Captain's Log December 2017

As the Honorary  Chaplain to the Staffordshire & Birmingham Agricultural Society Jane and I had an invitation to their Annual Dinner, a black tie affair.  Although formal in one sense in another it was quite relaxed and as we know the President and Chairman and their respective wives through our church contacts it was a very pleasant evening.

 More FCN engagement this month with our own Staffordshire Group meeting. Also a ‘training event’ with the three counties of Cheshire, Staffordshire and Derbyshire coming together. And then the FCN Christmass Tree at the Christmass Tree Fair at St Mary’s, Stafford. 

 www.fcn.org.uk

 Also linked in with FCN was attendance at the Young Farmers Club AGM.    

I had a great time with the Mothers’ Union at Trentham talking a little about my own journey to faith but then getting them to share their own stories.  So important that we encourage people and give them confidence in their story of coming to faith whenever and however that happened.

I had an excellent Review Meeting with Bishop Geoff and Archdeacon Matthew and we are now running on past my contract date of this December and looking towards May 2019 for retirement.

Rural Mission Solutions Webinar – because we had a few gremlins in our presentation in October  we decided to run this one again.  We only had small numbers but we did get a better video recording out of it.  The subject was ‘Winter Season Mission Ideas’ and it’s available to view on www.ruralmissionsolutions.org.uk 

A number of trips out of County for various Conferences.  The first of these was for the National Rural Officers 24 hour Gathering at Stoneliegh. (The Arthur Rank Centre).  Due to The Wedding I only went down for one day. I had a trip to Sheffield (The Wilson Carlile Centre) for a Day exploring Rural Resources Churches and then another trip down to Woodstock for the AGM of the Association of Festival Churches

                          

 Well worth checking out their web site – lots of great resources and helpful advice…

http://www.churchcare.co.uk/churches/open-sustainable/association-of-festival-churches

I also had another trip to Sheffield for the Church Army AGM. We had an excellent address given by the Chairman of the Board, Bishop Stephen Cottrell who gave us a very strong encouragement to slow down and spend time reflecting, in particular during the forthcoming Advent Season. 

The Prison Fellowship Staffordshire Group met for their regular monthly Prayer and Gathering.  There are still only four of us but we are getting better known and have good links with the HMP Stafford and their Chaplain, Jo Honour. (I have two preachment's at HMP Stafford booked in for next year)  The Prison Fellowship have also got a Tree at the Christmass Tree Fair, near to the FCN Tree and so I have been there a few times keeping an eye on both Trees.

CPAS Thrive – our two year journey with four rural benefices drew to a close with one final Thrive Community day and a Sending Ceremony by Bishop Geoff.  One of the Benefices has moved into Vacancy, the Mid Churnet Benefice and another is about to enter into a Vacancy,  the Trent Valley Team.  Prayers for both Benefices would be welcomed.  I am walking alongside the Mid Churnet Benefice during their Vacancy.

My ‘under the radar’ ministry answering emails questions sent into the ‘Search for Jesus’ web site, part of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, UK has kept me busy this month with some very challenging questions.

Showboxes – only managed a couple of session helping to sort and sift shoeboxes at the Warehouse. But everything appears to have gone well with around 9,500 boxes sorted and sent on their way to Bosnia. 

 https://www.samaritans-purse.org.uk/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/

Captain Log December…

Suday 3^rd

Christmass Tree Fair concludes with Carol Service.

Monday 4^th

(Tree down) ‘Chew n Chat’ – informal lunch time gathering at Rising Brook Baptist Church. In the evening the Staffordshire Group FCN Social – sharing a nice meal together.

Tuesday 5^th

Lichfield Church Army Cluster. In the evening I am leading our Growth Group, reflecting on Advent.

Wednesday 6^th

Meeting with D.C. who is an Ordinand and we are exploring my being his Spiritual Companion.  Stafford Chapter meets for Christmass Lunch. In the evening a meeting with Archdeacon Matthew and the Mid Churnet Team.

Thursday 7^th

‘Chewing the Cud’ – this time we are meeting down at  The Butcher, Baker Farm Shop  Mercia Marina Findern Lane Willington. In the evening out helping with RDA, my last engagement of the year with them.

                      'Chewing the Cud'

Sunday 10^th

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

Monday 11^th

Missioners Christmass Gathering in London in the day. In the evening Littleworth, Tixall and Ingestre Benefice Vacancy Prayer Gathering.

Tuesaday 12^th

Meeting with my own Spiritual Companion. (Also taking the Caravan in for a Service) Following my meeting with my S.C. I am going on to join Janet Arnold who is fairly new in post. We are exploring how I might be able to offer support and in particualr to help with  focus and creating a MAP for St James’, Newchapel.

 Thursday 14^th

Jane and I are in London to meet with someone from CHARM to discuss retirement housing. We are staying over so that we can enjoy something of London the next day.

Sunday 17^th

In attendance for the Presentation of the Queen’s Award to The House of Bread. http://www.hobstafford.co.uk/

Monday 18^th

Stafford Prison Fellowship Group going into HMP Stafford for their Carol Service. In the evening Carol Singing around the Wards at Stafford County Hospital. 

Thursday 21^st

Lunch meeting with Alan Betts to discuss Connect2, St Anne’s, Brown Edge and working with St Lawrence, Biddulph on a year long course from LICC – exploring Frontline Discipleship. www.licc.org.uk