It is five years ago this weekend since I first set foot in the Gathering Place... and what a lot has happened since then!

Five years since, on the Sunday morning a greeting steward, now long since promoted to glory, heard I'd come up from Leicestershire, and said, as only she could "Leicester Shire.... that's a long way to come  to preach".  It makes me smile just to recall that!  Thus began an adventure we have shared that has seen highs and lows, in which I've made mistakes and in which I've seen others blossom and grow, and we are still together.  I love my church, our church, and five years on, I am proud to be part of it.

This morning we made a very important decision about the next steps in our journey together - and it was unanimous.  It's hard to explain how much that means, or how much work lay behind it, but it was so good and it seemed fitting to be this five year anniversary point of 'meeting' if not of 'coventanting' (that's in October)

It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us... and today my heart sings!

As one person was heard to observe as the result was announced "praise the Lord!"

Today has been characterised by lots of admin, a chance meeting and two pastoral visits.  Obviously it is not appropriate to discuss the meeting or either of the visits, but each in its way was uplifting.  A conversation about the appalling standards of English grammar may not sound like the stuff of an uplifting time, but it really was.  Likewise a shared slice of (rather tasty) lemon drizzle cake and general conversation.  Oh, and the all-day breakfast, accompanied by deep discussion, was lovely!

Lots still do before the weekend, but overall it's been a positive week.

Today I was seeing my GP about a minor but annoying problem (turns out to be tennis elbow; needs physio and topical gel) and she commented on how well I was looking, noting that she'd had to double check my age as she was sure I was ten years younger than I am... good compliment, thank you!  Made my Wednesday.

Apologies to anyone who finds this offensive but I liked it...

Huges thanks to musicians, choristers, bacon cookers, table layers, craft supervisors, hymnbook hander-outers, banner hangers, chair shifters, table movers, washer-uppers, drink makers-and-pourers, liturgy writers, prayer-creators, Bible-readers and all who made this this such a wonderful Easter weekend.  May you all find spaces to rest... and rise refreshed and renewed in a few days time

... and a pack out!  Lost count of how many 'alleluias' we sang but it was a lot.  Good fun, people seemed to value what I said (even if I'd been nervous about saying it) and some wonderful music.

Happy Easter!

Christ is risen, Allelulia, alleluia

He is risen indeed, Alleluia