Today we made our covenant together as God's people as we begin another year of mission and ministry.  Because I was a late settler, and because I began work in this fellowship on 1st January (2004) the new calendar year has become a time when we recommit to each other, and to God, for the year ahead.  In some senses this is a tad odd, because our AGM is mid-March, and the church year probably starts then with the appointment of new deacons etc, though our church financial year is calendar and when we used to keep anniversaries the church one was October... confused?  You should be!

I preached on 1 Chronicles 17 - Nathan's message to David about building a house (dwelling) for God or God building a house (succession) for David.  We focussed on three paired questions....

• What do we want?  What does God want?
• What are we hearing?  What is God actually saying?
• Build a church? or Build the Church?

In a couple of weeks we have a vision day, to be led by the minister of a church in a similar boat to our own, at which we are seeking to discern what God is saying to us about the future of our fellowship.  To be able to distinguish between what we want - which may be instrinsically good but not right for now - and what God wants - which may be scary and involve risk.  To be able to test out what we are hearing to see if it really is God's voice or just our own ideas.  To build the church with or without a church building.  These are big things to undertake, so it is important that we first have the commitment one to another and to God.

After the sermon we made our covenant promise, one which has evolved from various sources but says what we need to say...

As we made our promises, and as we shared bread and wine, I looked out over these people with whom I have been entrusted.  Some of them will need a lot of TLC this year, some face incredible personal challenges, some of them are preparing to lay down roles they've held for more than half my lifetime, some are beginning to gain the confidence to step out into new ventures.  As I looked out, I realised, as I do each year at this point, just how far we've travelled in the last 12 months.

We ended the service with Estelle White's bouncy pilgrim hymn 'Moses, I know your the man' which for me always seems to speak into our situation (but I only pick about once a year)

So every day, we're on our way,

For we're a wandering, travelling race,

We're the People of God!

Thankfully, I cannot know what 2008 will bring us.  I hope that as a fellowship our general (church) health and cohesion is such that we will be able to fulfil the words of another favourite hymn of mine by Richard Gillard...

I will weep when you are weeping,

When you laugh I'll laugh with you

I will share your joy and sorrow

Till we've seen this journey through

Covenanting is a great tradition, and I think doing it annually is healthy.  It is never easy - but then it shouldn't be - because it demands of us that which Jesus himself demands - that we love and our neighbour.  I left the service with a sense of warmth (though not a Weslyan strange warmth!) and peace - God has brought us safe this far, and God will lead us on.

This evening - or is it last - I was one of the local clergy persons being wined (or shloered in my case) and dined by the local penties for whom I occasionally preach.  It really was superb hospitality - their annual "church leaders' banquet" is a three course feast with proper, home prepared, gourmet food.

The evening included a quiz and I'm proud to say that, partnered by the YFC worker, I won it, upholding honour for Baptists everywhere in all four categories.  As the hound that advertises insurance would say, Oh yes!  We were soar away winners by five points, the runners up being the husband of the other Baptist minister partnered with the wife of a vicar!

I have to confess I still don't know how many times 'euthus' appears in Mark or 'pneuma' in the NT but at least we got the number of appearances of Gabriel correct and knew there are five women in Matthew's genealogy.  A few good guesses in this and other categories (general knowledge and recognisisng sweet wrappers from a picture of one letter) secured our victory.

Had to smile at one trick question in one of the Bible rounds, which we all got wrong, and which pushed the FIEC man close to telling the quiz organiser he was wrong.

In which of these chapters of Genesis is the first mention of rain? 1, 2 or 7?

We all dutifully answered 7 - but the correct anser is 2.... "rain had not yet fallen on the earth"!  Even the FIEC man had a good laugh once it was explained.

It was a good fun evening, excellent food and pleasant company.  It was true hospitality and so a truly spiritual experience.

I was once told you needed eight hugs a day to survive - so I'm not sure how I've lasted 45 years, but there you go.  I have a feeling virtual/metaphorical ones work at least almost as well as have the advantage of not being misconstrued or abused.

So here's one for J, J and F and for any others who are feeling bemused, battered and bewildered - or just a little unloved or unlovely.

From http://asbojesus.wordpress.com/2008/01/11/342/

Last night's Church Meeting has left me somewhat puzzled.  In a good way mostly, but puzzled none the less.

We are fortunate that proportionally, our attendance is always good - usually at least 50% of members (we rarely have 'open' meetings unless there's something really major to think through...!).  Knowing the number of people with colds etc, I'd arranged the chairs in a single horseshoe rather than rows, and opted to use a Powerpoint thing with some music, based around Jesus washing his disicples feet, for our opening devotions.

In some ways there wasn't that much to discuss - more lots of things to report back on.

As ever, the pastoral news section was the longest section of the meeting.  A lot of people have big stuff to deal with at the moment, and it took a while to get round such of these as people who are willing to share.  It dismays me that we still have to list all the broken fingernails when others face life-hanging/threatening situations but there you go.

The aspects of church life that excite me - the wonderful Christmas outreach events, the steady but effective mission work and the upcoming Vision Day seemed to evoke minimal response from people, though we did agree to have a 'faith lunch' at the Vision Day which is big time progress for us!  Even the update from the architect over our planning application - due to go in again in a few days, so please pray.... - prompted minimal interest.  The most conversation seemed to arise over the disposal (or not) of our ancient, obsolete and barely functional photocopier which has sat in someone's garage for three years.  Said item will now be auctioned on Ebay and if it does not sell chucked.

It was a really unspectacular church meeting.  Yet it was filled with funny moments and lots of laughter.  When we closed at 9:15 (a Church meeting under 2 hours - we are well good!) people sat and chatted to each other and I had to chivy them up in the end so I could lock up and return the key.

I am intrigued by all this.  Suddenly we are being forced to support each other because people have 'pants' things to face.  Suddenly, amidst some real struggles - so much more meaningful than hymn book colours or buildings - we are discovering one of God's most precious gifts - that of laughter.

It was a somewhat weird Church Meeting.  I struggled with the blank expressions that arose whan people were asked to reflect on Christmas events.  But I am glad that we were able to laugh together - which maybe is a good precursor for the day, which will surely come, when we must also cry together.

Today came news that Sir Edmund Hilary had died.  Stuck in stationary traffic due to an accident on the M1, with my car engine swtiched off, I listened to a radio phone-in where people were sharing their memories of 'that day in 1953.'

First we heard from a famous person who had been at her father's club in Pall Mall to watch the coronation, and how the conquest of Everest and the Epsom Derby later that week were so fascinating and memorable.  Another media person spoke of being in Park Lane for the coronation.  And so it went on, people who'd owned TVs, people who had travelled to London to see the coronation...  Then the one that for me said it all, was a man who had been a ten-year-old boy living in a 'religious orphanage' in Liverpool who'd heard the news on the only radio in the home.  With no hint of bitterness, he recalled how this has made him realise how big the world was and that he too could aspire to great things (not his exact words, my reporting).  Living in a community behind high brick walls, he had assumed that heaven literally lay beyond them, now, he recalled, he dared to think differently.  This man never became famous, but in his own words 'had done quite well,' and I'm glad.

Lots of people think they are mourning Edmund Hilary, and maybe they are.  Today a friend of mine conducts a funeral for an elderly lady whose life was well lived whilst coming to terms with the loss of her own father-in-law who died yesterday.  The rich and famous have their place, and maybe they inspire us in some ways.  But it is the little people whose stories we never know, or know only in part after they've died, who actually shape the world.  True courage for me is not standing on a mountain top, but conquering pain, fear or sorrow to do what is needed of us. 

On Monday an 89 year old loosely linked to my church died; most of my own people didn't know her, no-one will ever remember where they were when they heard the news, but her life is no less valuable in the grand scheme of things.  I may have a tougher job constructing a eulogy than whoever buries Edmund Hilary - but the job we both do will be same.

It's still nice to be too young to remember the things that are spoken of in hushed tones by radio reporters, but hopefuly I'll never be too young or too old to be moved by what I hear or see on my own doorstep.