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!
Showing posts with label University College Hospital. Show all posts
Showing posts with label University College Hospital. Show all posts
Tuesday, 25 March 2008
Monday, 3 September 2007
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!
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!
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