famous people!

Over the last term I have seen various well known people! Living directly opposite St Pancras, me and a friend went across when the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh came! So I saw the queen- she also went by recently as I was arriving at the WLDC!
Earlier in the term I had seen Cardinal Murphy O'Connor, I was due to see the Archbishop of Canterbury but was ill!

Preaching in London

Going from the setting of rural Lancashire to the inner city of London was a shock for preaching! My first preaching appointment in London was at a Church very very close to the Emmirates (Arsenal’s ground!) it was a half past eleven service and Arsenal were playing Sunderland at twelve o’clock. As I began my sermon so did the football match, I found myself competing with the crowd, and I could tell you when the goals went in! This was a very different setting to Lancashire, I found it a bit distracting I must say!
Reflecting back- this setting is the back drop to all Christian preaching and speaking today- a busy noisy world! The challenge is to make the Gospel heard in a relevant way and in a way that can be heard.
Since then I have preached several times- most recently I preached an evening service at Hinde Street- technology permitting the sermon may soon be heard on the Churches pod cast. Preaching and leading worship is very different in London- the congregation make up is drastically different,its amazing how people drift in throughout services! It means progression in worship is hard to create! One of my experiences has been that rather than being in the majority I am sometimes in the minority- makes me stop and think about cultural relevance and how we seek to be inclusive and culturally relevant.

A full update!

My work in London is varied, this term I have done 2 days volunteering at the day centre see information at: http://www.wlm.org.uk/wldcent.htm I also work as a Free Church representative as a Hospital chaplain 1 day per week, I also help out with a women’s drop in group hosted at Kings Cross. As well as some of the other usual tasks of a presbyter- meetings, leading worship and preaching. When I write this down it doesn't seem that I do that much- part of my time in London is theological reflection. There have been many challenges which I will share later- they will be quite lengthy!
http://www.wlm.org.uk/documents/Report07_001.pdf
The circuit has recently had its annual review so much of the work I am involved in can be seen! The observant among you may even find a couple of pictures of me!

I am also fortunate to have the opportunity to go to the Guy Chester Centre each month to share with other students training for ministry. This is highly valuable, the friends I have made there are great and there is usually a lot of laughter! The Friday's we spend doing a variety of things. Friday mornings begin with Morning Prayer, coffee and biscuits! Then we continue working through a pastoral care course- this helps us in developing our pastoral skills but also to help in caring for one another. Friday afternoons are spent theologically reflecting together- different members of the group share something of their work/life and then together we reflect. Recently one of the group led us in a Boys Brigade session! This was great fun- making paper aeroplanes, figure marching, team games! It was a fun session- some of the group acted just like Boys! We then have a psychology kind of person come in and look at scenarios in ministry and placement. She leads us in reflecting and looking especially at the deeper things and unconscious at work!
After our evening meal we then have a time of "Cell Church", this follows through a series on "Our Calling" of the Methodist Church. (http://www.methodist.org.uk/index.cfm?fuseaction=opentogod.content&cmid=11)
After this we follow in good Methodist tradition and retire to a pub in Muswell Hill.
Its then back to GCC for Hot Chocolate, people begin to retire to their beds- although some of us sit talking till the early hours. Saturday is an early start for breakfast, some more people arrive- the Saturday incorporates EDEV (extending discipleship, exploring vocation) people. The day is a “QUIET” day, but with some of us around- quiet is fun! We are led in a variety of different ways to pray and are following- Margaret Silf’s book Wayfaring. The book I would recommend to people strongly- I have found it renewing and find GCC as a whole a place of nourishment. It’s good to be able to share with others, feeling a sense of isolation and considering ministry and discerning ministry. I am the only pre-ordination training student- discerning ministry for me is discerning the type of Presbyteral I feel I am called to and where my gifts and weaknesses lie. Any body offered the opportunity to go to Guy Chester centre- take it! The centre runs a variety of quiet days and courses: See the website for more details!

Home for Christmas!

So finally I am home for Christmas! Its been a long and busy term, but have finally written an update!
To those who read: May you have a happy Christmas and good new year!

I am in Cambridge for the first week of 2 for festive holidays and am then heading north to Lancaster for my second week! Am very excited to see friends and catch up! I miss Lancaster!

Long time no blogging....

whoops, I haven't blogged for a very very long time! so now lots to catch up on!

Preparing for London

A long time without blogging again!

Much has gone on over the summer, family things, visiting friends, weddings and trying to sort everything out for London.
I have seen alot of some of my Lancaster friends- Jenny and Matt (Jenny was my house-mate for 2 years) got married 10 days ago in Loughborough! It was a lovely couple of days, with dutch blitz and time with friends. The wedding service was one of the best I have been to, it reflected very much who Jenny and Matt are and had tears and laughter!

Last week I then went to visit London, to visit University College Hospital. If all works out then part of my placement will be being a Hospital Chaplain for a day a week. This looks to be good, part of an ecumenical team. I had the opportunity 15 months ago to be part of a Pastoral Care team in a hospital for 4 weeks. This was an interesting experience, some of the time I felt a bit isolated. The meeting I had, was positive and very much pointing to me being supervised, giving me people to reflect with as well as be responsible too. Part of the conversation involved some discussion of wearing a clerical collar. In the Methodist Church, Student Ministers are able to wear collars when on pastoral placement. It was agreed that for parts of the placement I should wear a collar. I haven't yet worn a collar (other than to try my shirts on!) so I think perhaps I ought to try wearing it. People assure me you get a different response in the collar! So I look forward to begining my trial period of placement in October.

After visiting London I went to Lancaster for 2 days! This was primarily for Adam's (a friend from uni) bon voyage party. It was good to be down by the river for a BBQ at Kirby Lonsdale. I was able to catch up with 1 or 2 friends in Lancaster, sadly I didn't have time to see everyone. It was good to share a meal with The Charman family (Steve was my chaplain, Jennie the Junior Church superintendent and their Children were in the Junior Church class where I taught). It was good to have a chat about some of next year and some pointers for things to think about linked with ministry. It was then back to Cambridge ready for London again on Sunday!

Yesterday (Sunday) was exciting, challenging and probably many other things too! In the morning I worshipped at Kings Cross Methodist Church, it is a small English Speaking congregation with an average attendance of 7, I very much appreciated the service. Whilst the English speaking service is going on, in the next room is a Chinese service in Mandarin. This is a much bigger congregation. In the afternoon there is a further service in Cantonese. Yesterday I attended this as it is thought that I maydo some work with the British Born Chinese Teenagers. I was in the first part of worship and then joined the children and young people in the basement. It was interesting and I don't think I will ever receive Holy Communion in the same way again. We all went into the service to receive Communion at the end, this apart from a few Hallelujah's and Amens, was the part of the service that I could connect with directly. The symbols of bread and wine going across the barriers of language. As I received it, I was led to think about the boundaries that celebrating communion crosses. One's of time, race, language, culture and so on. An interesting experience, which I am sure is sparking off new thoughts and questions!

Any way, enough for tonight and I will blogg again soon, It's only 11 days till I move to London, at the minute I feel excited. I have felt a little apprehensive but I know that London is where I am being sent! Whilst I was in London yesterday I felt a deep sense of peace, of contentment with God that London is the right place at the minute! Which is no doubt why the Methodist Church are sending me! I think the transition could be a bit hard, but already I have been welcomed in London by the People. I remember preparing to go to Lancaster, fearing I wouldn't be able to cope. When I get the same feeling now, I look back and see God's faithfulness and strength to me there, and am certain that God will continue to do the same as I move to London.

Prayers would be appreciated though!

The end of an era in Lancaster

I left Lancaster for the final time a fortnight ago! There were so many goodbyes, when I was at Junior School I remember a child writing a song about saying Goodbye. The line I remember in particular is "Saying goodbye is never easy, saying goodbye can make you cry". He had written this on the experience of both of his parents being killed in a road accident. The line was going round in my head recently- preparing and having so many goodbyes.

MY first Goodbye was acknowledged in April at one of my placement churches Annual Church Meeting,(at this point I didn't even know what I would be doing next year!). From this point on I seemed to have endless numbers of goodbyes, from every meeting that I have belonged to in Lancaster, worship consultation, leadership teams, circuit meetings etc, I began to be able to predict what was about to be said! The main final goodbyes were the hardest, I was overwhelmed by the generosity of the people of Lancaster Methodist Circuit and Lancaster Methodist Church. On the final Sunday morning that I was in Lancaster, I was presented in worship with numerous gifts which I will treasure. I still have some of the book vouchers to spend. I was then given a send off downstairs with a party to wish me all the best from the younger members of the church. What a privilege it has been to share with so many people from young to old in the church over the year. Lancaster Methodist Church has been a very special place and is the church in which I was accredited in as a local preacher in March.

It was in the week following that I graduated officially. It was a very long ceremony and an early morning start! Although in a sense this was the end of my ST Martin's phase, it wasn't goodbye! I have seen many of my friends since at Jon and Amy's wedding, Jenny's hen weekend and will of course see many again at Jenny's wedding. In a sense Goodbye's from St Martin's friends haven't happened! It was good to graduate with so many friends. The photo's of the day are quite amusing! Some of which thank goodness are not on the Internet!

I was then back home for a few days after emptying my house in Lancaster! Already previously 3 car loads of stuff had come home and we packed 2 cars full to bring the remainder! I have an awful lot of stuff!

I was then back in the North West for the weekend for Jenny's hen weekend in Kendal, and then the final farewell- at Hedley's retirement and farewell service. Hedley has been my placement supervisor this year. At the end of worship there were numerous presentations made, I was very humbled to receive a framed picture of the Sunset across Morecambe Bay with Ashton Memorial in. I was speechless! What a change there, but I found goodbyes very hard here, although not as bad as I thought. The picture now hangs in the living room for now! It will remain there until I eventually have my own manse!

So lots of Goodbyes, but lots of memories to be thankful for. I hope that I will return to Lancaster in the not too distant future! However I must also get used to moving on and begin to look to London for the next phase of my journey!

I loved Lancaster and have made many friends there! I shall miss Lancaster muchly!

Longtime no blogging!

The last few weeks have been manic! I have travelled nearly 2000 miles in the last 4 weeks which has meant that I haven't really been in one place for very long! I have had graduation, I don't know how many goodbyes, a hen weekend, a wedding, a holiday and so on! So I am going to try and blog more often now I am in one place for a while!

Theological Type!

You scored as Evangelical Holiness/Wesleyan, You are an evangelical in the Wesleyan tradition. You believe that God's grace enables you to choose to believe in him, even though you yourself are totally depraved. The gift of the Holy Spirit gives you assurance of your salvation, and he also enables you to live the life of obedience to which God has called us. You are influenced heavly by John Wesley and the Methodists. Evangelical Holiness/Wesleyan 71% Emergent/Postmodern 61% Classical Liberal 54% Neo orthodox 50% Charismatic/Pentecostal 46% Modern Liberal 43% Roman Catholic 32% Reformed Evangelical 25% Fundamentalist 0% What's your theological worldview? created with QuizFarm.com

My visit to West London Mission!

Yesterday I had a visit day to where I will be next year! It was very exciting despite the 7-45am train that I had to catch from Cambridge! Thank goodness it wasn't Lancaster that would have been even earlier!
So I arrived at Kings Cross at 8-45 and was met by the deacon who lives at Methodist Chaplaincy House- where I will be living. We walked to Hinde Street, which is where the other church of the circuit is. There I met all of the staff- apparently everyone being at Staff Meeting is a very rare occassion- so I was privilledged. The staff team is quite big: The superintendent- Geoff Cornell, two presbyters Cathy and Leao, Janet who is a deacon, John who is the chinese congregations minister and the social work director Paul. A great bunch- who I look forward to working with.
West London mission has two churches with many different social work projects alongside them. There is so much going on and plenty for me to choose from for what I am going to be doing. The four areas currently being explored are:
West London Day Centre- working in the drop in centre for probably a day a week which is about 4 hours- they are not open all of the time. This will perhaps include as well looking at an educational and explorational class there.
Also some work with the prostitutes- every night of the week people go out from Kings Cross Methodist Church as part of an ecumenical project to talk to the prostitutes on the street. I will hopefully be involved in going out onto the streets with people.
hospital chaplaincy- explains itself!
Chinese youth- this is work with the BBC (British Born Chinese) this will be looking at youth work and worship with the young people on a Sunday afternoon.

I will also be going onto the WLM preaching plan- lots going on.
Whilst I was in London yesterday I went to see where Charles Wesley lived!
I also ventured the London transport system using the bus, the underground and used my feet! It was a good day and looks to be an exciting year.
I shall post again in more detail about the work of WLM itself.

Where is God when it hurts?

On the 2nd March 2005 my Dad was diagnosed with throat cancer. What followed was a journey that was hard and painful for our family. So often people ask the question, how do cancer and God exist. Below is a reflection I wrote during Dad's illness, where is God in cancer? God is there, its not always easy but if we look we can see the presence of God in it all. This is part of my testimony and part of a personal journey of where God was for me and my journey with my family facing cancer.

Where is God when it hurts people ask?He is there, I know for myself.
But how can God be there if he loves us they ask?
Well let’s take a look at what Jesus, God made man experienced himself in his journey to his death.
In the garden of Gethsemane he suffered mentally, as he took up his cross he suffered physically, through this suffering he died and returned. Resurrected giving hope, the message of salvation.

Where is God now when life really hurts?
He is there, I know for myself.
Let us open our eyes to see, it may not be easy but when you look you will see God is there.
God is there in the hug of a friend, as you sit and sob, as others comfort you.
“I don’t know what to say” they say.
A hug and the presence is enough, there is God, in others and through the comfort of the Holy Spirit, sharing in the tears with you.

Where is God when it hurts?
He is there, I know for myself.
In the phone calls, conversations, in the visits, greeting cards and the prayers.
In the hands of those that give the treatment, the doctors, surgeons, nurses, radiotherapists and the support groups.
In the hugs and tears shared with one another.
Just when you begin to look God is everywhere in the cancer, in the courage and battle of it.

God is there in it all,
In the pain, tears and courage.
In the past, in the present and future.
Jesus is the alpha and omega.

God is there, faithful and true,
He’s a beacon in the night.
God is there in his promises,
“I am with you always”
“Nothing can separate us from the love of God”
“His rod and staff they comfort me”.

God is here and there.
God has shared from the beginning,
The words he speaks through his Spirit,
“I am with you always”.
God is here in the comfort from the Spirit and those around us.
Through the hugs and tears.

In these days we trust in God’s unfailing goodness and love he offers us.In the everlasting hope he offers, whatever happens.

Rob Bell: Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith

As part of my candidating process I had to read a theological book. It was suggested to me that I tried Rob Bell's Velvet Elvis Repainting the Christian Faith as a good book. So I did! I found it to be a brilliant book, energising and inpspiring! So thought I would share some of my thoughts on the book.
Bell uses the metaphor of a painting that has become redundant and no longer used or seen to look at the need for "repainting the Christian faith".
Bell looks at the need for exploring our faith, he speaks about how in the Bible Jesus demonstrates what it means to explore faith, to ask questions and calling the disciples to rethink the Christian faith. I love the challenge that it brings: "The challenge for Christians then is to live with great compassion and conviction, remaining open and flexible, aware that life is not the last painting."
I think that sometimes for people today, Christianity has become a painting that is no longer relevant or seen as representing something important to them. Yet what Bell highlights clearly is the challenge and task that Christians need to engage in, asking questions, rethinking and redefining our faith today.
The book looks at Church history, engaging with reformation and reforming! Looking at how the tradition that Martin Luther was a part of not just the reformation as a period in history, but as a reforming task, continuing to go on. A great book and not a difficult read!
I think Rob Bell engages with issues that are a problem today, when we think about updating our faith, how often do we think of updating it in technology! Ensuring the Church has a good technology system, yet what Bell challenges people to think about is the need to reform theology. as Bell writes: " We must keep reforming the way the Christian faith is defined, lived and explained." So the question for me personally has been, how do we define our faith today in 21St Century, in a culture that is rapidly changing. How do we define faith, live it out today and explain it in a way that expresses and demonstrates the relevance to lives today?

Some reflections!

I finished my degree on Friday, handing my last 2 essays in. Its a bit weird this afternoon! I don't have essays to write, this is the first time really since starting my AS levels 5 nearly 6 years ago! Since when I finished my A-levels I immediately started my Faith and Worship: Local Preachers course. So now I am left with some time to relax- I find that hard! Today feels very weird because usually I feel I shouldn't have an afternoon nap because I have things to do, yet today I can!

Anyway so what is next? Well I am off to London to do my first year of three as a pre-ordination student, I am currently only doing one year in London and then will go elsewhere for two further years. People keep asking what will I be doing! Well at the minute I am not too sure of that either- apart from working with people on the margins of society. What I do know is that I shall be living at Kings Cross in the Methodist Chaplaincy House. I shall be visiting London in a couple of weeks time to find out more! So then I will know and be able to share with people! So at the minute its a bit of a waiting game! I find this frustrating! I need to learn patience! I look forward to visiting London. One or two people have said how scary London is to live- especially Kings Cross! Thanks for the encouragement and reassurance!

The past few weeks have been a bit strange, having been busy writing essays (as any students have been!), going to candidates committee etc.
What I think I find very strange is candidates committee has HAPPENED! Its finished! For 5 1/2 years it was always something of the future yet it has happened! Not sure that everything has really sunk in! I am wondering when it will actually sink in! Initially I thought it had but now I am not quite sure! I think with all the essays that needed to be written and the stresses of them and then preaching twice yesterday, things have been quite hectic!
I guess this week now essays are finished that things might have more time to sink in!
Any way, enough rambling for now!

New to blogging!

Have decided that blogging seems like fun and means sharing things quickly and easily! So will hopefully begin to use it more!
May take me a bit of time for getting use to it though!