Captain's Blog November 2018

Two  Harvest Services this month and both FCN related. The first one in early October was the Staffordshire YFC Harvest Service. The YFC (Young Farmers Club) are very supportive of FCN and part of the offering taken on the night was given to support the work of FCN.  The other Harvest was at the very end of the month and was FCN’s own Harvest Service. This was tied in with the AGM and then following on the next day with the National Conference. All this took place at the Royal Welsh Showground Llanelwedd, Builth Wells. We had a great array of speakers as we explored our own well-being.  We also had a fascinating update from Defra on the new proposed Agricultural Bill post Brexit.  (Worth checking this out on their web site)

Several preachment's in October with a wide range of Churches. St Peter’s, Rickerscote, (Anglo-Catholic) and on the same day at a tiny rural church just outside Stafford, All Saints, Brocton. This was a fascinating Sermon with Questions and I was invited to say something about the work of Church Army.  Then my ‘usual’ monthly visit to St Anne’s, Brown Edge (nine in the congregation!) Finally, at Holy Trinity, Eccelsall and St Chad’s, Slindon.   It has been an interesting run of preachment's each Sunday since the 23^rd September.  (Very few in the diary for November and December – but that could change!)

A trip to London for the Trustee’s Meeting of RMS (Rural Mission Solutions).  Our particular aim for the closing months of the year is to try and tidy up the web page and review our webinars to see if we can enhance them in anyway so we can reach a wider audience with good, useful resources. www.ruralmissionsolutions.org.uk

In October I attended several Training Events and Conferences including ‘Share the Faith’ – a brilliant session on sharing faith with the next generation, especially encouraging faith development and discipleship in the home context. Check out Ali’s web page.

https://theresource.org.uk/

The other one was the major Christian Conference, Germinate. www.germinate.net

We had a key note address from The Rt Revd Dr David Walker, Bishop of Manchester. I was looking after the RMS stall.  It was great to meet up and network with people from around the country. 

Keeping with the rural theme our last Gathering of the Lichfield Diocesan Community of Evanglist had a focus on Rural Evangelism with an excellent presentation from Canon David Sherwin.  

I also offered some training at St Lawrence’s, Biddulph along with Alan Betts. This is part of a year long engagement seeking to embed the principles of Frontline Discipleship (LICC). On this occasion we were exploring ‘Worship for the Frontline.’

Then a glorious week at our new holiday home in Cornwall and an opportunity to meet Isla, born to Tracey and Daniel on the 24^th October  

 some of my engagements in November

Saturday 3^rd

Day of Prayer for the Rural Church at Meole Brace

Monday 5^th

Induction & Training Day for Hospital Chaplains and Locums

Tuesday 6^th

Meeting with Jules (Vicar at Eccleshall & Slindon) to plan a Parish Away Day next January). 2pm ‘Zoom’ meeting with Annie, apropos a Church Army Webinar later on in the month. Then at 4pm a meeting with Linda from the Salvation Army. As part of a Love Stafford Review we are conducting ‘guided conversations’ with certain church leaders.

Wednesday 7^th

Farm Business Innovation Show at the NEC, Birmingham. I am helping out at the FCN stand.  In the evening Jane and I are attending the Staffordshire & Birmingham Agricultural Society Annual Dinner. (Black tie)

Friday 9^th

Meeting with Nicola Busby to discuss her taking over the role of Team Coordinator for the Church Tent at the Staffordshire County Show.  In the evening I am attending the YFC Annual General Meeting.

Saturday 10^th

Mothers’ Union Autumn Council meeting.

(In attendance)

Monday 12^th

In the morning, ‘Poppy Pick’ – litter pick as part of the Stafford Litter Heroes Group concluding with a simple shared lunch. (St John’s has its own dedicated Litter Heroes allied to the SLHG.

 https://www.facebook.com/groups/247356199188689/

Tuesday 13^th

Stafford Deanery Chapter (in attendance).  In the afternoon meeting with DC as Spiritual Companion. Then after a break I am having a Love Stafford guided conversation with DC.

Wednesday 14^th

Morning meeting of the Tixall and Ingestre Messy Church planning group.  ‘Chew n Chat’ – friends that do lunch at Rising Brook Baptist Church. (All Welcome)

Thursday 15^th

‘Chewing the Cud’ at Amerton Craft Farm. I am then having lunch with Carl Rudd (Rector of my home church) and then moving on to have a Love Stafford guided conversation. RDA in the evening.

Saturday 17^th

English Winter Fair at the Staffordshire Showground and helping with FCN display.

Sunday 18^th

English Winter Fair at the Staffordshire Showground and helping with FCN display. I am also attending the Chairman’s Carvery Luncheon

Monday 19^th

Meeting with JC as Spiritual Companion

Lunch time planning meeting with Alan Betts for our next Frontline Session for St Laurence, Biddulph.

Tuesday 20^th & 21^st

National Rural Officers Gathering.  On the Wednesday on returning I will join the Diocesan Rural Mission Group meeting this afternoon.  In the evening Alan and I are up with St Laurence’s (LICC) ‘From Pastoral Care to Pastoral Equipping.’

Thursday 22^nd

Church Army Annual General Meeting in Sheffield.

Sunday 24^th

Taking a ‘Tea Time Service’ at St Matthew’s, Derrington.

Monday 26^th

Personal Quiet Day

Tuesday 27^th

In the evening Love Stafford Executive meeting

Wednesday 28^th

Prison Fellowship Prayer meeting with Lead Chaplain at HMP Stafford Jo Honour. In the evening presenting a Church Army webinar – ‘Creating a Heartbeat for Mission.’ 

Thursday 29^th

In the afternoon meeting with Fr Richard Grigson for a Love Stafford guided conversation.

                                     Par Beach - five minutes from our holiday home....