A couple of weeks ago I asked everyone at church to help me with my Congregational Study by telling me what they think St Mary's would be if it were an animal, a film, a book, a game a colour of a food. Thanks to all of you who participated. The answers were both entertaining and enlightening!.. I'm going to put something up at the back of church about it this week but your responses told me some important things about St Mary's. A huge number of the responses were about community and the sense of family.
One likened it to horses who bond with each other, make strong friendships and give pleasure to others. Another said its film title would be The Family because that is what we are. It also highlighted how much we value the mixture of people, ages and cultures that make up this community... Like the Wizard of Oz - You meet some strange people on the way but it turns out you have things in common and good wins out! Or like a recipe book - a real mixture.
Others commented on the journey of faith we are all making; like Snakes and ladders - Sometimes you are up and other times down but always on the board, and the nourishment we recieve on the way; like risotto church is filling and fab church fills your soul!
But then again there was the response that simply said If my church were a film it would be the good the bad and the ugly - I leave you to draw your own conclusions...
Wednesday, 9 March 2011
Monday, 21 February 2011
This weekend STETS weekend so I have been cloistered away in Salisbury Cathedral precincts since Friday.
If you had to ditch one defining episode of church history which would it be and why? That was the challenge we were issued last night. Having spent the entire day looking at the significance and importance of five particular events, The Conversion of Constantine, The Council or Nicaea, the Great Schism (or split between the Roman (West) and Eastern Churches), the Reformation and the Enlightenment, we then held a balloon debate to decide which had the least influence on the church today and could therefore be unceremoniusly dumped over the side of our hot air balloon. I think some of our answers caused our lecturer's hair to turn grey but the exercise was deeply challenging as we tried to work out the implications of 2000 years of Church History for our doctrine and current faith and practice. Why is any of this important? It helps to remind us of the truth of the reading which began the weekend (Hebrews 11 and 12). We are surrounded by a cloud of witnesses who challenge, enlighten, inspire, and at times infurriate us but ultimately cheer us on as we strive towards the goal.
If you are interested in any of the church History I've refered to Wikipedia has some basic info, or ask me next time you see me (I'll try and remember!)
If you had to ditch one defining episode of church history which would it be and why? That was the challenge we were issued last night. Having spent the entire day looking at the significance and importance of five particular events, The Conversion of Constantine, The Council or Nicaea, the Great Schism (or split between the Roman (West) and Eastern Churches), the Reformation and the Enlightenment, we then held a balloon debate to decide which had the least influence on the church today and could therefore be unceremoniusly dumped over the side of our hot air balloon. I think some of our answers caused our lecturer's hair to turn grey but the exercise was deeply challenging as we tried to work out the implications of 2000 years of Church History for our doctrine and current faith and practice. Why is any of this important? It helps to remind us of the truth of the reading which began the weekend (Hebrews 11 and 12). We are surrounded by a cloud of witnesses who challenge, enlighten, inspire, and at times infurriate us but ultimately cheer us on as we strive towards the goal.
If you are interested in any of the church History I've refered to Wikipedia has some basic info, or ask me next time you see me (I'll try and remember!)
Thursday, 10 February 2011
What's the point?
Well I've been quiet for a week or so whilst I struggled to get my latest MA assignment done - 4000 words on the Old Testament and poverty. It went in yesterday but today I have been struck by so many things I would like to have included. There are no second chances. I can't go back and write into my essay the things I've seen and heard and realised today but then I guess that is the point. This essay, all my essays are not intended to be simply an academic exercise for my classmates and I - they are meant to help change the way we think, the way we grapple with scripture, the way we interact with the world, as we prepare for ordination. At the end of every module I am supposed to fill in a module review that says what I have learned from my studies, but what I learned doesn't fit neatly in the box!
I hope my assignment makes the grade, but today I feel, whether it does or not, perhaps it has achieved its objective.
Saturday, 29 January 2011
How do you fit an elephant in a car?
Essay time again.
When I said I was going to complete my training at STETS and work full time, my friends, the people who know me best and have a shrewd idea what training would entail, told me I was crazy! That's ok, I already knew that, and it is good preparation for weeks like this when the whole of life seems crazy.
Some days it feels like trying to fit in everything I have to do is as futile as trying to squeeze an Elephant into a Ford Ka - why would you even try?! But things still have to be done, and I'm told that nothing is impossible for God so with that in mind God grant me the serenity to accept the things I can't get done, energy to do the things I can and enough sense to work out which is which!
When I said I was going to complete my training at STETS and work full time, my friends, the people who know me best and have a shrewd idea what training would entail, told me I was crazy! That's ok, I already knew that, and it is good preparation for weeks like this when the whole of life seems crazy.
Some days it feels like trying to fit in everything I have to do is as futile as trying to squeeze an Elephant into a Ford Ka - why would you even try?! But things still have to be done, and I'm told that nothing is impossible for God so with that in mind God grant me the serenity to accept the things I can't get done, energy to do the things I can and enough sense to work out which is which!
Wednesday, 26 January 2011
Routines!
This morning I was conscious of picking my way down a luggage strewn carriage to sit in my Favourite tube seat. It's not that I HAVE to sit there in fact I often don't but if it is free I will even swap seats half way through my journey to sit there. What creatures of habit we are! Ok so maybe liking the end tube seat on the right isn't such a bad habit but I know I have others less innocent... Still, I'm reassured! Today is the feast day of the conversion of St Paul proof that anyone can change no matter how set in their ways they are!
Saturday, 22 January 2011
Life seems relentless. Some weeks it feels like I do nothing but work, study, eat and sleep, but yesterday I took a day off to walk in the Peak District near Buxton. It was the most beautiful day. Cold crisp and clear. I doubt the temperature rose much above freezing all day and in places the frost was almost an inch thick but on the tops the sun was shining and the air was fresh. When I stopped, in the stillness, all that could be heard was the crackling of ice falling from the trees.
How easy it is to "find God" in such moments and places. Not that God is ever absent, but sometimes life obscures the view.
The walk was hard and I can really feel it in my legs today! But for all the exhaustion I feel refreshed.
How easy it is to "find God" in such moments and places. Not that God is ever absent, but sometimes life obscures the view.
The walk was hard and I can really feel it in my legs today! But for all the exhaustion I feel refreshed.
Wednesday, 12 January 2011
Monday, 10 January 2011
The new term has started! I am officially into my second term at STETS.
Last weekend was challenging, stimulating, fun and exhausting! I came away with a brain ache!
My &Co group were on duty this weekend which meant among other things that we were responsible for running the bar, so at least we had a legitimate excuse for being the last ones propping up the bar on Friday night.
In class we looked at how theology is shaped and changed by its context. We had a great drama presentation from the staff which illustrated how theologians such as Gregory of Nyssa, Calvin, and Moltmann re-engaged with the Bible and theology as a result of the social and cultural situations of their time. Its exciting to think that we can always find new meaning and relevance in Scripture.
This month I'm studying the Hebrew Scriptures, in particular the ethics of the Old Testament. I'm just beginning to get my head around some of the key themes in the reading, (which is just as well as the next assignment is due in four weeks).
Last weekend was challenging, stimulating, fun and exhausting! I came away with a brain ache!
My &Co group were on duty this weekend which meant among other things that we were responsible for running the bar, so at least we had a legitimate excuse for being the last ones propping up the bar on Friday night.
In class we looked at how theology is shaped and changed by its context. We had a great drama presentation from the staff which illustrated how theologians such as Gregory of Nyssa, Calvin, and Moltmann re-engaged with the Bible and theology as a result of the social and cultural situations of their time. Its exciting to think that we can always find new meaning and relevance in Scripture.
This month I'm studying the Hebrew Scriptures, in particular the ethics of the Old Testament. I'm just beginning to get my head around some of the key themes in the reading, (which is just as well as the next assignment is due in four weeks).
Saturday, 1 January 2011
The last few days have given me some space to reflect on the last year. A year ago I was anxiously waiting for an appointment with the Bishop, and a date for my selection conference. I was embarked on a journey, hoping that I had heard the directions correctly but with no garuantee of the destination. Since then I have survived the selection process, been recommended for training and completed my first term at college. It has been a rollercoaster year but the ride has only just begun!
Sunday, 26 December 2010
Happy Christmas!
I have chosen to spend Christmas away. At the end of such a busy term, I need some time of rest and quiet before I feel fit to tackle that challenges the new year will bring - and this may be the last "quiet" Christmas I have for along time!
Yesterday I attended the Christmas Service at a church in Nottingham. I was one of a congregation of 14 six of whom were clearly visitors and not regular church goers. It was a quiet service with a great sermon and the congregation were friendly but I'm struck by the difference between the response of those shepherds on that first Christmas and our response today. The shepherds wanted to share the good news with everyone
"When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been
told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the
shepherds said to them" Luke 2:17 NIV
I can't help wondering how different our Christmas services might be if were full of the same enthusiasm?
More like this perhaps? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXh7JR9oKVE
I have chosen to spend Christmas away. At the end of such a busy term, I need some time of rest and quiet before I feel fit to tackle that challenges the new year will bring - and this may be the last "quiet" Christmas I have for along time!
Yesterday I attended the Christmas Service at a church in Nottingham. I was one of a congregation of 14 six of whom were clearly visitors and not regular church goers. It was a quiet service with a great sermon and the congregation were friendly but I'm struck by the difference between the response of those shepherds on that first Christmas and our response today. The shepherds wanted to share the good news with everyone
"When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been
told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the
shepherds said to them" Luke 2:17 NIV
I can't help wondering how different our Christmas services might be if were full of the same enthusiasm?
More like this perhaps? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXh7JR9oKVE
Sunday, 19 December 2010
How did it get to be the Sunday before Christmas? The year is disappearing again!
I have braved the snow to visit my sister and her family so this morning I attended worship in a small Methodist, village church quite unlike my "normal" church experience. There I watched the Sunday School act out the story of the birth of Christ with reference to a chicken, a cat, an owl (but fortunately no second lobster!) and Michael Mouse, who learnt the important lesson that the best and only gift we can give to God is our whole self. It is not quite the account of Jesus's birth that we find in Luke's gospel but it still has the power to move the congregation to tears and to speak deeply of a God who would give up majesty and power to become a helpless, vulnerable human child.
I have braved the snow to visit my sister and her family so this morning I attended worship in a small Methodist, village church quite unlike my "normal" church experience. There I watched the Sunday School act out the story of the birth of Christ with reference to a chicken, a cat, an owl (but fortunately no second lobster!) and Michael Mouse, who learnt the important lesson that the best and only gift we can give to God is our whole self. It is not quite the account of Jesus's birth that we find in Luke's gospel but it still has the power to move the congregation to tears and to speak deeply of a God who would give up majesty and power to become a helpless, vulnerable human child.
Wednesday, 8 December 2010
08/12/2010
This week I have been at another conference. This time, on whole church learning. It is strange how the word "ordinand" seems to have taken over my life. Even at work I find myself looking at things as if through a different lens. Even so, I was a little dismayed that our lively conversations over the last few days on learning as a christian community, all too often were hijacked to become a discussion about ministerial education, as though that were the whole of the issue. I may have a vested interest in wanting the very best theological education for people entering ministry but Theology is not a language reseved for Christian Educators. As a children's worker I believe that we are each of us called to "do theology" - that we are each called to explore and understand the Christian faith as far as anyone can. I reflect, once again on the words of Alister McGrath* that a key task of ministry is translating the language of the Christian Faith into ordinary plain English. So if you ask me about my study, I will do my best to tell you, but if I fail to explain it well, point me back to here please!
* At the STETS graduation ceremnoy in September 2010. If you are interested you can listen to his talk by following this link
http://www.stets.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Alister-McGrath-9-10-10.mp3
This week I have been at another conference. This time, on whole church learning. It is strange how the word "ordinand" seems to have taken over my life. Even at work I find myself looking at things as if through a different lens. Even so, I was a little dismayed that our lively conversations over the last few days on learning as a christian community, all too often were hijacked to become a discussion about ministerial education, as though that were the whole of the issue. I may have a vested interest in wanting the very best theological education for people entering ministry but Theology is not a language reseved for Christian Educators. As a children's worker I believe that we are each of us called to "do theology" - that we are each called to explore and understand the Christian faith as far as anyone can. I reflect, once again on the words of Alister McGrath* that a key task of ministry is translating the language of the Christian Faith into ordinary plain English. So if you ask me about my study, I will do my best to tell you, but if I fail to explain it well, point me back to here please!
* At the STETS graduation ceremnoy in September 2010. If you are interested you can listen to his talk by following this link
http://www.stets.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Alister-McGrath-9-10-10.mp3
Tuesday, 30 November 2010
November
24/11/10
10/11/10
I'm in Belfast with work. Being in Northern Ireland always feels to me like coming home. I lived here for a while as a child and being here is full of memories. On Sunday I am going to meet an old friend. Leanne and I went to church and school together but I havent seen her for 25 years. She is one of several members of our Sunday School group who are now in full time Christian ministry. I thank God for those leaders whose care and teaching so blessed us.
05/11/10
Well this has been not quite the week I'd planned. I've been ill all week and had to cancel all my appointments at work. In fact I have spent much of the week in bed. A bit of enforced rest has given me some space to just be, which now that I am recovering, I am better able to appreciate. I have even allowed myself the luxury of reading a novel!
My first assignment was submitted today! On time! Now I must just sit back and wait for it to be marked. I have stacked up all the books on Karl Barth that have dominated my life for the last 8 weeks and returned those on loan. (can you hear the relief?!)
It has been a really challenging module and I've learnt more about Barth than I ever thought I'd need to but what I mostly know is that I don't know much!
Onward and upwards... my next module has already begun; "Exegesis, Ethics and Historicity in Hebrew Scripture".
... And I need to write my sermon for Sunday...It has been a really challenging module and I've learnt more about Barth than I ever thought I'd need to but what I mostly know is that I don't know much!
Onward and upwards... my next module has already begun; "Exegesis, Ethics and Historicity in Hebrew Scripture".
10/11/10
I'm in Belfast with work. Being in Northern Ireland always feels to me like coming home. I lived here for a while as a child and being here is full of memories. On Sunday I am going to meet an old friend. Leanne and I went to church and school together but I havent seen her for 25 years. She is one of several members of our Sunday School group who are now in full time Christian ministry. I thank God for those leaders whose care and teaching so blessed us.
05/11/10
Well this has been not quite the week I'd planned. I've been ill all week and had to cancel all my appointments at work. In fact I have spent much of the week in bed. A bit of enforced rest has given me some space to just be, which now that I am recovering, I am better able to appreciate. I have even allowed myself the luxury of reading a novel!
October
26/10/10
I had a great weekend at college. It was a really good way to end a really bad week. My &Co group lead worship and everything went smoothly much to our relief! The theme of the weekend was “The Hebrew Scriptures” and we did a bit of a crash course through the Old Testament, including a whole group dramatised reading of the book of Ruth and reflections of how Psalms are used in worship in different Christian traditions. We were challenged to grapple with the texts in new ways, and I have set myself a target to learn some of the Psalms by heart.
21/10/10
It is hard to know what to say this week. It has been a tough week for all kinds of reasons. Work has been busy and stressful. A number of unexpected or urgent pieces of work have landed on my desk and as a result my study time has been squeezed out. I’m off to college again this weekend and then I have 3 days to catch up on some study – I think TOIL is an appropriate phrase in this case!
On a brighter note, I’m really excited about one of the pieces of work I have on at the moment. Along with 3 colleagues I am working on a new book about Baptism. It’s great to have the opportunity to talk through all sorts of aspects of preparing for Baptism and a huge privilege to be asked to contribute to the book.
17/10/10
I had my first visit to St Mary’s Junior Church today. It was great to be with the Adventures as we explored together some of the things that make for a good church. We thought about Psalm 122 and the Psalmist who said ‘I was glad when they said to me “Let us go up to the house of the Lord”.’ and shared our thoughts and feelings about being in church. We are blessed to have so many children growing in faith alongside us. I am constantly reminded that, though I may be a theology graduate and an Ordinand, I have as much to learn about God and faith from them as they have from me.
13/10/10
Studying part time on top of an already busy job is challenging. The next few weeks are going to be busy. This week I am on my way to a 3 day meeting of the national Synods of the United Reformed and Methodist Churches followed by a regional Synod meeting, next week I will be at a conference and then at college again. Please pray for me, for the presentations I have to make for work and for the time and concentration to study.
Studying part time on top of an already busy job is challenging. The next few weeks are going to be busy. This week I am on my way to a 3 day meeting of the national Synods of the United Reformed and Methodist Churches followed by a regional Synod meeting, next week I will be at a conference and then at college again. Please pray for me, for the presentations I have to make for work and for the time and concentration to study.
Next weekend at STETS my “&Co” group is responsible for planning and leading the Sunday Morning Eucharist. It’s quite a scary thing to plan worship for your lecturers and peers, although thankfully we don’t have to preach! Please pray for us as we work together on this.
11/10/10
Last Saturday was presentation day at college and all students from all 3+ year groups gathered with those receiving their awards. Most of them have just been ordained and for us newbies it was great to see that there is life after STETS. Alastair McGrath gave the key note speech (superbly and without notes!) and spoke about the need for us to communicate our faith clearly in ways that make sense to people – much to the amusement of some of my year who are struggling through his Reader on Christian Theology for their first module!
I am still grappling with Barth. One of the most prolific and influencial theologians of his time, he is not always (ever?!) easy to understand. His work on Dogmatics spans 13 hefty volumes of complicated theology (and he was still writing when he died aged 87), but when asked by a reporter to sum up all he had written, he responded by quoting a well known hymn for children; “Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so”. Now If only I could be that succinct in my essay...
03/10/10
Perhaps the easiest way to explain STETS training for ministry is to think of it as studying two complimentary and simultaneous courses, the academic and the formational. The formational aspects are about structuring your life for a ministry rooted in prayer and Bible study, and developing your practical skills in pastoral care and preaching etc. These are split between class room study on STETS weekends, guided reading and things that I do in the Church. The academic course varies from person to person but I am studying for an MA in “Theology for Mission and Ministry”. It is mostly independent study. For my first module I am studying a theologian called Karl Barth – arguably one of the most influential Christian thinkers of 20th Century. I have over 600 pages of text to read (and understand!) in the next few weeks ... wish me luck.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)