Ex-Mass

 

Christmas parties,

Mince pies,

Carols,

X number of shopping days to Christmas,

School nativity play;

And out of a dark and dusty corner of the church

     the crib is found.

 

Baby Jesus (the plastic, white faced, blue eyed variety)

Is placed once more with ‘dignity’

In a place of honour surrounded by tinsel,

Fairy lights and Father Christmas.

 

The babe of God slips into the world

And into the hearts of all who love babies

(Even Herod’s are kept quiet today)

 

Then back goes the representation of Jesus,

Along with all the other trimmings,

Back to a dusty corner in people’s lies.

 

Jesus Christ, Son of God, Perpetual Babe

       save us from our madness.

 

 

 

 

© Gordon Banks 8/12/83

 

England Expects...

England Expects…too much!

 

June 11^th 1915…
Celebrating June 11^th 1904
Too young you were to wed,
    Some said
And him – ten years on

But eyes only for each other

A love as true as any
Wrought by bards and poets
Or sung in songs of romance

Little Benjamin was the first

Eighteen months on;
Followed by Flo and Danny,
We lost Rebecca, poor mite

Celebrating I am

Smiling as my guts
Twist and turn;
Was it as bad as this
    in 1904?

Celebrating I am,

Up early, 4.30am
Watching, waiting for the big push.
Nervous about meeting my new bride –
Sister death and her bridesmaids –
Maimed and wounded

Celebrating I am
Being once on the brink of heaven
Now on the edge of hell.


© Gordon Banks June 1993  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Captain's Log October 2013

Church Army Mission Community

www.camissioncommunity.org.uk

This has been very much a focus for this period as the month began with a combined Cluster gathering with people from Rochester, Canterbury and Chichester dioceses. We came together to hear from Sister Debbie Orriss who is newly appointed as Community Guardian for the South. Just over a year ago the Church Army became ‘a dispersed community of evangelist rooted in the Church of England’ (Acknowledged Mission Order). We are still working out what this actually means on the ground and what it looks and feels like. As well as this time in Crowbrough I also travelled later on in the month to The Wilson Carlile Centre in Sheffield for a Cluster Facilitators Conference.

This chimes in with a great book by Simon Reed, ‘Creating Community’ that picks up new monasticism and explores how this could inform the local church. Reed offers a three fold model to help create communities.

a) Rule of life

b) Rhythm of prayer

c) Soul friends

What is even more fascinating is the way this links in with Archbishop Justin’s three stated priorities:

a) the renewal of prayer and the religious life,

b) reconciliation

c) evangelism

On prayer it was a delight as ever this month to have a Quiet Day at Holy Trinity Monastery. One of the things I have found myself doing which may be something you would also find useful is to go prayerfully through my diary. I still work from a filo-fax style and so keep two years of appointments going back a year and forward a year. Plus I have a collection of cards and prayers and names and addresses.

Some of these people I haven’t seen in years and some have died, I bring them all before God and pray a blessing upon them. I also ensure I have pen and paper to hand to note ‘things to do’ and then park them!

St Peter’s ad Vincula -

Jane and I had another great time as I lead them through a Service of the Word, this time focussed on Giving Thanks. To help concretize this I invited them write something for which they were thankful on a paper chain which we then joined together and hung up in celebration.

This was a very busy day because in the evening we had Love Beyond.

             

www.lovebeyondmusical.com

 

 

 

 

 

I was responsible to see that we had our

Soul by the Sea display there.                                                                                                                         www.soulbythesea.org

 

This ‘Show’ was amazing and almost beyond description. They are now open to invitations for 2014, so why not get in touch? It would make a great Hope 14 initiative. Tell them I sent you!

A bit of travelling this month. Not only to Sheffield but also to London a couple of times. One was in support of my good friend Tim Hill, licensed a Reader at Southwark Cathedral. The other was to hear a John Stott Lecture. I was really frustrated not to make it for the first of two lectures. The host for this evening were A Rocha www.arocha.org.

The theme explored God’s redemption of the whole of created order and our call to partner with God in this enterprise. We have a duty of care for the creation which even now God is re-creating and will be fully revealed in fullness of time Rev.21.2.

Doing the work of an evangelist in September...

www.soulbythesea.org

I continue to be involved with this group and currently we are busy trying to consolidate the Group. In essence this means we are revisiting our aims and objectives now we have had three years experience. Alongside this we are making plans to launch our 'Friends of Soul by the Sea.' All of this of course whilst keeping before us the aspiration to mount another Passion Play in 2014. 

 

 

 

Kairos and Chronos –

I am no Greek scholar however I do know the difference between Chronos and Kairos. This is just as well as one of the first persons I said hello to at a ‘Kairos Service’ asked me that very question. The Kairos Service in question was being held at St Peter ad Vincula (and do you know what ad Vincula means?) We had a great time together exploring the call of Christ into discipleship. Whilst Jane sang I invited everyone to come forward with a stone on which they had written their name and make a Prayer Cairn by the altar. It was a very moving movement as I stood there, each person taking time and making a deliberate response. So much that Jane had to repeat some of the song again. As they have just begun a vacancy they asked if they could leave the stones there until a new person is appointed. This is to be a sign that they will continue to be God’s people in that place. They also invited us back for October!

22 years as a member of Mothers’ Union - it was great to join them for an Overseas Day, helping raise funds by making key rings and badges. We raised just a little short of a £1,000 which will go towards the work of Mothers' Union overseas.

 

CVM Regional Day www.cvm.org.uk

I continue to chair the small planning group helping to pull this event together. This year (November 16^th) we are hoping to see an increase over the 200+ we have seen in previous years. We have moved to a venue that has the capacity for us to grow up to 500+ delegates! 

 

MSM

http://www.missionshapedministry.org/

We had a good honest meeting in September asking some serious questions as to our engagement with this Course. Although the MSM 2013 was ‘successful’ we are not convinced we have either the level of interest or the personnel to offer another Course, certainly not in 2014. Lots of prayers, discussions and thinking to be done!

Introduction to Spiritual Direction
I completed this Course last year and was invited back (with two others) to assist at the Course for 2013/14. Our role is to be ‘gophers’ but also to offer our own insights to this year’s delegates. And we also get a refresher, brilliant all-round.

 

Pulborough Weekend – the weather was kind enough (just) for both Jane and I to stay over in the Caravan on Friday and Saturday night. On Saturday it was a delight to be with Pulborough Churches Together for the Pulborough Harvest Fair. We now have four stalls plus an inflatable church! On Sunday, Back to Church Sunday/St Michael’s I preached at St Mary’s both at the 8am and the 10am. St Mary’s has an Anglo-catholic tradition and Fr Paul brought us into a place were you could almost hear the beating of angels wings and the singing of the saints gone before us and now rejoicing in glory.

St Michael's Day sermon,,,

Back to Church Sunday/St Michael 2013

 

 

Genesis 28.10-17 Psalm 103.19-22 Revelation 12.7-12 John 1.47-51

Peshawar Kenya Nigeria – although we all had a fantastic day yesterday at the Pulborough Harvest Fair I trust you have these places in your hearts and minds this morning.

After yet another catastrophe was posted on my Facebook page this past week - I shared it and simply added the comment ‘what is happening in the world?’

It would be only too easy at the moment to quote from Matthew’s Gospel – ‘You will hear of wars and rumours of wars. There will famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginnings of birth-pains.’

This pushes my mind to reflect on Paul’s Letter to the Romans 8.19 ‘The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed.’

In the dramatic story we heard from Revelation, we hear of a war in the heavens.

However we need to tread carefully and not fall into thinking along the lines of ancient Greeks who assumed earthy conflicts were simply replications of heavenly wars.

But there is a spiritual battle ensued nevertheless.

In Ephesians we are encouraged to put on the full armour of God - ‘For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces in the heavenly realms.’

And we take heart as we read in Ephesians 2.15

‘And (Jesus) having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.’

This is also picked up in 2 Corinthians 2.14

…’thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life.’

Here the picture is of a returning Roman General who heads up a Triumphant Procession. Following him are his soldiers, followed by the spoils of war, and last of all the captives, many of whom will be summarily executed and others sold as slaves.

Alongside the General incense would be burned as a sweet offering to the gods in thankfulness. To those victorious, the sweet smell of success, to those held captive, the smell of death.

Picture that scene and imagine where you would place yourself this morning.

Are you in the vanguard or are you still held captive to sin, fear and misery?

Of course when a General won a battle there was often a rearguard action. There was still a task to be done to bring people under the rule of the new authorities. There would still be smaller battles to overcome.

And that’s what we sign up for.

That’s what our baptismal promises are all about.

We are those who look on the world of chaos and destruction and we know who is the author of all the misery in the world; the father of lies.

We also know that such an enemy is defeated; Christ has won the victory and invited you and me to share in that triumph. 

However there is nothing for us to be triumphal about.

This is all of Christ’s doing, it is all of grace poured upon grace of which we are invited to be recipients.

Jesus called Philip to follow him, who in turn went to find Nathaniel and invited him to meet Jesus.

Nathaniel responded, and we have the interesting interchange that is rich in metaphor and reference to Jacob’s ladder with angels ascending and descending from Genesis 28.10-19.

Jacob here refers to the place as Bethel, that is, House of God. In context Jesus appears to be saying that from now on, Nathaniel (and others) will see Jesus as the incarnate Bethel, the House of God, the Temple. 

Jesus is Israel and the Temple personified.

And Jesus calls us to this Temple to worship and invites us to become members of New Israel, just as he called Philip and Nathaniel.

On the 1^st January 1975 I made a response to that call, making it a New Years Resolution.

I was soon recruited, quite literally into God’s Army – the Church Army.

And God continues to call, he continues to send texts, tweets, emails and asking you to be his friend on Facebook.

The call is to come and be a member of the community of faith – the New Israel.

However the choice is always yours, you can join the triumphal procession anywhere you wish.

However should you place yourself in the vanguard be aware that just like Nathaniel God knows which fig tree you are sitting under.

He knows if we are playing a game of pretence.

He knows if we are simply playing the religious game.

Saying all the right things today but then not living it out during the rest of the week.

If you are in the vanguard then let us sing and rejoice as we celebrate the victory of Christ over sin and death. That although the earth be moved and the foundations shake we will be kept safe.

That there will come a time when death shall be no more, and sorrow and sighing will be over.

When we shall share in creations joy as she is redeemed and brought to full, everlasting glory.

However should it be that you are uncertain about where to place yourself in the triumphal procession, or know that you are one of those to whom the fragrance of Christ is condemnation and judgment, then do speak to me afterwards.

Those at the back of the triumphal procession had a third choice over slavery and death. They could join the ranks of the victorious and serve the new authority.

I would love to help you respond today and be counted as a friend of Christ and become a member of the household of faith, to  move into the vanguard of Christ’s glorious triumphal procession.  

(If you want to explore more about the Christian faith check out www.christianity.org.uk)

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all ages, for ever and ever. Amen

 

Following Jesus...

 Luke 14. 25 – 33

 Sir Winston Churchill's speech on 13th May 1940 to the UK's House of Commons on taking over as Prime Minister.

"I say to the House as I said to ministers who have joined this government, I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears, and sweat. We have before us an ordeal of the most grievous kind. We have before us many, many months of struggle and suffering. You ask, what is our policy? I can say: It is to wage war, by sea, land and air, with all our might and with all the strength that God can give us; to wage war against a monstrous tyranny, never surpassed in the dark, lamentable catalogue of human crime."

When we approach this passage in Luke’s Gospel this is the image we should have in mind.

Speaking to the large crowd following him Jesus spoke very soberly about the war being waged and the cost of signing up as a soldier.

Today many of our Christian brothers and sisters will pay the ultimate price for their faith, whilst millions more across the globe face harassment and persecution.   

Jesus begins with a call that may at first strike us as harsh, about hating one’s own family.  However we must put aside our understanding of hate as something or someone that we loath. In the times of the Patriarchs such a term would be used when someone like Jacob favoured Rachel over Leah. It was a matter of choice. When Jesus was dying on the cross he took care to see that his mother would be cared for, so we mustn’t take this idea of hating your family out of context and make it a pretext.

However as those going in battle have to be prepared to say goodbye, perhaps for ever, to loved ones, so is the call to be a disciple of Jesus. Single minded and focused.

It may also be as we heard from one lady we met on holiday in an Anglican Church. As a direct result of her becoming a Christian her husband ended their 38 year marriage.

And whilst on holiday we kept in touch on Facebook. My daughter wrote on there about having just finished a Mt Eiger of ironing, mostly my T-shirts.

As a runner I have accumulated quite a few over the years. She decided that she was going to cull some and take them to the charity shop. I responded by saying that perhaps I should emulate St Francis.

I had in mind the time when Francis’s’ exasperated father drags him before the Church leaders because Francis had been emptying his father’s store house of merchandise. So, Francis strips naked, giving back to his father everything he had given him, and embraces his heavenly Father and lady poverty.

 Now despite the modesty of most depictions of the crucifixion this is exactly what would have happened to Jesus. Part of the punishment and humiliation would have been to be stripped naked.   

So, when people heard Jesus say about taking up your own cross there would have been absolutely no confusion in their minds that this meant being prepared to give up absolutely everything.

 

Jesus then talks about weighing up the cost of following him with two illustrations.

The first is about a building project.  Could it be that Jesus has cast an eye on the Temple? This great building project that obviously had ongoing work and was the focus and intended locus of Yaweh. A building Jesus knew could never be all that it was hoped to be or intended to be.

And when he speaks of a king going into battle and the need to ascertain military strength, was Jesus perhaps looking at one of those who were advocating open armed rebellion against Rome? Might Jesus not also be saying in effect, have you really considered the might of Rome?

Jesus as true King will stand against Rome soon enough. And Rome will try to do what Rome and all bullies try and do, beat down by force. Initially as Jesus dies, naked, with a sign ironically declaring him King of the Jews in three languages, it would seem that Jesus has himself miscalculated.

However we know that although this temple was destroyed God raised it up to glorious triumph three days later.

And that my friends is the battle we are called upon to fight and sign up for.

That we stand against all the bullies of this world, against all the wrong and evil in this world. Not with Peter’s Garden of Gethsemane sword, but Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God.

We will put ourselves under discipline, so that we can be better equipped, stronger and bolder, not having the spirit of timidity but of boldness borne of our having spent time in the presence of Father God.

We will spend time with each other, mutually encouraging each other, laughing and weeping together as we soldier on, offering our blood, toil, tears and sweat in our Gospel endeavours.

On Facebook this week friends have been posting pictures of their children going to school with their new uniforms on.

As Christian’s what uniform might we wear?

Might I suggest that it is the fruit of the spirit we find outlined in Galatians 5:22-23

… the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Can you imagine if we were disciplined enough to be able to bear these out in our daily lives?

Can you imagine what a difference this would make in our homes, in the supermarket, on the roads as we drove our cars? At work or at leisure, on our holidays, especially when queuing up to book in at the airport?

Every day we have opportunities to be a blessing to people if we are attuned and alert, listening to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. By such means, little by little, step by step, the Kingdom of God will advance and the Lord’s Prayer shall become a greater reality in our communities.

Winston Churchill said… “You ask, what is our policy? I can say: It is to wage war, by sea, land and air, with all our might and with all the strength that God can give us; to wage war against a monstrous tyranny, never surpassed in the dark, lamentable catalogue of human crime."

That war continues, but not personified in a single person like Hitler, but in the evil that consumed him. That monstrous tyranny continues to wage war and seeks to despoil and destroy. However at Calvary this monstrous tyranny was struck a mortal blow.

Jesus, now raised from death leads us on his disciples singing a victory song…

March we forth in the strength of God,
with the banner of Christ unfurled,
that the light of the glorious gospel of truth
may shine throughout the world:
fight we the fight with sorrow and sin
to set their captives free,
that earth may filled
with the glory of God
as the waters cover the sea. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

August's Doing

Rural Evangelism Network www.ruralevangelism.net

We had a good committee meeting at Selly Oak. Two new committee members joined Barry Osborne and I who hopefully will bring some new life to REN. Some argue that faith in rural areas is more implicit than explicit. A faith more caught than taught, a process of osmosis with the faith being imbued through engagement with the church. However we need to recognise that fewer people are engaging with the church, even in rural areas. Therefore whilst we might accept the historical reality of implicit faith we also want to offer the dynamic of an explicit faith with people being called to a living, personal relationship with God. That, in large part, is the remit of REN. In rural terms a farmer sows the seed and looks for a harvest. Therefore if we are sowing Gospel seeds through words and actions should we not be looking for a harvest?

 This was very much the topic of two seminars on Rural Evangelism I gave at the Detling Summer Festival. http://www.peoplewithoutlimits.org/

Apart from the enjoyment of being able to offer some creative and challenging aspects of rural evangelism, God had obviously worked to ensure Jane and I were there for a few days. (Holidays prevented us from staying the whole time) God spoke powerfully to us both and in particular with the theme of ‘To Boldly Go.’  (with due apologies for the split infinitive!) Neither of us can say exactly what but we both have that feeling that something is going to change, perhaps a new direction for one or both of us. We also loved a phrase that we were asked to repeat, ‘I am not my history, but I am my destiny.’  Although as you know I am not a card carrying Evangelical, I did find the Festival Theme Book ‘To Boldly Go’ by Eric Delve a real challenge and very exciting. I read through the entire book on a recent Quiet Day. Interestingly it reads in a similar fashion to Teresa of Avila’s ‘Interior Castle.’  Both speak of the necessity to go further and deeper into the Father heart of God, to discover that all we are and are meant to be are waiting there as treasure to be discovered. (Colossians 3.3.)

It was a quick turn around to go home, drop off the Caravan and then head for Gatwick the next day. We flew out to Corfu for twelve sun and fun filled days. This was a perfect follow up to Detling as it gave us an opportunity to begin to process what God had been saying to us, individually and as a couple. What was also a delight was the simple joy of enjoying each others’ company 24/7.

We swam, laughed, ate perhaps a little too much, certainly drank more than was good for us on occasions and only had the odd ‘disagreement’ when discerning maps and directions. Driving in Corfu is a really interesting experience! We also managed to get to the Anglican Church in Corfu. Over coffee we chatted away and I reflected on how they face similar ‘problems’ as many rural Churches in England. So I mentioned the Rural Evangelism Course and the ARC and sent on the links when I got back home. www.arthurrankcentre.org

Better together...

Three pictures…

Kerryn Claire Banks d.o.b. 16th July 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The ARK (Mr & Mrs Noah’s floating zoo)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lifeboat

 

 

 

 

 

 

Each picture comes with a question.

Kerryn – what hope would you offer her?

By 2050 it is estimated that there will be 9.07 billion. 62% will live in Africa, Southern Asia and Eastern Asia. This will increase the need for food and water by over 50% on top of today’s demand. As economies grow in the southern hemisphere some predict the UK and other northern provinces will fall behind and may even become much like 3^rd world countries are today.

Water and food wars may increase; already we spend six times as much on training and equipping a soldier as we do on feeding a child.

Homelessness and displacement are set to grow exponentially – an already acute problem both here in the UK and elsewhere.

Whichever way you look at it the predictions do not look good unless we radically alter the way we live.

We have been living way beyond our means using up the earth resources.

You will also be well aware of violence and crime and anti-social behaviour. Street Pastors & Street Angels have been once response to this.

Plus you will be well aware that babies like Kerryn who have birth mum and dad who are married are fast becoming in the minority given current trends and the shift away from traditional family patterns.

So what hope could you offer?

Two boats that offer two pictures for a possible response from the local church.

The ARK – safe, battened down hatches, ride out the storm whilst the world goes to hell.

Lifeboat – rescue those in danger.

Everybody on a Lifeboat is an active crew member. Lifeboats are manned by volunteers who go about their daily business. They meet to practise their skills and receive training for the task to which they feel called. When the shout goes up they drop whatever they are doing or get out of bed no matter what time it is and rush to the rescue.

One of the hopes for the future and the future of the Church is seen in the development of communities of faith who will begin to learn to walk in covenant more than in convenience.  People who love each other and are committed to each other enough to drop everything and run to help in the rescue.

Lessons are being learned from Monasticism both ancient and modern.

How do we walk with Christ as the people of God that goes beyond our simple meeting up for worship on Sunday? Living more like a Lifeboat crew with a deep love and care and willingness to put our lives on the line for each other and those in danger.

How do we discern the misseo dei – the mission of God to bring about the redemption of the cosmos?

And what’s the part a local church can play in bringing about a realized Lord’s Prayer.  

How do we share our faith and become attractive so that as we read of in Zechariah people will be grabbing us by the coat and asking to know more.

(See Zechariah 8. 20-23)

How do we live as exemplified by Jesus, who washed the feet of the disciples?

How do we ensure we don’t Lord it over anyone else and live out a life of service to one another? (See N.T. Luke 22. 24-27)

How do we offer hope to a world when there is so much darkness and despair?

 

It has been suggested that this equation is fast becoming defunct...

 

Priest + Congregation + Building + Sunday Worship = Church

 

What alternative suggestions  might you have for the 21st century?

 

 

To do the work of an evangelist!

South of England Show was as demanding as ever. Even more so, as I didn’t have Jane with me for the first couple of days!  However we did have a stalwart team who worked hard to get everything ready in time for our ‘Opening Act of Worship’ on Wednesday night. Our theme was ‘Hidden Treasures’ – celebrating the rural church. This was linked in with a Church & Countryside Conference of the same name and looking at tourism and visitors to churches. Our three days brought a mixture of weather despite the early forecast of bright sunshine. As part of our celebrating the rural church we had a mini-ring of eight bells set up by the Sussex Association of Change Ringers. It was great to see Penelope Keith, Show President having a go at bell ringing. Alongside the Church Tent we also run for the South East Agricultural Society the Lost People Station.  A very apt task for the Church! On the Saturday, the busiest day, we had 17 people who had become separated and lost, mostly children. This is a great facility we offer with the strictest of guidelines and it is always such a delight to see people reunited.  Refreshments also play another important role and we have a great system set up whereby a Church takes responsibility for each day. The refreshments are served out of a Salvation Army catering van.  

Defunct Car - as you will also know, shortly before the Show our car was diagnosed with a blown head gasket. I think the trip down to Cornwall for the Opening of the Celtic Cross was the final straw.  This began a frantic search to source another car suitable for towing. It was a bit like trying to cram for an exam as we desperately tried to match up what we could afford, what would be economical to run and what would do the job of occasionally towing the caravan and gear. In the end we settled with Priory Automotives in Sheffield who have experience of working with ministers. They were excellent and really pulled out all the stops to make it happen. However I didn’t have the car in time for the caravan to go up to the Show and therefore I had to hire a transit van with a tow hitch. Another new experience, driving a van whilst towing a caravan.  We settled on a Kia Sportage 2litres two wheel drive. So far it has proved an excellent choice and far less thirsty than the Landrover.

Spiritual Direction - I attended another ‘training day.’ This was looking at our ‘Shadow Side.’ Acknowledging and befriending our shadow side enables us to become a more integrated person who is comfortable in their skin!

Mission Shaped Ministry – on our penultimate Saturday I led a session on ‘Vision & Call.’  Fresh Expressions still tends to be a bit of a Cinderella in the diocese, however there are signs of some very inventive work going on including ‘Boot Fair Church’ and ‘Night Church’ that is linked with Street Pastors.

‘Soul by the Sea’ is the name given to the group who brought ‘The Passion of Christ’ to Brighton over the Easter period. We are currently exploring Christmass and also another Passion Play for 2014. The huge challenge however is to raise the funds, over £50,000 this year and we still have a current shortfall (prayers please and gifts more than welcome!) http://www.soulbythesea.org/

Love Beyond - I also met with Stephen and Richard who are promoting a West End style Musical showcasing at the Brighton Centre in October.  I am seeing if I can help make some links and connections for them. The long term plan is to run this across other cities in 2014.

www.lovebeyondmusical.com.

Jane continues to make herself a valued member of the staff at Mile Oak Primary School. She has just passed an assessment and been put onto a permanent contract. However the talk of getting rid of Teaching Assistants is disconcerting. Tabitha had a flight out to Banjul (Gambia) which meant having to stay there for five nights – in a luxury hotel! She was also called in last night and asked to cover Number Two, this is a senior position in Cabin Crew. Joe and Jen are making some serious plans for their wedding in 2015. Again Joe appears to be really flourishing in his job with Cotswolds.  Daniel and Tracey are waiting for their first baby. It’s all getting very close, very real and very exciting. This will certainly turn their world upside down and mean lots of new adjustments.

The month in review...

Saltash Celtic Cross

Back in 1997 when I was living in Saltash I encouraged the Saltash Churches Together to begin to prepare for the Millennium Celebrations. I  was invited to head up a small sub-group. One of our initial thoughts was to raise up a Celtic Cross to mark Saltash as one of the Gateways to Cornwall. It is a very long story save to say that whilst the Churches became very much involved in Saltash Festival Committee playing a full part in a three year programme, the Celtic Cross never materialized due to planning restriction and funding issues.  However in 2009 the Saltash Waterside Residents Association set about reclaiming a derelict piece of woodland. To help with funding they needed a ‘wow’ factor – and thus the Celtic Cross idea was re-born.  As a member of the original Committee I was invited to the official opening in early May.  It was a very strange feeling seeing this beautiful structure alongside thinking of those who had been very much part of the original concept but have subsequently died.  Plus it was delight to catch up with Brian Bliss and Sue Hooper and others from the original gang.

After a 480 mile round trip over two days I went along to the Mothers’ Union AGM and Spring Council. I never ceased to be enthused, amazed and encouraged by the ministry of Mothers’ Union members across the world and I am delighted to have been a member for twenty years.  http://www.themothersunion.org/

Ascension Day ~ balloons being released.

The pressure never really let up as Sunday 12^th saw the beginning of a two week Mission with St Mary’s East Preston.  The Sunday was our Commissioning Service. I returned on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday to run a session on Faith Sharing. On the Saturday we had a fantastic ‘Family Day’ and I was asked to run some games and make badges. I have not run games for awhile and so had to get out my Games File and polish up my skills and bring out the parachute and other games resources.  I really enjoyed myself and I think the kids and the adults did as well!

Pentecost Sunday saw me dressed in red – however I wasn’t in Church but rather taking part in the Heroes’ Run along Hove seafront. This helps raise money for a school’s project in Africa. I ran the 10k in 55 minutes and as I was very close to St John’s and as it was only 11.20 I decided to slip into the back and join them for the last hymn and then for a coffee, dressed at Superman’s granddad! Three days before the run I celebrated my 62^nd birthday. Sponsorship still open…

www.justgiving.com/Gordon-BanksPIOA

I had the real privilege of hearing Alister McGrath and a galaxy of others who shine in the field of apologetics. This was part of the Premier Christian Radio Conference ‘Unbelievable?’ in London.

Attendance at the conference helped as the next day I was preaching on Trinity Sunday, not always a favourite for preachers. However as long as you begin with the experience before the explanation you are on the right track. That was how it was for the first disciples who had this information before them, the Jesus phenomena and then the coming of the Holy Spirit, so they had to find a way of processing this information and eventually conveying it in words. The early church leaders described the Trinity using the term perichoresis. (Peri = around & Choresis = dance, as in choreography) The Trinity is an eternal dance of the Father, Son and Spirit sharing mutual love, honour, happiness, joy and respect. God’s act of creation means that God is inviting more and more beings into the eternal dance of Joy. Sin means that people are stepping out of the dance, stepping on people’s toes instead of moving with grace, rhythm and reverence. Then in Jesus, God enters creation to restore the rhythm and beauty again.