Yesterday we held our 'Graduation Celebration' which takes the form of a simple worship service, during which each person is honoured individually - a distinct advantage of being a small college.  From people who had worked hard to achieve Foundation Certificates, to those who completed Doctoral Research, and all points in between, it was a chance to dress up (if they so wished) and to be applauded for what had been achieved.  In all we had 37 people graduating, with around half able to be with us for the service.  To hear the stories behind the achievements was humbling and inspiring - a reminder of what is unique and precious about this place, and why we do what we do.

The sun shone, we were served a delicious roast dinner, and we spent time celebrating our alumnae... it was a real blessing, and I am proud to have been there. 

Recently the local council inspected the kitchen at church - we were awarded the maximum score of 5.  This is a great tribute to the volunteers who run our Coffee Morning/Warm Hub as the inspection took place whilst that was running, and they were able to show good standards being maintained. 

It's great to be able to welcome visitors knowing that we have achieved this - and that the hard work behind the score is officially recognised. 

By the wonder that is live-streaming I was virtually in Paisley listening to a lecture I couldn't get to in Manchester!

The Whitley Lecture is an annual Baptist celebration of scholarly theology (or sometimes history) and this year involved some fascinating inter-textual reading of scripture with a lens of reconciliation.  Especially interesting was the reflection on the Magi story in Matthew 2 and its links to the Abraham story (but that maybe because I was already familiar with the textual connections of the other case studies from John 4 and Luke 19).

Sometimes it is good simply to sit and listen to someone sharing the fruits of their research, and to glean a few ideas to store up for another day.  I am grateful to have been able to do so.

The sun shone brightly...

The roast dinner went down a treat...

The worship was thoughtful...

The conversations were deep...

It was a good day - and what's not to like when you get to sing one of your favourite hymns in a renewed version?

This morning I have been working the services for Holy Week and Easter, choosing readings and music... and being taken to so many times and places, remembering people and congregations... As part of this, I have once again tracked down the recording of the Manchester Passion (it was BBC 3 and isn't on i-Player, but can be found on You Tube) which I will watch in its entirety on Good Friday afternoon.  But... how can it be twenty years since I sat in my living room in 'Dibley' watching it live?

You can watch it here, and I challenge you not to be moved by it - even if, like me, you have watched it twenty times (or more!)