A Retired Rector's Reflections

Today I am saying thank you for Mrs Betty Brewer and Miss Blackett, two ladies who contributed greatly to my life. They were my first teachers in the two County Durham primary schools I attended from the age of four. They, along with my parents, taught me the alphabet and encouraged me to read. This was such a precious gift, and as I look around at the many books in my home today, I thank them.

I thank also those who, in the nineteenth century, encouraged free education for children enabling them to learn the alphabet and to read. They too contributed to my life. Mrs Brewer and Miss Blackett were themselves as little girls taught their letters and their teachers before them. I reflect that as I explore my family history, it would be interesting to trace one’s educational school tree.

Why today? Today (February 14th) is the Feast of Ss Cyril and Methodius, brothers and 9th century missionaries to the slavs of central Europe. Cyril translated the scriptures into the Slavonic language, and to do this he devised the alphabet we know now as the Cyrillic alphabet. What a wonderful thing to do, and so great a contribution to European culture and education.

Several years ago I enjoyed a visit to the fascinating Museum of the Armenian Language in Yerevan. As with St Cyril so, centuries earlier, in about 405, St Mesrop Mashtots devised an alphabet for the Armenian language. An alphabet still in use in this ancient Christian country.

And so today as I reflect on St Cyril, and also on St Mesrop Mashtots and on the huge influence their work has had I am grateful for those who formed and developed the alphabet I use, and in particular those who have taught me my letters.

Teachers so often have had such a great influence on our lives, not least our first teachers. Their care and work have given us so much. I thank God for them, and for their teachers through the generations.

You are very welcome to share your thoughts on this blog in the comments below.