This image used to be located on the mantlepiece in the vestry-office at church. When we closed the building, it came home with me and now usually sits on top of one of the cupboards in my little office.
I absolutely love it. The friend who gave it to me also loved it, but no longer wished to own it.
It's an image that repays close observation, is layered with meaning and for me is a good starting point for Sunday's theme 'The Mystery of the Cross' which may yet include more images - I'm not sure, the mulling and Holy-Spirit-ing have a way to go yet!
One knock-on effect of last week's snow, is that the post in Glasgow is still all over the place - I am confident that we've only had two deliveries this week, in each of which I received items that had reached people elsewhere several days ago. This isn't a criticism, it's just a reality, and one that had unexpectedly pleasant consequences.
Today my new, purple 'This what a preacher looks like' tee-shirt arrived from the US. Celebrating 25 years of the Network of Baptist Women in Ministry, the purple teeshirt is an opportunity to support financially that organisation, and to stand in solidarity with sisters across the pond. It is a sad, and crazy, reality that there are less ordained Baptist women in the entire US than in the UK.
Also arriving was a mysterious yellow envelope, which I opened to reveal the post card above - a lovely surprise and somehow timely that it arrived with the tee-shirt. It comes from a friend, and member of one of the informal Baptist women's networks of which I am part. I'll accept the compliment, R, thank you so much.
God never ceases to surprise inspite, despite or to spite (as my Dad would say) circumstances. "This is what a preacher looks like - fabulous woman you. " Thank you, God for words of encouragement to save for a 'rainy day'
It seems that quite a lot of folk listened to my home grown podcast service from Sunday... not just Gatherers, but others from Northants and North Wales; there may well have been others I don't know about.
The feedback has been very moving and very humbling - by the grace of God, it 'worked' as an act of worship, even (or especially) the communion 'in many kinds'.
It's snowing again this morning as sit down to start on this week's service - I really hope that I will get to deliver it in real life this time.
On the plus side, I feel a lot less nervous about voice recording than I did beforehand!
There have been ordained women on these islands for a century - at least among Congregationalists and Baptists. Despite this, and despite the fact that 'even' the Anglicans have now ordained women for many years, some of the same old comments still arise. This blog post and art work from Cuddesdon Anglican College is stunning and powerful. It is also very true - there are comments I recognise all too well.
God calls whomsoever God calls - and that is always going to be a bit controversial as sometimes it doesn't fit our systems or our prejudices. I am sad that a century on from when the first women were ordained, Baptists across these islands still have a need to consider how to support and encourage 'women in ministry'... we've come a long way and not very far at all.
Maybe blessings have to be unexpected in order to be such, but I am sure you know what I mean.
Listening to my own recorded service this morning, and knowing that at least some others would also be doing so, was very moving and beautiful. The fact that we could be 'together though apart' by the wonder of digital technology was surprisingly moving.
I enjoyed listening to the recordings of the three songs, each of which took me in my mind to other times and places, to other people and churches/colleges/conferences where they had been part of worship. A reminder of the mysterious interconnections that transcend time and space, which are so precious.
What I think surprised me most, was the sense of connectedness as I shared in the communion - lifting my mug and taking a slug of cold tea probably sounds a strange thing to do, but it was unexpectedly wonderful. My 'low' theology of communion makes tea a perfectly reasonable thing to use - even cold tea, from a mug with a slogan about cats on it! My strong theology of mystery means I am open to being surprised by such moments. The thought that other mugs, cups or glasses, filled with tea, coffee, juice, water etc. might be being lifted and supped was a powerful one - more so than I imagined when I recorded it yesterday.
My after service refreshments - another cup of tea (hot this time!) and a buttered crumpet - consumed as I watched, from my window, the snow falling again assured me that the correct call had been made not to meet today.
God's blessings are always amazing, surprising and, yes, unexpected. For that, I am truly grateful.
