Today I went for a meeting with the Principal at Wesley House- Phillip Luscombe. The States has been ruled out- Phillip is quite firm that I should have two years in one place- he argues that it is vital for my formation and thus ruled out Candler. So if I am to go to Wesley house at all it will be for two years. So in the end the decision has happened quite quickly! There are to be suggestions and feedback to go to Formation in Ministry- so hopefully we will get some agreement of plans for the next academic year in the next few weeks. Any plans made now will be subject to the agreement of the training pannels in May. We are hoping formation in ministry may agree to me doing an MA in pastoral theology over two years at Wesley House (http://www.theofed.cam.ac.uk/mapt.html). This will also allow me to "fill in the gaps" from the Cambridge Theological Federations courses. If this goes to plan I will do a placement from the end of August to the start of term. I would also live in College.
I feel a huge sense of relief that a decision has been made about America and feel that Wesley House would be good! During the meeting we did consider the other two full time training institutions and they don't seem to be appropriate for me. One had previously been ruled out with Wendy and the other was ruled out today, based on the changes that are occuring.
Showing posts with label Pre-ordination training. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pre-ordination training. Show all posts
Friday, 29 February 2008
Wednesday, 27 February 2008
A bad day
Have had a bad day today- have been at the hospital. As is the nature of hospital chaplaincy- some anticipated things didn't happen and things that weren't expected did. You never know from one minute to the next in hospital chaplaincy whats going to happen! A hard day- for evening prayer tonight in MCH we had this reading- I found it very moving and emotional. (Probably because I am emotionally drained tonight)
A New Heaven and a New Earth
1 Then I saw "a new heaven and a new earth," for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Look! God's dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 'He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death' or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."
5 He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."
6 He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life.
What a day- when there is no more pain, suffering and heartache.
So much news today speaks of heartache, pain and suffering. Can get you down- but the vision from John's Revelation gives hope!
Tommorow will be a long day! Working at one of the social projects and then doing the overnight shift for night shelter.
Another meeting about next year on Friday afternoon!
A New Heaven and a New Earth
1 Then I saw "a new heaven and a new earth," for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Look! God's dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 'He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death' or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."
5 He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."
6 He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life.
What a day- when there is no more pain, suffering and heartache.
So much news today speaks of heartache, pain and suffering. Can get you down- but the vision from John's Revelation gives hope!
Tommorow will be a long day! Working at one of the social projects and then doing the overnight shift for night shelter.
Another meeting about next year on Friday afternoon!
Saturday, 9 February 2008
"SHOULD I STAY OR SHOULD I GO??"
Well yesterday I met with my supervisor and my accompanist from Guy Chester Centre to discuss the possibility of Atlanta for the next stage of my pre-ordination training. Its an exchange that Wesley House in Cambridge (www.wesleycam.ac.uk) have with Candler School of theology (http://www.candler.emory.edu/)
I am being very indecisive- mainly apprehension. I would be initially applying (so may not get to go- if there were other applicants) any way, but am aware last year as soon as the person on the exchange at present expressed interest he went! Talking to Mark who is there at present he said he would recommend it! Everyone else is saying its a good oppurtunity and an oppurtunity I won't get again! Which of course is true. I think much of me being unsure is apprehension. Speaking to one of my university friends this afternoon though she said- you were aprehensive prior to university, the whole candidating process and so forth. Its clearly part of who I am looking back now- I have no regrets about going to University. I'd be a very different person today having not been. Although a bit cliche God was faithful through University and if I appply and go then there is no reason why that wouldn't be again! And indeed continuing to be in the mean time. I think being abroad would be good for me- something that I do have little experience of. So I am certainly open to the idea- there are a few things that I need to look at and questions to ask. Looking at what I need from my training and how that can be best fulfilled.
I would be doing modules which would be transferable to the UK (Wesley House) for an MA and would be doing any classes offered that I wanted. One of the things about Candler as I understand it is that it is lots of people my age training for minstry- very different from anything offered in this country for pre-ordination training.
So an exciting time, whilst being quite scary too!
I am being very indecisive- mainly apprehension. I would be initially applying (so may not get to go- if there were other applicants) any way, but am aware last year as soon as the person on the exchange at present expressed interest he went! Talking to Mark who is there at present he said he would recommend it! Everyone else is saying its a good oppurtunity and an oppurtunity I won't get again! Which of course is true. I think much of me being unsure is apprehension. Speaking to one of my university friends this afternoon though she said- you were aprehensive prior to university, the whole candidating process and so forth. Its clearly part of who I am looking back now- I have no regrets about going to University. I'd be a very different person today having not been. Although a bit cliche God was faithful through University and if I appply and go then there is no reason why that wouldn't be again! And indeed continuing to be in the mean time. I think being abroad would be good for me- something that I do have little experience of. So I am certainly open to the idea- there are a few things that I need to look at and questions to ask. Looking at what I need from my training and how that can be best fulfilled.
I would be doing modules which would be transferable to the UK (Wesley House) for an MA and would be doing any classes offered that I wanted. One of the things about Candler as I understand it is that it is lots of people my age training for minstry- very different from anything offered in this country for pre-ordination training.
So an exciting time, whilst being quite scary too!
Wednesday, 30 January 2008
it's back AGAIN
Well after being back in London for 7 day I was signed off ill again on Monday. Last week was busy and emotionally draining. I went for my Guy Chester Centre days on Friday and Saturday. Didn't feel great whilst I was there- put it down to tiredness- but I felt quite uncomfortable and in pain. On Sunday night I really felt lousy again-looked at my throat and some white lumps had begun to appear again. Was set to work on Monday but when I got up on Monday morning felt lousy. With a lot of pain in my throat- so torch out again- could see lots more white lumps. So I went to the Dr's on Monday morning- she looked and said "that's the most spectacular sore throat I've seen in weeks." So she gave me another lot of antibiotics for tonsillitis and signed me off for at least a week and said I need to see a Dr again if I don't improve. Had spoken to Mum before she went to work- she said if I was signed off to come home. So I came home to Cambridge on Monday afternoon- have laid on the sofa and barely moved since. Am feeling very tired and still don't feel great- but today can at least move my arms and legs without them hurting too!
My main diet this week has consisted of trifle, ice cream and lucozade!
Any way a mid this- I've received an e-mail from connexion to talk about next academic year. So they are asking me to consider applying for the Candler School of theology exchange in Atlanta. This had been mentioned before. I have some questions and uncertainties- but connexion think it'd help my experience of multi-culture. So we will see, am hoping to talk to my supervisor and accompanists at Guy Chester centre soon. Its all a bit crazy- lots of people are saying great opportunity- I say I'd like some continuity in my training! Other wise I will have had four years in four places. The final decision won't be made till 20th May which seems a long way off! Guess I'll see where God leads!
any way, need some more rest
My main diet this week has consisted of trifle, ice cream and lucozade!
Any way a mid this- I've received an e-mail from connexion to talk about next academic year. So they are asking me to consider applying for the Candler School of theology exchange in Atlanta. This had been mentioned before. I have some questions and uncertainties- but connexion think it'd help my experience of multi-culture. So we will see, am hoping to talk to my supervisor and accompanists at Guy Chester centre soon. Its all a bit crazy- lots of people are saying great opportunity- I say I'd like some continuity in my training! Other wise I will have had four years in four places. The final decision won't be made till 20th May which seems a long way off! Guess I'll see where God leads!
any way, need some more rest
Tuesday, 5 June 2007
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.
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.
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