My first shopping trip

As you may know I am an assistant tutor for the course in Christian Studies. Last week's exercise was to create a 'map' of your life journey, locate on it the highs and lows, determine the place of prayer and your (perceived) closeness or otherwise to God.  There is a warning about the dangers of remembering the dark and difficult times of the past, and a recommendation not to dwell or even approach those times.  As a tutor I don't have to do the exercise, but I like to be prepared, so I sat down to think.

Starting at the beginning, I began with some early memories, the most vivid of which was a visit to a shop.  Sounds exiting doesn't it? Well for me it was.  This was my first visit to a shop on my own.  We lived in a road crammed with Victorian terraced houses, all very narrow with a scullery at the back a small garden and an alley way behind running parallel to the road.  This road is now a one way street with parking down one side and driving down it requires care - it is very narrow.  At the time of my first shopping trip, there were no cars parked in the road, neither did any drive up or down it.  The only thing we saw in the road regularly was the milkman and his horse and cart.  I also have memories of the sounds of hooves on tarmac, and of feeding the horse with carrots.

I was given a piece of paper with writing on it - just two or three words which I couldn't read, but was told what they said (can't remember that bit) - and some money - perhaps a shilling or a half crown.

British Currency pre-decimalization: 12d (pence) to the shilling and twenty shillings to the pound.  A price would be written as 2/6 meaning 2 shilling and six pence - the value of a half crown.

I was given strict instructions to go to the shop, speak only to the shopkeeper and return straight home with the goods and the CHANGE.

I walked up the road, got to the junction with the London Road (A13), turned left and a little way along, before the toy shop was the grocery shop.  I went in, and attracted the attention of the man behind the counter.  He recognised me and knew my name (though I didn't know his).  I handed him the list, I couldn't put it on the counter - I could't reach the top of it.  He read it and got the goods requested which were put in a brown paper bag (I think).  I gave him my coin and asked for the change.  He returned the list and had wrapped the change inside it for me.  I ran home - extremely pleased with myself!

St Giles Flower Fesitval - Songs of Praise

I missed the main flower festival, as I was 'at work' preparing for next week. Around 5:30pm yesterday we stopped scanning pictures of long dead relatives, and quickly shutdown the computer to go to the Songs of Praise service at St Giles. The church is only a couple of miles outside Billericay, and the way to get there is walk across the fields, but that takes too much time at 5:30, when you want to be there by 6:00. So we drove and parked in a field, in the long grass.

Above is just one of the many displays. This is the one we were closest to, and as the service went on I had to resist the urge to see whether the bread was real - I was getting hungry!

After the service I met an old friend from the CCS days. I haven't seen him for ages, but can see something of him on Facebook. Tonight was not the time for a reunion - he was busy too.

CCS re-union

Last night we met at the Riverside pub in Chelmsford for probably the last reunion of the Course in Christian Studies. There were just three of us, the others all had very good excuses - including a new baby in the family. We said "Goodbye" to the two from the course who are to be ordained. One at least will have moved 'south of the river' to the 'garden of England', and will be working in the Canterbury diocese. It was good to catch up, and discuss our prospective futures. WE all have plans, some more refined than others. Theirs will be as ordained ministers in the CofE, mine will remain as a lay ministry, and finding work.

We pray that God will bless them in their ministry, and make them fruitful.

The last mention of CCS?

I finally received the picture of the presentation ceremony for CCS today.

 

PC? - Confirmation.

PC No not politically correct, but personal computer. On Wednesday the PC in the church office died, so yesterday another was constructed - this was already planned, but not progressed. So now we have a slightly more up-to-date model. We're running Windows 2000, and all's better, but it used up most of my Saturday, so the plans have changed. Instead of finishing my CCS project yesterday, it'll have to be this evening, and that's because of the other event that wasn't on the calendar - the confirmation.  

Confirmation One of my God daughters was confirmed today. There was something of a mix-up with the planning, but nevertheless it happened, and I'm very pleased for her - I'm sure it was the right thing for her to do. So that was Sunday, well most of it - a VERY good day.

Bodily resurrection and genuine hope - reflections on CCS material.

We have been considering various approaches to the scriptures, and in particular the approaches to spiritualising the events of the New Testament. These take the form of denying that there is a physical resurrection – that the disciples somehow discerned that there was something special about Jesus, and after his death felt He was still with them. I remember feeling like that at the age of 17 when my dog died by eating poison. I soon realised the truth. Its a natural reaction and part of the grieving process to think that the person (or pet) we have lost is still with us. It is NOT enough to build a religion on, nor it it enough to go to your death for. OK, OK, I know humans get it wrong, make mistakes, even deceive people, and if there's enough personal currency built up in the life story that you've invented, and that you're living out you may find there's no option but to go to your death for it. Lets face it they will probably kill you anyway. BUT lots of them? Much less likely. And think about the type of people they were – mainly fishermen. Not the sort given to these types fantasies perhaps. BTW Why do we have ascension and pentecost if its all a spiritual thing?
The same 'logic' is then applied to the return. It couldn't possible be a real return, its just something to provide hope, it won't actually happen. Its still important to these people that we engage spiritually with God, but don't make it physical – thats unacceptably real. I really hope these people don't apply these principles to their marriages!!


I know I have to know this stuff – but don't ask me to believe it!

More exercise = heavier

So, they tell you to exercise to loose weight. Like so many other pieces of health advice from the so called experts, it doesn't appear to be true. After being the same for the last couple of weeks, I'm going up again. After more exercise, less biscuits and chips, and even missing a meal (not planned). So how does it really work - watch this blog.

Shaken Up had just 9 children (2 boys at least), and was lead by Jen - it went very well, and allowed me to move around a bit, and talk to some of them.

The murder mystery was also a good evening. Our table solved the puzzle (well one did, and the rest of us agreed), and came 2nd on the tie break. We were beaten by half a mark. A good time I think was had by all, and the organisers received a further 2 bookings. Not what they had planned, but 'a nice little earner' for the atrium fund.

Expecting another long week - with meetings in the evening Tues and Wed, so tonight was part homework. When am I going to prepare cell?

CCS has restarted / Shaken Up has restarted

Thursday:
First CCS of the spring term, and it’s so good to know that I’m not the only one who hasn’t done the work.

Friday:
Shaken Up: 13 Children, only one boy – a bit worrying – as I know the youth worker was in charge of the distribution of the flyers, but it may not be that of course. I arrived late because I was on ‘escalated support’ at work (1pm to 6pm). There were more than enough games, we did not even use one of them – that’s very good. The ‘God slot’ at the end went well and stimulated some discussion. Now we start planning for Cell. Needless to say I haven’t seen any of the fliers. – Just like Carrie. He has also taken charge of the money, although I’ve got the registration information for who was there. So the handover is in progress.

I plugged the Cell group quite hard, so hopefully they will turn up on Friday. Going to try a re-run of “Search Engine”.

Pray for Cell - the members, the potential members, and leaders.

Saturday:
Church leadership day. Only about 20 people turned up. We were given the data from the May awayday to look at – I certainly couldn’t remember what we had said then , and I don’t suppose anyone else could. So we didn’t get a lot done.

Christmas ...

Has come, and gone, as it does. All very quiet this year. Nice to have all the family home - that may be the last time we get that, as they're all growing up and doing their own thing. Liz flew to Scotland to see her pen-friend. He's been down before, so its not too much of a problem. She'll be back on Friday. So we straight down to 3, and then theres another set of movements prior to the weekend. Quiet - but ever changing. The tradition is midnight service, one drink, one present and bed. This year Andy went to see his girl, and the rest of us were left in confusion. Bed at 1:45, asleep before 2, when he says he came back. Yawn!! Christmas day was nice and peaceful, Church in the morning - unremarkable. Lunch with the in-laws - very nice, as usual. Boxing day was final presents, and home Christmas dinner. Jo did a marvelous job, as usual.

So that's it over for another year. Just time to enjoy the presents.

Monday:Off top Stanstead with Liz. Nice long drive - fine going, except the drop off lane was closed 'High risk flight arriving'. Slow on the way back - too many people heading for lakeside I suppose. Started on the CCS project.

Tuesday:
More on the CCS project. less than 50% through, already at 75% of word limit - help. It the wrong way round.

Looked at my web page, published in haste - some links not working.

Four Gospels, One Jesus?

This is a review of one of the books that we are set to read for CCS

http://www.fisher-folk.co.uk/peter.html Go right to the bottom of the page.

I've submitted it to Amazon too, follow the link to Richard Burridge, to
see if its there yet

Meetings, email, confusion, and Thursday

.... and its true, I have never got the hang of Thursdays either. (If you don't understand read the books in my favourites, or better listen to the Radio shows). This weeks look like a nightmare - at least three places to be and two of them at the same time.
Anyway this is suppose to help me keep the diary for CCS up to date, so that’s what I'll do. CCS is now finished for the term. We had a lovely communion service after a discussion about Johns Gospel. I really didn't want to leave!! - Most unusual, I usually want to get home to bed. Now all I have to do is the project, and four 1/2 sessions homework to complete. Not too bad, but still quite a bit of work.
I've tried to book my courses for next term when the electives occur, and remarkably they seem to fit reasonably well. I'm still learning about trusting in God. I've also booked on a vocation day in March, I hope. The it's just time to see the Vicar and all should be in place for the selection process to begin. All getting a bit close now. I also want to write a review of Four Gospels, One Jesus.

St John

Now at last we get to St Johns (but not all the way through in one sitting).

Perfect start to a ???? day

After a nice long sleep, I woke all on my own - a slight disturbance at 7 when my wife got up, but I went back to sleep. Out of bed into a nice warm bath, late breakfast, and then on with the day. Now for the not so good bits. Tried to renew the house insurance only to be asked for almost another £100!!! spent the next 2 hours trying the web, like the letter says, but no renewal is available ther. Customer services have an e-mail, and I've sent off the cheque, with copies of the letter, and the web site. Next its time to do a "Comet" and write to the MD. Churchill, have been watching the dog nod off once too often. So now its plan for Pathfinders on Sunday, ShakenUp on Friday, Leaders meeting on Monday - Appologies to the PCC, I'm not going, and CCS homework - Read the gospel of John (yes all of it and more). Not to mention all the 'stuff' in the in-box!!!