The 2008-9 BMS Ecuador Action Team have been visiting D+6 on their UK tour.  Last night we had a joint service at D+2 which they essentially led (it was topped and tailed by the host church).  It was great to have them there and to hear osme of how they have grown and matured in their time overseas.  Hannah gave a reflection on Teamwork based on 1 Corinthians 12 - one of my favourite passages to preach on, I have to admit - which was really good.  Rachel shared very openly and honestly about her own experiences, how she had wanted to be the 'perfect action team-er' and had tried to it all until fatigue overcame her.  All very good stuff to hear and reflect upon, especially for those of us who suffer from workaholic tendencies and are ministers in small churches!  The service ended with a hymn/song with which I have a love/hate relationship (I the Lord of Sea and Sky) as it has a habit of cropping up at significant points in my life...

This was a cluster event - four churches were represented - yet none of the Action Team knew what a cluster was (they thoguht it a good idea when I explained).  They were also amazed that I knew one of them's church, two of them's ministers and the college (in Oxford) one of them will start at in September.  They are great young people and I really hope that they blossom in to the adults they have the potential to become.

I have just finished a first draft of one of my two papers for this acadmeic year.  This means I now have a full draft of one and an outline of the other waiting for me to summon up the energy to turn it into text.  This is GOOD NEWS for me anyway as I was beginning to wonder if I'd ever get anything written this year.  Whether either will be of submittable quality by the beginning of July deadline is another matter altogether but it's progress.

So, a reflection on practice as a reasearching professional in draft, and a methodology paper in outline - not the planned order of progress but at least it's a start.  Must be time now for a cup of tea!!

For various reasons our montly Saturday morning breakfast-and-prayer was moved to the afternoon yesterday.  Instead of croissants we had scones with jam, clotted cream and fresh strawberries.  All very civilised!  The last couple of months have been nutty for all the people involved, so we ended up spending almost two hours together, sharing pastoral news and catching up before we spent some time formally in prayer.  With summer approaching, I suspect the prayer meeting will go once more into abeyance, whch saddens me.  What if we could learn to get together over tea and buns more regularly and spend even five minutes in prayer?  Apart from needing to buy larger clothes to accommodate the increased waistline of course...

Nothing much worthy of posting at the moment coupled with a post-Assembly cold (no, it's not porkine influenza despite several people worrying in case it is!) mean not much to say.  But being addicted (or some such) to posting and wanting to displace a bit of hymn-picking a little longer here are some odds and ends from this week.

I am puzzled by the pricing policy of low cost airlines!  I have just booked a flight for a few weeks hence, total cost a little over £100, but the breakdown shows that one of the fares, before taxes is 4p!  If I had been able to travel hand baggage only and online check-in (which this airline only allows with hand baggage only) then they would have only charged me 4p - plus taxes.  How does that cover the cost?  I don't get it.  Fortunately for them I have baggage (~£25) and real live check in (~£7) so they get some money out of me.  But even so...

I was confused when I opened my Baptist Times - finally arriving this morning - and it talked about Dibley and Christian Aid week.  Then I realised it was the other Dibley (of TV fame).  I hadn't realised how much Dibley and where I am have become synonymous in my mind!

I came across an amusing Bible literalism quiz here (HT Neil).  Having trained at Northern I got all the answers correct (we did something along these lines in the first ever Biblical studies class) and my answer to the last question reflects the training I received: I'm not a hidebound literalist but I don't just 'paper doiley' my Bible tocut out the bits I don't like.  The comments on the blog that posted the quiz indicate that people have probably misunderstood the aim - which is to challenge mindless literalism not affirm it.

Andy has noted that the doctrine tutor from Spurgeon's is leaving to take up a pastorate in Devon - at a church with only 35 members accordig to the BUGB directory.  This is one example of what it means to follow a calling - not always to bigger or more apparently prestigious, but to the place where Christ leads.  As a minister in a small church, it is encouraging to see someone who could probably have his pick of pastorates accpeting such a call.

This week is various bits and bobs before a long drive to Scotland on Thursday (no 4p flights available and none that fitted the times I needed) ready to start walking the West Highland Way on Friday.  Should be fun.  Just need to remember to pack the midge repellent!

So yesterday we tried out the new venue for our lunch club.  It had to be arranged at very short notice because the old venue, due to close at the end of this month, had been closed down overnight by the landlord for reasons we will probably never get to the root of.

The new venue is a good deal further away - as in it's now 9 miles rather than 2 - and is part of a touristy complex which means the coach has to park in the coach park and the people walk/zim/roll to the cafe.  The food was excellent, the service good and the room far too hot!  I think it was a success.

I had three of the most frail in my car (their wheels went in the coach) and the mean age - including me - was over 80!  It was interesting to hear the conversations as they spotted places they recalled from childhood and commented on who used to live where.  Getting them in and out was 'interesting' and I wound up with the drivers seat right up to the steering wheel on the way back to accommodate non-bendy legs!

Inevitably there will be a few grumbles and some teething troubles - so far the main one being that the portions were too big!  But on the whole it was a good experience and I'm looking forward to going back next month - though hopefully not quite so squashed in my own car!