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Mary is
Assistant Minister in Pimperne in Dorset, while Peter is the Senior
Army Chaplain at Blandford Army Camp. They are also keen runners -
notching up seven marathons between them, and Mary is also coach of
a local women's running club.
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| Peter
and Mary Vickers |
Being
chaplains in Athens will mean working in the multi-faith Religious
Services Centre set up in the Olympic Village to cater for athletes
and officials, as well as helping out at the English-speaking St Paul's
Anglican Church in the Greek capital.
Mary thinks working with athletes as well as visitors to the Olympics
will be challenging and varied: "People
will have been away from home for a long time - maybe two or three
months, and in that time the usual events of life will happen - there
will be bereavements, family disappointments and so on. And also athletes
will have to cope with failure and with success."
Throughout the Olympic Games, Mary and Peter
will be posting their web diary here on BBC Southampton:
Wednesday
01 September
And here we are back in Dorset!
Our favourable impression of Greece, and its ability to organise the
Olympics continued right up until our departure from Athens airport
yesterday, as there were airport hosts/hostesses all over the place
to help people find their check in desks etc smoothly, and one only
had to walk towards the terminal and they approached to ask where
you were going, and could they help, etc. There were also jesters,
clowns, and other similar activities around the airport to keep people
occupied, including special things for children such as face painting
and people who make animals etc out of balloons. What a wonderful
idea to keep people both happy/occupied and moving smoothly during
the 2 busiest days that Athens airport will see in a long time!
Both our flights, and the connection in Milan, went smoothly, as did
the drive home, although we did get a bit held up in the traffic heading
for the Great Dorset Steam Fair which takes place very close to where
we live. We obviously adjusted well to life in Athens as, having needed
an alarm clock for our early shifts, we were both woke early this
morning at the same time as if we were still in Athens.
It enabled Peter to be in the office just after 0730 and Mary to make
an early start on all the washing. Her return to ministry will wait
until tomorrow. The weather was kind to us for getting the washing
done, as well as helping us not to feel as cold as we’d feared we
might.
So, apart from altered body clocks, what have we brought back from
the Olympics with us? Well, let’s try these for starters:
A refreshed vision that all Christians belong to one world-wide Church,
wherever they happen to live and work, and whatever language they
worship in and speak.
A deeper understanding of the variety of demands on top athletes,
demands made by themselves, by their trainers/coaches, by their peers
and sometimes by their family and friends, by their sports governing
body, by their country, and by the media.
A renewed picture of the variety of different styles of Christian
worship.
A positive impression of a country whose organisational abilities
and capacity to stage a large event were much maligned before the
Olympics A stronger appreciation of both the joys and problems of
ecumenism, and also of interfaith relationships.
An increased liking of many aspects of Greek culture, including Feta
cheese, ouzo, tzatziki, metaxa, octopus, retsina, and especially lamb
cooked in a multitude of delicious ways!
Lots of memories of people and places, particularly people we’ve met
and spoken with, some of whom would call themselves people of faith
and some of whom probably would not Inspiration in all sorts of ways
for our future ministries...
Monday
30 August
Our last day in Athens before returning to Dorset... At one stage,
we’d hoped to use this time to visit Ancient Corinth, the focus of
two of St Paul’s letters in the New Testament, as it is relatively
close to Athens.
However, instead we stayed close to the apartment, doing some packing,
some supermarket shopping to restock our host’s fridge and store cupboard,
and reading on the balcony in the sunshine - the first time either
of us had had the opportunity to sit and read for pleasure since we’d
been here. Although sad not to make it to Corinth, we decided that
a lazy, relaxing day was what we needed to prepare us for our return
to ministry back in England. In the evening we were pleased to take
our hosts, Larry and Sandra, out for a thank you and farewell meal
in a local taverna.
Sunday
29 August
Our last shift in the Olympic Village began with Peter presiding at
the 8am Holy Communion service in the Religious Services Centre -
a service at which there were more non-English speakers than English-speakers,
which was a challenge for him. Both of us spent the shift visiting
and tidying up loose ends with various people and teams, before departing
for the last time. It was a strange feeling as we left the Village,
knowing that this is the last time it will ever be like it is - there
are alterations to be made before the Paralympic Games next month,
and then it is being turned into an affordable housing village along
with some offices and light industry.
One update for you is that enough bottle tops have been collected
to provide 10 wheelchairs. In fact more have been collected but the
sponsor who was funding this was only prepared to fund 10 wheelchairs.
Also, when we put some clothes into the UNHCR clothes bins, we noticed
that many people are donating brand new team kit and other clothing
rather than just old clothes. Later in the day, we watched the Men's
marathon from the same spot as we'd watched the Women's marathon last
week, and both noted that the weather was much more favourable to
marathon running than last week. Then we headed back home to watch
the Closing Ceremony on TV as well as seeing the fireworks out of
the window of the apartment. Before the Ceremony, the Greek TV ran
a compilation of the whole of the Olympics and we realised just how
much sport we haven't seen. Although knowing that we've enjoyed a
position of privilege these last few weeks, we've often joked that
we hope that someone will produce a compilation video - we now hope
that video really exists!
Saturday
28 August
Today would have been a day off in the usual 3-day shift cycle, but
we had to go into the Village in time for a 2pm final meeting of all
the Protestant chaplains. Not all of the 29 Protestant chaplains made
it to the meeting, as some have already had to leave to return to
their church and other duties at home, and others were busy with athletes;
but it was good to see most people one more time before we all return
to our various parts of the World Church.
After the meeting, and a brief wander around the Village, we headed
off into Athens as Mary was due to preside at the 6pm Holy Communion
service at St Paul's Anglican Church. After the service, we met up
with another British chaplain and went to an 'ouzeria' in the Plaka
for a drink and final chat together. Whilst there, we were both thrilled
to see, touch, and then hold an Olympic Gold medal! A member of the
Australian Hockey team had called in wearing his medal, and we were
cheeky enough to ask to look at it - and he was generous enough to
take it off and actually give it to us for a short while, rather than
just letting us touch it whilst it was firmly around his neck as many
people would have done. Later, after a quick meal, we made a brisk
walk to get a view of the Acropolis lit up at night (this was the
first time we'd been able to get into the centre of Athens after dark)
before heading home to sleep before an early shift tomorrow.
Friday 27 August
A slow start to today as it was another late shift - and the slight
lie-in was appreciated as we're both beginning to feel more than a
little weary. However, somehow we still managed to arrive at the Religious
Services Centre (RSC) a little early for our shift - but it turned
out to be a good thing that we did, as we arrived just in time to
see the final preparations for a visit to the RSC by His Beatitude
the Archbishop of Athens and all of Greece.
As you can imagine, there was a flurry of activity and anticipation
preceding his arrival, but the visit seemed to go smoothly. The Archbishop
met a number of the religious leaders of all faiths who were in the
building at the time - one of the other Anglican chaplains received
an icon from him, and Peter was blessed by him, before leading a Greek
Orthodox service. (Mary later received a book from one of the Orthodox
priests who was pleased that we had been there.)
It was a busy day in the RSC as, in addition to the Archbishop's visit
and the usual pattern of Christian and other services, there was such
a large attendance at the Muslim Friday prayers that worshippers spread
out into the foyer of the RSC. Later that afternoon, an internationally
renowned Lama came to give a lecture in the Buddhist area. Then slightly
later again, it being a Friday, there was the traditional ceremony
for the beginning of the Jewish Sabbath. Around the Olympic Village,
life seems to have changed tempo again. From being quiet a few days
ago, because a number of athletes had already left, today had a definite
'end of term' feel about it. Although competitions still continue,
many athletes have finished and are relaxing around the village, and
some are hosting their families on day visits.
Thursday 26 August
Another early shift today, and another relatively uneventful one,
as the Village seemed much quieter today, especially in the morning.
A number of athletes whose competitions have finished have left for
home, partly we think because for some countries it is too expensive
to stay in the village for longer than necessary. There are a number
of reminders like this of the inequalities in our world. For instance,
we are aware of at least one team where a number of the athletes only
really possess the clothes that they stand up in, and find the riches
of others quite hard to cope with. We also heard of a team where a
number of runners arrived but weren't able to bring proper running
shoes with them, and so have borrowed or been given shoes by other
athletes.
To balance this, there are a number of clothes bins around the Olympic
Village where athletes, officials, and volunteers can donate clothes
which will be distributed to refugees around the world by the UNHCR.
We are also all being urged this week to collect the tops from our
water and soft drink bottles - a group is collecting them to raise
money for wheelchairs for poorer parts of the world - apparently 3,500
bottle tops makes one wheelchair. It is also common for total strangers
travelling on buses, trains, or walking around, to begin friendly
conversations with each other. Oh that this peace, harmony, and generosity
really would continue once everyone leaves here?
Wednesday 25 August
Today was a day off. We hadn't planned anything specific as Peter
was due to preside at the 6pm Communion service at St Paul's English-speaking
Anglican church, but another priest offered to do it for him as he
would be there anyway. The offer was gratefully accepted as it gave
us a full day off, something which we felt we needed but wouldn't
dare to have asked - after all, other people are no doubt as weary
as we are. We used the day off to ascend Lycavittos Hill (by funicular)
and, after enjoying the view from what we think is the highest of
the 11 hills in Athens, we strolled down through some woodland - where
it was easy to forget we were in a city. A short metro ride and walk
took us to another hill - Filopappas Hill. Here, having enjoyed lunch
during the stroll up, we visited several monuments on the hill and
enjoyed yet more views over the city of Athens. After descending we
walked around the ancient Agora, the market place which St Paul could
see when he made his famous speech from the Areopagus, and where he
debated daily. So it was an active day off, but relaxing all the same,
despite spending virtually all day in the heat and sunshine.
Tuesday 24 August
A late shift today so we had a relatively lazy start to the day, and
then caught up with some washing and supermarket food shopping before
going off to the Olympic Village. Mary was responsible for sharing
the leadership of, and speaking at, the final Christian worship service
of the day today, and so along with some visiting and generally 'being
around', quite a bit of the shift was spent in preparation. The service
itself was amazing as a reminder of the fact that we're part of a
worldwide church - the intercessions and prayers were spoken in at
least 4 languages, and they're just the ones I heard near me - the
Lord's Prayer was said in everyone's mother tongue and so there may
have been more languages then.
Also, whilst preaching I was conscious that on one side of me my words
were being translated into Spanish and on the other into French. During
the shift, Peter spent a lot of time with one athlete who suddenly
opened up to him on one of his walks around the Village, and wanted/needed
to discuss an important personal matter in confidence - a reminder
of how an event like this can really place a lot of unexpected stress
on athletes in particular but on officials and other members of teams
too.
Monday 23 August
Another early shift today, (being out before 6am really isn't that
bad) and Mary led the first Christian service of the day in the Religious
Services Centre. This was the second time she's presided at this Holy
Communion service. Peter has done it once so far, and his second turn
comes towards the end of the week. Not many people attend this on
a regular basis, but it does make a good start to the day. Again,
nothing 'out of the ordinary' to report from this shift; but as it
was the first day that a new rota of services for this week was available,
we both visited the offices of the countries we're responsible for
with these rotas. Mary also visited the hospital, as she does every
shift. We're obviously acclimatizing to the weather conditions here,
as we both felt able to go into the city centre after work, rather
than going straight home, and then also stopped off for a meal on
the way home. Will we freeze when we get home we ask ourselves?
Sunday 22 August
This was a day off from our duties in the Olympic Village but it was
not a day off as such for us, because we were both on the rota for
the main Sunday morning worship at St Paul's Anglican Church in the
centre of Athens. Peter preached and Mary administered the chalice,
with another Anglican chaplain from the UK leading the intercessions
and one of the resident English Anglican ministers presiding at the
Holy Communion service.
The congregation was made up of English-speaking people from many
different parts of the world, some resident in Greece, and some visiting
either for the Olympics or for other reasons. After the service, the
four of us clergy enjoyed a lunch together in the Plaka area of Athens
- a network of small streets in the shadow of the Acropolis where
there are many taverna and other eating places, as well as small shops
selling all sorts of things from souvenirs to clothing to religious
supplies to icons. Once home, we had a short snooze before setting
off to watch the Women's Marathon as the course passes along a road
only 20 minutes walk from where we're staying.
We cheered all three British runners as they passed us at around the
30km mark. We cheered all the other runners too, of course, but we
knew Paula, Liz and Tracey's names so were able to shout a bit louder
for them! On the walk home, we passed a TV in a snack bar just as
the winners entered the stadium, and were sad not to see Paula among
them. We later discovered the reason why. As marathon runners ourselves,
we will just say that we are both exceptionally grateful that we don't
have to run a marathon in this heat!
Saturday 21 August
After the very long day/late night yesterday it was good to be on
a late shift today. It was also slightly reassuring to discover that
we weren't the only ones who were tired. At our daily team prayer
time, which begins each shift, a number of chaplains asked for prayer
to cope with tiredness, and for extra energy to carry on enthusiastically
with the work that we all have to do. During the shift itself, there
is nothing 'out of the ordinary' to report. This is so often the case
in pastoral ministry, wherever that ministry is carried out - it doesn't
indicate that nothing has happened, just that everything carried on
as normal or 'routinely'.
Friday 20 August
Today turned out to be a very long day, but it was a good one.
Got up for the early shift as usual, which went smoothly. During the
shift, Mary was thrilled to bump into (almost literally) one of our
sporting heroines, not once but twice, and had a long chat with her
on the second occasion. [Note added later: this chat enabled a further
chance conversation later on in the Games when the said athlete didn't
do as well as she'd hoped in an event.]
After work, we went directly off to the Olympics Sports Complex, where
the main stadium is, ready for the first evening of athletics, for
which we'd bought tickets. This was a great evening, and we were pleased
to be there to witness a new Olympic record for the Men's 10,000 metres.
It was also great to be there to cheer for Michael
East, who is from our region, when he won his heat of the
Men's 1,500metres.
Whilst we're in the Olympic Village working as chaplains, we have
to be as impartial as possible, but here as spectators we cheered
along with the best of them! On leaving the stadium at quarter past
midnight, we were impressed as to how the Greek transport system managed
to move more than 50,000 people away from the area smoothly and without
queues and blockages. However, our positive impression didn't last
all the way home, when we discovered that the bus route needed for
the final leg of our journey had stopped at midnight! Apparently,
despite what we'd been told, it is only the metro and Olympic bus
routes that run for 24 hours or until 2am respectively, and not the
'ordinary' buses that we needed for this leg of our journey. So we
set off for an hour's walk, finally arriving back at the apartment
at 2.15am - the end of a 21 hour day!
Thursday 19 August
Today was a day off, and we visited the island of Aegina, travelling
by ferry from Piraeus. On the way in and out of the harbour we passed
close to various cruise ships, including the Queen Mary 2 - boy she's
big. We weren't able to go to see her when she was launched in Southampton
so it was quite special to see her here. Traveling around is so easy
and quick. We left Aegina, 15 miles off the coast, and within 2 hours
we were in the apartment at the other side of Athens. Tomorrow we
get to see some athletics, more about that later.
Wednesday 18 August
On a late shift today, so enjoyed a slow start to the day. Once
in the Village, in addition to our usual practice of welcoming people
to the Religious Services Centre, 'just being around' and visiting
various venues within the Village, we both collected some new duties
today. The Olympic Village is divided into a number of zones. Each
of the smaller Protestant chaplaincy teams that we're divided into
has been allocated particular zones as the specific responsibility
of that team.
Today, each team member was allocated one or more of those national
teams resident within our zones who are currently without a specific
chaplaincy contact person ? so the two of us now have some new people
to visit and flags to identify in order to locate them. We really
should have bought a book of flags before we came!
Tuesday
17 August
Another early start today. Life in the Olympic Village seems a
bit more intense at times now, as competition is well under way, although
not all sports have started yet. Work for us is falling into a pattern
too - an early communion service on this shift, followed (in no set
order) by team meeting and prayers, walking around the village chatting
to people, visiting, welcoming people who drop in to the Religious
Services Centre, etc. Mary spent some time today with the person who
learned on Sunday that their grandfather had died as his funeral was
today. She also called in at the hospital just in case anyone needed/wanted
to talk.
Monday 16 August
The way the rota works, a late shift is followed by a day off,
and so this was much appreciated today. After a slow start in the
morning, the couple whose apartment we are staying in took us off
to the beach at Nea Makri for lunch and the afternoon. This is a lovely
spot, and Peter enjoyed several swims in the sea. There was still
a strong wind just like yesterday, and hence biggish breakers, so
Mary only paddled and splashed around as she's not a strong sea-swimmer.
We later learned that the wind has been making life a bit more difficult
(and perhaps more challenging) than hoped for athletes such as the
rowers, swimmers, sailors, and road cyclists whose sport takes place
outside.
The evening was spent doing the mundane things of life such as keeping
our diaries and notes up to date, writing postcards, doing some washing,
etc, as well as trying to catch up on some of the sport from the Olympics,
although not understanding the Greek TV commentary makes it quite
difficult especially in sports we're not familiar with such as softball.
Sunday
15 August
Unusually for two clergy, the day began later and much slower
than on a normal Sunday at home - and all because we were on the late
shift today. This is from 2pm until 10pm, although of course this
also meant a much later finish than we normally ever have on a Sunday,
as we didn't get back to the apartment until about 20 minutes to midnight
after our bus, train, and bus journey home. And, yes, we did get to
go to a church service! There were a number of Christian services
in the Religious Services Centre today, especially as it was the Feast
of the Assumption. The Roman Catholics and the Greek Orthodox had
several special services each, in various languages, and we Protestants
had several too - from early morning Communion, to a midday service,
to a Bible Study in the afternoon and another service in the evening.
After this final service, there was a sad reminder that ordinary life
carries even for elite athletes and their support teams at the Olympics
- someone came in to spend time in prayer and quietness because she
had just learned that her grandfather had died.
Oh, and by the way, the promised/threatened rain didn't come, even
though there were dark clouds all around and the wind got to be very
strong.
Saturday
14 August
Having not got to bed until after midnight it was an early start
(0445) to be at the Olympic Village in time to prepare for the Holy
Communion service that started at 0730 - a service that starts each
day at the village 'church'. Even here there are clergy meetings and
our particular team of chaplains met in full for the first time assigning
specific responsibilities. The village is developing a certain buzz
now that the competitions are well and truly underway and the feel
of the place has certainly changed. The heat has at times been oppressive,
possibly because they forecast thunderstorms for tomorrow, only time
will tell.
Friday
13 August
A day off , so we were tourists for the day, visiting the Acropolis
and the Areopagus among other places in central Athens. It was an
interesting experience to stand on the Areopagus, where the apostle
Paul spoke all those years ago (see Acts Ch17) and to see and imagine
the scene before him as he spoke to the people of Athens.
A second highlight of the day was to watch the Olympic Opening Ceremony
on the television in the fourth floor apartment where we're staying,
and also to be able to see the stadium itself from the window. We
can assure you that the fireworks were as splendid as they looked
on TV (if not more so), and it was amazing to see the flame come into
view in reality, whilst also seeing it on the TV. It looked really
bright in the night sky, even against the lights in the stadium.
Thursday 12 August
On a late shift today, on duty from 1400-2200, which meant not
getting back to where we're staying until around 2330. Working shifts,
plus the 90 minutes commuting involved at each end of the working
day, is not something we're used to - although both of us did it at
various stages of our working lives before ordination.
We are so thankful that the transport system works so smoothly, otherwise
the journey would be longer. Commuting is quite unusual for clergy,
and gives us a fresh appreciation of the everyday pattern of life
of a lot of working people in many churches. Today's shift included
a briefing/training meeting for all the Protestant chaplains - a multi-national
group with every continent represented. It's a vivid reminder of the
fact that Christians belong to a worldwide church.
Wednesday
August 11
Woke up at 0445, and left the apartment at 0530, hoping that our first
totally solo attempt to get to the Olympic Village by public transport
(walk, bus, underground train, and another bus) in a country where
we don't really speak/understand the language would go ok - and it
did! First off when we got there was to help set up for our first
church service of the day at 0730.
The rest of the day included just being around in the Religious Services
Centre in case any athletes wanted a chat, and us separately going
off to visit different parts of the village so that people see us
around and know that chaplains are available. During the day we also
met some of the chaplains that make up the full team including a rabbi,
a female Bhuddhist from Hungary, several Greek Orthodox priests, and
a Roman Catholic priest from the south coast of England.
English seems to be our common means of communication, but only just.
We have experienced many different languages - some of which we could
only guess at meanings! On top of this we left the village after our
'shift' and ventured into the centre of Athens to visit the Anglican
church - more of the church later in the diary. Now it's a case of
sleeping before our next session even though the temperature never
seems to drop below 23 degrees and that's at two in the morning!
Tuesday
August 10
Got here safely yesterday - flight etc went smoothly, as did the transfer
to the apartment where we're staying with a nice American couple who
live here in Athens.
Went to get our accreditation for the Olympic Village sorted out this
morning, and that went smoothly too, despite the worries we'd had
before we left. Accreditation was a very slick process - very impressive
how they process, photograph and kit out so many people (approximately
30,000 in all). Back to the apartment to change into our uniform and
then off to the Olympic Village.
Having encountered yet another slick system, this time transport,
we arrived at the village. We were shown around by another Church
of England clergyman, met some other members of the Christian chaplaincy
team, and generally familiarised ourselves ready for our first shift
on duty tomorrow.
Saturday,
August 7
Well, the packing's almost done. It's been hard to know what to pack
and what to leave behind - a strange mixture of smart-ish work clothes,
hot weather/holiday clothes, robes for wearing whilst taking services,
and sports gear (in case we dare to exercise with all those athletes
around us!), plus bibles and resources for sermons, prayers, etc.
Not knowing exactly what we'll be doing doesn't help, but we think
we've covered most options. As well as the packing, there's the final
preparations for tomorrow's services here to do as well.
Strange to know that the next services will be in Athens, and for
Peter the first one of those is on Tuesday evening at St Paul's Anglican
Church in the centre of Athens. It will be good though to meet, worship,
and pray with Christians here in Dorset before setting off for Greece.
All being well, the next time we write we shall be in Athens......
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