I was asked if I'd post the answers to the 'Faith and Fun' Quiz so here they are.  Did no one spot the typo in the general knowledge question on the Bible - or couldn't you be "bother-ed" to tell me?!  Boy am I in trouble with someone over THEIR double entendre of one of my latest typos - I have now started putting the song copyright stuff on the order of service to make life easier for my CCL filler inner.  If things are out of copyright, we have 'public domain' but I missed a letter, the spell checker didn't spot it of course and one of the readers had a dirt track mind.  Ah me.... to the pure, etc...

Microsoft Word - Quiz answers.pdf

Does anyone out there do online self-assessment for tax?  If so, which software do you use, the choice is rather bewildering.  Anyone I have asked round here has a husband or accountant (or both) who does it for them so are not a lot of help.  And if anyone can tell me which two boxes to put in the contribution to heat and light from church so it cancels out properly (BUC guideline is confusing!) I'd be very grateful.

Today a deluge of post (unfortunate metaphor, sorry) including several Baptist bits - one from ministries, asking among other things, for people to participate in a research project on understandings of ministry, one confirming a grant of just over £500 towards my own study fees for next year (subject to superisor's report, which I thought they'd had) and the dear old BT with a spread on NAMs.

Well Liz, will you be putting your own photo in the cat litter tray, that's the question?  Great interview, generous honesty and you will be a great minister. 

I was left with slightly mixed feelings about the list of leavers, recalling the pain of leaving college with no idea where God was leading you next.  Whilst I rejoice with Liz and the others who are settled, I mourn with those who face yet more interviews, squints, views, trials by quiche and the unhelpful, if well intentioned comments of others.  My own 'best' horrendous comment, from the chaplain for goodness sake, was 'God must think you are very special to allow you to experience this.'  Miraculously, I did not resort to violence!

I discovered I am in the excellent company of John Weaver in taking three goes to pass a driving test, and have to admit I was, generally, impressed by both his and Nigel Wright's articles.  Churches often do not 'get' what having a NAM is about and can combine patronism ('we've had students before') with unrealistic expectations and lack of support.

Having served my time, and been handshaked in May, I look back on my 'formation' with mixed feelings.  I loved the theological study, the ecumenical relationships and even the challenges that felt uncomfortable.  I enjoyed the diversity of people I met and the opportunities I had to try new things.  Settlement began with hopeful anticiaption and continued in agonising uncertainty before finally ending in relief!  NAMing has been 'interesting' but as I look back I have certainly grown in confidence as the minister God has called me to be.  When I was entering my final year of college, I was quite convinced what I did not want - suburban or a building project - and what I ended up with is essentially both.  I find I am amused to be regarded locally as 'visionary' and a 'mover and shaker' and when people say 'oh yes, you're that Baptist woman who does services in a pub' - few who knew me 8 years ago would have anticipated any of that.

Despite the ups and downs, I don't regret for one moment 'leaving my nets' to follow God's call.  In the famous words, 'here I am, and can do no other'

John Weaver is right when he compares learning to be a minister to learning to drive - passing the test is only the beginning, you have toget out there and do it.

I am truly grateful that the BU encourages us to go on studying and learning, because it really is important not to stagnate.  And today, I will pause to pray for those named in the BT, especially those from NBC, and, because they are close to my heart, those who are waiting for the list of churches from this week's NST meeting and praying that this time there just might be a church for them...

Today I received by email a whole set of 'reflection papers' I have to read before my university summer school.  They are fascinating!  At a totally surface level, it is interesting to compare the layout, length and who has actually answered the questions set (and who has yet to submit).  They range from brief (less than a side) to verbose (six pages, mine).  They also vary in terms of subject matter and degree of, hmm, what's the word, openness? vulnerability? Possibly even the depth, as in profundity, which varies (though I hesitate to critique other people's work in what, for some, is a new venture - not everyone has spent the last umpteen years having to do it).  I am intrigued that one person has chosen to reflect on an incident that occurred about 30 years ago whilst everyone else has selected a recent event.  Most are quite specific, but a couple were very general.  Topics explored all related to balancing pastoral and profressional priorities, and ranged from the wearing of dog collars to funerals, from admission to communion to outsourcing domestic services in a residential college!  It will be intriguing to see how we work with the material and what new insights emerge.

I was woken up at 6 a.m. by the radio telling me good news that Alan Johnstone had been released.  This release was, it seems, secured without violence, and is undoubtedly immensely positive.  I am grateful for those in my congregation who have steadfastly written his name in our prayer book over the last couple of months, continuing to pray for him when his name vanished from the news.

At the same time, we continue to pray for the family of Madeleine McCann, and all the other unnamed, unknown men, women and children who are kidnapped, abducted or trafficked every single day.  Somehow we need to 'be' as well as 'hear' good news.