Advent Reflections

Having decided to write a reflection booklet for Latchford, this is now to be used for the Central Partnership of Bold Street and Latchford. I'll post the contents here - mainly for future use - but I have enjoyed wrting this booklet, a great deal. I've found it to be quite moving to reflect on Luke's account of the birth of Jesus -it is amazing what new things we consider.

Two Retreats

Two retreats

According to an on-line dictionary the word retreat can mean one of the following:

1.the forced or strategic withdrawal of an army or an armed force before an enemy, or the withdrawing of a naval force from action.
2. the act of withdrawing, as into safety or privacy; retirement; seclusion.
3. a place of refuge, seclusion, or privacy: The library was his retreat.

Let me be upfront - it is not the first one. Whilst we are called to love our enemies this for me is a proactive action rather than withdrawing.

Retreat One

Derbyshire with the probationer group led ably by the Under 5 group. It started questionaingly when I drove up a steep, narrow drive and found at the top that I could not turn round or reverse down. The only option was to knock on the door of the house belonging to the drive and ask for help. Then came the lesson of trust - the owner of the house kindly offered to reverse my car for me down the hill. I accepted without hesitation and she reversed with skill, knowing the drive very well. I was encouraged, relieved and appeciative of this dear lady.

The highlight for me was a session led by Sally on the ministers shaped box. Through this session Sally encouraged us to consider our roles, jobs and expectations - we were then encouraged to write down issues and place things in the box. Then we trampled it down - very powerful and an encouragement to reflect on our ministerial formation.

Retreat Two

You know I am working in a most wonderful ministerial team. Each member is skilled in a variety of ways and I am so very excited to be part of a team which is so pioneering and forward facing. We spent some of the time viewing sessions from "The Willow Creek Leadership Summit." Reflecting on an interview between Bill Hybels (Senior Pastor from Willow Creek) and Richard Curtis (Writer and Producer of such films as Notting Hill, Love Actually) we considered worldly issues and transformation. Additionally, we though of motivation and how to motivate others.

These moments of time out - of quiet reflection - is critical to our development - as human beings, as Christians and as church leaders.

So what have I learned:

Share, care and pray together.
Take time out to be still.
God is transforming people and situations in dramatic and glorious ways.

Also,

Loraine Mellor fan club exsists.
Loraine Mellor excels at miming carrots
Loraine has been bitten - the dangers of pastoral visiting

November Reflection

Second month in and there have been great moments of wonder, awe and a great sense of feeling God's presence. There have been many moments when I have found myself on my knee's - which actually is not a bad place to be in prayer.

So what has happened this month? In no particular order...


Circuit Resource Centre - with a great sense of vision and purpose a new centre has opened on the first floor of Bold Street to accommodate the circuit office. In addition to an office for the fab Emma there is also a training suite, small meeting room (the black and red room)and a resource room accommodating DVDs, magazines and resources. Additionally, there are two loos and a district room. This is a wonderful space and those working to create the space have been an inspiration -well done to all involved.

Latchford - Gardening and KC Kidz have been the highlights. Why? because each speak of people working together and caring together. Wonderful. The gardening team involved 12 of us pushing, pulling, digging, cutting, cooking, washing up, eating and drinking and we achieved alot. It was a great day and another example of great people having a great time. KC Kidz is the older age range of Kids Connect - it began two weeks ago and I am having a great time - I hope the youngsters are too.

Bold Street - What is blue and lies on the floor of the sanctuary? Well obviously it is Jackie in her suit lying down so the gathered group could assess whether it is the right blue for their new carpet. Not sure of the outcome but it took a while to get up. The vision of the people to renovate the coffee shop, sanctuary and foyer is great - this will certainly help the mission to be effective. Well done Bold Street.

Ryfield - Wow! 55 people attended the Remembrance Day Service and many have commented that they will come again. The relationships being created there are phenomenal and moving. Drawing alongside has enabled a new prayer book to be placed in the library, an invitation on the weekly activities sheet for prayer requests and the offer of us holding film evenings - this is so great. Oh and this week is the Christmas Fayre - come on mince pies!!

So it has been a busy month and in the midst of it all has been the orientation project and work for college.

Oh and one final word BOLLARDS - yes I have a bollard in my space now at Bold Street, to in theory, enable the space to be reserved - that is with the exception last night when one white van man parked between the bollards and I coudln't get it - oh Bollards!

Looking ahead - retreats, mince pies, christingle service, mince pies, carol service, mince pies or perhaps I should rename them mine pies.

First Holiday

"Where have you bin" loosely translated "where have you been?" was asked by the local corner shop not far from my house in Frodsham. A little fatigued I began telling about ministry, warrington etc and she seemed pretty interested or perhaps my tiredness was clouding my judgement.

Why am I SOOOO tired? Others say it is because of the main stress points - moving house and a new job- in addition to a new lifestyle. Well Ok fair enought, apart from all that, why am I SOOOO tired? It's because of learning names, finding your way round a new area, doing the "first" of everything and being on show... ok ok that's why I am tired....

Aside from the tiredness I am loving it. The high points certainly outweigh the tiredness and I can see how easy it is to get so wrapped up in the "doing" that it is to forget the "being". It is quite interesting that whilst canditating and considering my "weak" points - doing too much featured always on the list. Do I really know myself that well? Others seem to and I am grateful to the friends who make me shut up and sit down.

So what I am doing this holiday - well writing this blog for one, doing the garden and catching up with the TV - ahhh bliss - just whathas been going on in Emmerdale, Weatherfield and Walford.. I canlt wait to find out.....

First Month Reflection

Can it really be one month? I have added so much mileage namely through getting lost on more than one occassion. There are three Nook Streets for example and a plethora of one way streets to navigate through.

Still I have always managed to find the final destinations, eventually, and all have been very polite, positive and personable (alot of p's there).

There have been a couple of times when I have of course questioned whether this was the right role for me. The first was on the day of my welcome party when browsing through Marks & Spencers food hall I was approached by an elderly gentleman,

"excuse me love" he said, "do you know if you have any bread and butter pudding?" Well obviously I knew that I did not have any bread and butter pudding, but using my sensitive intution and skills learned on the "developing pastoral care" module I reflected back - "do I have any bread and butter pudding?" "Yes love, there are none on the shelf". Finally realising the man was not actually concerned about my well-being or culinary tastes, I replied sensitively "I'm sorry I don't know, I don't actually work here." "oh sorry love, you should work here you look so authoritative." Of course I reflected on how someone could look authoritative when scanning yoghurts for the best before date. I guess I will never know.

The second offer of a new role was quite easy to interpret and reason. I have actually been to the local carvery around 14 times since moving in - just over 5 weeks. On my last visit I was greeted by the manager asking if I wanted a job.... I only reflected on this one for a while.... 'do they get to keep the tips' ...

Highlights of the first month

The welcome party/ welcome service (see facebook for more pictures)/harvest services and supper/meeting people/ Lat Pack/ bacon butties .......

So what have I learned ...

1. Coffee keeps me going

2. Bold Street folk make the best hot pot I have ever tasted

3. Latchford folk can't alf sing well

4. People don't mind parking in the ministers and deacons spot - even though they are not the
minister or deacon.

5. Coffee still keeps me going

6. The folks are genuine, caring and exceptionally supportive.

7. Clancey's bacon butties are scrummy

8. This is the best place to be at the right time

9. Latchford folk have never eaten popcorn at a church meeting before!!

10. Tea also keeps me going...

Other things I have learned:

1. Never leave the mic switched on when you leave the funeral service and stand outside!

2. When meeting others at a beach which is around 4km long try to find out where you are going to meet.

3. I like coffee