February in the Mirror

Own up, who stole February?

Probably like you with being a short month it has seemed to have hardly started before it was coming to an end with things on the ‘to do list’ left undone.

One of the developments in my ministry (isn’t it great how God shapes, moulds and shifts our ministry according to our age, ability and location) is that of Spiritual Direction. One spin off for me in this, and in particular going through a year long Course with a monthly Training Day, is that I am being deeply challenged about my own life of prayer and spirituality and for the contemplative. I am currently reading an excellent book (loaned to me from my Spiritual Director) by Eugene H Peterson ‘The Contemplative Pastor’ – William B Eerdmans Publishing  Michigan  1989   ( ISBN 978-0-8028-0114-2). Speaking out of USA Pastor context, what he offers translate across the pond very easily, although the challenges he present are far from easy!

Another excellent Course that I have been facilitating is ...

‘Everybody Welcome.’ www.chpublishing.co.uk/feature.asp?id=2394839

This is a 5 session course that explores all aspects of our welcome, our Services, social events and our buildings. Asking questions about the gateways into the life of the community of faith and then what makes people stick.  I can’t recommend this Course highly enough. The great model the Church I engaged with ran the Course after breakfast on a Saturday morning, 8am – 11am.  

Brighton Half Marathon

A real highlight this year with a fantastic new course, along the Brighton & Hove seafront as before, but ‘tidier.’ The weather was bright and sunny, perfect for running. I was therefore doubly delighted to get in at sub-two, 1.58.43 (last year 2.07) and to have raised £162.00 for Off The Fence. This year it was very poignant as only days before a 40 year old man sleeping in the Arches (see picture) was brutally murdered.

The other BIG focus for me at the moment is the Passion Play for Brighton going under the title of ‘Passion of Christ.’  In a recent Grove Booklet, ‘The Gospel Message for Today’ Laurence Singlehurst (author of ‘Sowing, Reaping, Keeping’) argues for the power of telling the Jesus story.

Ev 100 The Gospel Message Today: Language that Connects in Communicating the Gospel 

This is exactly what we are planning to do over three days, Good Friday, Easter Eve and Easter Sunday at a central location in the heart of the city.  Brighton has a high number of Community Festivals and so something like this fits well into the culture and hopefully will engage with those coming to the seaside for the ‘Easter Weekend.’  However because of a strong festival culture what is put on must be of an excellent quality and that means considerable expense making sure the staging and the production is the best we can manage. Check out the web site www.soulbythesea.info