Today's lectionary gospel was a series of parables about small things s images of the Kingdom of Heaven... so I explored them, very briefly under the heading 'the God of small things'...

• A wildflower seed, aka a weed
• A bit of fungus
• (A detectorist’s dream)
• A bit of grit in a mollusc

A Kingdom that is not geographical or visible, not led by  powerful human being, but instead something that is...

• impossible to eradicate, essential to the thriving of small creatures (like weeds are to caterpillars and bugs), tenacious, unlovely and often unwanted...
• works sacrificially (yet unlike yeast is never destroyed) to transform the ordinary into something that nourishes and brings joy (loose link to bread and "wine" which we shared later in tiny proportions)
• something that's really hard to find, that needs endless searching and the willingness to fail - and risks discovering a lot of empty drinks cans and other junk along the way!
• something formed in response to an irritant, a bit of grit... and which is only revealed in all its beauty o the death of the host mollusc (loose link to the cross/sacrifice of Christ

Everyone was given a paper heart impregnated with wild flower seeds to take away and plant, and a wooden bead to remind them of the stories.

I admitted to struggling with the weeping and wailing linked to the story of the good and bad fish, and how a God who is love would/could/should eternally punish any of their own creatures, and wondered whether actually we do better to think about the the 'hell on earth' some people experience, and how that might be a call for our response to be good news.   Lastly I noted that, like the net of fish, sometimes it is only after the event that we can discern what was good or bad, helpful or harmful.

An invisible Kingdom, invasive, resilient, sacrificial, transformative, maybe only recognisable retrospectively... something worth pondering.    

Overall it was well received, and some good conversations followed.  

Yesterday, I conducted my first/last/only wedding in Railway Town Baptist Church - as always a lovely day full of joy and happiness, hope and smiles.

Like so many couples, E & D had chosen 1 Corinthians 13.  They had also just become parents and when asked about wedding gifts had repeatedly said 'something for the baby' which led me, indirectly, to this story book - which is just the perfect exploration of what love is... not just mushy romantic love, but gritty, rugged love that can say 'sorry' when it messes up, that stays strong in tough times, that makes a cup of tea or can find any number of other small, unexciting or everyday expressions. 

It was a really lovely day, and a privilege to be part of it.  One of the very last things I did in Glasgow was to conduct a wedding, so it is fitting that the same is true here.

God bless you E & D and baby too. 

To those who know me, it is no surprise that my life is full to overflowing with all manner of 'stuff' both with college and with church.  With just a week to go before my block of annual leave (hurrah) there is much clearing of decks being attempted and in the meantime life continues to happen at a crazy pace!

Among other things this week, I have had a book review published, await the publication of a journal article, and have written an endorsement for a new devotional book... There have been meetings, hospital visits, emails (so many emails!), home visits, phone calls, conversations about student placements, services to plan... and tomorrow a BBQ to host...

My life is rich and diverse, and I am so grateful to have the opportunity to do all these things... but I am also tired and ready for my break.  So, last night, self-care took the form of a steaming mug of tea, a sticky bun (Aldi lemon curd iced buns are the biz!) and documentary about digital forensics on Channel 4.  Today I am slowing down, meeting a friend for lunch, and pausing for reflection, refreshment and recreation.

Life in all it fullness also needs times to slow down... and I keep trying to remember and to live that!      

Yesterday was our first valedictory service since the merger... celebrating Baptist and URC participants who have completed various formational programmes and pathways.  Continuing a long-standing tradition, those on ministerial pathways were invited to choose a book that would "nourish their ministry", and which would be presented to them during the service.

I always love seeing the books people choose, and how those choices reflect who they are.  This year was no exception... including tracking down one that was out of print (hurrah for Ebay and small book sellers who have stashes of niche books) and one that was 'used very good' but turned out to be good as new.

We dined well, we worshiped well, our guest preacher was awesome, and our leavers left with smiles on their faces.  This was the first cohort I have seen go right through college, the first group of Baptists for whom I was entrusted with developing their programme, and URCs for which I shared that responsibility with a colleague... I reckon that we - and I - did okay.  Actually, we did more than okay, we did a  great job! 

Go well, leavers, and to quote one of our former Baptist Principals "preach well and keep the faith".

Last week at church I gave people the challenge of finding a way to balance a large bar of chocolate on a sheet of paper (which was not allowed to be flat on the table!) this photo was the test of my prototype with a mug of tea.  Fitting, maybe, that it was a, now very old, church mug.

The past couple of weeks have been immensely full, all of it good, all of it important - and so blogging has fallen by the wayside.

June began with a Baptism service and reception into Covenanted Membership of two new people, as well as commissioning two new Deacons.  The there was the college retreat in the Lake District closely followed by a round of interviews for prospective new ministerial students.  Today is an infant blessing... and, next week, the start of July will see a welcome to a whole family with both an infant blessing and a reception in Covenanted Membership, with, hopefully, another new Member in August.  Added to this, are the beginnings of preparations for moving, an Induction at the new church that's not Dibley but sounds similar.

It is joyfully bonkers - and the more important to find a bit of balance.

Thank you, God, that as three years in Railway Town draws to its close, there is so much hope and new potential.

There is quote from Dag Hammarskjold that I have come to value: 

“For all that has been,
Thank you.

For all that is to come,
Yes!”

Amen to that!