One of the features of our church is that during the school summer holidays (earlier up here than in England) the regular Sunday School staff have a well earned break and other leaders offer something a little different for a few weeks.  This year the children and young people are time travelling back to Roman times to spend time with the early church, to visit some of the famous sites and thinking what it was like for the early church.  Because I think that adults and children should follow broadly the same material, the adults will be touring with Peter and Paul as we work through part of Acts.  More Cook's Tours (and he was, after all, a Leicestershire Baptist) or even Saga than Club Med perhaps, but we will be visiting:

Week 1: Joppa and Caesarea (where we visit the home of a Roman soldier)

Week2: Jerusalem (where we eavesdrop on the first major council of the church)

Week 3: Athens (where we climb Mars Hill to the areopagus)

Week 4: Rome (where our journey ends... or does it?)

Already I am being challenged and inspired as I work with the first story... it should be a fascinating journey.

An article here focusses on the potential for Dr Jeffrey John to be appointed as Bishop of Southwark and observes

"The group’s [Reform] convenor Philip Giddings and Secretary Chris Sugden said the Church should not consecrate clergy whose doctrine is not fully in accord with the Church of England’s teachings."

Now this is not a direct quotation so it may not be quite what they actually said, but I was left wondering how many Anglican clergy actually subscribe to all 39 articles...?

I was quite struck by this opinion piece from The Guardian online.

This coming Sunday we will be looking at the story of Peter and Cornelius, and I find myself wondering...

HT BUGB e-news sweep for links.