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I love this tableau in the foyer of Railway Town Baptist Church... we bought the 'garage door' hanging, the Rainbows and Brownies made the stars, and the effect is very eye-catching.
Lots of people pass by on their way to/from the local retail park, or from the railway station, so I hope this brings them some joy on their journeys.
Donkey Roads and Camel Treks by Gemma Simmonds
Every year I buy a new Advent book, and most years I soon grow tired of simplistic or sentimental reflections. This year I have found one that not only accepts, it embraces and expresses thoughtful, educated theology without becoming dry or soulless.
I have yet to discover the basis for the title, but I am enjoying reading the work of a woman of deep faith and profound wisdom who can write in an accessible way without losing the keen insights of her academic study.
Definitely one to consider for next year - unless you are up for playing a lot of catch up this year!
Advent 2, and we had the wonderful challenge of combining all into one service the following...
And we did it, and it was blooming marvellous!
The Bible Readings were Isaiah 11: 2- 9 (from whence the title of the sermonette) and, using a video retelling, Luke 1: 1-25 & 2:57-58. There was also Jesus blessing the children as part of the blessing liturgy.
Over fifty people, including two babies and a dozen or more other children... songs ranging from Taize to Kendrick and all points in between... MP3 recordings of an organ, and live guitar, recorder and drums... having to add the 'emergency' glasses to the communion trays... welcoming people newly arrived to this town... booking refugees into the town-wide Community Christmas day lunch... and gathering up several huge bags of gifts to be given to families in need...
Oh, and my sermonette seemed to hit the spot too... bonus!
Today it's 22 years since my ordination as a Baptist minister. As is my usually custom around this time of year, I am taking time to pause and reflect... on the call, so powerful and clear, six years earlier on 5 December1997... on the ordination service itself, full of hope and energy, excitement and certainty... on the ministry since then with all the highs and low, twists and turns that has brought...
Looking back there are recurrent themes, themes that show me how God has woven, and is weaving, together the gifts and skills, personality and spirituality that I have been given with the unique yet strangely similar contexts in which that ministry has been, and is being, exercised.
2 Timothy 4: 1 - 9... the verses that I heard as God's call to me, in my mid thirties, to leave behind the security of a successful career in industry and start over as a Baptist minister... the verses in which I saw myself as the 'Timothy' to whom they were addressed. The last time I revisited the verses, I realised that I am no longer Timothy but Paul, the older minister, who is approaching the end of their ministry (well, in about four years from now when I reach state pension age!) and the shift in role from learner to teacher, encourager, empowerer, enabler...
The best bits of ministry continue to be so much better than I ever think they could be, and the bad bits so very much worse... I still make mistakes, still learn, still find myself challenged and changed, and, as the inevitability of advancing years means less energy, less desire to innovate or experiment, I still rejoice in the call of the God who is faithful and in whom all that is good is being renewed daily.
Photo is a screenshot from last Sunday when I was leading worship and then teaching reflective practice on Zoom .
