Anyone who reads this stuff will know that my congregation has had a high speed version of the Christian Aid Child of Africa advent material.  When I was working with the story of Edouard, I hit on the idea of using ordinary rubber bands as 'wristbands' that folk could use for one week only to remind them of children (and adults) whose lives are lived in poverty.  Sadly the bands I had were a bit small - OK for my relatively slim wrists but not for the larger ones; also I was a little concerned about the fragile skin of older folk.  In the end I suggested that people put the band around their purse or wallet, or on a pen or pencil - something they would use each day - so that they would see the band and be reminded.

I'm not entirely sure it worked - two people left the building saying 'look I've found a use for that band you gave me' - but at least it tapped into contemporary culture (several of my folk have well bangled wrists in rainbow hues) and I've found it helpful.

It was hardly rocket science, but the recent BBC 1 serial Rocket Man seemed to me to successfully combine many elements, and many levels of interpretation under the guise of warm, funny, feel good, family viewing.  Ideal Sunday evening ‘blob-out’ viewing and at the same time, for me anyway, thought provoking.

The basic plot line was the well-travelled route of downtrodden skilled craftsmen triumphing over adversity but the bye ways of teenage dreams and relationships, infertility, depression, bereavement, literacy difficulties, kitchen sink science (literally in the final episode), community spirit, letting go and moving on all added depth and richness without it degenerating into the gloom and despond of the average British soap.  Whilst the story had a happy ending – rocket launched, widower father and children set free to face the future and infertile couple expecting triplets – it wasn’t too neat or contrived, the scrap yard had closed down, the new relationships were tentative, the way ahead was uncharted and perilous…

The tag line left the way open for a sequel. Personally, I hope there isn’t one. A second series would lose the charm of this warm story of hopes and dreams.  The messiness of real life, with broken dreams and clay-footed heroes combined with the hope of a new start seemed to have echoes of the story we retell every Christmas.  I’m sure the scriptwriter’s intentions and my ‘reading’ were wildly divergent, but it was good in this age of cynicism and pushing the pre-watershed boundaries to experience something my mother would describe as ‘wholesome family entertainment.’

There has been a lot of talk recently about 'core competencies' for ministers, causing various repsonses among those involved in training, pastoring and employing said persons.  Not long after I left college, one of my former tutors asked if there was anything obvious I hadn't had opportunity to think about whilst at college.  My answer then, and I adhere to it now, was that without being able to see into the future we cannot know what might have been helpful.  It would have been nice not to have had to study the BU guidelines on asbestos during my first year in pastorate, but it hardly features high on the list of training priorities!  My past life skills enabled me to write the ALARP assessment for the insurance company on our low level glass (if you don't understand that, believe me, you don't want to!  If you do, you will appreciate the amusing and ridiculous aspects of risk assessment).  After almost two years in pastorate, I still remind my congregation that I did not study either mind-reading or how to do miracles, but on the whole I think I do a good enough job and was adequately prepared.

Having read various people's thoughts on this core competency thing, I was reminded of the following which although a few years old, still raises a smile and has a ring of truth...

The Perfect Minister preaches for exactly 15 minutes - he condemns sin but never upsets anyone.

She works from 8.00 a.m. until midnight and is also a good caretaker. He receives slightly more than the minimum wage established by the government, pays his taxes, wears good clothes, never looks shabby, keeps his library up to date, entertains regularly, drives a new car and gives £x,ooo a year to the poor and to the congregation.

She is 28 – 30 years old and has approximately 25 - 30 years experience in the ministry.

He has a burning desire to work with teenagers and spends all of his time with senior citizens.

The Perfect Minister smiles all the time with a straight face because he has a sense of humour that keeps him seriously dedicated at all times to the work.

She makes daily calls on church families, shut-ins, and those in hospital.

He spends all of his time evangelising the un-churched and is always in the office when needed.

As for the rest of us... well we try (oh yes, I can be very trying!)

Yesterday the NBC Class of 2002/2003 EMBA-HEBA deeply serious theolgoical reflection (not) group met for our occasional 'retreat.'  In the ladies' loo those of us permitted to enter encountered the following sign on the door - as far as I know the gents' had no such sign, which may speak volumes, but about what I hesitate to contemplate. 

Apologies for the poor quality image - combination of camera-phone, giggling photographer and a cold day!  It reads 'if you require toilet paper please ask at kiosk' - and they meant it - we had to ask for and then return the loo roll!!!

Anyway, it caused us much mirth and of course we then had a very in depth discussion on Deuteronomy 23: 12-14 - I don't think.

This year Advent is an interesting experience.  With only one service rather than two, and the need to juggle a carol service, Churches Together Christingle, a Christmas Eve Communion and a first ever ecumenical village Christmas Day service, to say nothing of a 'non-preaching Sunday' with a desire to have an Advent journey has been interesting.

My congregation has a long established tradition of supporting Christian Aid's Christmas appeal, so I have rehashed the 'Home for Christmas' material to fit into Advent 1 and 2 (hence yesterday we had Jose and Tabita, next week Evalina and Edouard).  I had hoped that Christmas Day might draw on the same theme since the church 'up the hill' from our defunct edifice also has this practice.  Alas the church 'down the hill' does not & will not, so it may not come to pass - this year anyway.

Advent 4 will be our carol service and a totally new experience as we use the BBC local radio Real Christmas broadcast in the local community centre.  Lots of wonderful ideas are emerging and we are anticipating a hint of Narnia with twinkling lights, a free 'bran tub' for kiddies, a festive tea for pensioners, and lattes, luxury hot chocolate (both fairtade of course!)  and Jamie Oliver style mulled cranberry juice for adults (don't want the temperance league down on us like a ton of festive bricks).  The absence of nativity play, collection plate and notices will be a challlenge to some folk but many 'little people' are getting involved.  It feels good. 

Christmas Eve Communion will be a gathering in a family home and I am looking forward to creating something a little different for this.  There is something quite fitting about gathering in a real home to share in this way, as we hopefully have to cram in to a living room rather than our normal 'home'.   

The ecumenical services are a great source of hope for us clergy types - and many of the folk in the congregations too, just not all, not yet.  The vicar grins incessantly at the thought of the shared Christmas Day service he's wanted for ten years, and the Methodist minister is delighted to be part of a functioning ecumenical scene.

So, with only one sermon left to write this year (plus the 'talk' for the christingle) I must be an unusual preacher.  Instead I am freed to help others create acts of worship that will allow us all to experience a fresh sense of wonder at the story of new beginnings in borrowed rooms - something that resonates with our own story.

Enough waffle, back to preparing for my wonderfully rewarding Advent Lunchtime reflection & prayer meetings which necessitate the making of large vats of soup...