It felt like a good end to Christian Aid Week this morning.  The red thread prayers adapted from the 'stations' suggested by Christian Aid seemed to go OK, and the video about Theodore Davidovic was excellent.

I have posted off our signed petition and red threads to Christian Aid, who will in turn pass them on the Prime Minister - whoever that may be by then!

A good, positive, Church meeting followed, so all in all, a good day!

Tomorrow we are having our Christian Aid Focused service.  I have found the resources this year to be especially helpful and creative, and am looking forward to sharing with our folk.

Christian Aid week is 60 years old - and I realise that I've been supporting it in various ways for about forty.  In the 1970s we were even sent out to deliver/collect envelopes by our RE teacher (if memory has not got too confused, he certainly sent us out with envelopes for charity).  Over the years I have shaken tins, baked cakes, bought cakes, counted money, attended (and miss) Christian Aid "Education Evenings", signed petitions and probably more.

In a world where intolerance and fear seem to be increasing, the work of Christian Aid and other similar organisations is more important than ever.  So I hope we can give generously tomorrow and help support this vital work.

I am often surprised (and equally appalled) at the lack of basic knowledge that too many ministers have about ordering worship.  Directed by others to this link, I was encouraged and discouraged in equal measure.  Encouraged because it's good stuff.  Discouraged because I've known this since I was a child.  Thankfully I grew up in, and have served in, churches who understand what the work of worship is.  Too many, it seems, do not.