Captain's Blog September ~ October 2015

September - was a very different kind of month that included a Parish Weekend in Sussex, a Wedding in Cornwall and a Holiday in Turkey!

However, before all that I did spend some time with a couple of parishes helping them think through what it means to be Church in the 21^st century.  My first question was simply, ‘What on earth is the church for?’  I then suggested that everything and anything the church does must fulfill one of three criteria…

a)      It helps to bring people into a living relationship with God through Jesus Christ

b)      It helps to bring about a realized Lord’s Prayer – i.e. the Kingdom of God come upon earth (and in this locality)

c)      It helps the people of God to be able to do ‘a’ and ‘b’ above.

I am really enjoying reading ‘The Joy of the Gospel’ (Evangelii Gaudium) by Pope Francis.  He writes…’I prefer a Church which is bruised, hurting and dirty because it has been out on the streets, rather than a Church which is unhealthy from being confined and from clinging to its own security'. (pge 21)

 

Early September also saw the huge Diocesan Celebration ‘The Goodness of God.’  This was an opportunity to say farewell to Bishop Jonathan Gledhill.  We took along the Church Army Caravan, the badge making kit, some games plus a display of the work of the Church Army.

I have also been back with my friends at Doxey Parish Church, leading a Service of the Word and preaching, alongside putting up a Church Army Display.

Another Church I have been working with is Holy Trinity Chesterton (and Red Street).  We had a fantastic Parish Day seeking to create a Mission Action Plan.  We framed it within Past, Present and Future. For the ‘Past’ we had a Church Quiz which proved to be good way of helping people ‘buy into’ the Day. This asked all sorts of questions about the history of the church and surrounding areas.  Our next focus the ‘Present’ we made four 3D models using junk material. The models all had to have a model of Holy Trinity and featured four ‘areas.’    

      

     a) Places of worship

     b) Places of work & education

     c) Places of shopping and leisure

     d) Places of residence

We then went on a ‘Parish Visit’ as each group explained their model.  This then led us onto thinking about the ‘Future’ and working on the actual MAP, laying a foundation for some ‘fine tuning’ and writing up later.  We did not get everything right (I wonder if you ever can on Days/Weekends like this) – but for the most part it worked very well, especially using various mediums.

Another Act of Worship and Preaching, this time at Chebsey. They are currently in Vacancy and I am walking alongside them in support and helping them keep a Mission Focus. 

Parish Weekend  St Michael & All Angels, Lancing, was held at the beautiful Oasts Houses, just outside Rye.   A very full weekend that introduced the theme of ‘Whole Life Discipleship’ and the work and ministry of LICC.

www.licc.org.uk     

 Again, we did not get everything right and mainly tried to fit too much into the schedule. Always a difficulty that one, as some people like to work, others like time to relax and chat. I did present some rather challenging material to them, based around their call as the People of God and asking, ‘Just what do you think you are doing for God’s sake?’  Unfortunately, as I drove down I developed a cough and a cold and had virtually lost my voice by the time I arrived!  With the use of a microphone, I got through the first session and then managed with lots of water and throat lozenges to get through the other sessions. (Although I was disappointed, I could not join in the singing during their Worship.)   

I have subsequently heard back from them and they are working on a number of things we explored together, especially linking in with the work of LICC and ‘Whole Life Discipleship.’   

I do need to let you know where we are with ‘The Incident’ – that awful fraud when we were conned into passing over all our money (including overdraft) to a fraudster. Following my asking for prayer, we were so humbled to receive many gifts. That in itself was a real lesson to learn. It is always easier to give, to be in control, rather than to ask and receive help and assistance. We cannot begin to thank God’s people enough, for all their love and support. Our home church, St John’s, has been and continues to be fantastic, especially considering we have only been there a few months.  The other thing we did was to have a Quiet Day together, just Jane and I. I normally have a Quiet Day every four to six weeks but this time we decided we needed time together. It really was great, although we did not keep ‘quiet’ – well not until later. We both needed to talk things out.  Currently we are working with CAB and have put in an official complaint to the bank. This particular fraud was featured on Money Box Live, Radio Four and so we are following a line of inquiry through that as well.  

The Wedding – that is another story that deserves its own Newsletter – it was amazing. Thankfully, my cough and cold was getting better and I was in good voice for the sermon – too good a voice said some! (My brother asked if I had been taking lesson from Ian Paisley) Jane sang and my brother and wife (Malcolm and Jill) played for ‘Be Thou My Vision’ giving it a folk type setting.  The other music was led by a string trio including a version of a song by the Foo Fighters to go out of the Chapel!   This string trio also played during the Wedding Breakfast in a deeply oak paneled dining room festooned with skulls and other Goth type artifacts.

 

This picture is of Joe and Jen (younger couple) and two of their good friends. Goths like to dress to impress.

This the link to the dedicated FB Page… https://www.facebook.com/groups/540661142749385/

The Evening Reception was a...

    ‘Mad Hatters Tea Party.’

Here I am playing the part!

And then the Holiday…

 Lots of fun, way too much food, and the visit to Ephesus was awesome. Standing in the 25,000-seater theatre helps to put Acts 19 into context and makes you consider the power of the Good News proclaimed by Paul and his contemporaries. N.T Wright in one of his books, quoting an Anglican bishop as he is reflecting on St Paul's missionary work, says, "When Paul preached there were riots, when I preach they give me a cup of tea". 

And I can highly recommend Wright’s new book ‘Simply Good News.’

 

October Diary Dates... 

Monday 12^th

 Sunrise Ministries Trustee’s Meeting (Selly Oak)

Wednesday 14^th

‘Chew and Chat’ meeting with a couple of friends for lunch

Saturday 17^th

Attending Diocesan Synod – with a report on ‘Released for Mission.’

Sunday 18^th

‘Hot Potato’ St John’s, Littleworth are launching a new initiative aimed largely at the parents/carers who attend Messy Church. A simple Act of Worship, hot potatoes (to eat) and Hot Potatoes to discuss – this first one is on God and suffering.

Monday 19^th

Meeting with the Chebsey Benefice Vacancy Mission Team.

Tuesday 20^th

Personal Quiet Day

Wednesday 21^st

Farming Community Network – Harvest Celebration and AGM.

Sunday 25^th

Leading Worship and Preaching at Seighford on Bible Sunday.

Friday 30^th

Attending Young Farmers Club AGM representing Farming Community Network.

Family News– Tabitha comes to the end of her summer shift with Monarch and is considering her future. Also there is a lovely developing relationship with Peter who is again paying us another visit this month.  Daniel, Tracey and the girls have a possible house move on the cards. Teaching of course continues to bring huge demands in time and energy, plus the miles Daniel travels to school and back.  Joe and Jen, the new Mrs Banks are getting to grips with life as a married couple and we are slowly getting used to there now being five Mrs Banks's'.  Jane continues to consider her future and what she is being called to do in this place but meanwhile keep busy with friends and music making.

Life continues to be full as we all in our various ways, seek to serve God, proclaim Jesus and live a Kingdom life!