When I mentioned at NAM reflection day that our two churches were having our fourth 'date' this Sunday, that's what I was asked.  It's a good question - how far has the relationship developed?  Will we remain as 'just good friends' or are things starting to move to the 'next level'?

The service - at our end this time - was again well attended and there was a lovely warm atmosphere (even though the heating was definitely switched OFF!) with a lot more inter-congregational mixing both in seating patterns and in chatter.  One couple from Dibley + 1 even commented as they arrived 'we're always last, you can start now' - that felt positive.

I enjoyed leading the service and had had a great time during the week playing around with the twin images of 'God as light' and 'God as father' found in 1 John (on which we are just starting a series).  A great excuse to sing the old classic 'Immortal, Invisible' and then 'God is our Father', complete with sound effects and 'dancing feet.'   Even singing these two songs shows the contrast between the two images.  The act of thinking about the God who is at once mysterious/accessible, transcendent/immanent, abstract/concrete seemed a good approach to sharing communion where common/sacred memorial/presence comprehensible/incomprehensible also co-exist (even somehow in the mind of this ordinance theologian!).

So are we holding hands yet?  Modesty forbids disclosure, but let's just say it's looking more that way, although it's far too early to leap to any conclusions about the way things will develop (and the ecclesiastical equivalent to Joyce Hugget can rest easy knowing we are heeding their counsel ;o)).