Captain's Blog February/March 2018

A slightly different ‘Chewing the Cud’ to begin the month of February. Ordinarily we have no agenda and let the conversations flow freely. However on this occasion we had invited Di Wallace along who gave us a short introduction to her work with Dementia Action Alliance and the plan to make Staffordshire Dementia Friendly.

 www.dementiaaction.org.uk

We have invited Di back to speak to the next meeting of our Staffordshire FCN Group.  Mental health issues continue to feature in the work of FCN.  www.fcn.org.uk

For some Churches the Christmass season ends with The Presentation of Christ (Candlemass) on the 2^nd February.  As such it provides a perfect alternative for a Christingle. So we wrapped this together and at Ingestre (a very small village just outside Stafford) in a Church building that is beautiful and yet has very little space to move around in, I helped to lead a Candlemass–Christingle - Messy Church.  An interesting challenge!

HOPE 18 is very much underway with some fabulous resources.   I have been reading the 40 Stories of Hope and found it very inspiring. I also made a HOPE 18 presentation to the PCC of my home church, St John’s, highlighting some of the opportunities and material available throughout the year.

I have picked up my regular visit to St Anne’s, Brown Edge. This month was my first visit this year; January was cancelled due to snow.  Brown Edge is a continuing challenge as there is rarely more than ten people who attend regularly.  However the Fresh Expression ‘Connect2’ held at the school continues to develop apace.

It was also ill health that meant Jane and I were asked to jump in and lead the adults at St John’s, Church@4 ‘Hot Potato’ exploring happiness.  Did you know that the UK ranks 19 in the 2017 Happiness Scale? Fascinating subject once you begin to explore it. 

http://worldhappiness.report/ed/2017/

We had an interesting day as Spiritual Companions being addressed by a Priest from the Diocesan Deliverance Team.  This whole issue remains one in which there is little guidance and a common mind across the Church.  It is also very open to misuse and abuse and does need to have a very pragmatic and sensible approach.

Another ‘training day’ was the Diocesan RNG Team (Reaching New Generations) looking at Children and the Rural Church.  I was asked to share something of my experience and I told the story of St Mary’s in Sheviock, Cornwall.  And I loved the reordering of the rural church we met in (St Peter's, Stoke-on-Tern) with all pews removed, kitchen installed and two toilets. 

On rural I have set up a dedicated Lichfield Diocese Rural Mission Page that is going well with some great threads and information. www.facebook.com/groups/184152225508512/

I had a good time  at St James’, Newchapel with their newish Priest (and Church Army Sister) Janet Arnold. I preached in the morning and then after lunch we explored Discipleship, Vocation and Evangelism as part of the Diocesan direction of travel. 

 I also had a splendid meeting with Linda who is helping us review and refreshed the Rural Evangelism Course on the Germinate ARC – I really like the slides she has produced and some of the review suggestions within the material. www.germinate.net

The month concluded with a Gathering of the Diocesan Community of Evangelist. We heard from Jan Harney who has had a fascinating journey and along the way shared her love of God in the most natural way.  It is wonderful to hear what happens when someone moves in obedience and says yes to God and follows the lead. 

      

        Some appointments in March 

Thursday 1^st

Tabitha’s birthday and a tad strange not to have her here with us to celebrate.

Saturday 3^rd

Attending ‘Next Steps’ at Lichfield Cathedral. A diocesan gathering celebrating and updating on the ‘Diocesan direction of travel’ launched March 2017

Sunday 4^th

Meeting with Christine at Stoke Hospital to talk through my role as Locum Chaplain at Stafford Hospital.

Monday 5^th

Meeting with JC as his Spiritual Companion. Friends that do lunch - ‘Chew n Chat’

Tuesday 6^th

Personal Quiet Day at The Hermitage

Wednesday 7^th

Rural Mission Solutions Meeting at Selly Oak. Barry and I are meeting with someone who might be able to do some ad-hoc children’s ministry for RMS.

Thursday 8^th

Staffordshire County Show Core Team planning meeting.

(10^th & 11^th – weekend with Tabitha & Peter)

Tuesday 13^th

Review Meeting with Bishop Geoff & Archdeacon Matthew.  In the evening Jane and I leading St John’s Lent Group.

Wednesday 14^th

Meeting with JM as his Spiritual Companion.

Friday 16^th

This is Interview Day with prospective new incumbents for St John’s Littleworth with Tixall & Ingestre.  Jane is involved in this process.

Sunday 18^th

Stafford Half Marathon – running this year for FCN www.justgiving.com/fundraising/gordonbfcn

Text - GFCN51 £2 to 70070

In the evening at St Saviours Church to talk to their Café Church about my ministry.

Monday 19^th

Stafford Prison Fellowship Update & Prayer Meeting. www.prisonfellowship.org.uk

Wednesday 21^st

Jane’s Birthday!

Thursday 22^nd

Review with George Fisher (Line Manager)

Friday 23^rd

Meeting with DC as his spiritual companion

Saturday 24^th

RMS Webinar – Summer Mission Ideas & Resources www.ruralmissionsolutions.org.uk

Palm Sunday 25^th

Preaching at St John the Baptist Littleworth

 

Monday 26^th

Attending Mothers’ Union Quiet Day

Tuesday 27^th

With my own Spiritual Companion

Friday 30^th

Good Friday Walk of Witness through Stafford

(Easter Sunday and I am giving a lead again on our Son-Rise Service at Stafford Castle) 

Family News – everything is much the same with Daniel still enjoying working nearer home. And our lovely youngest granddaughter, Lowenna celebrated her 3^rd birthday. Also set to work nearer home with a new job is Peter, which will be good. Tabitha continues to work at The Range, very close to home. They are really settling into their life together and it is lovely to see them blossom.  Joe is doing okay but prayers welcomed for the travelling he does especially in this bad weather.  Jane celebrates her birthday and no doubt will be thinking about last year when she fell over and had a very nasty break in her shoulder.  Jane also continues to be very busy with St John’s in a variety of ways.