Captain's Blog October 2018

 Jane and I had a fabulous time in Athens and here I am at the Areopagus. Fascinating to put this into a geographical context with the Agora below and the Parthenon towering above and a plethora of shrines and temples to every god you could imagine and more besides. The many gods of the Greek’s being added to by the Romans during their ‘occupation.’ 

For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship--and this is what I am going to proclaim to you.

We also had a trip out to ancient Corinth and again this brings to life so much of Paul’s Letter to the Corinthians.

Back to work with a very full diary.

On behalf of FCN I attended the AGM of CPRE (Campaign to Protect Rural England). A particular concern was the aggressive approach by some Property Developers who often exploited the weaknesses of Parish Council Housing Plans.

See relevant section on CPRE web site https://www.cpre.org.uk/what-we-do/housing-and-planning

I have had a six monthly review with Bishop Geoff and Archdeacon Matthew and both are pleased at the way the Post has shaped up. When they set it up, it was entirely clear how it might all work out.  Personally I have had a ball, with a largely open mandate and enough of a light touch support and guidance.

I had several speaking engagements in September, one of which included the Uttoxeter Deanery Synod.  We looked at creating a Heartbeat for Mission Electronic Filing Cabinet and a Deanery Resource Pool. (Do ask for the set of slides if you would like to know more) People really engaged and were very enthusiastic, which is wonderful when you get that kind of response.

It is Harvest time and I preached at St Matthew’s, Meerbrook on a Thursday night, followed by Pie and Pea supper (with a veggie alternative) 

Then just down the road at Rudyard I led and preached at the Harvest for the Methodist Church and attracted a capacity crowd, they had to bring in more seats! Again this was followed by a lovely lunch. It is great that they have taken out all the pews and so they can use the space more creatively.

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It was good to pay a return visit to HMP Stafford to preach. I am always encouraged by their vibrant and uplifting worship accompanied by a Worship Band.  There is such a raw honesty in the prison, when the men sing about being a sinner, unclean, they know they are and that they need God’s help to face their demons away.  A great work of God is going on in the prison.

We had a smaller number at our last ‘Chewing the Cud’ but nonetheless had a good time. We were joined by a retired Anglican Priest and former farmer whom we hope to get signed up as a volunteer with FCN.

    

Prayer Focus…

October 2018

Tuesday 2^nd

Meeting JC as his Spiritual Companion

Thursday 4^th

 In the evening I am representing the FCN at the Staffordshire YFC Harvest Service.

Saturday 6^th

Training Day – ‘Preaching the Gospel of Luke’ – as a delegate

Sunday 7^th

Preaching at St Peter’s, Rickerscote

Monday 8^th

Rural Mission Solutions Trustee’s Meeting in London

Tuesday 9^th

Stafford Deanery Chapter (as member). In the evening a Training Event, ‘Share the Faith’ – how we can help people share the faith in their home context with children. (As delegate)

Wednesday 10^th

Meeting of the LICC Trainers Hub. The Lichfield Diocese offers to Churches/Benefices a one year Course on Front Line Discipleship delivered by ‘local’ people. This is a training session on revised material.

Thursday 11^th

Meeting JM as his Spiritual Companion

Stafford Church Leaders Lunch Time Prayer Gathering. RDA in the evening

Friday 12^th

Jane and I were given a 35^th Wedding Anniversary present of a Balloon Ride.  We have been trying to get airborne for over a year. Yet another attempt scheduled for this morning!

Germinate Conference 2018 www.germinate.net

Saturday 13^th

A major Rural Conference - I am looking after a Rural Mission Solutions display

Sunday 14^th

Preaching at St Anne’s, Brown Edge

Monday 15^th

Gathering of Lichfield Community of Evangelist with David Sherwin speaking about Rural Evangelism. In the evening a meeting of the ‘Love Stafford’ Executive.

Tuesday 16^th

Personal Quiet Day

Wednesday 17^th

Lichfield Diocesan Mission Team Gathering

Saturday 20^th

Rural Mission Solutions Webinar

Sunday 21^st

Preaching at Holy Trinity, Eccleshall.

Monday 22^nd

Meeting with my own Spiritual Companion

Prison Fellowship Prayer Meeting at 2pm

Then we are visiting our new Holiday Home in Cornwall – 24^th – 30^th

Wednesday 31^st

Farming Community Network AGM and Harvest Service and the following day (1^st Nov) FCN

Day Conference – all at Llandrindod Wells

Family News – child number three for Daniel & Tracey is imminent and all is going okay. Kerryn is doing well with 4 out of 5 in spelling. Lowenna is enjoying Nursery and both are very excited about a new sibling. Joe loves his new job but it does mean he is driving around the country and away from home for most of the week. Pray for his safe travelling. Tabitha and Peter are both keeping well and getting established in their Church and are now hosting a Home Group. Tabitha is also helping out with the Children’s Christmass play based around ‘We Going on a Baby Hunt.’  Jane keeps busy as PCC secretary and also her helping out with the music at Church.