Today, part of what I am doing is preparing some teaching notes for a one hour session on risk management for ministers. It's fun for me - and hopefully useful for them!
A Skinny Fairtrade Latte in the Food Court of Life
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Risky Stuff...
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Every day is a school day... literally in this case
Today was my first foray into academic marking... an interesting, enjoyable and mostly fun experience, from which I learned a lot.
I was 'moderating' which is not the same as marking or second-marking... The scripts had already been marked by a very experienced tutor, and my role was two-fold: to see if the marking felt right (i.e. that I felt it was all in the right ball park) and to ensure that it was fair (i.e. that all scripts were treated with equity).
I confirmed what I've always know - I am a pedant on grammar and formatting (truly I am my mother's daughter)!
I'm glad I have the opportunity for another round of moderating later in the year so that I can feel a bit more confident before next year needing to start marking academic work I've set (eek!) as I am not sure I've really grasped how to 'pitch' the criteria.
On a lighter note, it was interesting and amusing to read reviews of a book by someone I led occasional joint services with in Glasgow, in which the story is told of a young, inexperienced minister who, many years later I worked with on CoP26!
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The Bible tells me so...
I was doing a search for Bible verses that refer to 'aliens and strangers' ahead of Sunday's service - I was looking mostly for the ones about gleaning to provide a bit of context for the Ruth story, but also others about treating 'aliens' (foreigners) well. Two bit stood out for me... the verses from Ezekiel 47, above and some from Deuteronomy 27, listed below, emphasis mine. In amongst all the apparently divinely sanctioned genocides of the Hebrew scriptures, there are some repeated, clear and stern teachings about the treatment of 'resident aliens' along with widows and orphans...
The same day Moses charged the people as follows: “When you have crossed over the Jordan, these shall stand on Mount Gerizim to bless the people: Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin. And these shall stand on Mount Ebal for the curse: Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali. Then the Levites shall declare in a loud voice to all the Israelites,
“ ‘Cursed be anyone who makes an idol or casts an image, anything abhorrent to the Lord, the work of an artisan, and sets it up in secret.’ All the people shall respond, saying, ‘Amen!’
“ ‘Cursed be anyone who dishonours father or mother.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen!’
“ ‘Cursed be anyone who moves a neighbour’s boundary marker.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen!’
“ ‘Cursed be anyone who misleads a blind person on the road.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen!’
“ ‘Cursed be anyone who deprives an alien, an orphan, or a widow of justice.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen!’
“ ‘Cursed be anyone who lies with his father’s wife, because he has violated his father’s rights.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen!’
“ ‘Cursed be anyone who lies with any animal.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen!’
“ ‘Cursed be anyone who lies with his sister, whether the daughter of his father or the daughter of his mother.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen!’
“ ‘Cursed be anyone who lies with his mother-in-law.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen!’
“ ‘Cursed be anyone who strikes down a neighbour in secret.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen!’
“ ‘Cursed be anyone who takes a bribe to shed innocent blood.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen!’
“ ‘Cursed be anyone who does not uphold the words of this law by observing them.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen!’
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Explore Your Call...
Although I make a lot of mention of 'Vicar School', I usually (intentionally) avoid naming it, in the same way that I use thinly veiled names for the churches I serve/served.
However, I am proud to part of this college, and want to do my tiny bit to spread the word of who we are and what we are about, so I am sharing this advert for our upcoming online 'Explore Your Call' event.
Are you interested in exploring your call into ministry within the Baptist tradition? At NBC we offer a range of pathways/tracks and are especially eager to journey with those who may encounter obstacles due ethnicity, colour, disability, gender, biological sex, or sexuality. (choice of words mine, so if you feel the terms are incorrect blame me not the college)To find out out more scan the QR code or email charmaine.howard@northern.org.uk we'd love to chat! -
LAMPS The Passion
So, this is coming to a church in Railway Town...Book early to avoid disappointment (I mean, you might get to see me do my cabin crew impression before it starts...)What is The Passion? - Performed by a cast of three talented professional actors, the life, death and resurrection of Jesus are recreated in a moving, memorable and ultimatelyjoyful retelling of the Easter events.Told from the perspectives of Peter, Mary Magdalene and a Roman centurion named Marcus, The Passion leads us up to and through the events of Holy Week, the cross and beyond.As with all LAMPS performances, it has been written with everyone in mind, not just people who go to church. It is also suitable for secondary school students.Who are LAMPS? - We are a collective of Christian artists who create, produce and perform theatre, music and comedy events and creative resources for the church.Refreshments – will be served at the end of the performance.Ticket information - here or scan the QR code in the picture above