Musings From The Manse – Winter 2013
One of the peculiarities of ordained ministry is the notion that a minister is parachuted into a church and hits the ground running. That running takes on a momentum of its own and before we know it, the minister has been in post for a couple of months and few people seem to know much about him or his family. So in this issue I’m going to tell you something about myself.
I live in the manse in Cottam which is on the outskirts of Preston, some 30 minutes’ drive from Longridge. I am married to my wife Chrissy and we have just celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary. We have two children; Jonny who is 20 years old and Sarah who is 18. Both our children live at home with us and both are a delight to be and live with – most of the time!! We also have a dog called Rossi, named after the 9 times world motorcycle racing champion Valentino Rossi whom the whole family follows.
I was born on the Mediterranean island of Malta and raised there until the age of nearly 10. In 1968 my parents and 3 other siblings upped sticks and emigrated to England. After a few months in London living with my uncle John we moved to our new home in Leyland. I am proud of my country of birth and still have a Maltese passport to this day. When I lived in Malta everyone was a Roman Catholic and I was educated and inculcated into the Christian faith by faithful and lovely priests and nuns. In my mid-twenties I switched to the Church of England and in my early 40s I switched to Methodism. I’ll explain why when we have more time!!
I heard the call to ministry in February 2005 and I was ordained on the 7th July this year. I feel strongly called to the ministry of word and sacrament. I have been described as an evangelical sacramentalist and I am very happy with that label. In my mind there is no dichotomy between being evangelical and having a high view of the sacraments. With my Roman Catholic roots that should come as no surprise! I have a heart for the gospel and I want to see people freed from tyranny (whatever form that may take) by the good news of Jesus Christ embodying the love of God.
When I’m not working I like to travel with my wife in our lovely motorhome which is a remnant from my previous business interests. I love photography, especially of wildlife, flora and fauna. I also like to photograph architecture, especially cathedrals and old churches. Photography slows me down, lets me freewheel and the subjects enthral me and show me the existence of God in the ordinary and extraordinary. I use some of my photographs in worship.
Ray
Reverend Ray Borg
Methodist Minister
15 Millersgate, Cottam, Preston. PR4 0AZ
Tel: 01772 768112