Fall out

It's been a busy week. Partly because of the change of management, there's a lot to pick up, an some of its come in my direction, so last night instead of home group, I was at work until 9:30pm, playing with spreadsheets and charts, trying to make the number presentable. Not my idea of a good night out.

What else has happened?
Liz has been on the Radio, the BBC world service to be exact. She was talking about religion being taught in schools, and staying in the curriculum - we have a recording on a video tape (the world service is on freeview). She was very good.

My week - at a glance

Tutor Group – Monday

I got my Hermeneutics essay (on Revelation) back, as you already know, I had “Pass” on the end. There were of course one or two other comments, mostly OK, and one comment about a piece which I remember not finishing!! I'm really very pleased with this, because it means I have an idea of the level I have to work at for future essays, and other submissions. 2 down, and loads to go.

Cancelled – Thursday I received a phone call from the Argos activity line. Our racing event has been cancelled (not enough participants), after six months of trying to book it we're back to square one!.

Manager leaves – Friday Last Wednesday I heard a rumour that my manager might be moving on. On Thursday, I was told unofficially by a colleague that he was leaving the company. On Friday I received an e-mail, which, heavily paraphrased, said “I'm leaving the company. Thanks for your commitment and support in the past, you have some difficult challenges ahead this year – good luck!” Shock was not the word, as you can imagine. Anyway, the guy who has taken over is someone I've worked with before, and is UK based, rather than being based in America. So that's probably a good thing, but we don't yet know who will get his job. The speculation has started.

Hawthorn – Saturday I was asked to put up the new washing line. No problem, it's a nice day for it, but I'll have to give the tree a trim, so that I can get to the branch, to tie on the line on. Well, I started, and there always seemed a bit more to cut off. That tree has needed a trim for a good few years. Some 'tree surgeon' came round, and said £400 to trim it down to say 1/3^rd the size. After my “Hmm, that's rather a lot” he came down a couple of times to £250 – still too much in my opinion. Mike was a great help, and I think enjoyed himself, hanging off branches, doing lots of sawing, and a little running away as he was almost smothered by a falling branch. There are two branches cut through, but still firmly attached to the tree. That's going to be a challenge for later. As Andy said, “It's more a 'Number 1' than a trim.” Yes, if you've guessed, you're right, the washing line isn't up yet!

GRID – Sunday Not F1, that hasn't started yet, but the church rota for the next quarter. I find I'm preaching twice, after being told that I probably wouldn't get any slots. Also, they're both at 10am, which is better than expected. Let's just hope the training doesn't take off in a big way.

Carvery - Sunday Andy had a day off, and as promised we went to the Stockbrook Carvery. It's very nice, the food is excellent, and the service is good. The place to go for Sunday Lunch, if you don't want to travel far. Looking forward to doing it again sometime. I'm now very full, and very tired, and very satisfied. I've also just watched Corpse Bride, so I've had a very good weekend.

Pass

Good News! The essay has 'Pass' at the end.

Worship cog (committee / working group )

I have been asked to chair the Worship cog. This is a role that has belonged very firmly to the vicar for the last 7 years (that is as long as it has existed). Me!? I'm not at all musical, why ask me? Well who knows, at least I won't be on one 'side' or the other. It was a difficult question to hear, and I prayed hard that night. In the morning I considered it again, not so much from the 'me' angle, but more from the 'role' angle. As I'm in training to be a reader I ought to be prepared to take on new jobs, and take a lead on things – even things that I don't have any natural talent for at all. That's the music part. Of course I DO worship, as does everyone else, and I do know when it lifts me up, and when it doesn't. It will also help me in my quest to better understand what leading a service is all about. I've done it, but when it comes to the planning I always struggle with the aims (the first bit of the planning process, without which you can achieve something that is probably not what you wanted). Anyway after a long chat with Paul, it seems that there's a whole lot more to it, like the rotas, and all, and thinking longer term about the summer series, and perhaps even Christmas if its a long interregnum.