Captain's Blog - March 2017

 

I had my first meeting on the Executive Committee of Love Stafford last month. Great to hear what is happening around the town and in particular the deepening relationship with the Local Authorities.  They are increasingly recognising the added value Faith Communities bring to the town through a whole range of projects and programmes.

An FCN Staffordshire Group meeting this month. I have also been involved in a ‘case’ that is ongoing with a difficult family dispute that has been rumbling on for years. Please pray for wisdom and a good resolution. I do hope that if your church is in a rural setting that you are are in contact with your local FCN Group.  They would value your support and prayers and there may be an occasion that an FCN volunteer could signpost someone to something that you are doing that may be of help. Perhaps you run a dementia café or something similar. www.fcn.org.uk

St Bartholomew's MAP Group. This is proving to be a little difficult. Prayers again welcomed for a good resolution to some very sensitive issues.

A I ran the final session of Faith Pictures for St Peter's Rickerscote.  I know I mentioned this last time but it really  is very good and perfect for small rural churches to help people gain confidence in sharing their faith story.

Only one preachment this month with my friends at St Anne’s, Brown Edge. We have had refreshments on the last couple of occasions that I have been for my monhtly visit and it does make quite a difference. Encouraging people to chat and get to know each other a little better.  Here is a link to the transcript of the sermon.

http://gordonnewsupdates.blogspot.co.uk/2017/02/looking-backwards-to-go-forwards.html

We have had a trip to Cornwall this month. Our daughter-in-law Tracey had organised a ‘Secret Hen Party’ for Tabitha that included a Princess Party in the afternoon with the two flower girls, her young neices, Kerryn and Lowenna. Then in the evening a meal out in Fowey plus a few cocktails.  Tabitha didn’t know we were going to be there nor three of her bridemaids who made the trip down to Cornwall. A fabulous occasion all round.  Us men, Peter, Daniel and I (plus dog) went off for a walk in the afternoon, going around one of my favourite walks in Mevaggissy and then Fowey.

On the way back Jane and I stayed at the Sheldon Centre for a four day self-led retreat. This is such a joy. To be totally free from the diary and things that must be done. Time to walk, pray, chat, read and even watch a bit of TV without that nagging feeling of I should really be doing, x, y or z. http://www.sheldon.uk.com/

However, it was straight back into a Webinar for Rural Mission Solutions on the Saturday morning. Then on the Sunday driving down to Chelmsford to work with Barry Osborne on a Rural Consultation Day with the Diocese of Chelmsford on Monday.   www.ruralmissionsolutions.org.uk

 

Captains Log for March  2017

Ash Wednesday 1^st

Tabitha’s Birthday (A significant one!)

Thursday 2^nd 

Meeting with Michelle exploring CA training.

Monday 6^th

Meeting with JC as his Spiritual Companion

Tuesday 7^th

Attending a day conference by the ‘Free Range Diary Network.’

Wednesday 8^th

FCN ‘Chewing the Cud’ 10.30am Amerton Craft Farm

Thursday 9^th

‘Love Stafford’ leaders Bible Study and Prayer Meeting

Sunday 12^th

Preaching and leading Service of the Word at St Anne’s, Brown Edge

Wednesday 15^th

Combined Cheshire, Staffordshire and Derbyshire FCN Group meeting to discuss possible new clustering for mutual support

Thursday 16^th

Diocesan Rural Mission Group

Sunday 19^th

Stafford Half Marathon and seeking sponsorship for House of Bread, a great local charity that works alongside the homeless and vulnerable. www.localgiving.org/gordonbanks

Tuesday 21^st

Jane’s Birthday

Wednesday 22^nd

‘Chew n Chat’ at Rising Brook Baptist – informal lunch time meeting

Thursday 23^rd

Spiritual Directors Gathering

Friday 24^th

Mothers’ Union Quiet Day (going as a Member)

Monday 27^th

Meeting with my own Spiritual Companion

Tuesday 28^th

Meeting to begin reviewing the ‘Rural Evangelism Course’ on the Germinate ARC website.  In the afternoon meeting with Steven Dyson, ‘newish’ vicar for St Lawrence, Biddulph. Going to be talking about the parish running a year long LICC package. www.licc.org.uk

Wednesday 29^th

Stafford Show planning meeting

Thursday 30^th

Day Conference ‘BREXIT AND THE RURAL FUTURE’ Implications for churches and communities.  Full Programme and booking: https://tinyurl.com/hst2wbx