Probationers Committee - Part two

Back home and phew all is well. I am "warmly encouraged" by the group - that's the words they used. It went very well actually.

Probationers Committee

Just waiting to be collected for this by Loraine - feel somewhat nervous - not sure why I have no doubt it will go well with the support of others around me. I guess historically all other committees have been pretty major so I assume they all are. Of course I am not playing this one down - the work of the probationers committee is vital in ensuring we are coping and receiving the necessary support... just hope there are no tricky questions on CPD.

Inspirational Leaders and ducks

So what do inspirational leadership and ducks have in common? Well surprisingly they are to do with encounters today. This morning and part of the afternoon some of the circuit leaders met and had a fascinating time with Jon and Alan (Superb individuals)who inspired and challenged us to explore leadership. Using Dr Meredith Belben's team roles analytical tool I came out as a plant. Well what worried me initially is that I kill plants quickly so I wasn't too enamored. Also, I have struggled with labelling of individuals - for me labels are for packages and not people .... however, I can fully understand and appreciate their validity in team dynamics and it can certainly help team relationships if we understand the profile and tendency of others - we can also idenitfy what we are lacking in our team.

So what is a plant - Plant (PL) - the Plant is the creative innovator who comes up with new ideas and approaches. They thrive on praise but criticism is especially hard for them to deal with. Plants are often introverted and prefer to work apart from the team. Because their ideas are so novel, they can be impractical at times. They may also be poor communicators and can tend to ignore given parameters and constraints.

Hmm if you know me you can probably see part of my personality in this definition and other parts which are not.... Introverted?? Poor communicator? creative - yes. Of course no one particular model is complete in itself – but all can be useful in different contexts. They are simply tools to engage in reflection about ministry and team dynamics.

So what about the duck then? Well perhaps that question is best targeted to my esteemed leader Maam. Who whilst discussing the Lymm duck race and the fact that ducks were going backwards due the weather and were being hit back into a place with a man and a stick, "isn't that a bit cruel - how did he get away with it?" Attempting to keep our straight faces failed as we all simultaneously responded - "they are plastic". Bless her....

Service Provider

Just because i liked this one

assignment assignment

Phew a good mark. I really enjoyed this assignment and researching spirituality and the ageing process and specifically the role of the chaplain. I have learned alot with this module....

Panto and painting

Learning lines and songs for the panto- it is great fun and has been written well... Steve in bloomers however will be great to see. What is wonderful is how everyone is coming together.. it is great. Steve and I as sisters - this will be pretty good fun.
So onto painting - a few weeks ago I made the mistake of pulling at a piece of paint on my garage door and it peeled a whole strip off... that will teach me..so now every time I walk past the garage door i pick a bit more off. Of course the decision now what colour shall I paint it.

First Easter ......

First Easter as a minister has been moving, challenging and thought provoking. Comments received from church friends have been very encouraging - though we did have a slightly longer service than usual yesterday - I'll need to learn from that.

The Saturday night "Easter Journey" with Heptagon was for me quite a moving time. I love singing with the group so to have them at Latchford was a delight. The turn out was also amazing - the hall was full and we estimate around 120-130 people - phenomenal. I hope and pray that this will be the first of many of these events in which the whole circuit and friends from elsewhere can come together.

There were moments of quite reflection again as I reflected, with others, on the power of the cross and of God's extravagant love. As Wesley so put it ... "Amazing Love, how can it be that though my God wouldst die for me"

Easter Sunday Meditation - He is Risen

From today’s Gospel reading...

…go to my brothers and say to them, “I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.” ’ Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, ‘I have seen the Lord’; and she told them that he had said these things to her.

from John 20

To reflect on...


Rejoice! Rejoice! Jesus is alive! We have a Saviour who has conquered sin, death and separation. Our Jesus is alive to draw us to God.

Let’s pray...

I praise you with all of my being, my wonderful, redeeming, loving Lord. You have my whole heart – I adore you. May your light and your goodness flow out into this world to redeem, heal and release. Amen.

As the watchman waits...

Waiting is not easy. When you are in the middle you want resolution - all to be well - even to go back to how things used to be. This I believe is a natural response to our experiences on this journey. As the watchman waited for the dawn of a new day - as those who wait for the sunrise when the demands of the world lay heavy on their souls so we await the morn.

Easter Saturday - Meditation

From today’s Gospel reading...

When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who was also a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus; then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. So Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn in the rock. He then rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb and went away. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb.

from Matthew 27

To reflect on...

I wait opposite the tomb – feeling empty and desolate. Where have you gone, my beloved Jesus?

Let’s pray...

In your death, my Lord, you reached out to all your creation. You reached into the darkest parts of our lives and of our world. Truly, you fully identified with us. You are my God. Amen.

Good Friday - Meditation

From today’s Gospel reading...
So they took Jesus; and carrying the cross by himself, he went out to what is called The Place of the Skull, which in Hebrew is called Golgotha. There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, with Jesus between them. Pilate also had an inscription written and put on the cross. It read, ‘Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.’

from John 19

To reflect on...

I imagine myself at The Place of the Skull – watching the events unfold before my eyes. I allow myself to feel the overwhelming emotions of seeing your sacrifice

Let’s pray...

How can I thank you? How can I ever repay you? You did all this for me, Lord. I am forgiven. But at such a cost.
How can I ever thank you? Amen

What a moving service

There were 29 of us in the church hall, met together round tables. The atmosphere was quiet yet we spoke to each other sharing our days. As the disciples would have done. We remembered Judas and the money clattering to the floor provided a stark reminder of the betrayal. Our hands were washed and we ate together. We then heard the story once again of Christ's arrest and after each reading a candle was extinguished until we were plunged into darkness..... we move to Friday.

Maundy Thursday - Meditation

From today’s Gospel reading...

After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, ‘Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.

from John 13

To reflect on...

I am called to serve. To serve God and to serve others. Am I willing to put on an apron, roll up my sleeves, and show my love for my brothers and sisters by working for them?


Let’s pray...

Lord, you have washed me. Give me a servant heart, that I might go out into my world and show your love and service.

Wednesday 19 March - Meditation

From today’s Gospel reading...

After saying this Jesus was troubled in spirit, and declared, ‘Very truly, I tell you, one of you will betray me.’ The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he was speaking.

from John 13

To reflect on...

It is hard for us to understand what might have been going on in the mind and heart of Judas Iscariot that week. But he was not the only disciple to betray Jesus – Peter disowned him and his other followers fled – afraid of the consequences of being recognised. Do I betray my Lord in the way I behave?

Let’s pray...

You are the powerful God of the universe but you placed yourself into the hands of others to fulfil your task. My heart is filled with wonder and amazement that you would do this for me. Thank you, my God. Amen.

Tuesday 18 March - Meditation

From today’s Gospel reading...

Now is the judgement of this world; now the ruler of this world will be
driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all
people to myself.’ He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die.


from John 12

To reflect on...

All people. Nobody is exempt from God’s offer of forgiveness and friendship. May I take seriously the command to take the message of God’s forgiveness into my world.

Let’s pray...

Thank you, embracing God, that your desire is to draw all people
to yourself. I come to you now – just as I am – a sinner, saved by
your grace. I come into your loving embrace. Amen.