Wedding

Ordination in Sheffield

With the newly ordained deacon, Rev’d Dagmar Wilkinson © Ricky Yates

I spent from Thursday 29^th June – Tuesday 4^th July in the UK, staying with my son Phillip and daughter-in-law Lisa, at their home in Nottingham. I was able to spend time with them both and also with my daughter Christa, son-in-law Ian and grandson Finley, at their home in Daventry.

However, on the morning of Sunday 2^nd July, I set off early to drive up the M1 to Sheffield Cathedral, in order to attend a service for the Ordination of Deacons. One of those to be ordained was my Czech friend Dagmar Wilkinson.

Dagmar comes originally from Kuncice pod Ondrejníkem in North Moravia but has been living and working in the UK for about seven years. She discovered the Church of England whilst working in a pub which was adjacent to Portsmouth Cathedral. She started worshipping there and in due course, became Head Server.

Dagmar first found me via this blog over four years ago, at the time when she was beginning to explore the possibility of a vocation to train for ordained ministry. It has been my privilege to support her through the various hurdles she has had to jump through, culminating in being recommended for training following her Bishop’s Advisory Panel (BAP), earlier in 2015.

Dagmar has spent the past two academic years, studying theology at Ripon College, Cuddesdon, just outside Oxford. She was very fortunate in being to arrange for her four-week long summer placement in July 2016, to be at Westminster Abbey. But one thing not allowed by this Royal Peculiar, was for her to preach, something that is normally part of a long summer placement – see my post about Lea Williams and his time in Prague.

Therefore at the suggestion of her Placements Tutor, Rev’d Dr Jane Baum, Dagmar asked if would be possible for her to preach at St. Clement’s, Prague, whilst in the Czech Republic visiting her family. So on Sunday 7^th August 2016, Dagmar was the preacher at our Sung Eucharist that morning. She also willing agreed to help me with a bilingual wedding the previous day, between William (English man), and Kristýna (Czech lady), held at Chateau Trebešice, near to her brother’s home in Caslav.

At the wedding of William & Kristýna © Ricky Yates

Having been released by Portsmouth Diocese, Dagmar found a training parish for her curacy lying between Sheffield and Rotherham – the Benefice of Aston-cum-Aughton with Swallownest and Ulley. Hence her Ordination as Deacon, took place in the Diocesan Cathedral in Sheffield.

The ordination service was a wonderful occasion featuring hymns and music across the Christian spectrum – from Graham Kendrick’s ‘Restore, O Lord, the honour of your name’ to ‘Veni Creator Spiritus – ‘Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire’. I very much enjoyed meeting members of Dagmar’s family who had flown over for the occasion, along with several of her UK friends. Equally enjoyable was meeting Dagmar’s training Incumbent, Rev’d Frances Eccleston and discovering amongst other things, that like me, she was born in Coventry. And it was to the day, the twenty-eighth anniversary of my own ordination as a deacon on 2nd July 1989.

Standing between Dagmar & her training Incumbent Frances, surrounded by Dagmar’s family & friends © Ricky Yates

Here we all are, following the ordination service. A great privilege to stand between two ordained ladies!

Mariánské Lázne

Mariánské Lázne is a spa town in West Bohemia, located not far from the German border. Better known by its German name of Marienbad, in the nineteenth century, it developed as one of the top European spas, popular with notable figures and rulers who often returned there on numerous occasions.

To meet the needs of these international visitors, a whole series of hotels, colonnades and other buildings were constructed. These included Churches of different denominations, all located in relatively close proximity to each other.

This is Kostel Svatého Vladimíra, the Russian Orthodox Church. It is still in use, though the number of Russian visitors has dropped considerably in recent times, because of the serious fall in value of the rouble.

Kostel Nanebevzetí Panny Marie © Ricky Yates

Here is Kostel Nanebevzetí Panny Marie, the Roman Catholic Church, dedicated to the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It was constructed between 1844-1848 in the ‘new Byzantine style’, according to my research.

Evangelický kostel / Protestant Church © Ricky Yates

Squeezed between two taller and grander buildings, is the Evangelický kostel / Protestant Church. It was built to meet the needs of Protestant guests, in the years 1853-1857, from the public subscriptions of German Lutherans. In 1907, stained glass windows were added, donated by Kaiser Wilhelm II. It continues to be used for worship by the Ceskobratská Církev Evangelická, the main Czech Protestant Church.

And yes – there is also an Anglican Church. It is a classic example of a red brick Victorian Church building and was consecrated by the Bishop of Bath and Wells in 1879. My understanding is that it fell into disuse, some time in the late 1920s–early 1930s, when a combination of the Stock Market crash of 1929, and the subsequent rise to power of Adolf Hitler, meant that British citizens no longer came to take the waters.

Former Anglican Church in Mariánské Lázne © Sybille Yates

Sybille and I had twice previously visited Mariánské Lázne during the early part of our time in the Czech Republic, but on both occasions it was in winter and the Anglican Church building was snowbound and locked. So I was very pleased that when I was there again last Saturday, that it was open and I was able to go inside.

Since the early 1990s, the building has belonged to the Mariánské Lázne Town Council, who use it as an Exhibition and Concert Venue. But the reason I found it open was because it was being made ready for a wedding that was to take place there later that afternoon. No doubt this would have been a civil ceremony, conducted by the local registrar. The main reason that I was visiting Mariánské Lázne was to conduct a religious wedding, following the liturgy of the Church of England, but at a different venue. Somewhat ironic to say the least!

Plaque commemorating King Edward VII worshipping in the Anglican Church © Ricky Yates

Of the original interior, the only remaining features are the pulpit and this marble memorial plaque from 1911, commemorating the frequent visits of King Edward VII, both as Prince of Wales and later, as King. I knew that this plaque existed and was very pleased to be finally able to see it, and get a photographic record.

The smaller colonnade being made ready for the wedding © Ricky Yates

Finally for this post, here is the smaller of the two colonnades in Mariánské Lázne, being made ready for the wedding I was there to conduct. The larger colonnade is featured in the first photograph of this post. The happy couple were Bismark and Hannah. Bismark comes from Ghana whilst Hannah was born in Norway, but of Ghanaian parents. They met whilst both studying medicine in Hradec Králové and are now working as doctors in Norway.

They originally asked if I would conduct a service of blessing for them, following a civil marriage. But once I explained that I could legally marry them, they gladly agreed. We did have a few problems, convincing the local registrar that I could conduct a legal marriage ceremony for them. However, we did eventually succeed. Below are the happy couple, following their marriage.

Bismark & Hannah following their wedding © Ricky Yates

More about the wedding of Phillip and Lisa

My postcard © Ricky Yates — My postcard. Photo © Ricky Yates

One of the delightful features of Phillip and Lisa’s wedding were the individual touches they created that made every guest feel welcome. One of these was a named envelope, marking the place where each person was to sit at the reception, which contained an illustrated postcard with a personal message on the back.

Apparently, during her childhood, Lisa spent numerous holidays in Skegness, a traditional British seaside resort on the Lincolnshire coast. Phillip recreated his own version of a famous 1908 poster by the illustrator John Hassall (1868-1948), produced for the Great Northern Railway, declaring that ‘Skegness is SO bracing’.

Here is mine, declaring that Coventry, the city of my birth and the first eighteen years of my life is, ‘SO bracing’ 🙂 Whilst the artwork is a fairly accurate recreation of the original poster, it does contain a typical Phillip Yates addition of a squashed beer can on the beach 🙂

As well as my personal postcard, there was also a wrapped present from Phillip and Lisa, awaiting me at my place on the top table. It contained this inscribed beer glass, with the contraction of their names as ‘Phlisa’, which also appeared on their wedding invitations.

My postcard & inscribed beer glass, together with the EU flag © Ricky Yates

However, inside my beer glass was a further gift – an EU flag – emphasising my strong support for the ‘Remain’ cause, in the recent referendum. Apparently Hugh, Lisa’s father, also received an inscribed beer glass. Inside his beer glass was a Scottish flag, in recognition that, although of Irish heritage, he was actually born in Glasgow 🙂

The wedding of Phillip and Lisa

Welcome poster featuring Phillip's artwork. Photo © Ricky Yates — Welcome poster featuring Phillip’s artwork. Photo © Ricky Yates

On Saturday 30^th July 2016, I had the privilege of officiating at the marriage of my son Phillip, to my new daughter-in-law, Lisa. The wedding took place at the Parish Church of St. Jude, Mapperley, Nottingham and was followed by a reception in the neighbouring Church Hall.

Phillip and Lisa announced their engagement in December last year, whilst on a short trip to Lisbon, Portugal. In early January 2016, Phillip wrote to me saying that they planned to be married in July this year and would like me to officiate, if I would be willing to do so. My response was that if that was what both of them wanted, then I would be more than happy to officiate and would regard doing so as a great privilege.

Fortunately, having bought a house together late last year in Mapperley, Nottingham, they discovered that their local Parish Church of St. Jude, was just five minutes walk away from their new home. They went to see the Vicar, Rev’d John Allister, who agreed to them being married at his Church as they resided in his parish. He was also perfectly happy for me to officiate, subject to the agreement of his bishop.

At John’s suggestion, I wrote to the Chaplain of the Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham, seeking her boss’s agreement to me officiating. After she had made contact with my diocesan bishop, twenty-four hours later, I received an email with a delightful typo. It gave me permission to conduct ‘the weeding’. I did reply saying I was surprised that my gardening skills had become so well-known 🙂 In turn, John replied saying that there was plenty to do in the Vicarage garden!

Phillip and Lisa, immediately following the marriage service © Ricky Yates

I have to say that I found conducting the wedding of my son quite a moving experience. I was therefore very pleased that the ceremony did have its lighter moments. The first of these was when I said the famous words, ‘First, I am required to ask anyone present who knows a reason why these persons may not lawfully marry, to declare it now’. Lisa turned her head and gave the congregation such a look, that laughter ensued.

Rev'd, Mr & Mrs Yates © Kathy Garner — Rev’d, Mr & Mrs Yates © Kathy Garner

Then I had to deal with an over enthusiastic bridegroom. ‘Phillip, will you take Lisa to be your wife?’, I asked. ‘I will’, he immediately replied, before I could ask the rest of the question – ‘Will you love her, comfort her, honour and protect her, and, forsaking all others, be faithful to her as long as you both shall live?’ I did then get a second ‘I will’, having completed the question.

After Phillip and Lisa had made their marriage vows to each other, the plan was for my grandson/Phillip’s nephew, Finley, to bring me the rings. But having taken one step forward, he then dropped the box containing the rings, straight onto the floor! Fortunately, Adam, the best man, rescued the box and brought me the rings for them to be blessed and then exchanged.

At the end of the marriage service, I experienced an interesting change of role. Having pronounced the blessing of the whole congregation and sent the new Mr and Mrs Yates off down the aisle, I then had to also be the father of the groom, and escort Lisa’s mother Kathleen, out of the Church.

From L to R: Jovan Vukoman, Usher, Adam Garner, Best Man, Phillip Yates, Bridegroom, Steve Mountain, Usher, Hugh MaGahern, Father of the Bride, Yours Truly, Father of the Bridegroom © Claire Garner — From L to R: Jovan Vukoman, Usher, Adam Garner, Best Man, Phillip Yates, Bridegroom, Steve Mountain, Usher, Hugh McGahern, Father of the Bride, Yours Truly, Father of the Bridegroom © Claire Garner

St Jude's Church Hall, suitably decorated for the wedding reception © Ricky Yates — St Jude’s Church Hall, suitably decorated for the wedding reception © Ricky Yates

After photographs and initial celebratory drinks in the Church grounds, we sat down in the Church Hall for our celebratory meal of fish and chips with mushy peas, all part of the overarching seaside theme of the reception and the decoration of the hall.

My grandson Finley with my son-in-law, Ian © Ricky Yates

As is traditional, the evening celebration began with the happy couple having their first dance together. My thanks to Kathy and Claire Garner, respectively the mother and wife of the best man, for giving me permission to use a couple of their photographs, to illustrate this post.

Happy seventh birthday to my blog

Sgraffito decoration in Prague © Ricky Yates

During the coming week, on Thursday 4^th February, this blog celebrates its seventh birthday. I published my first ever blog post here, on 4^th February 2009, four-and-a-half months after we arrived in Prague on 19^th September 2008.

With this one, there are now 342 posts on the blog. But I do have to confess that the past twelve months have been the least productive year of the blog’s existence, with only 37 new posts being added. The previous lowest total was 41 in 2011-12. However, if you go down the right-hand sidebar to ‘Archives’, and then click on ‘Select Month’, you will discover that I have published at least one blog post in every one of the eighty four months since February 2009 – no mean achievement!

I don’t normally go around blowing my own trumpet, but I do have to say that I am quite proud of the blog and having kept it going for seven years. In my time of blogging, I’ve seen several other blogs started, which have then died after two or three posts. Others, that have gone for a while longer, and then ground to a halt. I am determined that this isn’t going to happen to me, though I acknowledge that it nearly did in 2015, when I only managed to publish four posts in the three months of July, August and September.

Much as I enjoy writing the blog, I do find it quite time-consuming at times. I try to write in interesting but coherent English, with correct spelling and punctuation, and doing so takes time. And when I am stating facts or re-telling history, I also want to be sure that what I write is accurate and true, which means regular visits to my bookshelves & Wikipedia 🙂

Looking ahead, as my blog enters its eighth year, I am sure I will have plenty of things to continue blogging about. After Lent and Easter, I shall be in the UK for nearly two weeks, visiting family and friends and then attending this year’s ICS Chaplains Conference. I have three English-speaker – Czech weddings at which to officiate in 2016, which are always enjoyable as well as fascinating occasions. At the end of September, I will be in Warsaw for the 2016 Eastern Archdeaconry Synod. And at the end of July, there is another very important wedding too….

Likewise, I have not forgotten the promised post(s) about walking with Sybille, from Görlitz to Kamenz, along the first part of Der Ökumenische Pilgerweg in Germany, last August. This remains uppermost in my mind because I hope we will walk the next section, some time later this year. And I do have brewing, a post on the proposed ‘In/out referendum’ that the UK has been promised by David Cameron.

My thanks to all those of you who regularly visit and read my blog, especially the small number of faithful ones who also take the trouble to leave comments, rather than just clicking ‘like’ on the link posted on Facebook. Do join me in raising a glass to wish ‘Ricky Yates – an Anglican in Prague’, a happy seventh birthday!