What does a minister do on Saturday evening?  Some, I am told, write their sermons (if I don't have a draft by Wednesday I'm anxious!).  Some collate topics for intercessory prayer (I tend to check the news Sunday morning and tweak what I've already prepared if needed).  Some go out!  Usually I do the ironing - but this time it was way too hot.  Tonight I did proptypes for tomorrow's craft activities... and here they are:

Given our theme of stories Jesus told about plants, it seemed appropriate to use seeds and pulses (all from my store cupboard and all past their use by date!) to make photo frames and cards.  Hopefully there will be some children to make them...

Eagle-eyed readers may recognise the photo of the Gatherers (taken about 3 years ago) which I printed off to put in my frame.

So, this afternoon I am in the local stationery shop looking for PVA glue which I need for tomorrow's craft activity.  There is also a family in there - Mum, son (about age 7) and daughter (about age 3).  The little girl started following me around the shop and chatting to me.  Eventually her brother came to find her.  As she wandered back to her mother she said, in a clear, loud voice, "I was helping man find glue."

I know I still have very short hair, but I have clearly got a female form and was wearing a cream sports top with a pink and purple floral design on it, to say nothing of carrying a handbag.  I am still chortling to myself now.  Just better not tell my plastic surgeon, she'd be mortified!

Every now and then someone asks why I 'decided' to be a minister... and I tell them I didn't.  Indeed I never 'wanted' to be a minister, I just know, beyond anything else I've ever known, that this is my calling.

I know that in some ways I'm a hopeless heretic (but a happy one) and that I have times when spiritual is the last thing I am, let alone feel, but every now and then something reminds that 'here I am , I can do no other.'  Today is such a day.  A phone call.  An email.  A friend.  A stranger.  But in both, there is God saying 'for this I called you.'

A few intriguing little hints going on just now about some possible future thinking for research and extra-church ministry - strange where following links on websites takes you...

So, off to do what I have to be, or be what I have to do...