Captain's Blog August 2017

HMP Stafford has been a ‘feature’ this month with a preachment in the prison. I am also engaging with the Stafford Group of the Prison Fellowship that meets every month for prayer and update. This Group is currently very small and so I am doing what I can to broaden out the support base for the work of the Chaplain at HMP Stafford, Jo Honour.  I was very nervous and concerned about the ‘sermon’ and was delighted that it was so well received, thanks be to God.  I played around with HMP and asked them to consider not so much Her Majesties Prison but His Majesties Presence, His Majesties Present (gift of the Holy Spirit) and His Majesties Purpose for their lives.  (Sermon transcript is on my blog spot)  Gordon's Blog Spot

www.prisonfellowship.org.uk

St Bertelin's Teddy Bear's Picnic. Not quite the same numbers as last year, however some good conversations and an opportunity for Church and Community to meet and mingle in an open context. A little strange that as we had folk turning up towards the end the Church folk kept on packing up and clearing away rather than engaging with them and offering a cup of tea.  I appreciate things have to end, but if the weather is kind and folk are turning up then surely you would allow things to run on a tad.

Apart from preaching at the prison, I had one other preachment this month, my usual visit to St Anne’s, Brown Edge. On this occasion, I invited the four adults and two children in the ‘congregation’ to join me and the choir (of two) in the choir stalls. Only one came forward.  This place is such a huge challenge. Please pray for their Vicar, Alan Betts.

Remember sunny days - well we did have some, and on one of them, we had a fabulous Messy Church Picnic in the grounds of the Orangery, Ingestre. I took a number of my Games and they always go down well at events like this.

The month ended with Soul Survivor at Stafford Showground. Last year 500+ came off site into Stafford to engage with Churches and Agencies in blessing Stafford under the banner of ‘Love Stafford.’  It went so well we decided to do it all again, this year. Although this year we had the challenge of Soul Survivor being held on a Saturday, Sunday and Monday.  500 young people, working with 27 Churches/Agencies covering 42 projects, Tea Parties in a Care Home, Gardening, Litter Picking and Prayer Walking among a whole host of other projects.  For my home Church of St John’s, Littleworth it was also the time to bid farewell to our Rector who is moving on after 11 years in post. 

On the Saturday with 15 S.S. young people we Prayer Walked the parish and distributed leaflets inviting people to a Community Fun Day and a Farewell to Adrian, Esther and the family On Sunday. The Farewell Service was simple, awesome, moving, and emotional and many other things as well.  It spilled out into the Community Fun Day with live entertainment, BBQ and an array of Games plus a Bouncy Castle. 

On the Monday, I loaded up my car once again with ‘wet’ Games and Gazebo plus the badge making kit to join Doxey Parish Church for another Family Fun Day.  I was kept busy making badges and key rings for two solid hours. , To say I was exhausted on Monday night would be a massive understatement! But the people reached made it so worth while.

 https://www.facebook.com/lovestafforduk/

FCN has also featured this month with a group meeting and ‘Chewing the Cud.’ Lower numbers this time, but that is the nature of this gathering and one of its ‘charms’ – you never know who is going to turn up and so how the conversations will develop. www.fcn.org.uk

Our Growth Group had a meal out at a local Indian Restaurant and surprised Anne by producing a birthday cake in advance of her birthday a few days later.  This Group is so important for us (Jane and myself) - they have taken us to the hearts and we have taken them into ours. 

Some appointments in August

Wednesday 2^nd

Personal Quiet Day

Thursday 3^rd

JC meeting as Spiritual Companion

On Call for Hospital Chaplaincy 4.30pm – 8.30am

Saturday 5^th

 RMS Webinar on Autumn Mission Ideas  www.ruralmissionsolutions.org.uk

Webinar – 5th August 2017 09.00 to 09.45 am.

Registration is essential.  

Click here to reserve your place NOW.

Attending the Induction of new Vicar to the Benefice of Berkswich. (My home parish)

Pray for Graham as he begins his ministry here.

Sunday 6^th

Cannock Chase 10K – not raising fund this time. Doing it just to keep the pressure up on my running

Monday 7th – Wednesday 9^th are clear at the moment and I will try to keep them that way. I am currently reviewing the Journey to Faith Rural Evangelism Course available on the Germinate ARC website.  I also have other work to complete on as well. Please pray that I can keep this space and use it wisely.

Thursday 10^th

Helping to set up the Church Tent at the Shrewsbury Flower Show.

Friday 11^th & Saturday 12^th

Shrewsbury Flower Show and assisting at the Shrewsbury Churches Together Tent. 

Sunday 13^th

Preaching at St Anne’s, Brown Edge.

Monday 14^th

In the evening, leading the ‘Vacancy Prayer Gathering’ for Littleworth, Tixall and Ingestre. 

(That includes my home church of St John’s) 

Tuesday 15^th

Meeting with my own Spiritual Companion

On Call for Hospital Chaplaincy 4.30pm – 8.30am

Wednesday 16^th

Ministry Review with Line Manager, George Fisher. 

On Call for Hospital Chaplaincy 4.30pm – 8.30am

From the 21^st – 27^th we are going to Cornwall mainly to try to sort out our house. This has not sold and so we are planning to tidy it up and rent it out for six month before considering putting it up for sale again. It will of course give us an opportunity to meet up with Daniel, Tracey and the girls. We also plan a weekend stop over on the way back in Bristol so that we can catch up with Joe.

Wednesday 30^th

Prison Fellowship Prayer Gathering

On Call for Hospital Chaplaincy 4.30pm – 8.30am

Thursday 31^st

Diocesan Rural Strategy Group Meeting