Many food-banks, and also some animal rescues, do this, or something similar, each year.  Our local food-bank is running a 'reverse Advent calendar' during November with the idea that you add one item each day, and drop off the box at the end of the month so that it can reach people in good time for Christmas.  The suggestions are just that - the full post also mentions hygiene products and festive treats.

Wherever you live, I am sure there's something similar you could support, if you are able.

Looking forward to starting filling my box!

Tomorrow I lead my first All-Age service at Railway Town BC.  It is the Church Anniversary weekend, something this church still marks, it is just after All saints and All Souls, it is Guy Fawkes night, and it's just before Remembrance.  In Roman catholic tradition it is the month of the dead.  So tomorrow we are going to create our own 'great Cloud of Witnesses' beginning with Hebrews 11-12 and then using our imaginations.

As a starter, I have listed out the names of the those recorded in Hebrews 11 and 12, added more Biblical characters, and then made a starter list of small-s and larger-S saints from history.

People will be invited to add to a collage...

• Someone from the Bible (but they aren't allowed to add Jesus)
• Someone from history
• Someone(s) they have known personally

It's hardly new, I have done similar before in other places, but I leave you to ponder, dear reader... who would you add from each of these categories?

On the days I commute, I get the train to Manchester Piccadilly.  There are oodles of trains that go that way, and depending on the route and the operating company, there is a threefold price difference (though I haven't seen anything to suggest higher peak rate fares).  I usually opt for the cheapest, but even these vary a little according to the precise route.

Sometimes it seems that all trains lead to the same destination - as this photo from yesterday indicates.

If all roads lead to Rome, maybe all trains lead to the Railway Town?

PS It's an interesting image to ponder when you think about ecumenism, or even interfaith matters... I leave it with you!

This prayer was used in College Chapel yesterday - I found it very helpful.

All over Manchester Piccadilly (and quite possibly other major railway stations) are posters assuring travellers that we are 'heroes' by using trains, that it's greener than road travel.

There are oodles of different posters, may of them quite funny.  I think my favourite was this one...