This afternoon the Worship Team from church met in our favourite cafe to dedicate some serious energy to looking at the autumn session and how to ensure some experiments we have planned have their best chance of success.  And it was really exciting and energising.  I think we have some super stuff planned - just need to make sure the execution matches up.

I realise this blog is a bit lightweight at the moment - the reality is that summer for me sees an increase rather than decrease in work load, so blogging is rightly relegated to low priority.  I will try to post bits and pieces but the 'everyday adventures of a Baptist minister' sometimes mean there are plenty of more important things to do that write about it.

So, in Mark 6, Jesus sends out the twelve two by two.  Just for fun, how would you pair up the twelve and why? 

Here's the list of names from Mark 3...

These are the twelve he chose: Simon (Jesus gave him the name Peter); James and his brother John, the sons of Zebedee (Jesus gave them the name Boanerges, which means "Men of Thunder"); Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Patriot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus.

This coming Sunday we will be focussing on the start of Mark 6, the bit where Jesus sends out the disicples two by two.  I don't want to give away my ideas just yet, but they will be sprung from some pondering on the approach Jesus seems to have taken with his followers - part active teaching and part experiential learning.  I am pleased to be led this way (thank you Roots for stirring my imagination) because it gives me permission to reflect on just what we think we are about on a Sunday when we gather.  Worship, for sure, but also some sort of teaching and learning.  How does that work out?  What approaches are helpful or hinderful and why?

Probably need to go and remind myself of some of the oodles of learning theories out there, along with the one I synthesised myself way back when I was theological student.

Kind of exciting.

So, on Friday I was in London (those cupcakes travelled a VERY long way) and on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning I snapped photos that I thought *might* speak something into this theme... mixing work with leisure as ever!

Anyhow, here is a photo from Friday afternoon.  At one level it is a failure - the shutter closed just to late and I missed the straight down the street shot I'd been after (I was on a Duck at the time!).  At another it is fantastic - it has lots of people as well as lots of buildings and flags.  If you look at it, what do you notice?  Where may God be found?

To whom is the girl on the left speaking on the phone?  About what?

What is the man in the apron doing?  Why is he there?

What is in the folder being carried by the business man walking towards the left?  Where is he going?

And the person with the umbrella - where is he/she headed?

What other people, places and situations are expressed?

God of the city, hear their prayers and let their cries come to you.

Well, yesterday the comment count on this blog reached 3000, so time for a present giveaway to the commenter.

Pam (who commented on urban spirituality) please let me know via commenting if an Amazon voucher is OK as your reward, as you don't seem to have a wish list.

Many, many thanks to all commenters (who brave the dreadful unpredictability of this platform) and lurkers for your support, encouragement and interest for what is now heading towards seven years!