Captain's Blog December 2015

First day of November and I was preaching at St Michael’s, Penkridge.  This was part of their ongoing support for the work of Church Army. I must have done okay - they have invited me back! 





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I first met Revd Rose Hudson-Wilkin way back in 1979 when she came and stayed at Brookfield House a Church Army Conference & Holiday Centre in London where I was the Warden. Rose was preparing to enter into training for Church Army at Blackheath. God has mightily used Rose who is Chaplain to the Queen and Chaplain to the Speaker at the House of Commons. It was therefore a delight to be able to introduce Rose as she came to address the Autumn Council of the Mothers’ Union. She spoke with such warmth and passion about ‘role model woman’ in the Bible. Later, during a Q&A session she gave encouragement by telling us about the Prayer and Acts of Worship that under-girds the work of Parliament.

The next day I had the opportunity to share something of my own story at informal Worship at Forsbrook. On this occasion, Jane as my ‘singing partner’ ably supported me. I enjoy doing this as it gives me an opportunity to help others consider their own ‘faith story’, which is one of the most important aspects of sharing faith.

Another speaking engagement was to the Eccleshall Deanery Synod. I spoke about the challenges we face and the opportunities we have. I ended by talking about the vast array of resources available, many of which were unknown to them.

St John’s Littleworth held a Prayer Weekend with a focus on the Persecuted and Persecutors.  I helped with some of the Prayer Stations, each focusing on a particular country. This happened on the same weekend that Paris was so brutally attacked!

I have engaged with lots of rural stuff over the month…

I was part of a Consultation Morning for Rural Clergy, with Bishop Geoff, Archdeacon Matthew and our Rural Officer Peter Dakin. We had a valuable time and despite the challenges, for the most part the clergy were in good heart and spirit.

I also spent a very cold weekend at the English Winter fair held at the Stafford Show Ground. I was there as a representative for The Farming Community Network. www.fcn.org.uk.  I was invited to be part of the NFU stall right in the thick of the action in the main hall with the judging and then the sale of livestock. I also teamed up with R.A.B.I. and I am quickly becoming good friends with key people. We also had a very good meeting later at the NFU Offices. We continue to make further moves to develop a Staffordshire FCN Group. It will be great if we can get this to happen, as there is an obvious need.

 

Captain's Calendar for December 2015

Tuesday 1^st

‘Chew & Chat’ monthly meeting over lunch with friends.

Wednesday 2^nd

Review meeting with George Fisher (line manager) In the evening meeting of the Chebsey Vacancy Mission Committee.

Thursday 3^rd

Meeting for the ‘Frontline Diocesan Group.’  Moving forward on promoting LICC and ‘whole life discipleship.’  Riding for the Disabled Association in the evening. (Regularly on Thursday’s) 

Friday 4^th

‘Light up the Village’ Seighford. Offering some opening prayers and blessing.

Sunday 6^th

Meeting with some key people to seek God’s will for Brown Edge. Pray for the Anglican Priest, Alan Betts.

Monday 7^th

Midlands Missioners Meeting in Birmingham

Tuesday 8^th

Playing host to the Lichfield Church Army Cluster

Wednesday 9^th

Stafford Chapter Christmass Lunch. Pray that this may help create strong collegiality and friendships.

Sunday 13^th

Carol Service Norton Bridge 9.30am

Monday 14^th

Meeting of the Local Mission Teams.

Tuesday 15^th

Meeting with my own Spiritual Companion. Lunch meeting with Revd Stuart Lord. In the evening, our own Growth Group have a social evening.  This group have become very important to both Jane and me in giving lots of support along with fun and laughter. (Plus of course the study of Scripture!)

Saturday 19^th

St John’s, Littleworth, mince pie distribution outside the shops.

Sunday 20^th

Preaching at Civic Carol Service St Peter’s, Alton, 6pm. 

Family News…

This will be our first Christmass in our ‘new’ setting and with involvement at St John’s, Littleworth. As we come to the end of our first year here, we will be reflecting back on all that has happened. Certainly, the year seems to have flown by so quickly and I can hardly believe the way my ministry has developed.  Jane is engaging more and more with St John’s, our wonderful home church. Pray that Jane may be able to offer her considerable gifts and skills, especially music and singing over this coming period. Daniel, Tracy, Kerryn and Lowenna should all find themselves in a new home for Christmass. This will help them with space as they continue to grow and develop as a lovely young family.  Joe and Jen had an amazing time in Krakow, Poland. They spent some days with us here before flying back to Cornwall. Over the weekend, we also had Tabitha’s boyfriend Peter with us. It was a fantastic, frantic, crazy fun filled weekend. Just great to hear all the laughter and banter and have a house heaving with people even if the shower kept leaking and blowing the fuses!  Thankfully, no lasting damage and all sorted in the end. Tabitha is also now home with us during her winter down time.

May you all have a most blessed Christmass.