Tristan : Reflections on my three-month long visit to Tristan
Submitted by Tristan Times (Sarah Glass) 13.10.2009 (Article Archived on 03.11.2009)

The possibility of a visit to Tristan arose out my immediate “I will” to Bishop Garth’s query whether anybody would like to spend a few months on Tristan. That was at our March Chapter meeting on the last Thursday of the month. By Monday I had received a response from Fr Chris Brown, the beginning of our routine of questions on my part and his detailed and often evocative answers.

Reflections on my three-month long visit to Tristan by Fr Michael Weeder

 Sonia Swain and her partner Andrew and their daughter on her baptism,

The possibility of a visit to Tristan arose out my immediate “I will” to Bp Garth’s query whether anybody would like to spend a few months on Tristan. That was at our March Chapter meeting on the last Thursday of the month. By Monday I had received a response from Fr Chris Brown, the beginning of our routine of questions on my part and his detailed and often evocative answers. 

During the last week of June winter made its presence felt in Cape Town and the sight on TV of ships blasted by gale driven waves made me wonder if God was trying to tell me something. Parishioners and friends shared my anxiety and I received the best bad news when I was informed that the ship’s departure was delayed. Nevertheless, after a 48-hour respite we left a storm swept Cape Town on Thursday 25 June, my beloved city cluttered with fallen trees, flooded homes and streets.

By the grace of God and the sure hand of Captain Clarence October the MV Edinburgh arrived on Tristan a week later on a gloomy and overcast day. The churchwardens of St Mary’s, Eddie Rogers and Carlene Glass were on hand to welcome and within a few weeks, I had settled into the familiar routine of the ministry on the island. Fr Chris Brown had provided me with a comprehensive list of things to be done and priority was given to the sick and housebound. The inimitable Lars Repetto guided me along the unfamiliar roads of the village during the first two weeks and on the first Wednesday after my arrival, I was introduced to Eileen Swain, Alice Glass, Ellen Rogers, Ivy and Andrew Glass. The following week we visited Rupert Swain, Irene Green, Gabriel Lavarello and Douglas and Frances Green on the west side.

Inevitably, during my first Wednesday without Lars I got wonderfully last and ended up at the home of the Repetto’ s. Here I was welcomed with a “just in time for a cuppa tea” and Margaret summonsed my island lookalike, Lindsay, away from his painting chore to join us in the morning break.

The Monday morning school assembly was often a source of sermon material and the participation of the enthusiastic young people is a constituent part of my memories of Tristan.

In the past three weeks we baptised little Natasha Williams into the faith and, a week later, admitted to Holy Communion Chloe Glass, Julie Green, Randall Repetto and Nathan Swain. May they grow in strength and wisdom.

To my island family I say: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains be toppled into the depths of the sea … the Lord Almighty is with us, the God of Jacob is our refuge”. (Psalm 46: 1, 2, 7).

Salani Kahle (Stay well), Michael.