SO I've been in Cambridge for the past 11 days, i've unpacked and had lots of time to relax. At the weekend I had lots of family time which was lovely- I've missed not having lots of family time over the last year. I appreciate having little people in our family again! So playing hide and seek was fun! I always appreciate the time I can spend with family and friends so that was good!
Last week I registered with an agency and am hoping to do some paid work! At the moment that seems to be a waiting game! So in the mean time I've been listening to Methodist Conference and reading! So not alot to report at present... I have been doing some thinking so will write that up, I need to do some clarifying first!
MY reading list arrived from Queens today, I also have some work to do before I go to Queens! So might start that soon- although need to get hold of one of the books first!
Any way, enough rambling!
Thursday 10 July 2008
another order of evening prayer
When it was evening Jesus came and stood among his disciples and said “Peace be with you”.
Jesus comes and stands among us here tonight and says “Peace be with you”.
Short period of silence.
Tonight we are gathered, as those first disciples were in an upstairs room.
God’s spirit is with us.
So let us pray with confidence, that God hears our prayers, let us know that God is here with us now and shares this time with us together, just as God was with us this morning and will be with us in the new morning tomorrow.
Reading from scripture
Lord Jesus Christ,
As you broke bread,
Your word was revealed and understanding given.
May your word be revealed to us this night.
Speak to us and inspire us by your word.
Amen
Short time for reflection
Prayers for others and ourselves.
God is compassionate,
God cares, so let us pray for the world.
God of peace and justice.
We pray especially tonight for those places that need your peace.
(Names and places can be given here)
Jesus you said “Peace I give to you.”
May they hear your words, may your peace come to them.
God of the hungry,
We pray for those who this night are hungry.
(Names and places can be given here)
Jesus you took bread and broke it and fed the hungry.
May the hungry know your presence, that you hunger with them.
God of the homeless,
We pray for those who are homeless this night.
(Names can be given here)
Jesus you were born, homeless.
May the homeless know your presence with them, that you are homeless with them.
God of tears, of sorrow.
We pray for those who weep this night,
(Names and places may be given here)
Jesus you wept over Jerusalem, as people weep tonight,
May they know your presence, that you weep with them.
God of joy and celebration.
We pray with those who rejoice this night,
(Names and places may be given here)
Lord Jesus, you celebrated with those at a wedding.
May those who celebrate this night know your presence.
God of loneliness,
We pray for those who are lonely tonight,
(Names and places may be given here)
Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane, you felt alone.
May the lonely know your presence this night.
May they know your words “I will never leave you, nor forsake you.”
God of community,
We pray for all communities this night,
(Names and places may be given here)
Jesus you spent time living in community.
You know the joys and frustrations that this brings.
May your presence be known in communities this night.
God, who calls us by name,
We pray for ourselves this night.
Jesus, you know us, you know the things that trouble us this night.
By your incarnation you know what it feels like to be human.
May we know your presence with us this night.
May we hear you call us by our name.
We offer you our prayers and our lives that your kingdom might come and your will be done. In Jesus’ name Amen
Closing responses:
Paul writes in his letter “Do not be anxious about anything.”
May God’s peace relieve us and this community tonight of anxiety.
Jesus said “come to me all who are tired and weary and I will give you rest.”
May God’s peace give us and this community rest this night.
Jesus said “I will be with you always, to the very end of the age.”
May God’s peace bless, by God’s presence us and this community this night. In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen
© Karen A Hilsden June 2008 (Student Minister resident in MCH from 2007-2008)
Jesus comes and stands among us here tonight and says “Peace be with you”.
Short period of silence.
Tonight we are gathered, as those first disciples were in an upstairs room.
God’s spirit is with us.
So let us pray with confidence, that God hears our prayers, let us know that God is here with us now and shares this time with us together, just as God was with us this morning and will be with us in the new morning tomorrow.
Reading from scripture
Lord Jesus Christ,
As you broke bread,
Your word was revealed and understanding given.
May your word be revealed to us this night.
Speak to us and inspire us by your word.
Amen
Short time for reflection
Prayers for others and ourselves.
God is compassionate,
God cares, so let us pray for the world.
God of peace and justice.
We pray especially tonight for those places that need your peace.
(Names and places can be given here)
Jesus you said “Peace I give to you.”
May they hear your words, may your peace come to them.
God of the hungry,
We pray for those who this night are hungry.
(Names and places can be given here)
Jesus you took bread and broke it and fed the hungry.
May the hungry know your presence, that you hunger with them.
God of the homeless,
We pray for those who are homeless this night.
(Names can be given here)
Jesus you were born, homeless.
May the homeless know your presence with them, that you are homeless with them.
God of tears, of sorrow.
We pray for those who weep this night,
(Names and places may be given here)
Jesus you wept over Jerusalem, as people weep tonight,
May they know your presence, that you weep with them.
God of joy and celebration.
We pray with those who rejoice this night,
(Names and places may be given here)
Lord Jesus, you celebrated with those at a wedding.
May those who celebrate this night know your presence.
God of loneliness,
We pray for those who are lonely tonight,
(Names and places may be given here)
Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane, you felt alone.
May the lonely know your presence this night.
May they know your words “I will never leave you, nor forsake you.”
God of community,
We pray for all communities this night,
(Names and places may be given here)
Jesus you spent time living in community.
You know the joys and frustrations that this brings.
May your presence be known in communities this night.
God, who calls us by name,
We pray for ourselves this night.
Jesus, you know us, you know the things that trouble us this night.
By your incarnation you know what it feels like to be human.
May we know your presence with us this night.
May we hear you call us by our name.
We offer you our prayers and our lives that your kingdom might come and your will be done. In Jesus’ name Amen
Closing responses:
Paul writes in his letter “Do not be anxious about anything.”
May God’s peace relieve us and this community tonight of anxiety.
Jesus said “come to me all who are tired and weary and I will give you rest.”
May God’s peace give us and this community rest this night.
Jesus said “I will be with you always, to the very end of the age.”
May God’s peace bless, by God’s presence us and this community this night. In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen
© Karen A Hilsden June 2008 (Student Minister resident in MCH from 2007-2008)
God says "come back"
“Come back” I call to you.
My arms are open,
Waiting to embrace you,
To hold you.
Come back to me,
I’m calling you,
Yes, you by name.
Come back to me,
I’m your creator, sustainer.
I’m waiting for you,
I’m here,
I’ve never left, I’ve always been here for you.
Come back to me, come home.
I’m not waiting to tell you off.
I’m waiting to tell you, that I love you.
I’m waiting,
whispering and shouting to you of my love.
Yes, I know you may have wandered.
You may have been tempted by the world.
You may have gone for a walk on your own,
in your own direction.
But I’ve still been with you,
I’m longing for you to come home.
Hear me call your name.
I love you, yes you,
Wherever you’ve been,
whatever you’ve been up to.
I love you, I forgive you.
Please come home.
I’m waiting- my arms are open.
I am the God, who created you,
I know your heart, mind and your ways.
I know your longings and your joys.
I know I love you,
just accept my love for you.
Hear these words,
I love you- as you are.
My love to you is unfailing, it won’t run out.
Please come to me,
Come home,
I’m waiting and will wait,
Let’s sit down together,
I’m ready when you are.
I’m ready with my love and grace.
I’ve loved you,
I love you now,
I’ll love you for eternity.
Just let me love you.
In my love we can talk,
In my love we can walk,
In my love we can begin again.
In my love we can work together.
I’m ready, waiting.
Are you coming?
Don’t wait till you think you’re sorted and ready.
Come now.
Bring your struggles,
Bring your joy,
Bring your sorrows,
Bring your laughter.
Come now as you are,
In brokenness,
In strength and weakness.
Come, talk to me,
and hear my whisper to you.
“I love you,
I forgive you,
I am with you.”
My arms are open,
Waiting to embrace you,
To hold you.
Come back to me,
I’m calling you,
Yes, you by name.
Come back to me,
I’m your creator, sustainer.
I’m waiting for you,
I’m here,
I’ve never left, I’ve always been here for you.
Come back to me, come home.
I’m not waiting to tell you off.
I’m waiting to tell you, that I love you.
I’m waiting,
whispering and shouting to you of my love.
Yes, I know you may have wandered.
You may have been tempted by the world.
You may have gone for a walk on your own,
in your own direction.
But I’ve still been with you,
I’m longing for you to come home.
Hear me call your name.
I love you, yes you,
Wherever you’ve been,
whatever you’ve been up to.
I love you, I forgive you.
Please come home.
I’m waiting- my arms are open.
I am the God, who created you,
I know your heart, mind and your ways.
I know your longings and your joys.
I know I love you,
just accept my love for you.
Hear these words,
I love you- as you are.
My love to you is unfailing, it won’t run out.
Please come to me,
Come home,
I’m waiting and will wait,
Let’s sit down together,
I’m ready when you are.
I’m ready with my love and grace.
I’ve loved you,
I love you now,
I’ll love you for eternity.
Just let me love you.
In my love we can talk,
In my love we can walk,
In my love we can begin again.
In my love we can work together.
I’m ready, waiting.
Are you coming?
Don’t wait till you think you’re sorted and ready.
Come now.
Bring your struggles,
Bring your joy,
Bring your sorrows,
Bring your laughter.
Come now as you are,
In brokenness,
In strength and weakness.
Come, talk to me,
and hear my whisper to you.
“I love you,
I forgive you,
I am with you.”
Thursday 3 July 2008
Evening Prayer
In MCH, we had evening prayer at 10pm. I was inspired to write some liturgy, so beneath is an Evening prayer written for MCH.
Opening responses
From sunrise to sunset.
God is with us.
In our waking, in our sleeping.
God is with us.
In our working, in our leisure.
God is with us.
In our joy, in our sorrow.
God is with us.
In this moment, in every moment.
God is with us.
From the rising of the sun unto its setting.
May the Lord’s name be praised.
Prayer of praise
Loving God,
To you belong all glory and praise.
In your great power you created the heavens and the earth.
The heavens declare your majesty.
The earth declares your glory.
Holy God,
To you we give all glory and praise.
Redeeming God,
Though we turned from you,
You did not turn from us.
Instead you showed us unfailing love.
Holy God,
To you we give all glory and praise.
Guiding God,
Each day you are with us,
Each new day you stir us with your spirit.
Holy God,
To you we give all glory and praise.
Holy God, creator, redeemer and guider.
May this night our praise be yours.
In Jesus’ name. AMEN
Scripture reading followed by a short time of silence.
God of community,
We bring to you tonight the communities of which we are a part.
We bring to you this community.
We pray for your presence to be realised in this place.
Fill this place this night with your presence once again.
(pause)
Bring your healing to this place.
(Pause)
(Prayers for healing may be offered here)
Bring your rest to this place.
(pause)
(Prayers for those struggling with the strains of life may be offered here)
Bring your love to this place.
(Pause)
May this be a place where your acceptance is known.
May this be a place where your peace is known.
May this be a place where your grace is known.
So as we pray for this place,
We pray to for the local community,
We pray for your presence to pulse.
We pray for those communities we have been a part of today.
For those people who we have seen or heard about that are in need.
(Places, people and situations can be named aloud or in silence)
We pray for those communities we have heard about in the news today.
For the celebrations which we may have seen or heard about.
For the sorrows which we may have seen or heard about.
(Pause)
Gracious and compassionate God,
Accept these prayers,
May your love be known in all places and situations and May your will be done.
In Jesus Name Amen.
May the God who called you from sleep this morning,
Grant you sleep and rest this night.
May the God who holds you in his everlasting arms.
Enfold you this night.
May God’s blessing surround you and those you love, this night and every night.
In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Amen
© Karen A Hilsden June 2008
Opening responses
From sunrise to sunset.
God is with us.
In our waking, in our sleeping.
God is with us.
In our working, in our leisure.
God is with us.
In our joy, in our sorrow.
God is with us.
In this moment, in every moment.
God is with us.
From the rising of the sun unto its setting.
May the Lord’s name be praised.
Prayer of praise
Loving God,
To you belong all glory and praise.
In your great power you created the heavens and the earth.
The heavens declare your majesty.
The earth declares your glory.
Holy God,
To you we give all glory and praise.
Redeeming God,
Though we turned from you,
You did not turn from us.
Instead you showed us unfailing love.
Holy God,
To you we give all glory and praise.
Guiding God,
Each day you are with us,
Each new day you stir us with your spirit.
Holy God,
To you we give all glory and praise.
Holy God, creator, redeemer and guider.
May this night our praise be yours.
In Jesus’ name. AMEN
Scripture reading followed by a short time of silence.
God of community,
We bring to you tonight the communities of which we are a part.
We bring to you this community.
We pray for your presence to be realised in this place.
Fill this place this night with your presence once again.
(pause)
Bring your healing to this place.
(Pause)
(Prayers for healing may be offered here)
Bring your rest to this place.
(pause)
(Prayers for those struggling with the strains of life may be offered here)
Bring your love to this place.
(Pause)
May this be a place where your acceptance is known.
May this be a place where your peace is known.
May this be a place where your grace is known.
So as we pray for this place,
We pray to for the local community,
We pray for your presence to pulse.
We pray for those communities we have been a part of today.
For those people who we have seen or heard about that are in need.
(Places, people and situations can be named aloud or in silence)
We pray for those communities we have heard about in the news today.
For the celebrations which we may have seen or heard about.
For the sorrows which we may have seen or heard about.
(Pause)
Gracious and compassionate God,
Accept these prayers,
May your love be known in all places and situations and May your will be done.
In Jesus Name Amen.
May the God who called you from sleep this morning,
Grant you sleep and rest this night.
May the God who holds you in his everlasting arms.
Enfold you this night.
May God’s blessing surround you and those you love, this night and every night.
In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Amen
© Karen A Hilsden June 2008
"Trying to work out what it means"
Last week within one of the social work projects, I heard some words, which to me were encouraging and a gentle reminder. We were sitting in the garden of the alcoholics residential home.(Me and some of the residents) One of the residents Fred said to me, that another resident Bob was Jesus. Bob is perhaps what a stereotypical Jesus is imagined to be to some- sandals, long hair. Bob replied "I am not Jesus, I am a Christian and trying to work out what it means." This reminded me that we don't have to have everything sorted out, all the answers, we aren't to be a text book, but that we are on a journey of discovery. Sometimes we need reminding.
For me personally over the last few weeks, I have become a bit frustrated! Perhaps its because I like to know the answers. Especially in the context of hospital chaplaincy. Why is this happening, where on earth are you God?
Sometimes its hard, we would like to have all the answers, yet we don't. I needed to be reminded, that actually I don't need the answers, but to try and ask the questions, to think. I guess this last year I've asked lots of questions. I've been frustrated. But yet what I know is that God is there in my questions, that even when I struggle to understand, God is there with me. Plus God's big enough to cope with my silly questions and my bigger questions!
For me personally over the last few weeks, I have become a bit frustrated! Perhaps its because I like to know the answers. Especially in the context of hospital chaplaincy. Why is this happening, where on earth are you God?
Sometimes its hard, we would like to have all the answers, yet we don't. I needed to be reminded, that actually I don't need the answers, but to try and ask the questions, to think. I guess this last year I've asked lots of questions. I've been frustrated. But yet what I know is that God is there in my questions, that even when I struggle to understand, God is there with me. Plus God's big enough to cope with my silly questions and my bigger questions!
Wednesday 2 July 2008
The end of my first year of pre-ordination training
So I haven't written for a while!
I finished in London on Sunday- I shared my testimony and some reflections on the last year in a lovely morning service. I was asked what reading I'd like for my leaving service, I chose John 15v1-17. For me the last 12 months has been a pruning time. Pruned from Lancaster and pruned theologically. When I begin to reflect on how much I've gained its huge amounts. It hasn't been easy but I hope it has been a fruitful time. It was a Communion Service, led by my supervisor Cathy Bird. There were 9 of us altogether and it was really special. We went out for lunch after worship. Then Mum and Dad arrived to meet me. I was rather tired as I hadn't gone to bed till 3am because we had an MCH gathering on Saturday night! Then I was up again at 7!
Finished packing (Mum and Dad had to bring a 4th suitcase!) and then headed for the station. There was rather a lot of luggage to say the least! Luckily one of my relatives was in London so brought 1 suitcase back! Thanks to David who helped us over to the station to load the luggage on! Then back to Cambridge by 5pm. Unfortunately then the task of unpacking began :(. Trying to find homes for everything is fun and am still finishing off now!
So am now home for the summer, this week I am having the week off. I saw Hazel and Hollie on Monday and will see them again on Friday. I also am hoping to get some summer work, next week, all being well. The weekend looks busy, am off to Sheringham with my home Church family on Saturday and we are having an extended family day on Sunday!
So its quite busy, but nice to be able to relax! As I've unpacked I have looked at all my books I want to read! So am hoping I might do some reading!
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