Now, just to prove that I don't spend my entire life in the library under a pile of Theology books or on my knees in Chapel praying for deliverance from said pile of books - me and a couple of friends went to see War Horse this week.
I am a huge Michael Morpurgo fan, have been since school when one of my teachers read "Why the Whales Came" to my class. And these days, sometimes it is nice to pick up a book I can read! (The frustrations of someone with dyslexia who would like nothing more than to just be able to sit down with a novel and not move till it was finished - but 8 months is a long time to be sat in one place!) Anyway, along with a number of other Morpurgo books, War Horse features in my top 20 books, so I was a little unsure about going to see the film. But it is a fantastic film. There may have been a couple of creative additions and a couple of admissions, but it was a really good adaptation and some of the cinematography was amazing. Not to mention the soundtrack! But apart from being a breath-taking film, my lasting memory of the night was how me and my friends walked out of the cinema in complete silence.
Was it the subject material of the film? Was it the imagery? Was it the determination of Joey? Or that even in the midst of war there is also love?
Maybe it wasn't any of those, but I now have some ideas for using the film and the book in future sermons :-)
Friday, January 27, 2012
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Thank you for being you!
Well after last week, I knew that this week wouldn't be a walk in the park... but I wasn't quite expecting what I was faced with in the first three days of this week! Like every profession, we have to have an awareness of 'Equality and Diversity' and so I thought that I'd get it over and done with in my first year - get that box ticked. But it was far from a box ticking exercise!
One of the first statements from the course leader was "every church is multicultural" - well for starters that took me two days to get my head round! You try and work that out when you've come from a congregation of European-dissent? It all comes down to the use of language and what we actually mean by terms we so freely use, sometimes without giving them a second thought.
And human nature is scary! Have you ever heard of the 'blue eye, brown eye' study? Look it up, because it is very interesting, though some may find it unethical and possibly disturbing. However, it is a great illustration of how easily we can be convinced of something and how having a sense of power over another person can lead to some of the things we see in the news daily. We really don't learn from history!
Now being Christian doesn't mean that I'm immune from this, I can easily fall into the trap of saying something that might seem reasonable in my head, but which is really unhelpful for someone else. That doesn't mean I should keep quiet, but does mean that I need to be mindful of those that are around me. This isn't 'political correctness gone mad', it is just treating others as you would want to be treated - Jesus' second commandment!
We need to be celebrating the differences between us, because if were not all different then the world would be a really boring place!
One of the first statements from the course leader was "every church is multicultural" - well for starters that took me two days to get my head round! You try and work that out when you've come from a congregation of European-dissent? It all comes down to the use of language and what we actually mean by terms we so freely use, sometimes without giving them a second thought.
And human nature is scary! Have you ever heard of the 'blue eye, brown eye' study? Look it up, because it is very interesting, though some may find it unethical and possibly disturbing. However, it is a great illustration of how easily we can be convinced of something and how having a sense of power over another person can lead to some of the things we see in the news daily. We really don't learn from history!
Now being Christian doesn't mean that I'm immune from this, I can easily fall into the trap of saying something that might seem reasonable in my head, but which is really unhelpful for someone else. That doesn't mean I should keep quiet, but does mean that I need to be mindful of those that are around me. This isn't 'political correctness gone mad', it is just treating others as you would want to be treated - Jesus' second commandment!
We need to be celebrating the differences between us, because if were not all different then the world would be a really boring place!
Friday, January 13, 2012
Once upon a time...
Well as this is my first blog of 2012, let me start by wishing you a Happy New Year - though it seems a long time since the 1st January now!
After spending a couple of weeks away, it has been nice to be back in Cambridge and getting back into college life - though I may be feeling differently this time next week when lectures start again! Now, before those of you reading this who don't know about Westminster life think I've been sat around with my feet, I haven't, we have two short courses to do. However I've had a really nice one to start with, Storytelling. But it has not just been two and a half days of Jackanory, we have actually had to get involved and tell our own stories! And the thing about storytelling is that it is based on the oral tradition, which means no books allowed!
Now, for those of you who have ever seen me preach or give a presentation, you know I have to have a script. Too scared that I'll forget something, not say the right words or tell people something that really isn't true. So being told that I had to prepare and tell a story to the whole group filled me with dreed - no notes, this is going to go horribly wrong and be disasterous!! However, it wasn't, and if I have learnt anything over the past two and a half days is that I can do it!
I don't think that I'll be throwing my scripts away just yet, but I might be able to tell a story or to without one!
After spending a couple of weeks away, it has been nice to be back in Cambridge and getting back into college life - though I may be feeling differently this time next week when lectures start again! Now, before those of you reading this who don't know about Westminster life think I've been sat around with my feet, I haven't, we have two short courses to do. However I've had a really nice one to start with, Storytelling. But it has not just been two and a half days of Jackanory, we have actually had to get involved and tell our own stories! And the thing about storytelling is that it is based on the oral tradition, which means no books allowed!
Now, for those of you who have ever seen me preach or give a presentation, you know I have to have a script. Too scared that I'll forget something, not say the right words or tell people something that really isn't true. So being told that I had to prepare and tell a story to the whole group filled me with dreed - no notes, this is going to go horribly wrong and be disasterous!! However, it wasn't, and if I have learnt anything over the past two and a half days is that I can do it!
I don't think that I'll be throwing my scripts away just yet, but I might be able to tell a story or to without one!
Friday, December 16, 2011
Holiday challenges
I'm a bit behind with my blog, but though term may have finished I have still been working hard! No putting my feet up just yet!
In the past two weeks I have experienced two aspects of ministry that have led me to sit and reflect. Firstly, I started my special context placement at the Hospice. Secondly, I returned to the north (before it snowed) and preached at my 'home' church.
Ten weeks into my training was I really ready to face what it means to live with a terminal illness? The honest answer is no. How do you approach people? What do you say? From my first day I learnt 'be yourself' and that a smile goes a long way and from my second day it important to listen, but not just to what is said, but what is unsaid too. Though these are important things for me to remember when I go back to the Hospice in February to complete my placement, they are also important lessons for ministry. If I can't be myself or am not able to listen to the silence as well as the chatter, being a minister is going to be even tougher!
The second challenge of my first two weeks of the holiday was returning to Newcastle and preaching at St George's. Going back to what has been 'home' for the past seven years, you'd think would be easy and would ease the pressure on it being the first time of preaching since starting college. Err no... I think it might have been one of the hardest services I've had to lead so far and one from which I have definitely learnt. Going back as the visiting preacher is definitely not easy!
So life's little challenges continue, but soon it will be Christmas and then the New Year! As I don't think I'll get back to my blog till after Christmas now, to all my readers may a wish you a very happy and peaceful Christmas.
In the past two weeks I have experienced two aspects of ministry that have led me to sit and reflect. Firstly, I started my special context placement at the Hospice. Secondly, I returned to the north (before it snowed) and preached at my 'home' church.
Ten weeks into my training was I really ready to face what it means to live with a terminal illness? The honest answer is no. How do you approach people? What do you say? From my first day I learnt 'be yourself' and that a smile goes a long way and from my second day it important to listen, but not just to what is said, but what is unsaid too. Though these are important things for me to remember when I go back to the Hospice in February to complete my placement, they are also important lessons for ministry. If I can't be myself or am not able to listen to the silence as well as the chatter, being a minister is going to be even tougher!
The second challenge of my first two weeks of the holiday was returning to Newcastle and preaching at St George's. Going back to what has been 'home' for the past seven years, you'd think would be easy and would ease the pressure on it being the first time of preaching since starting college. Err no... I think it might have been one of the hardest services I've had to lead so far and one from which I have definitely learnt. Going back as the visiting preacher is definitely not easy!
So life's little challenges continue, but soon it will be Christmas and then the New Year! As I don't think I'll get back to my blog till after Christmas now, to all my readers may a wish you a very happy and peaceful Christmas.
Friday, December 2, 2011
It all started over 2000 years ago in the Holy Land...
So here we are, the end of term! I am now a 12th of the way through my ministrial training! Where have the last 10 weeks gone?!
We are now in the season of Advent, travelling the road to the manger, the first of so many journeys within the New Testament, as well as being the start of THE journey. But for me and for I think I can safely say my fellow students and even lecturers, journeying is not just what we read and study about in the Bible, we are all living a journey. It is a personal journey, but at times we have fellow travellers, sometimes they are great company, other times you wish they would just leave you alone. But with our fellow travellers we share the highs and lows of road.
This to me sums up what I have experienced here in Cambridge over the last 10 weeks. This journey that I'm on started 30 years ago and I have met many fellow travellers along the way. Some I am still travelling with, some I've parted company from. However, now I am on a new piece of road, travelling with a new set of people with whom to share my blister plasters. It has been tough, but there have been some great views and words (oh and puddings) that have kept us going.
So as Christmas approaches and we travel towards the manger--to my fellow travellers (past, present, future), thank you for your company, it has been great!
We are now in the season of Advent, travelling the road to the manger, the first of so many journeys within the New Testament, as well as being the start of THE journey. But for me and for I think I can safely say my fellow students and even lecturers, journeying is not just what we read and study about in the Bible, we are all living a journey. It is a personal journey, but at times we have fellow travellers, sometimes they are great company, other times you wish they would just leave you alone. But with our fellow travellers we share the highs and lows of road.
This to me sums up what I have experienced here in Cambridge over the last 10 weeks. This journey that I'm on started 30 years ago and I have met many fellow travellers along the way. Some I am still travelling with, some I've parted company from. However, now I am on a new piece of road, travelling with a new set of people with whom to share my blister plasters. It has been tough, but there have been some great views and words (oh and puddings) that have kept us going.
So as Christmas approaches and we travel towards the manger--to my fellow travellers (past, present, future), thank you for your company, it has been great!
Thursday, November 24, 2011
It's week 8...
Only a week to go and term is finished... I can't quite believe it, was it not only yesterday that it was week 1?! Yes, week 8 started today and I really could do with it still being week 7, too much still to do before next Wednesday!
It's amazing how quickly time goes by and I'm just getting into the groove of it all. Oh well, at least I have half a chance of hitting next term with some knowledge of what I am doing!
As Advent fast approaches (yes, the first Sunday in Advent is this Sunday!), my thoughts have turned to Jesus! Ok, maybe that's not entirely true, but all the books I'm currently reading have Jesus in the title, which I'm finding quite bizzare, but then I guess part of the reason I'm here is to learn more about Jesus.
Anyway, back to Advent... a time when we start to prepare for Christmas, to look forward to celebrating Jesus' birth. But what does that really mean to most people out there? How much of Christ really makes it into Christmas these days? A question that many preachers will consider over the next few weeks and maybe try to unpack them in their sermons. Will I? Not sure as I've not got to writing my one Advent sermon on my to do list yet, but maybe I should. If the Shepherds managed to leave the stable praising God and tell everyone about Jesus, then maybe we should be do be doing the same on a Sunday morning as we leave church! So there is a challenge for me!! And if anyone finds themself at a loose end on the 11th December and in Newcastle, you can come and see if I manage it!
It's amazing how quickly time goes by and I'm just getting into the groove of it all. Oh well, at least I have half a chance of hitting next term with some knowledge of what I am doing!
As Advent fast approaches (yes, the first Sunday in Advent is this Sunday!), my thoughts have turned to Jesus! Ok, maybe that's not entirely true, but all the books I'm currently reading have Jesus in the title, which I'm finding quite bizzare, but then I guess part of the reason I'm here is to learn more about Jesus.
Anyway, back to Advent... a time when we start to prepare for Christmas, to look forward to celebrating Jesus' birth. But what does that really mean to most people out there? How much of Christ really makes it into Christmas these days? A question that many preachers will consider over the next few weeks and maybe try to unpack them in their sermons. Will I? Not sure as I've not got to writing my one Advent sermon on my to do list yet, but maybe I should. If the Shepherds managed to leave the stable praising God and tell everyone about Jesus, then maybe we should be do be doing the same on a Sunday morning as we leave church! So there is a challenge for me!! And if anyone finds themself at a loose end on the 11th December and in Newcastle, you can come and see if I manage it!
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Chocolate pudding with chocolate sauce...
Well what to talk about this week? No idea... has been a fairly uneventful week. Lectures have been lectures, supervisions have been supervisions, Greek's still been all Greek and reading, well there is still loads of that to do!
The end of term is now fast approaching and the days in the library are getting longer.. so maybe now is the time to just sit for a moment and be still... to actually have a bit of 'Sabbath' time... have a nice mug of coffee or even some of my Mum's chocolate pudding with chocolate sauce!
Lesson from my week is everyone needs some time off, some "Sabbath" time, even God! So why not take some now and do something you enjoy!
The end of term is now fast approaching and the days in the library are getting longer.. so maybe now is the time to just sit for a moment and be still... to actually have a bit of 'Sabbath' time... have a nice mug of coffee or even some of my Mum's chocolate pudding with chocolate sauce!
Lesson from my week is everyone needs some time off, some "Sabbath" time, even God! So why not take some now and do something you enjoy!
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