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.

Next Sunday sees the start of the crazy season of Advent.. and crazy it surely will be...

ADVENT 1 (30)
I am teaching all day on Zoom

Church will all-age and very messy, be centred on wreath-making; the leader has promised to make me a wreath :)

ADVENT 2 (7)
We have an infant blessing, toy service (collecting gifts for Salvation Army appeal) and Communion

ADVENT 3 (14)
In the morning we have a 'pop-up' nativity

In the evening we have our first ever Community Carol Festival with stroke survivors' choir, community centre choir, church choir, and Brownies.

THURSDAY 18
We are hosting a Radio Stoke Coffee Morning

ADVENT 4 (21)
Morning we have traditional lessons & carols using Christian Aid material

Evening we Carols by Candlelight (or Candles by Carol light!!)

CHRISTMAS EVE
Our now traditional (it's the third year!) Christingle

CHRISTMAS DAY
Celebration Service

Small wonder I don't have the energy for evening reflections this year. It will feel a little odd not logging onto Zoom at 9p.m. every night, but after five years, I think it is time for a rest. I will enjoy what we do have - and hope that others will enjoy it too.

(Photo was from Advent 4 2020, 'Zurch')

This week has been, and continues to be, very full, with early starts and late finishes.  It has also been a week when winter began fully take its grip, although, unlike last year, as yet no snow in these parts.  Since completing my Race for Refugees in September, I have continued walking the three miles or so each from central Manchester to the vicar school, meaning that two or three days a week I am guaranteed to get nine or ten miles of walking (this week fitted around nine or ten hours of working!).  At the moment, it is just about light when I reach college, and yesterday was a lovely (if shepherd/sailor worrying) sky.

Making or taking time to pause, to admire something of the natural world is a good thing, a chance to re-centre and find a bit of equilibrium amidst the hurl-burly of academic, pastoral, professional and trustee responsibilities.

Searching for Hymns for Advent 2 (my next preach) I came access this beautiful hymn based in Isaiah 11: 1 - 10 which can be sung to 'Jerusalem' or 'Ye Banks and Braes' (I found a gorgeous version recorded by someone called Josh Garrels but I can't persuade YouTube to let me share it here... maybe try your favourite music streaming service!)

O day of peace that dimly shines
through all our hopes and prayers and dreams,
guide us to justice, truth, and love,
delivered from our selfish schemes.
May swords of hate fall from our hands,
our hearts from envy find release,
till by God's grace our warring world
shall see Christ's promised reign of peace.

Then shall the wolf dwell with the lamb,
nor shall the fierce devour the small;
as beasts and cattle calmly graze,
a little child shall lead them all.
Then enemies shall learn to love,
all creatures find their true accord;
the hope of peace shall be fulfilled,
for all the earth shall know the Lord.

Carl P Daw, Jr (born 1944) © 1982 Hope Publishing Company.