Actually, it beings on Sunday, and is the shortest it can be at just 21 days (the longest is when Christmas Day is a Sunday, so Advent starts on 27th November, and it lasts 28 days), but still, most Advent calendars start on December 1st.

This year I bought myself a 'traditional Advent calendar with a 'religious' scene and 'windows' that open to reveal scripture texts.  I am also once again doing a Jesse tree, an Advent book and a Jacquie Lawson Advent Calendar, some Advent Zoom reflections and, for the first time, an Advent jigsaw (24 pieces a day for 24 days).  My Advent will be busy and varied - and I'm looking forward to it!

This photo popped up on social media today - exactly seven years since the very last services at The Gathering Place.

Seven years in a dedicated/designated building

Seven years tabernacling in a hotel (with a couple of years on Zoom along the way)

Almost Biblical in its rhythms

Thank you, Gatherers, for letting me travel with you, and may your next seven years be full of blessings.

This arrived from Glasgow in the week... isn't it fun!  I think I might take it into college to brighten up my office.

Since my arrival here in the Railway Town, I have undertaken a simple community audit, and we have begun to an interactive and multi-dimensional season of discerning together.  This morning I commandeered a blank wall in the 'Friendship Room' to display the various things we are creating... the map showing where we all live, the timeline showing the key moments in the story of the church, the 'cloud of witnesses' which we made in the Church Anniversary service, and (once I've sorted it out) a collage with the 'hands' we drew at the Induction Service.  I said to the Church Secretary, 'I've got to age now where I'd rather seek forgiveness than ask permission.'  She laughed.

I need more blu-tak but it was a good start on what I hope will be a 'living word' exploration of the vision of/by/for this congregation.  In any case, I am now somewhere between 8% and 12% through my 'contract' so we need to be getting going!