Tomorrow and Friday, I am part of interview panel linked to my volunteering role.  It is a huge privilege to be invited to be part of this, and I hope that I don't let them down.

Next Thursday and Friday, I have something similar for one of my paid roles.  It is equally a privilege and a responsibility.

I also hope I don't mix up the two sets of questions, even though, if truth be told, there probably are a fair few crossovers in what we are seeking to discover/discern.

I'm looking forward to both opportunities, and offering up a few prayers for wisdom along the way.

This weekend is a work trip - visiting a student in placement to hear them preach.  Unfortunately, trains don't start early enough on a Sunday to get me here, so it means an overnight stay in this beautiful cathedral city in the West Midlands.

I chose a hotel based on its location (excellent) and price (cheap). It is certainly not a hotel I'll be returning to, not even if tomorrow's breakfast is extraordinarily good, but I'll definitely come back and spend some proper time in this gorgeous city.

Thanks to that nice Mr Sainsbury, I enjoyed a lovely picnic tea after a meander along the river side.  Now looking forward to what tomorrow brings.

So today was the first funeral I have done since I moved here... The first time at a crematorium where there's an assumption that you'll control the Wesley system yourself (with a screen so tiny that I couldn't read what it said, let alone control it; thankfully crematorium staff were quite happy to do so remotely)... The first one where doves were released (into driving rain and a howling gale, poor little things)... 

It was, as always, interesting to see the 'we don't have any local customs' customs...

But above all, it was, as it always is, a huge privilege to be trusted by a family to help them say farewell to a loved one.   There was a blend of sobriety and... well I was going to say hilarity, but whilst that might rhyme, it isn't the right word... humorous moments.  There was some good singing - and a lot of people who stood in silence during the hymns.  There was scripture and story, prayers and blessings.

And now, even though it's too wet and windy to get out for a liturgical, decompression walk, I have jeans on, tea poured and biscuits to munch...

RIP DSL, may you rest in peace and rise in glory.

After seven months, and two major festivals, my office reached a state known on certain circles as 'Peak Rachel'.  This afternoon I have tided it up to a level I can work with... not perfect, and I have way to much stuff in here, but at least both I and the cats can access our respective chairs!!

Easter services went well - but six events in a week (so seven in eight days, plus other church and vicar school stuff) is exhausting!

I had a good time, church had a good time, and I received some lovely messages from people who joined us from other churches... and now I am mostly resting.

I know that the season of Easter runs until Pentecost, but I am also very happy to be a proddy non-conformist and say that it's now done!  No preaches in April, and a couple of Sundays away from RTBC for various things, which all feels good.

Resurrection is celebrated... and rest is being taken!