some canons and more
Lead worship more formal (they mainly do awe)
Processions and vestments and knowing the law
You want charismatic, they'll show you the door
Lead worship more formal (they mainly do awe)
Processions and vestments and knowing the law
You want charismatic, they'll show you the door
The next, ex cathedra, will rarely be seen
At home in the structures; liturgically keen
Magnificent, masterful, moody and mean
You pay to get out if you chat with the Dean
At home in the structures; liturgically keen
Magnificent, masterful, moody and mean
You pay to get out if you chat with the Dean
If you're an archdeacon the pleasures are fleeting
You get to enjoy on the way to a meeting
Remember the name of the one you are greeting
And never look bored at the mention of heating
You get to enjoy on the way to a meeting
Remember the name of the one you are greeting
And never look bored at the mention of heating
Who'd be a bishop you need to be strong
The pay is depressing the days are so long
You only get noticed when things have gone wrong
Lamenting more tempting than cheerful song
The pay is depressing the days are so long
You only get noticed when things have gone wrong
Lamenting more tempting than cheerful song
Assistant and suffragan ones are the crew
They do all the jobs that the Lordly won't do
While other diocesans, forming a queue
Head up committees, enquiries anew
They do all the jobs that the Lordly won't do
While other diocesans, forming a queue
Head up committees, enquiries anew
In charge of a province archbishops are found
Inspiring, accomplished, respectful and sound
Head in the heavens and feet on the ground
Episcopally governed, synodically* bound
Inspiring, accomplished, respectful and sound
Head in the heavens and feet on the ground
Episcopally governed, synodically* bound
If the least will be most and the most will be least
Then the line might go backwards to enter the feast
To the sick and the sad, the perverse, the deceased
Well after the first year we're all 'just a priest'
(*for 'synodically' the spell-checker suggests 'spasmodically')
(*for 'synodically' the spell-checker suggests 'spasmodically')
St Perran's Day 2020
3 comments:
Read several pages of this blog which i stumbled across. Left wondering how anyone can use so many words to say so little !
Rumbled
Wonderful attempt at distinguishing the merely from the mighty. Now I know even less than I did before but enjoyed the journey. Thanks.
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