Ok

By continuing your visit to this site, you accept the use of cookies. These ensure the smooth running of our services. Learn more.

A Skinny Fairtrade Latte in the Food Court of Life

  • Chapel Preparations...

    This week, I have my first turn of leading College Chapel.  Technically, I am subbing for someone who won't be there, but it's a sub that was agreed back in September, so I don't think it really counts as a sub.

    And it's the end of term, everyone is tired and probably worn out with words.  So it'll be relatively word light (no sermon type thingy) and multi-sensory heavy.  Probably way too many ideas for one act of worship, but I am okay with that, if only because some of it can be adapted for Palm Sunday at church.

    Photo is from The Gathering Place, Easter Sunday morning probably 2016, and will form part of my PowerPoint.

  • Hmmm...

    At our Ministers Conference, the closing Communion service used this recording of Deacon Blue's 'Dignity'... it was a sound test in Glasgow's George Square, and one of the men gritting the Square (almost certainly with salt imported from Cheshire (!)) asked if they would sing 'Dignity', which they did.  The video brought back so many memories, but especially

    • the Christmas Eve of the first Covid lockdown, when I stood in George Square and recorded a video greeting for my church folk
    • the days following the MEN/Ariana Grande concert tragedy when I joined others to honour the city of Manchester
    • the time I joined a anti-Brexit protest
    • the bin lorry tragedy, an event witnessed by some church folk
    • the joy and vibrancy of the Commonwealth Games
    • the multi-faith prayers of COP26

    Some may recall I once used this song as the basis of an evening reflection for a small group meeting on the mezzanine of The Gathering Place.  Others may just know that it's a song I love.

    What I didn't know until I chased down the video, was that it was recorded on New Year's Eve 2009, when I had been in Glasgow just a few months... the start of a fourteen year adventure.

    Thank you T, you really blessed me today.

     

  • Getting Ready for Residentials...

    Ministers' Conference closely followed by Vicar School residential = lots of packing!  Sophie as always is eager to assist, whilst Sasha watches from a distance and gives me a knowing look!

  • This Minister Likes... Celebration

    On Sunday we had the joy of welcoming two people in Covenant Membership, and also welcoming two new Deacons elected at the recent AGM.  So there had to be cake... and as I hadn't time or inclination to make cake, I bought and 'trimmed up' a couple of cakes from M&S.

    Someone commented that 'our new minister likes cake'... well I do, but actually it's the celebration that I really like... it could equally have been pizza or a buffet or a barbecue... except that somehow cake feels more special.

    Overall I think churches need more cake - or at least more celebration!

  • Colour Coordinated Tarrying!

    This year's Lent book, so far an enjoyable read, has a cover carefully designed to coordinate with my winter coat and my travel mug!

    Well worth a read, if you haven't yet come across it - 'tarrying' is a good practice... hopeful, intentional, openhearted, open-minded, expectant, active waiting... I suspect we can all do with a bit of that!