A few weekends ago I got to go and visit the wonderful city
that is Newcastle upon Tyne.
Below are a few thoughts about my 8 years and three months
in the North.
1. Faith
It would be wrong of me to not put this first on the list.
Although I went to Newcastle a Christian, I'm tremendously
grateful for the growth in faith I experienced over my time there.
Through solid teaching and wonderful opportunities to serve
I had some great times.
All of it was capped off by my time on the staff at JPC
where I got to serve on a brilliant team and (hopefully) was able to help a few
people.
And whilst I don’t agree with everything the church teaches
and would change it in about a billion ways I am incredibly proud to be
associated with it and the work it does.
2. Friendships
I left Newcastle with some incredible friendships which I treasure
and hope will be long-lasting.
I had the privilege of meeting some truly beautiful women
who have helped me and changed me a lot.
There’s no way I could call the guys ‘beautiful’, indeed ‘regularly
showered’ wouldn’t be especially accurate.
But I'm incredibly grateful for their support and for those
who were and are particularly close brothers whose prayers have upheld me.
3. International friendships
To my shame I didn’t have many friends from other countries
until I studied for my Masters.
It really was a joy to spend part of that year learning about different
cultures and ideas.
And it was incredibly good for me to be a white English male
and to be in the minority – interacting with people from different backgrounds really is humbling
and eye-opening.
In addition it’s great to know I have lots of accommodation
options for holidays around the world!
4. Solitude
I really am a solitary figure and find a lot of rest and
peace in my own company.
For a while this was quite a battle for me but I’m starting
to find real it makes me happy.
It’s not that I don’t want to be around others (well
actually it sort of is!), just simply that being on my own is how I recharge my
batteries.
I’m determined to change and be a better people-person but
also kinda like my life, so we’ll see what happens.
5. Relationships
Epic poems have been written about some people’s deep
passions and erotic conquests.
In stark contrast, my love life barely has enough material
for a mediocre haiku.
Being single at my age was nowhere near my plan but I’m
aware that I couldn’t have upped sticks, moved to Norwich and become a
videojournalist and newsreader if I was attached.
I’ve had a pretty good strike rate putting couples together
but nothing ever worked out for me, with rapid rejection become the norm.
It’s just too hard, so (for the moment at least) I’m giving
up.
6. Books
Those who know me know I love books.
Maybe it sounds crazy but my books are some of my best
friends, teachers and companions.
They bring great people and amazing events into my living
room and can be an incredible resource and an absolute joy.
One of the more revealing facts about the last few months - I’ve
barely met anyone since moving to Norwich, but I have read six books!
7. The North
Before I moved to Newcastle I really didn’t get the North.
To me Geordies were a mysterious people who lived somewhere
between Harrogate and Edinburgh.
In essence I thought they were Scottish Yorkshiremen - such
is the ignorance of a southerner.
In fact they are an amazing people, helpful, kind and with
an incredibly positive attitude.
Also if ever you need someone to punch a horse......
The North is also a beautiful part of the country, with a
sunny day in Northumberland being a view to match anything else in the UK.
Add in the Lake District and the wonderful and magical place
that is Lindisfarne and it’s a damn fine place to live.
8. Skills learnt
Over my time in Newcastle I learnt a few new things, some
self-taught and some learned with others.
My Bible handling and knowledge increased greatly and
hopefully allowed me to help others.
Also I got a great experience of pastoral work through being
at JPC, working and chatting to people aged 0 to 90+.
The experiences all those people gave me were incredible.
Along with ministry stuff I left Newcastle a fully-trained
journalist, able to hold a camera and point it in roughly the right direction
AND having mastered the dark art of shorthand.
Add in rediscovering a love of rugby, qualifying as a
skydiver and starting to learn to play the guitar and I took on quite a bit!
So there we are, eight things that spring to mind this
evening.
I’m convinced that it’s good to review life and I think I’ve
changed a lot.
In fact I can’t even imagine meeting the Mark Summers that came to Newcastle
in September 2005.
Those changes are good though, part of the human journey of
understanding that we’re all on.
Debate warmly encouraged.
