Heading away tomorrow for the Wedding of C & D, and this is one I am really looking forward to. With an average age of 50+ in the congregations, its not often weddings crop up, and when they do its usually children/grandchildren of congregation, who have moved away but are coming back to the church for nostaligia purposes or to prevent parental nagging.
Not so this time. As regular (i.e monthly) attenders in their own right, I’ve come to know them both over the last 4 years reasonably well (in addition to D’s parents and remaining family) - we’ve all laughed together, cried together, and shared a wee drink on occasion too. I’m guessing tomorrow will be no different in that respect at least …
Bishop Michael of the Kensington Episcopal Area has requested advertising of their online Advent Calendar - the first “box” is open as a preview peek, the remaining boxes will be opened daily from Advent Sunday until Christmas.
+Michael asks that the Advent calendar is advertised as widely as possible, and states that the material is suitable for those both in and outside of the church. Take a look - you’ll find it here. The videos will also be released on youtube 3 days after the website release, just search for paperlesschristmas.
It is open to anyone, not just members of the church; the only criteria are that photos shared with the group are of church events or buildings or people. Tourists passing by, you’re welcome. The group’s guidelines are over here.
There is a chance that we might wish to reuse images posted to the group for publicity purposes, so if you could ensure they’re highest resolution, good quality and reusable under an appropriate Creative Commons license, we would be grateful!
Mum is home, and relatively cheerful, though fragile and tired. Retiring from work and putting her feet up for a while, getting away from office politics and stress. Probably not staying still for very long though…
Mum is doing well in hospital down south. More scans today, results tomorrow, and if all is well back home on Thursday. Yorkshire has never seemed quite so far away until this week.
Like many people over the years, I have felt I was doing my bit - visiting sites such as hungersite and other “click to give” charity donation sites. I don’t know how beneficial they really are, but they appease the conscience a little: even a mouseclick can help.
And now you can see how much you are giving, whilst you procrastinate the hours away. Visit Freerice and join in the wordplay - every correct answer donates 10 grains of rice. How much can you give in 5 minutes?
While you’re there, check out the FAQ pages (a redirect to Poverty.com,) see how much cash aid is being donated by the richer countries, watch the counter as the deaths mount from hunger and preventible disease, then go back and click some more!
9 years ago as an ordinand, fellow student Gareth encouraged me to go on a visit to Ypres and surrounding area with Toc-H. It is one of the most significant trips I have ever made for many reasons, but one event in particular makes me smile.
One of the visits we made that week was to Hill 62 & Sanctuary Wood museum. An emotive place, the remains of trenches and dugouts, the museum not clean and sparkly, but containing uniform badges with mud and blood-stained tatters of cloth - stark reminders of what once occured. Rusty weapons lie piled up in corners and in glass cases. Nothing cleansed or sanitised.
Wandering the grounds, laughter was heard from a group of English schooldchildren, early teenagers by the look of them. The splashed and joked in the puddles in the trenches, until one of them stopped.
” ‘Ere, Miss - are these real trenches?” came a lone voice from the back of the chain of laughing kids
“Yes”
“People really died here?”
“Yes. ” For a moment the class was silent, taking in this new understanding with awe and reverence.
Then a splash, a giggle, and then laughter resounded once more. Remembrance. Light in darkness; Kids playing where kids once died. Powerful imagery which will stay with me a lifetime.
On Sunday, a level of solemnity as we remember all those allied servicemen (and women) who have given their lives, both in the 2 world wars and since. Funny though, I was always taught that we remembered so that we might learn, that no other generation would go through what those before us have suffered. If only. We will be remembering, and we will be praying for peace in this world, as will many churches throughout the world.
Later in the month, I’m planning an ecumenical service of peace (its All Saints’ turn to host the united service with Jordanhill Parish). Similar themes, but presented very differently. I’ve been listening again to one of my favourite pieces of music from the last couple of years. The video still makes my eyes leak.
(yes, that is Jamie Bell from “Billy Elliot” )
James Blunt (not one of my favourite musicians) wrote this whilst serving for the British Army in Kosovo. The video contains some graphic images, not for the squeamish, but a poignant reminder of the damage war does. To real people, real lives.
Do we really think all this pain and violence is how we change the world for the better? God forgive us.
As we remember our own servicemen and women, both living and dead, offering their lives in the service of others (whether or not we agree with the legitimacy of war), remember the innocents on the recieving end. Remember those left behind sick with worry, not knowing when or how children or spouses are coming home. Remember the populations of those towns and cities being bombed, they’re not all “our enemy”. Remember the servicemen and women who have returned home physically unscathed, but lives changed forever by what they have seen, endured and experienced. Lives damaged forever in the name of bringing peace to the world.
Finally got around to seeing part of my birthday present last night, with a glass of wine in hand. Alan purchased for my entertainment a copy of Anarchy in the Ukelele. And it was brilliant. I know I’ve posted on these guys before, but this is genious
I heard about these guys initially 2 days after they played the Edinburgh Festival. I’m hoping they are in Scotland again soon. would love to see them live.
