Congregational Studies... Church Health... Mission Audit... call it what you will, it always begins with getting to know you patch, and that's what I am concentrating on just now (just as I did in Glasgow and Leicestershire way back when).

Paper maps are largely a thing of the past, so it was a good challenge to scan, print and assemble a map from an old (but not too old) street atlas given to me by someone who no longer uses it.  Add blobs for the church (yellow) where people live (red), find the ward map for the local council (green outline on my map) and then the demographic information.

If we are to start in 'Jersualem' then first we need to define it... Do I/we centre on the church building (around which I have drawn 05, 1.0 and 1.5 mile rongs)?  Do I/we centre on the council ward? or the town a a whole?

And what else should I be mapping... I have ideas but I want to get others to join in the work so that there is ownership and understanding..

This weekend, I took down the assorted 'good bye', 'thank you', 'new job', and 'new home' cards (apart from one which arrived yesterday)! that have adorned my living room for the past weeks since I moved (the last days I was in Glasgow, they were carefully packed so as not to be lost en route south).  I will, over the coming days/months, take time to re-read all the lovely messages.

This morning, before leaving for church, I took out the books of messages created by the Gatherers and their Guests at my last service, and mindfully re-read all the kind words people had written.  Recurring themes were 'kind', 'creative', 'thoughtful' and 'hard working' (!) ... to be remembered for these attributes feels very affirming and very encouraging.

The Railway Town Church Secretary is already noticing at least the last of these and telling me to 'be careful' not to overdo it, and my boss at the college told me to take a day off in lieu of last weekend's residential (I did as I was told).  This afternoon after I had caught up all the ironing that dates back to before my move, I had a snooze on the settee (sign of getting older?) and plan some time with a novel between now and bedtime.

Sophie has discovered that there is a big wide world beyond the back door... her own choice, she followed me outside and proceeded to explore the garden.  I stayed close by to ensure that she didn't decide to go over a fence or under the hedge, but so far she has been content to roll on the grass and on the path... hopefully not picking up any bitey creatures along the way. (Note to self - get some front line ordered ASAP).  I brought her back inside after just a few minutes... enough excitement for one day!

I offered Sasha a tour of the garden - but it didn't go well... she objected to being picked up, squirmed out of my arms and cornered herself between a wall, a tall gate and a high fence before I managed to get behind her, at which point she fled for indoors and safety!  She is now very happily lying onthe floor of my office as I type this blog post.

Just like humans... some are naturally curious and eager to explore (and maybe need to be reigned in) whilst others are cautious or fearful.  It doesn't matter if Sasha never goes out, or if Sophie becomes a loved of the great outdoors (I suspect once she discovers how many other cats live around here, she may be less eager to out exploring, as she isn't remotely territorial) so long as they are happy and adequatelly safe.

I might now have to contemplate the purchase of a catio...

I was pleased when my new light read arrived... but Sophie thought she had first dibs... I may have to wait for my turn with the book!

For a decade now, I have regularly tuned in to the smallVOICE podcast - a roughly monthly, mostly magazine style, production from GRF Christian radio.  It's always thoughtful and often thought-provoking.  It tackles all sorts of topics, and this month offers a very helpful offering reflecting on the reports of the trial of serial killer Lucy Letby.  I really appreciated that the team were willing to recognise that this is complicated and nuanced topic, at the heart of which is so much human tragedy, and to ponder the Christian tenet of a God of love and forgiveness.

Always worth a listen, you can find this month's offering here