Today I was teaching classes, on pastoral care and reflective practice, on Zoom , which meant I couldn't be at church, where wreath-making formed the centrepiece of the service.  The person leading the service left this beautiful one on my doorstep... pastoral care as inclusive gift-giving.

During the morning session, one of the participants asked if a specific - and important - topic would be covered in the class (which was material written by someone else).  When I checked, it wasn't so I spent my lunch break quickly finding good resources and preparing to facilitate some exploration around that topic.  At the end of the class someone commented that this was pastoral care...  and they were correct... the gift of time, knowledge (or at least where to find it!) and flexibility.

I always learn when I teach/train/facilitate and today was no exception.

Today I am teaching online for most of the day, which includes leading prayers (with Communion) for Advent 1.

Setting up my office this morning brought back memories of 2020 when, every Sunday, I would hang fabric to disguise my bookcases, stack books to form a 'table' and spend disproportionate amounts of time tweaking the set-up.

So it is today.

I am glad to be part of a tradition that had /has no theological hangups over Zoom Communion.

I am glad that out of lock-down came new opportunities for communication, fellowship and teaching/learning.

Advent 1 holds many bittersweet associations, and stirs within me a melancholy that I think is healthy and helpful,

Whatever Advent 1 means for you, may the candle flame of hope lighten your journey.