On Sunday we had the joy of welcoming two people in Covenant Membership, and also welcoming two new Deacons elected at the recent AGM.  So there had to be cake... and as I hadn't time or inclination to make cake, I bought and 'trimmed up' a couple of cakes from M&S.

Someone commented that 'our new minister likes cake'... well I do, but actually it's the celebration that I really like... it could equally have been pizza or a buffet or a barbecue... except that somehow cake feels more special.

Overall I think churches need more cake - or at least more celebration!

This year's Lent book, so far an enjoyable read, has a cover carefully designed to coordinate with my winter coat and my travel mug!

Well worth a read, if you haven't yet come across it - 'tarrying' is a good practice... hopeful, intentional, openhearted, open-minded, expectant, active waiting... I suspect we can all do with a bit of that!

Yesterday, I left home in the dark, but as the days are drawing out, and as it was a very cold, frosty morning, there was the most incredibly beautiful sunrise.  Alas, snapping it on a phone through the train window was never going to make for a great photograph, but I spent the most wonderful half hour or so watching the sky change from deep red, through fuchsia, to old gold, pale blue and then silver-grey.

Today it has just been rainy all day!  But that, too has its beauty, if only I have the eyes to see it. 

Yesterday, I had the privilege of preaching at Dibley when the Baptist Church and Methodist Church formally became a Local Ecumenical Partnership with the new name of Dibley Community Church (well, obviously not Dibley in the real world, but you get my drift).  It was a lovely day and a joy-filled service in which the members of the Community Church made solemn promises, and in which we shared Communion (and later a sumptuous buffet).

May God bless the good people of Dibley as they continue to be and speak good news to those they serve.

One of my slides for Sunday's 'introduction to theme' (all age bit)... but what on earth am I exploring?  All will become clear(er) in due course.

Slightly bonkers few days now... today in Birmingham seeing a student at work in placement, tomorrow travelling to Dibley, Saturday preaching in Dibley and Sunday preaching in Railway Town BC.  Many trains, and much sermon writing still to be done!!