This week, our service reflected on the stories of the disciples hiding away in rooms with barred doors - with a slight detour into the second ending of John's gospel, which we'd looked at on Easter Sunday. 

We noted that Thomas simply said the things and asked the asked the questions no-one else was brave/daft enough to voice (noting that we don't speak about Doubting Peter even though he clearly didn't believe the testimony of the women).  We thought about the place of questions, about the fears that stop us being more bold, and touched very briefly on persecution and religious freedom.

For our intercessory prayers, people were invited to write/draw/symbolise their prayers based on prompts by me.  We then folded the papers so that the prayers were hidden inside, and did some very simple origami to make 'houses'.  These houses of prayer were then brought together to build a village of prayer.

It all went well, with high levels of participation.  A simple activity, but one worth keeping in mind for a future occasion.      

A lot of my reading happens on trains... this book arrived yesterday, which I have been asked to review.  So far, it's very accessible and interesting.  A lot of practical stuff I have known for a very long time, but some nuance that's worth being aware of.

... I mean, if you are gong to send me a random request for money, at least get my gender and my name right...

Trust me, dear brother in Christ, you do not know me, otherwise you have not have addressed your message so inaccurately!  Into the internet bin of oblivion it goes. 

Photo from yesterday's day out via trains that took very scenic routes. doubling the length of my journey... due to west coast mainline track works, I went via the Settle and Carlisle railway and via Dumfries and Galloway... both ways... for a two hour meet up with a friend.

Low Sunday and the Emmaus Road story, which we explored this morning, has some similarities (at least if you look for them!)... unexpected directions, a very long day, encounters with strangers... new or renewed understanding/insight, and surprising moments of joy.

Yesterday was a very long day, but I was blessed with beautiful routes through Yorkshire and Dumfries and Galloway, had a good blether with a namesake, and ate some tasty food... This morning was another well attended service, topped off by electing two new Charity Trustees and endorsing two Membership requests.

Low Sunday this year has been a blend of journeying and joy. 

After all the busyness - which was definitely rewarding/fulfilling - a bit of a lie-in this morning, enforced by two felines lying right on top of me (and everyone knows it's illegal to disturb a sleeping cat, right?!), a fit of prep for Sunday's service, including letting the readers and musicians know what is needed/desired... and then time to give the lawn its first cut of the year.

One of the curiosities of this garden is the pair of tulips that emerge from the gravel around Easter time... today they are freshly opened and looking lovely.

Unusually my post-Easter time off isn't until next week - and then only for one of the two roles - so this week it has to be about careful pacing, enjoying the spring flowers ad listening to the wisdom of my kitty cats, as well as getting some work done that just doesn't fit into term time.