Cornwall ~ Day 2

The Helston Floral Dance is a remarkable occasion, with an amazing history. I have never been part of an event which involves the entire community, from children and young people to adults dressed very formally, to adults very much more relaxed, including the tea makers and the stall holders, without whom it would be much the poorer!

We were able to watch the mid-day dance from what is still called 'the doctor's house' as they danced through the garden and round the lake. And the hospitality was very generous!

From there we went on to Praa Sands for Andrew and Beverley's beach labyrinth. Even with wind and not many people around, such an event attracts questions and exploration from a number of people, and I certainly enjoyed taking a little time to walk and reflect as well as have the conversations

The final events of the day were a proper cream tea at the manse with Bishop Tim and Angela and Geof, and then after a short time to chat and recover from all the days activities, an evening meal in Megavissey.

Cornwall ~ Day 1

The day began with St. Petroc's Homeless Project ~ conversations and explorations, covering both history and the future hopes and dreams

















Then we moved on to the home of Breadline ~ another part of the St. Petroc's family ~ where we were able to meet some of the other folk involved and discover more of what it means to both work for the project and to feel at home with it as training and life skills and support are offered.
I'm holding a large amount of written information which I eventually found time to read. And it was well worth it.

Then we went on to Newlyn Trinity, where we were shown some exciting new ventures and able to share yet more hopes and dreams, as well as having a great 'team lunch'

The next stop was the Lifeboat. Such a priviledge to meet with the Coxswain/Mechanic and be shown in such detail all the work involved.

And next the St. Just Airport, but not sadly a trip to the Scillies! Instead, we watched the work of the flight control tower ~ vital expertise even at such a small field ~ and then were shown round while there was no flight in the offing. I for one discovered a great deal about small aircraft, though I think my husband simply wanted to take a trip, remembering his glider days of long ago.

The final stop of this day was the cinema club at St. Just. They are showing The King's Speech next time, and with proper ice-cream for the interval, it is no wonder that the room is full once everybody has arrived. What a great and fun way to serve this rural community!

Westminster Central Hall, London

Visiting the team at Westminster Central Hall is always a pleasure, as city centre colleagues we often meet at gatherings throughout the year of the Methodist City Centre Network (MCCN). The network was established several years ago and provides an opportunity for all those working in city centre locations to share and learn from others working in similar environments.

It was a very special day to be visiting and preaching as it was the farewell service for my diaconal colleague and friend Sister Jane Middleton who retires from this 'phase' of her ministry after serving for twelve years as Deacon on the staff team at Central Hall. It was a privilege to be part of a special day in the life of this community, a day of celebration as we gave thanks for Jane's ministry here and offered prayers as she retires to the rather splendid location of Durham City (I am looking forward to seeing her more often in future).

Morning worship was held in the Great Hall led by Rev Martin Turner, Superintendent Minister and Rev Tony Miles, Team Minister and Media Chaplain. The service began with the choir singing a beautiful rendition of John Rutter's, 'For the beauty of the earth.' Sister Jane had chosen several of the hymns including the 'diaconal hymn' Behold the servant of the Lord'.

After morning worship a farewell dinner was held for Sister Jane, beautiful food was served followed by speeches of thanksgiving for a much loved, respected and valued member of the team.



Sister Jane Middleton responding to the speeches and gifts.

Rev Martin Turner, Superintendent Minister of Central Hall presenting gifts to Sister Jane, after a very moving speech where it was clear how much they have enjoyed working and serving God together as part of the team in this vibrant community.

Sister Jane Middleton and her husband Rev Alan Middleton, an Anglican Minister also retiring this year.

Rev Tony Miles, member of the Central Hall Team and Media Chaplain alongside his wife Francis.

Wesley House, Cambridge

I have the great privilege of being part of the Wesley Study Centre Community in Durham as a part-time diaconal tutor so it was a real treat to be invited to Wesley House, Cambridge and spend some time with the vibrant college community of tutors, students and families. Joining them for food, worship and a teaching session was a joy as we shared in conversation and laughter together.

Stunning buildings of Wesley House, Cambridge (if you look carefully you can see the college cat!)

College Community enjoying a meal together, students and families.

College Chapel

Bank Holidays!!

What an interesting Bank Holiday long week-end! Yes, I did manage to see something of The Wedding, but spent most of the day making sure I was fully prepared for Canterbury and Monday.
Canterbury was a great week-end visit, with generous hospitality as always. I was there for the bicentenary of the Methodist Church in the city and we celebrated with our ecumenical and other faiths partners as well as with the Methodist family. The services were full of imaginative and inspiring contributions as we gave thanks for the past, rejoiced in the present, and recognised God's call to move forward into the future. The newly written anthem was impressive - and easy to join in with at the right point. Thank you to everyone who worked so hard to make this event, and the following octave of celebration which I could not share, such a worthwhile occasion. And God bless your future ministry among your communities.
Then Monday was the rally to celebrate 10 years of working for The Living Wage for everyone. It was an amazing event - in our Westminster Central Hall once again - and it was a joy to me to be able to speak for Methodism's commitment to pay justly. There were so many ecumenical partners and other faiths represented, as well as those who claim no faith presumably, that it took me quite a while to find many Methodist colleagues in the crowd. Some of course, I met on the way in! It was also a joy to discover how often Methodists figured in the roll call of Living Wage heroes.
FairPensions was launched, and CFB was part of the process, as of course, was the Joint Public Issues Team. Thanks be to God for so many people who are prepared to work out the commitment we made and enable us to live our faith with integrity.

Spennymoor!

On Sunday 1st May I went home to Spennymoor, the town 6 miles South of Durham where I grew up and my family and my husbands family still live. It was a pleasure to preach at Trinity Methodist Church for their Anniversary in the morning and at the West Durham Circuit Service on the afternoon led by Rev Michael Pullan and Circuit Superintendent Rev Ann Shepherdson.

In the congregation were some of the people who cared for me and nurtured my faith as a young teenager. Amongst those gathered was one of my infant school teachers who could still remember teaching me to read (I fear it may have been a traumatic memory)! It was a great reminder of the importance of encouraging and nurturing others and the precious gift of the community of faith in all our stories.

Eating tea in the hall, that seemed so much smaller than I remembered was wonderful and provided an opportunity for recalling vivid memories of harvest suppers, youth events, bible studies and our wedding reception which was held here in August 1984.

ECG - Llandudno 2011

ECG (Equipping, Calling, Going) 2011 in Llandudno was an absolutely inspirational event, with over 1,200 people it is one of the largest national gatherings of Methodist people.

Held over five days it succeeded in creating a safe and sacred space of challenge, encouragement and reflection through an all age programme of worship, bible studies, preaching , seminars, debate's and participation in mission through art, conversation and drama.

This years theme was 'Word into Flesh' and although I was only present for three days it was wonderful to see and hear people experience the reality of God's love in so many ways.

Every morning Rev David and Rev Alison Wilkinson led imaginative and interactive bible studies. On Friday morning Alison travelled down to London and spoke to us 'live' from Westminster Central Hall just before the Royal Wedding!

Brian McLaren - Author, Speaker and Pastor led thought provoking and challenging seminars reflecting on what it means to be a christian today particularly to strip away the symbols and status of public religion and examine our authentic selves before God. The framework for this was based on four seasons of spiritual life based on his book, 'Naked Spirituality (which is brilliant).

Simplicity - Spiritual Awakening

Complexity - Spiritual Strengthening
Perplexity-Spiritual Surviving
Harmony-Spiritual Deepening

Click here to visit Brian McLaren's website

During evening worship Rev Ric Stott painted as an offering of worship and reflection. Ric is an art therapist and one of our Venture FX Pioneer ministers working in Sheffield.

The evening celebrations in the main theatre included vibrant worship, preaching and prayer ministry. Hosted by Rev Antony Clowes, Methodist minister based in the Wirral and Amy Wyatt, Assistant Pastor at Swan Bank Methodist Mission.

Evening Themes and Preachers
Thursday - We see, hear and experience the Voice of God through the Word of God (Mike Rayson)
Friday - We see, hear and experience the Voice of God through the person of Jesus (Eunice Attwood)
Saturday - We see, hear and experience the Voice of God through Witnesses in history (Ashley Cooper)
Sunday - We see, hear and experience the Voice of God through a World of Care (Brian McLaren).





Every evening at 9.45 am a late night debate took place hosted by Rev Simon Sutcliffe (Venture FX Pioneer) alongside other options of late night comedy with Andy Kind, Rob Lacey Theatre Company, Sons of Korah, Quizzes and Karoke!


Next Year ECG will be in Southport from Tuesday 10th-Sunday 15th April 2012.

It really is an excellent event, ideal for everyone but especially 20-40's a great place for families, teenagers and young adults to learn,be challenged and experience God.

Click here to visit the ECG website.