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.