Today I popped into Toddlers for the first time in ages (yes, I know I'm meant to be off today but I wanted to take in some Easter treats for everyone).  As I sat in my office doing a few bits and bobs there came a knock at the door.  In came one of the carers whose mum died a while back and we sent her a card.  She gave me the biggest hug ever!  It wasn't much, just a sign we cared.  She's not suddenly going to come to our church - she is a practising Catholic.  But that is irrelevant, we shouldn't do for what we might get back or for who might add to our attendance statistics.

It was nice to see the toddlers again; lovely to have been missed, and great to share with them a touch of God's love.

As an act of discipline this compulsive blogger is taking a break for Holy Week.  Partly because it's a busy week with daily prayers and some wonderful special events, and partly because it will be 'good for me.'  However, by the power of advance posting, each day there will (hopefully) appear a photograph and a few words vaguely connected to Holy Week and Easter, which just might offer a useful 'pause' for anyone passing this way.

This random, mischievous and stupid, thought was prompted by an email that arrived this morning regarding something that could be mentioned in the intimations (notices) and put on the noticeboard at church.

The thought...

Should Scottish churches re-brand their noticeboards as 'intimation boards'?! ;-)

Now and then I check the stats aggregated by my blog-platform to see what brings people to this corner of blogland.  Apart from references to cartoon characters, news events or television programmes, it seems that bits of liturgy are the most popular.  Much of what I have posted in this genre is a response to the dearth of stuff I've found in my own searches.  Whether people find my prayers helpful, or reflections on Bible passages useful, I have no idea.  This month the 'big hits' have been funerals, mother's day, fairtrade and assorted Easter bits.  So, if that's what brought you here, thank you for visiting, I hope it has been of some use.  And if you are one of my loyal long-suffering readers, then thank you for that too - without you this would be a less fun exercise.

If you are in the Eastern Baptist Association (BUGB) or have links with Church from Scratch or are a Gatherer then it is possible that you might like to participate in a new venture this Holy Week.  'Jesus Live Time' is an interesting experiment whereby you can sign up to receive the Holy Week/Easter story in 'real time' in 30 text messages (is that meant to match the 30 pieces of silver?) absolutley free because the cost is being met by the participating churches.  If it goes well, then next year their hope is to do something linking with GRF (a Glasgow-based Christian radio company) - which is why we know about it.  So, if you are a Gatherer and interested, I can tell you how to connect ('spaces' are limited hence I'm not giving 'open house' at this stage)... but please only check your texts if it is safe and legal so to do.

Jesus Live Time is being led by such great folk as Juliet Kilpin and Peter Dominey so I'm sure it'll be fantastic.

When 'Sing Christmas' began, Dibley was one of the first churches involved; five years on it is a very big East Midlands outreach event. It'd be great if this new initiaitve could make Easter loom much larger in people's lives and inspire more interest in what Christianity is all about.