Captain's Log May 2016

Sunday preachment's in April…

I began with St Matthews, Derrington and St Giles, Houghton. Next, it was St Anne’s, Brown Edge.  This is to become a regular feature. As a way of support, I have offered to preach there once a month. On the same Sunday, I preached at St Michael and All Angels, Penkridge at their Healing Service. Then finally to St Mary’s, Stretton. During this Service, prayers were offered for a young child who was murdered by her mother in Stretton a while ago. That week the mother had been sentenced to life imprisonment and the local press asked Kim (Vicar) if she was going to have a Special Service.

However that all happened at the very last moment and I only got to hear of this late on Saturday afternoon so had to tweak my already prepared sermon. Thanks be to God everything went well and the sermon was well received.  (Direct link to my blog on which a transcript is available.)

St Mary's Stretton

http://gordonnewsupdates.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/the-second-adam-transcript-of-sermon-st.html

  

The Society of Mary and Martha

Jane and I enjoyed a glorious four days at Sheldon soaking up the atmosphere and walking around the grounds and fields. Praying, reading, and simply having time to be with each other and with God without any disturbances. A truly mountain top experience that was topped up by a quick visit to Cornwall where we got to meet up with Jen Banks and then Daniel, Tracey, Kerryn and Lowenna.  

 I am also offering another regular monthly support - to St Bartholomew’s, Norton le Moor. We had our first meeting with around a dozen folk (PCC) and engaged with some Scripture and looked over their MAP. Please pray for these people and their priest who has long-term health issues. 

  

I have been spending some time helping pull together the Church Tent at the Staffordshire County Show. (No surprises there!) It has also been a delight to help in some of the planning for the Shropshire County Show as well. For the Staffs Show we are looking for volunteers to help on the Refreshment Team!

The Farming Community Network – my involvement here continues, as does the evidence of need.  Our small group has barely been established and already we are beginning to see the real need from the farming community, many of them struggling with numerous issues. I traveled with our ‘Case Worker’ Anne, to spend a fascinating Training Day in Warwickshire looking at TB and allied issue. This involves a steep learning curve for me as I chair the Staffordshire Group and learn more about farming and farm issues and difficulties.  It does feel good, even if a little scary, to be able to do what I can to help make some of this happen.

Diocesan Clergy Conference at Swanwick – and the sun shone!  A fantastic time as together we explored the area of reconciliation. Our time was spread over four days and so it had a relaxed feel about with lots of opportunity to chew the cud and chat to other ministers, both ordained and lay.

At the very end of the month we had the fabulous wedding of Adrian and Esther (Adrian is Vicar of St John the Baptist, Littleworth.) It was simply awesome with such a vibrancy of worship. 

 Some diary appointments...

MAY 2016

Sunday 1^st

Preaching and Leading Morning Prayer at St Thomas and St Andrew’s Church, Doxey. 

Thursday 5^th

FCN meeting with an emphasis on training for ‘case work.’

Saturday 7^th

PCC Away Day for St Mary’s, Stretton

Sunday 8^th

Preaching at St Anne’s Brown Edge. In the afternoon Tixall Messy Church

Monday 9^th

Meeting with Bishop Geoff and Archdeacon Matthew for a Review. Lunch meeting with Churchwardens for a group of parishes based around Swynnerton under the care of Revd Stephen McKenzie. In the evening a MAP meeting for St Bartholomew’s Norton le Moor.

Wednesday 11^th

Diocesan Frontline Group – encouraging ‘Whole Life Discipleship’ through LICC.

http://www.licc.org.uk/

Friday 13^th & Saturday 14^th

Two full days as the ‘Thrive Community’ gathers for its second set of training.

http://www.cpas.org.uk/download/2647/multiparish-benefice-thrive-learning-communities

Monday 16^th

I have a ‘significant’ birthday!

Wednesday 18^th

Personal Quiet Day

Thursday 19^th

Speaking at St Michael and All Angels, Penkridge Men’s Group

Sunday 22^nd

Preaching at St Mary’s Rolleston and Holy Trinity Anslow

Monday 23^rd

Sunrise Ministries Trustees Meeting in London

Tuesday 24^th – Thursday 26^th

National Missioners Conference in Blackpool

Sunday 29^th

Church Army Preachment at St Michael and All Angels, Colwich.

Tuesday 31^st

Young Farmers Club Pre-Show Reception

June 1^st & 2^nd Staffordshire County Show