ReSource - Mark Tanner

Our call to the North - Mark Tanner

A church in Doncaster's red light district is flourishing thanks to the grace of God

It's ten past seven in the evening, the kids have just gone to bed, the kettle is boiling and there is time to whip the last of the toys away, check email, ring a wedding couple to tell them that we don't have bells and can't borrow any for the day, glance through the agenda for the Wheatley Churches Together meeting and be ready to receive people at twenty-five past . . and then the door bell goes. ‘We're coom f't' meeting, Vicar, love.' It's the ‘twirlies' who always turn up 20 minutes ‘too early' even for an ecumenical committee meeting!

And just sometimes I envy my southern colleagues whose parishioners realise that time is money, that life is meant to be lived in a permanent state of stress, that relationships come a poor second to tasks, and that means but then, they can't wear a flat cap to compliment their cassock and surplice on a Sunday morning.

"The heart of the matter is that this is something that God has graciously allowed to rest upon me"

I have been ‘called to the North' of this country. There are lots of rational reasons that I could put forward for this, but the heart of the matter is that this is something that God has graciously allowed to rest upon me. I love the hustle and bustle of London. I enjoy the beauty, wealth and diversity of the home counties. My family roots are in both of those places but I am glad I don't have to live there. I am deeply grateful for an Oxford education, but my heart isn't there. I enjoy so much of what the South has going for it: vision, energy, money, churches to die for, power and influence. But the Lord has a huge soft spot for Dylis in her battle against cancer on an insignificant back street of a town that earned what money it had from mining and railways.

I live and work in the red-light district of Doncaster. You may well have flown past my parish on the train en route to York. Here we have all that life has to offer, but most importantly, God is here and at work. The parish grows and thrives thanks to the grace of God. One example of this that amuses me greatly - as a young enthusiast who spends his leisure time scuba diving, mud-plugging in old landrovers, and playing with his kids - is the way our work among the elderly is exploding. I have always loved and respected the old, but when I came to a parish with ten nursing and residential homes I did my best to ignore them. However, the Lord has (as always) gone before and a wonderful woman called Rosemary who is now my Director of Pastoral Care is leading a flourishing ministry team here. We gave some basic training, and now between the team and myself we see a positive work in six of the homes and kingdom ministry continues to grow. Society doesn't value these people, many of their families have abandoned them, but God is on fire with love for them and what better example of Gospel can there possibly be?

"One day the Lord might call me as a missionary to the South, but for now I think I'll stay where He is ‘cos I love it here chuck"

That's where my heart is, you see: seeing people grow in Christ. I am naturally excited about the youth worker we are employing, I like it when the Lord sends me a graduate or two, but my concern is to be working in the vineyard, and my delight is to share that privilege with young and old. If we are to talk about Gospel bias then it is utterly clear that God favours the poor and the lost, the widow and the orphan, the unrecognised and the abused and that is why so many clergy are flocking to jobs up here. After all, who would dare prioritise geography over gospel imperative?

And talking geography and quality of life have you sharpened your spear and ventured North recently? There is no more beautiful place on this earth, and I have to be honest and say that there are no more wonderful people than Northerners. They are real. There is wisdom and pragmatism, humour and love, generosity and common sense, and living up here I must confess to growing impatience with the pretence and sophistry that masquerades as culture in this country.

I suppose one day the Lord might call me as a missionary to the South, but for now I think I'll stay where He is ‘cos I love it here chuck.

Mark Tanner

Bev ‘The Hair' is back!

My name is Bev ‘The Hair' Dooley. I started going to church 18 years ago when my eldest son, Ryan, was baptised. We were challenged about the promises, and I eventually became a Christian. After a difficult move, though, I didn't find myself at home at a new church and slipped away to live as I had done before. That is until February last year when I discovered I was pregnant again. We got our beautiful daughter, Hannah, baptised at St Mary's, and God said ‘We've been here before, are you going to keep these promises?' Well, I'm trying, and He is blessing me in so many ways. I know His presence again and His love and purpose for me.

Alex's Easter baptism

I'm Alex Wright, and I became deaf from aged five and I was born in Coventry. At the moment I am doing a business course at the Deaf College in Doncaster. I became a Christian when I took the Alpha course in Holy Trinity, and that is where I have discovered belief in Christ. I was baptised on Easter Day this year. The reason why I come to St Mary's is that I stay in Doncaster every other weekend. I come here because Christ is with me. I have made new friends and enjoy worship with God here.

Sing along for the Lord

My name is Pam Reid. I joined St Mary's Pastoral Team a year ago and though I had little experience, with guidance and support, I was quickly made to feel part of the team (Pam is on the left in the picture). Our visits are met with genuine pleasure, with everyone participating.

Each Home has its own individual qualities. One in particular facilitates people suffering from varying degrees of Alzheimer's. During one visit, Rosemary was five minutes into her talk, when one lady started to sing her favourite carol. Rosemary began to sing along with her, prompting us all to join in. This was such a beautiful impromptu moment and I felt my eyes brim with tears at the pleasure on this lady's face. The Lord was truly in our midst. Hearing their stories, observing their courage and dignity, I feel humbled and yet so privileged. Thank you Lord.

‘Therefore encourage one another and build each other up
just as in fact you are doing.'
1 Thessalonians 5:11

Mark Tanner was appointed Vicar of Holy Trinity Ripon in 2007. He was previously Vicar of St Mary's Wheatley, in the centre of Doncaster, having served a curacy on the Wirral, and as a Youth Worker in Coventry. He is also Convener of the Grove Renewal series of booklets. His passions, apart from kingdom building, are his family, scuba diving, Cumbria, and his Land Rover. Mark brings his considerable experience of parish ministry to ReSource as an Associate.