beginnings - Fursey

Some time ago when I was visiting Lindisfarne, which has been my annual practice since 1995, I was wearing a fleece that clearly showed I was from Norfolk and that I identified myself to a certain yellow and green football team – poor deluded fool I hear you say! Below the castle is a gate which I opened to let a couple through. “Are you from Norfolk?” they enquired. This led to a conversation to the merits of our county. As I went on my way I found myself overcome with emotion. I talked to a friend about this and he ensured me that this was due to Norfolk being the place of my calling. I long to see the outpouring of God’s divine love touching, healing and transforming lives in this part of the world.

Fursey was an Irish monk who had travelled across the country preaching the good news of Jesus with great effect and many turned to follow Christ. He founded a monastery at what is known today as Killarsagh. However he was disturbed by the large crowds that seemed to be following him and at the apparent success of his ministry for his reputation for being a powerful preacher and a doer of great deeds was growing.

With a few others, two being his brothers, they climbed aboard a small boat, threw away the oars and trusted themselves to the Holy Spirit (The Wild Goose). The Atlantic Drift brought them down the North Sea Coast until they came ashore near Burgh Castle, which is near Great Yarmouth, the last Roman fort built in Britain before the Romans left these shores. He was welcomed and eventually given land so he could settle. From his base at Burgh he crossed Breydon Water and shared the good news of Jesus with the people of Norfolk and so Christianity came to the ‘north folk’.

It has always struck me that there are no forgotten people. God knows them and loves everyone and calls us to go to the lost, least, forgotten and lonely. The Holy Spirit led these men to a strange land and culture. I am excited that the roots of faith here in Norfolk are ones that embrace adventure, humility, courage and a holistic approach to life and faith. May we too embrace the roots of our faith and make a difference to our fractured world and communities.