Today we invited people to "bring the food you love" for a multicultural bring and share lunch... it was truly wonderful... by far the greatest number of people I have seen stay for a shared meal since I arrived here, and by far the biggest variety of food I have seen in a very long time.

The atmosphere was wonderful... both the buzz of conversation before the food was ready, and the near silence as everyone tucked into good food.

The service beforehand was half decent too!  

Tomorrow at church we are hosting a 'bring and share' with a slight twist... rather than sandwiches and quiches and all things white British, we've invited people to bring the food they love - the food that reflects their home culture, or that they love from another culture.  Disappointingly, no curry goat, even if I wouldn't be eating it, as the maker will be be away for the weekend.  But we are expecting everything from cottage pie to five bean chilli, cauliflower cheese to spring rolls, Indian snacks to egg sandwiches, and all points in between.

I've made a pot of lentil dhal/dahl, and will also be taking along some chips and dips.

I think it will be rather wonderful to mix and match different tastes and textures, and to celebrate being together.  

College life is very full... lots of words, lots of ideas, lots of doing.  Yesterday our Baptist MiTs and Interns led a short, reflective act of worship themed for Candlemas (script partly borrowed from the NAMs!) which offered a space to slow down, to be still, to be...

I was mildly amused to realise that there are people who have never used a hymnbook before coming to college! It shouldn't surprise me because I haven't been in a church that uses them for over a decade, but even so... 

It was much needed, and much appreciated by all who took part.  Thank you to C, D, J, E.