Captain's Log July 2016

 

 Staffordshire County Show

We had a great time and the weather was kind enough, especially on the Thursday when we were kepy busy all day. Always on the look out for more ‘team members,’ so if you would like to join us next year do let me know.

Queen’s Birthday – two particular events I was invited along to support.  Doxey Parish ran an Afternoon Tea Party and we got away with out getting wet!  Then at St Bertelins for a Teddy Bears Picnic. I had most of my Games out plus the badge making. I also preached on the Sunday when people were invited to bring along their Teddy Bears. After receiving the Communion I invited people to pick up a small piece of florist ribbon and write (Sharpie Pen) the name of a not-yet Christian friend or relative. The bear then became their Prayer Bear. Next year we hope and pray to see the person there with their own bear. For those who were exploring faith I invited them to write Jesus and when they saw their bear they were to ask Jesus to make himself known to them. Also to check out www.christianity.org.uk   This website was  written on an excellent hand-out to let people know the times of Services and especially Messy Church.

This is The Hermitage were I go every six weeks to spend a day alone in quiet prayer and reflection. Because I had so much on I nearly cancelled until Jane said, if you are that busy it is even more

important that you go. What a wise and supportive woman my wife is.

A trip to Sheffield to the Wilson Carlile Centre for a Church Army Regional Day. It is good to catch up on the various ways the Church Army is morphing and shifting. However, I am of an ‘age’ when some of the new thinking leaves me just a tad baffled.

I had my monthly trip to St Anne’s Brown Edge. Thankfully, I have been invited to lead the ‘Service of the Word’ and so could tweak it slightly. I would really value your prayers here and for the Vicar, Alan Betts. As well as trying to breathe some new life into St Anne’s there is small ecumenical group making plans to plant a new church, possibly in the school based around ‘Hot Potatoes.’

On the 24^th June, I celebrated 30 years as a Commissioned Church Army Officer and an Accredited Lay Evangelist. On Sunday, we had a fabulous Celebratory Service that included a recommissioning and a commissioning of the congregation. I had the privilege of preaching and here is the link to my Blog and a transcript of the sermon.

http://gordonnewsupdates.blogspot.co.uk/2016/06/listening-to-call-of-jesus-transcript.html  

 Some Appointments in July 

Throughout the month I am working with a colleague, David Cundill, on researching Mission and Evangelism in a rural context. The findings will be part of  recommendations that will be be made to Diocesan Synod on the report ‘Released for Mission.’

Saturday 2^nd

Brown Edge Carnival, Games Badge Making

Sunday 3^rd

Preaching at Priory Church, Tutbury

Monday 4^th

Helping at RDA County Fun Day

 Tuesday 5^th – Thursday 7^th

Residential Conference on ‘Handling Change and Power.’  (delegate)

Sunday 10^th

Preaching at St Anne’s, Brown Edge

Tuesday 12^th

‘Chew & Chat’ – lunch time meeting with friends at Rising Brook Baptist. In the evening with the PCC of St Peter’s Rickerscote, helping them think through a MAP.

Wednesday 13^th

I have a meeting at our local CAB for Pension Advice.  In the afternoon going to Dovedale House for ‘Afternoon Tea’ and viewing the premises as a possible venue for St John’s Littleworth to have Parish Day or Weekend.

Friday 15^th

Vision Breakfast for ‘We Are Men.’ They are organising a big men’s gathering next May at Stoke City Football Ground. Then meeting with Andy, curate at Trentham Parish Church. They are shortly to go into a Vacancy and we are exploring a Away Day in September to help them consider a revised MAP to take them through the Vacancy. 

Saturday 16^th

At ‘Follow Me’ day with a home parish group. http://www.readers.cofe.anglican.org/follow2016

Sunday 17^th (Rural Mission Sunday:  Resources are here.)

In the afternoon, St John’s Littleworth ‘Hot Potato’

Wednesday 20^th

‘Frontline Discipleship’ diocesan group meeting. www.licc.org.uk

Monday 25^th

^{Meeting with David Cundill to review our work on the Mission and Evangelism in rural areas.}

In the evening a MAP meeting with the PCCof St Bartholomew, Norton – le Moor.

Wednesday 27th

Meeting with my Spiritual Companion and in the afternoon at MAP meeting with Anslow, Rolleston and Tutbury benefice. (ART)

Thursday 28th - Friday 29th Saturday 30th

Soul Survivor (https://soulsurvivor.com/summer/week-a/) are at the Staffordshire Showground at the end of July. As part of the Gathering this year the young people are being invited to engage in various initiatives working with Churches around Stafford, based around ‘Love Stafford.’  http://www.lovestafford.org.uk/

My home church of St John the Baptist Littleworth (http://www.stjohnsstafford.org/) have a team of young people down to help out with a Skip Day.  Dave Blake and I are heading this up.

We plan to have a skip or a bin/recycle lorry (Council provided)  by the Church - which will be open with refreshments and other stuff going on.