Fun fun fun technology

Well the network has been playing up! So I haven't blogged for a while. Plus its been busy!

Maundy Thursday was different- we didn't have a service as such but were hosting our night for the night shelter. So as I found myself reflecting on not having Communion as I have done previously on Maundy Thursday, I realised that although we didn't have Communion- we were living out the story of the last supper. As we gathered around the table with the night shelter guests and served them. We were offering hospitality which of course is central to the foot washing we see in the narrative of Maundy Thursday.

On Good Friday we had a walk of witness around Kings Cross. This involved the Methodist, Anglicans, Roman Catholics, Salvation Army and the Lutherans. It was a good occasion- at times quite noisy as we stood outside one of the Anglican Churches on the main road opposite Euston Station. It struck me how muck like the first Good Friday this would have been. The way of the cross takes place with the world getting on with life. Not with silence and everyone paying attention- although as people did on Friday I am sure they would glance and watch. Then it was time for hot cross buns and tea- in abundance!

Then in the afternoon there was a three hour service at Hinde St based on 7 words from the cross. It was a powerful service and didn't seem 3 hours at all. There were different reflections from different people. One of the powerful ones for me was one done by a colleague looking the phrase "I am thirsty". Looking at what these words would have meant to Jesus being crucified in Kings Cross. With the longest champagne bar around, with the types of things that go on here. It really made me think. One of the things that struck me about the service was how little it actually dwelt on sin- unlike some services I've previously been at on Good Friday. It made me think about the wider message of the cross. When I am able to access on my laptop I will post some further comments.

I spent Easter Sunday morning in the hospital- having spent Holy Saturday in Cambridge. It was snowy on the journey back. Everything covered in snow and it struck me how that first Easter morning would have been completely covered in the sense of loss from Good Friday.
So I got back to London and headed for the hospital. It was a real privilege to be able to share in the service- it was the first time a Holy Communion had been shared in the Chaplaincy together with Anglicans and Methodists together. It was special to share reflections of Easter with people who I have got to know over recent weeks.

Me and my colleague Mark then shared together as we renewed with the congregation our Baptism vows. At the end we shared "this is the faith of the Church" and of course as we said these words we were expressing the sense of Church in the broadest sense. We were expressing our common unity. My colleague Mark then sprinkled me with Holy Water and I did him, then we both sprinkled the congregation. It really struck home the acknowledgement of "one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins". It was a Special Easter morning. After the service we then did some visits- which again was special but challenging. How do we express the Easter Joy to people who are struggling with pain, suffering and are as my colleague put it, living out the suffering of Good Friday. The following summarises my very short sermon:

One of the things I find so comforting about Holy Week is that God encompasses in Jesus all the human emotions we experience- the heights and depths of humanity. God walked the road in Jesus and God walks the road again with us in our journeys. Therefore although we may not be at the point of the joy of Easter day we can identify with part of the story of the passion and Easter story. Knowing that God shares in this with us can give us joy, hope and peace.

So Easter was very different this year! I remember last year preaching out in the Country- being surrounded by lambs! This year in the capital surrounded by buildings and lots of traffic! in the evening I went to Hinde Street for a Communion Service- that was good and reflective with meditations.
So a very different Easter to last year!

So now I am 1 and a 1/2 days away from finishing work for holidays! I am feeling ready for a break- there has been so much going on. So I head off on Thursday to Cambridge- Friday to Lancaster- where I shall go out for Lunch with Steve, then Friday night I am staying with the Charmans and we shall head off to Iona very early on Saturday morning. I am then back the following Friday to Lancaster and off to Skeggy with Emma, Sarah and Kieron for Spring Harvest on the Saturday! So I shall be without Internet access for 2 weeks! So won't update for a while! Lots of packing to do before I head off! But I am very excited and looking very much to the break!

Its quite scary how little time I have left in London once I am back - my final day in the West London Mission Circuit is Sunday 29th June!

So long, farewell!

A year ago today!

It is unbelievable a year ago tonight I was recognised as a Local Preacher in the Methodist Church. I find myself remembering today naturally! It was a very special day and service. So many people travelled from Cambridge, others from Peterborough, York, Kendal and from all around the Lancaster circuit!

Rev Stephen Burgess Chair of the York and Hull District preached(http://www.yorkhullmethodist.org.uk/whoswho.php). In his sermon one of the things he spoke about was the need to trust in God. It was of course just before I went to Connexional level for candidates committee. I find myself remembering today what a year it has really been since then! So much has happened- the journey hasn't been easy but I hope that I have trusted God in all that it has brought! Last year at my accreditation I remember thinking where would I be in a years time! Who'd of thought Kings Cross?!

I find myself today remembering with gratitude a year ago today! I find myself missing the people of Lancaster a lot as well!
Today I am actually beginning to realise how little time I have left in London. I remember how quickly and how short a time left I had in Lancaster after my recognition service!

First Baptism

This week I did my first Baptism. It was a real privilege. I had been approached several weeks ago in the Hospital for a request for Baptism for a long term patient. The pastoral situation meant that I carried out the request on Wednesday afternoon. As are many of the occassions in the Hospital, it was a moving occassion. The service was very different to one I will ever do again thats for sure! I had to adapt the service of Baptism as we obviously were not going to have a full sermon at the bedside of the sick. It was also felt that asking for promises to be made was not appropriate in the pastoral context and this was a great reminder of God's unconditional love and unconditional acceptance.

The practicalities of Baptising in a hospital bed were fun, but this didn't detract from the Baptism itself!

As I've said before hospital chaplaincy is a privilege and being allowed to Baptise someone was certainly a privilege, to represent the Church and welcome the individual into the Church through the symbol of Baptism. It was the first time of course filling in the Baptism certificate- this brought home the privilege that we have as Student Ministers and as Ministers. I feel humbled at being allowed to be alongside people at some of the most difficult times of life.

"God believes in us".

On Tuesday evening as usual when in London I was helping out at womens group. The Womens group at Kings Cross works with women on the margins of society- some are sex workers, others suffering from drug or alcohol addictions and others with other problems.
As it was Womens world day of prayer last Friday and international Womens day on Saturday, it was decided to do some reflections. So Sister Kay (one of the nunns who leads the work) got out the Womens world day of prayer service booklets. Kay introduced what we would do- using the reading and reflections on the reading- combining us with thousands of women throughout the world. Kay spoke about the difficulties women face and said sharing together was important. Especially across faiths, cultures and so on- the group was very multi-cultural! As Kay finished saying this one of the women- who is struggling with drug and alcohol problems piped up: "Yes because even if we don't believe in God, God believes in us". It was a deep profound reminder of God believing in all of us, no matter our background, past and so on. It was a moving moment too- somebody very much on the edge of society- somebody stuggling with life, speaking the profound truth.

"Even if we don't believe in God, God believes in us."

yet another week over

Well I haven't blogged this week! Its been a very strange week, lots going on placement wise and in life in general.

I am looking forward to just under three weeks time when I will have two weeks off! I am looking forward to having some time and space with friends. Going away for both weeks! First week I will spend on Iona (www.iona.org.uk) it is Student week and should be fun. I was there last year for Student week too. So it will be my third time on Iona. I think the contrast between Kings Cross and Iona will be stark. It will be a much needed break and will be good to catch up with people (there is a group from Lancaster going for the same week). I like Iona alot- it gives space from daily life, without internet access and also without much phone signal! The food is always good- lots of home made bread and scones! I really appreciate the worship too- the music is always good- with lots of singing! Who knows how long I might sing Mayenziewe for! It has been known for me to sing it for 4 hours constantly! The fellowship is good too! Last year when I was on Iona it was just before Candidates cttee and I came back refreshed and rested. SO am hoping to come back rested!

The last few weeks have been challenging with work for various reasons, so a rest is needed! The second week I am going to Spring Harvest with Emma S, Kieron and Sarah E! Should be a fun week too! Although much craziness I am sure! This will hopefully energise me! Spring Harvest gives lots of teaching and worship! Catching up with friends there too will be good. At Christmas we got together and it was crazy! Think we will be rationed on sugar- or Skegness may not be able to cope for 5 days!

So three working weeks and then break! Its scary how little time I will have left in London. I am learning soo much, I have surprised myself how much I am actually missing academic work though! Have spoken with Formation in Ministry this week and all things being equal I will be at Wesley House from September as posted previously.

So exciting holidays and times of refreshment coming up with God and friends! One of the lessons I am learning for ministry is that times such as these are much needed! Rest, recharge and the oppurtunity to have space to think and be nurtured.