Tomorrow is September 1st - a significant double anniversary for me. 1st September 1978, Bob asked me to marry him. Exactly a year later, he told me that he felt God was calling him to be a Baptist Minister. "You could have told me last Saturday" I said [I'd been Mrs Almond for exactly one week] But I wasn't surprised, I think I knew before he did. He did his theological training at Spurgeon's College in South London. It was a special time, and we made many great friends there. Just last month the college closed. Very Suddenly. Like many smaller educational establishments at the moment, there were big financial problems, and everything just fell apart. Many people have been saddened by this- and the Baptist Family has rallied round to ensure those who were in the middle of training, or about to start training, will be able to study elsewhere. It is a huge upheaval for them and for the staff, now unemployed.
The College motto is Et Teneo Et Teneor, I both hold and am held. A reminder of our faith in God, and the certainty of God's love that will never let us go.
I saw that Spurgeon's had closed and felt very sad. It has been a highly respected college and has educated (and trained) many fine ministers.
ReplyDeleteIt has indeed, for over 150 years
DeleteI hold, and I am held, is a wonderful way to encapsulate the relationship we have with God. He never lets go, even when we think we have let go.
ReplyDeleteAmen
DeleteI used to live near Spurgeon's College up to the 1990's. That is sad it has had to close. One of our eldest son's school friends had parents who were Baptist ministers who had trained at Spurgeon's College in the 1980's and the husband then became one of the ministers at Spurgeon's Tabernacle in Croydon and we used to often attend services. That is good that current students will be able to complete their studies. A very difficult time. Regards Sue H
ReplyDeleteI think we know your friend 🙂
DeleteSo sorry to hear that the college where Bob received his training has closed. To hold and be held sounds like a very good motto to me.
ReplyDeleteThank you Bless
DeleteThe Christian college I attended closed a few years ago for similar reasons. It has left a wonderful legacy of alumni who are serving the Lord throughout the world. But it was still sad. I am thankful that God never lets us go!
ReplyDeleteThe legacy will live on, but such moments are sad.
DeleteSad news indeed and thank you for sharing the story of Bob doing his training there. Catriona
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DeleteThis is so sad. The way it was so sudden also. There have been lots of small colleges saying they must close like Newark Violin making school too. I hope and pray that those affected will be held in God's hands.
ReplyDeleteSpecialist Colleges are high risk I guess
DeleteSad times for many schools and colleges.
ReplyDelete😥
Delete🙏
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DeleteOh that is sad. The motto is simple but a lovely truth.
ReplyDeleteAlison in Devon x
😢
DeleteHow very sad, I hope that all the students and staff find new places to study and be employed. And what a beautiful stained glass window. Xx
ReplyDeleteI hope there is some way of preserving it
DeleteA perfect motto for life.
ReplyDelete👍❤️
DeleteHow sad that Spurgeons had to close. My hubby did a course at Spurgeons many years ago before we met. I hope that those who were currently studying there are able to finish their courses elsewhere. God will have a plan for them, it just might be in a different way to the one they thought.
ReplyDeleteI know people are working hard to enable students to finish their training
DeleteSo sorry to hear about the college closing. It is so sad for those it has served and recently been serving so well.
ReplyDeleteI love the window, the fact that the hand is grasping the Cross. It reminds me that the Cross is not just something to admire, but the instrument of our hope and salvation.
Amen
DeleteWhat job did Bob do before he became a minister, or was he still a student when you married? Nicky K
ReplyDeleteHe was an electronics design engineer with GEC Marconi, in his first year out of Oxford. I was in my first year of teaching. We were so young then [and slim !]
DeleteOh no. Spurgeon's used to be the Gold Standard. I had no idea it was struggling so much, although I don't attend a Baptist Church these days, so maybe I wouldn't hear. It must have had loads of lovely memories of your early days together training and in ministry. Hope you are ok.
ReplyDeleteIt was indeed. It came out of the blue. I admit that I stood in my kitchen and wept the afternoon we heard the news. So grateful for the kind words of friends.
DeleteHow lovely that you remember the date of Bob's proposal. He obviously knew that his wife of just one week would be happy to accompany him on such a very special journey. It's very sad that such a special college has closed.
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