Some dates stand out more than others, and I have been looking forward to writing this September’s letter for some time, because this month is a very special one for me. Not only is this month one where I celebrate 13 years as Rector of St Matthias’, and I have now served here longer than in any other parish, but it is the month when I become (officially!) a Senior Citizen, though I don’t feel one at all.

Originally, I had intended to retire at the end of the month, and in my diary there is a large exclamation mark against September 30^th, although my retirement has been put off, by a few months at least. More importantly for me, it is also the month, when, on the 26^th, I celebrate the 40^th Anniversary of my Ordination.

 It seems a long time since, at the age of 10, I wrote on a piece of paper in my Primary School that I wanted to be a Vicar. To this day I am not sure why or how that happened at that time, but, as the days passed, my certainty grew, until, when I was 13, I had been to see the Director of Ordinands in my Diocese, and I was on the ‘official list’ of those seeking ordination, which would be unheard of these days.

 The next 12 years were quite a struggle. Like any teenage boy, I had my rebellious moments, wanting other jobs that were more exciting, that paid better and so on, but every time I tried to drift away, God called me back… through events, through things people said and did and, looking back, I became increasingly aware of God’s hand at work, as I have done in the years since. 

College was difficult, not only because my father became terminally ill during my first year, and died before I had finished my studies, but also because what I was studying challenged everything that I had been brought up in. My faith had to change from a childish one to an adult one, and the journey was not easy. It was nice sticking with the child-like certainties, but I could never have done this job without growing up, physically, emotionally and spiritually.

That Sunday in September 1971 in Manchester Cathedral, with my mother sitting just behind me, was an incredible one. I somehow knew that this was my purpose, my life, and I was intensely happy.

But the life of a clergyman has never been easy, and the transition from the Theological College euphoria of believing that I was God’s answer for the Church of England, and the reality of when my personal spiritual rubber hit the parochial road, with all its ups and downs, was a hard lesson to learn.

But here I am, 40 years on, as convinced in my faith, as convinced in my calling and as certain of the goodness of God as ever I have been. It is a very different job now to the one I came into, and the Church of England is changing so fast, that sometimes it seems hard to keep up. In some ways I am looking forward to eventually retiring, not so I can take it easy, but so that I can do more of those things like teaching and preaching that I believe it was called to do.

And there is the added joy this month as Mark Lord-Lear is being ordained to work at St Matthias’, responding to his calling rather later in life that I did! I know you will support him, such support is essential. It is very difficult for someone who hasn’t been ordained to realise the immense change in life and lifestyle that ordination involves, and I am grateful for the support of those in my first parish, some of whom I am still in touch with, who kept me going the right way.

So please pray for Mark and Diana, and give them your support too. Please also give your support to Paul and Tessa, as Paul has been accepted for ordination, and his course starts in September. The course is a demanding one, and Paul will be under pressure many times in the next three years. My experience of answering the call of God is that there couldn’t be a better life. My prayer is that Mark and Paul discover that too. I have never regretted for a moment saying ‘yes’ to God, I can’t imagine not being ordained and I have never wanted to do or be anything else.

God is good, so join me in that celebration of his call this month.

 May God bless you all, in all your journeying,

Gordon Percy

PS. As you may realise, the magazine, in its printed form, has ceased production as there was no one who would be responsible for its preparation. We have decided to print the ‘Rector’s Letter’ on our website. Let us know what you think…