Preface
I first saw Durham as a small child back in the 1950s, out of a window on the London-to-Newcastle night sleeper train, a real engine, coal-fired and steaming. We spent the night in a siding somewhere near York. Mum made sure we boys were awake in time to see Durham, and then we arrived at Newcastle in time for breakfast. We were travelling up to stay with family. Once, at least, we drove up from our home in Kent; we have photos of Palace Green with our car and hardly another parked outside lecture rooms, which I would later attend myself. And we once went to a Son et Lumière in the Cathedral. I still remember 60 years later the awe and mystery that I felt on that visit. I didnât know then the phrase âThin Placeâ, but Durham Cathedral was thin to me from then on.
Durham was where I went to university, at St Johnâs College, where I studied theology and grew in faith; where I met my wife. County Durham was where, after two curacies, we returned for my call to be Vicar of Pelton in the 1980s. Itâs the county in which weâve lived ever since.
During an illness which led to my early retirement and changed my life entirely, I began to write poetry. In 1989 we moved to a Durham suburb called Pity Me, and I did pity myself quite frequently, but writing and learning how to write became part of that sense of vocation which never left me. I was so blessed to be mentored by Dr Ruth Etchells, who rubbed off many of my poetic rough edges, opened my eyes to poetry making, and was a friend praying for my family.
A colleague mentioned the possibility of being a volunteer Cathedral Chaplain at Durham every so often. I got in touch with the Cathedral and soon was shadowing a seasoned chaplain. Iâve been doing it ever since, astounded and blessed by this God-breathed building. I still find surprises and delights almost each time I allow the building to speak to me, and have often found myself having to be still and write down. Iâve included many of these in this collection, which is my Confessions (Confessions of faith rather than misdemeanours, as we moderns often assume). This Cathedral and so many sacred spaces have ways of speaking for themselves and pointing towards God who is love. I hope to be there often in years to come, and that it will be visible somewhere in the City of God at Kingdom Come.
I am very glad to have been published again by Sacristy Press, and give my heartfelt thanks to Richard Hilton, Thomas Ball, Erik Sharman, Natalie Watson and all the team for their friendly, efficient and kind help.
David Grieve
Castle Eden, Co. Durham, November 2018
Contents
Foreword
Preface
Lindisfarne, Durham and the Journey Between
In Durham
In the Nave in the Way
Further In
The Dying of the Saint
Holy Island to Durham
Glory and Heartache
Word in Our Hearing
Jesus Baptised
Faith
Nine Altars Prayer
At the Waterâs Edge
Prayer in a Thin Place
Ash Wednesday
So it is Lent
When It Comes Down to It
At the North Quire Aisle Crucifix
On Being Drawn In
On St Hildâs Day
Be In No Hurry to Pray
Drawing Closer, Please
Prayer after the Venerable Bede
Prayer on a Dark Day
The Chapel of the Holy Cross
On This Particular Day
Meri Dies
Congregation
The Durham Light Infantry Chapel
My National Poetry Day Poem
Cuthbertâs Day
Glory on the Mountain
Now You Know. You Heard It from Me
On Being Inquisitive, Acquisitive, Agnostic and Faithful
I Think
Psalm for Today
God
Oned
Glad to Be Here
An Active Memory
Relics
One Day It Will Cover the Mountains
Back Here Again
Lego Cathedral
Coming and Going With God
Saying It Again
Peace and Justice
In a While
Ascension Day
Come, Holy Spirit
Trinity Sunday
At the Gregory Chapel
Holy City
The Thin Place
Each Visit a Pilgrimage
...
