Hop, Skip and Jump

Hmmm well it has been a while since the last blog.  Please forgive me. I seem to have been up to my eyes in dissertation, trying to sell the house and thinking about my future ministry in Burton upon Trent.  


On the house front we have found somewhere in Burton that seems ideal.  It was amusing to find out that the house is owned by a retired Anglican vicar and his wife.  The downside is we still haven't sold our house yet and so we are not in a position to make him an offer.  Our neighbours of 15 years moved out last week it seems it is an end of an era.  The new neighbours are very interesting though.  He is a Methodist minister from the other side of Derby, Matlock I think, due to retire in a couple of years time.  When he asked me over the fence what I did for a living he laughed and did a little gig around the garden at my reply.  God really does move in mysterious ways and certainly has a sense of humour.  I am convinced God is playing a game of chess with me.  Well I am obviously not a bishop but am I a mere pawn or a more strategic piece?  A rook perhaps, you never know where they will move next, or at least it is difficult to keep up with their next moves.  One hop, skip and a jump and I will be in Burton an who knows what hopping, skipping and jumping for joy will take place once I'm there.  I can't wait...

So is cheque-mate the end of the game or the beginning?  (There seems to be a recurrent theme going on here.)  Are there lots of rematches to come?  Is there any point in playing when you know God is going to win?  Or does the game say more about free-will and our ability to choose the next move?  My theology is more Arminian than it is Calvinist.  Which means that I do not have any strong beliefs in predestination.  We have a choice.  We can serve God and do His will or we can go about our own thing leading a wild life.  Whilst I have on occasion opted on the wilder side of life nothing compares with the sense of fulfilment that I have now.  Even when we serve God it is not the case of being puppets to the puppet-master in the sky.  We are part of God's mission and have our own roles to fulfil.  (I am currently looking at Evan Roberts' role in the Welsh Revival - more on that in the next blog.)  Was New Church Burton upon Trent the only church that I could serve God in as pastor.  No, I could have served God in another church.   Is he calling me to New Church Burton upon Trent - Yep!  For this is the Church who have said, 'Yes' to God and 'Yes' to trusting me to lead them in.  Who knows what is in store for us but I am in no doubt that God is going to bless us big time.    

    

A Last Supper

So does the Last Supper represent the end of the journey or the beginning?

Having lived in Nailsworth for some 15 years (I only meant to stay for 2 or 3) and the fact that I shall be leaving soon (when I eventually sell the house) I thought it was about time that I went to St George's Church.  I can never work out what page I am suppose to be on but I seemed to manage reasonable well to follow the communion service.  Some of the communion was sung and although I couldn't join in, as I didn't know the tune, I really enjoyed the change.  The church seemed friendly and warm and some of the faces seemed familiar - I guess I have been passing many of them in the street on a day to day basis.  

The big draw to the church however, was the painting that hung over the altar....

   A Last Supper by Lorna May Wadsworth

The painting is magnificent, a modern interpretation of Da Vinci's Last Supper.  

Unlike Da Vinci however, the central figure is a black Jesus.  Having been commissioned to paint the piece, following a legacy given to the church, Wadsworth retained artistic license to interpret the Last Super as she saw fit.  She chose to make all the disciples good looking with Jesus himself based on a  supermodel by the name of Tafari!  Why not?  It certainly makes you think.  

The painting hung for a time in St Martin in the Fields, Trafalgar Square but has now found its way home to Nailsworth.  If you get a chance to go and look at the painting yourself then go - apparently the light is better about 2.00pm when the summer sun finds its way through the stained glass window as it searches out the altar.

Communion is all about remembering the man who hung on the cross so that we may be reconciled to the Father.  Whilst this may be my first, and perhaps last supper in Nailsworth it is a memorable one...  

      

Where does the road lead?

Where does the road lead?  Hmmm.. I am back on my journey again.  Whilst I know the road leads to Burton-on-Trent it appears there are a few hills to climb first.  Mortgages to sort, a house to sell, a house to buy, a dissertation to write, an ordination to enjoy.  I think I need a holiday!

It is good to know that God journeys with me and that the people at Burton are waiting at the end of this road with expectancy as to how our journey together will continue.  Whilst I am excited by new prospects I am sad to be leaving behind my beloved Gloucestershire.  Whilst I'm still here I am trying to enjoy the area as best I can.

These photos were taken in around Shortwood, near Nailsworth, Glos, where I live.

The Bird Got the Worm!

It seems that I have now found that place to where God has called me to pastor.  I am feeling like the bird who finally got the worm and as happy as a cheshire cat.  I'm not sure that cats and birds really go together or indeed that there is any similarity between the worm and the church.  I hope not - lol (laugh out loud).  I took this photo in my back garden, on the day it was taken about a dozen Thrushes descended from the sky in search of tea.  Most, after much digging finally found a worm, although not all.  Settlement has been very difficult for the last couple of years but it seems that God had a plan for me all along.  Did I doubt this, no not really.  But when you are walking in the valley it is sometimes difficult to see the mountain top.

My thoughts and prayers are with those who are still in the valley digging for worms.  If you look up you will see God smiling and knowing full well there are plenty of worms and much to do for His Kingdom.  

     

A Dittie and a thought..

Not much time to blog this week but, I thought I would share a 'dittie' (short poem) with you that I learnt at school when I was about 11.  For some reason it keeps going round and round my head at the moment...

Here am I with my four daughters

dead from drinking Cheltenham waters.

If I'd have stuck to Epsom salts 

I wouldn't have been in these 'ere vaults.

Anon.

I can't believe I can remember it from all those years ago.  My class had to learn a poem, or two short ones, to recite in class and the winner was to compete against pupils from the rest of the school.  I learnt two poems, although I can't remember even what the other one was about.  But, I do remember that I went wrong on purpose as I didn't want to enter the competition.  I had a fear of public speaking - God really does have a sense of humour sometimes!

A Puzzling Easter

I had a very puzzling Easter this year.  It didn't quite take its normal form but was nevertheless very enjoyable on a number of counts.

I would normally go to church on Good Friday and then take part in the march of witness in Stroud.  I have done this for years and have loved to join in the procession that winds its way through the town singing and praying at it goes.  For the last 5 years or so we have also given away free hot cross buns to passers-by.  It is so good to be able to interact with people along the way - both Christians and non-Christians alike.  However, it has always struck me how somber we appear.  Yes, Good Friday is about remembering Jesus' brutal crucifiction and there is a need to express this but, will this mood attract others to the church - no.  Better perhaps to show the love of God, the joy of knowing Him and rejoicing over the victory of the ressurection.  Christ has risen, Halellujah!


I have a very dear friend who lives in France but, also has a flat in Cardiff.  This Good Friday I spent the day with her (alas not in France) catching up, hanging out, and mostly talking about our walk with God.  I love the fact that we understand exactly what the other means without having to explain ourselves.  We are very much on the same spiritual wavelength and are great friends, even though she is old enough to be my mum - lol (laugh out loud).  Actually, I have a lot of friends who are around this age bracket.  I'm not sure whether this is from hanging out in a church with an older congregation or that my siblings are nine/ten years older than me and age just does not register?  



Whilst it seems strange to have missed the Good Friday service I had no doubt that I was in the right place.  Sometimes God does unexpected things and asks us to trust Him.  It is like God says, 'Walk with me a while.' and he takes you down this quiet path.  You can hear a stream gurgling and a gentle breeze cools you in the heat of the day.  You can smell lavender and the flowers that border the path; all seems well in the world.  As the stream comes in to view you realize that God is with you - you feel and know his peace.  A peace the surpases all understanding.


John was working Friday, Saturday, and Monday and we had every intention of making the most of our time together.  Whilst we had planned to do things in the end we chilled out by putting our feet up in front of the TV and watching lots of films.  Oh yeah... there was also the thousand piece jigsaw puzzle that took up most of Sunday.  It was good not having to race around for a change.  We had a very peaceful weekend.  The church was packed on Easter Sunday and there seemed to be lots of new people and visitors - which was great.  I love meeting and getting to know new people and ofcourse catching up with friends.  


I am so blessed with friends of all ages and nationalities.  Some I know better than others.  Some share my faith, others do not.  Some understand my calling, others less so, but they all suport me in what I am doing.  That, I guess, is the nature of friendship.  This Easter has been about friendship for me.  Being there for friends who have needed my suport, meeting new friends, getting to know people better, spending time with God, and hanging out with John, my husdand, who is my best friend.  We all need good friends to help us through tough times, to give us a hug when we are feeling down,  to share in our excitement and rejoice in our triumphs.  Sometimes life seems one big puzzle.  It takes a while to work out what all the pieces are for and how they slot together.  Indeed, sometimes you never do work out the meaning of all the pieces and events in life.  Easter is my favour time in the Christian callender - a time for rejoicing.  Easter is the piece in the jigsaw puzzle that gives the rest meaning and helps me to see the bigger picture.  Easter is the piece in the jigsaw puzzle that brings me the most peace and the most joy.   


I wonder what piece in the jigsaw Easter is for you?