The long anticipated start to our Spire restoration has begun. The scaffolders have begun to encase the Spire in scaffolding and slowly they are reaching heavenwards. Several days of heavy rain have severely curtailled their operations and the project is already a little behind the builder's schedule but we remain hopeful that if the weather improves the work will be completed on time for our Church Anniversary on Sunday 6 June.
As this work has begun so for us we have begun our own personal journeys through the Season of Lent. Many of us are following the Christian Aid Lent giving appeal - 'Count your blessings'. We started Lent together on Ash Wednesday with a short Penitential Service where we symbolically burned slips of paper on which we had listed the ways we discriminate against others and thereby prevent them encountering the gospel - on grounds of race, age, gender or 'class'.
Last Sunday saw us welcome two new members which has very encouraging to us all. The Knitting for the Needy group is also growing as is the mountain of wool donated to keep them busy.
We've crunched the numbers necessary to prepare and send off our BU Mission Grant application for 2011 and now await to hear back from our 'visitors' who will help decide whether we remain worthy of support from the Baptist family.
We continue to plan for Easter and our collection box for Easter Eggs for our Easter Egg Hunt is brimming over.
The routine of college lectures has now returned as week three of Semester 2 draws to its close. Assignments are started with the aim of turning them in well ahead of the 1 June deadline.
Wednesday, 24 February 2010
Friday, 12 February 2010
What do insomniacs get up to at 5am?
When at bedtime the weatherman forecasts up to 4 inches of snow to fall overnight this insomniac starts to make plans! So with several layers of winter clothing on to ward off the chill from the strong wind drifting snow across the road work started in earnest to build an army of snowmen before the rest of the road awoke to see the blanket of snow that had fallen.
By the time the first curtain twitched around 6.30am most of the snowmen were smiling. The top hatted sentry on the church steps had returned (two earlier versions having melted after the previous thaws), the Manse sentry (see below) had also returned along with 12 gatepost sentries on the walls of my neighbours. Each sported a fresh carrot nose thanks to Sainsbury's who had kindly packaged their carrots in punnets ideal for this particular need.
This nocturnal activity provided a useful distraction from the fresh demands of the new semester at Spurgeons. Four new modules are begun each with a 1500 - 2000 word assignment due by 1 June. Thankfully the options for these already offer three attractive possibilities which should see the bulk of the work completed by Easter.
The final two essays of the last semester have come back with more than adequate marks which is a relief. The annual interview with the College Principal is now behind me.
Lent looms with a special service on Ash Wednesday and the start of our Lent Bible Studies using the CTBI materials beginning on Thursday.
By the time I return from college next week work on erecting the scaffolding on the spire should have begun a topic of conversation which dominated the local fraternal.
I have a reference to write for a friend seeking recognition for ministry by the LBA which needs careful and prayerful thought and of course there is the last Sunday before Lent with its focus on the Transfiguration to finalise. Having bought lip shaped 'post-it' notes for the children's talk I'm beginning to have second thoughts about my Valentine's Day link but we'll see.
There's no time to wax lyrical about my new friend Arwen or the opportunity to reflect on the move of a young friend from the UK to the Caribbean but those who make the connections will doubtless make their own enquiries. Oh, and it was good to see and hear Dr Haymes and meet up with Bloomsbury friends on Sunday - a bonus to the week!
By the time the first curtain twitched around 6.30am most of the snowmen were smiling. The top hatted sentry on the church steps had returned (two earlier versions having melted after the previous thaws), the Manse sentry (see below) had also returned along with 12 gatepost sentries on the walls of my neighbours. Each sported a fresh carrot nose thanks to Sainsbury's who had kindly packaged their carrots in punnets ideal for this particular need.
This nocturnal activity provided a useful distraction from the fresh demands of the new semester at Spurgeons. Four new modules are begun each with a 1500 - 2000 word assignment due by 1 June. Thankfully the options for these already offer three attractive possibilities which should see the bulk of the work completed by Easter.
The final two essays of the last semester have come back with more than adequate marks which is a relief. The annual interview with the College Principal is now behind me.
Lent looms with a special service on Ash Wednesday and the start of our Lent Bible Studies using the CTBI materials beginning on Thursday.
By the time I return from college next week work on erecting the scaffolding on the spire should have begun a topic of conversation which dominated the local fraternal.
I have a reference to write for a friend seeking recognition for ministry by the LBA which needs careful and prayerful thought and of course there is the last Sunday before Lent with its focus on the Transfiguration to finalise. Having bought lip shaped 'post-it' notes for the children's talk I'm beginning to have second thoughts about my Valentine's Day link but we'll see.
There's no time to wax lyrical about my new friend Arwen or the opportunity to reflect on the move of a young friend from the UK to the Caribbean but those who make the connections will doubtless make their own enquiries. Oh, and it was good to see and hear Dr Haymes and meet up with Bloomsbury friends on Sunday - a bonus to the week!
Tuesday, 2 February 2010
Inter Semester Break!
Well, this is the official break between the two semesters of the college year. We have a week off! Of course the reality is there are always things to do and this week is no different but first a recap on the last few days.
We had our Church AGM on Saturday. The idea of having a coffee hour beforehand proved popular and by the start of the meeting we had assembled over 25 members and friends to receive the reports of the church, elect deacons and do all the usual things required at an AGM.
My report to the AGM is posted elsewhere on the church's website for you to read. We heard from the Treasurer that we had over spent a little in 2009 but with all the additional costs refurbishing The Manse, loss of Bank Interest and also paying the share of my Half-Stipend this was not unexpected. Weekly giving was rising slowly and if we remain careful with expenditure in 2010 we should survive the year.
Encouragingly, we received reports on the visits to two folk seeking membership and they were duly approved - we welcome Liz and Roger formally at our Communion service in February. Alan Cook (retired London City Missionary) was nominated for the diaconate along with two retiring deacons so our leadership team has now grown to 5 plus me. These, I trust, are the first green shoots of growth we have been praying for. We've also got a candidate for Baptism and we hope to have a Baptismal Service on Easter Day.
Following the AGM I dashed for a train and then a bus to attend the South Easter Baptist Association Celebration held at Tenterden Baptist Church. Travel connections meant I slipped into my seat in the gallery just after the beginning 'like an angel descending' I think Jonathan Edwards (BUGB Gen. Sec.) later described it when we chatted over tea. It was good to represent Walmer and rub shoulders with some old friends and tell them what was going on.
Sunday was Education Sunday and we seized the opportunity to invite the Headteacher of our local primary school to come and share her reflections on 'Faith based education in the 21st century'. She was an excellent speaker and gave us much to think about as we seek to support the school and its community in sharing the Good News with the young people of Walmer.
As I write this I am starting to turn my mind to the meeting tomorrow morning with the architect and contractors who will start work on the spire very soon. It will be good to get this long-awaited work underway. (I've pledged to the church that I'll climb the scaffold to put the re-gilded weathervane on top if the workmen will let me!!)
Our Knitters for the Needy group meets tomorrow for the first time since my appeal letter was printed in the local paper. We've already had wool donated and I bumped into a lady yesterday who said she'd like to come along. It will be great to see this group grow and build bridges between the church and the community.
I've booked my place at the Baptist Assembly in Plymouth (as well as also sorting accommodation for Bloomsbury's Team too!) and all the flights and hotels are booked and paid for for the Baptist World Alliance Congress in Honolulu at the end of July.
Studies resume on Monday with new lectures for the second semester and doubtless a new list of assignments that will need to be written so after this brief break the journey continues...
We had our Church AGM on Saturday. The idea of having a coffee hour beforehand proved popular and by the start of the meeting we had assembled over 25 members and friends to receive the reports of the church, elect deacons and do all the usual things required at an AGM.
My report to the AGM is posted elsewhere on the church's website for you to read. We heard from the Treasurer that we had over spent a little in 2009 but with all the additional costs refurbishing The Manse, loss of Bank Interest and also paying the share of my Half-Stipend this was not unexpected. Weekly giving was rising slowly and if we remain careful with expenditure in 2010 we should survive the year.
Encouragingly, we received reports on the visits to two folk seeking membership and they were duly approved - we welcome Liz and Roger formally at our Communion service in February. Alan Cook (retired London City Missionary) was nominated for the diaconate along with two retiring deacons so our leadership team has now grown to 5 plus me. These, I trust, are the first green shoots of growth we have been praying for. We've also got a candidate for Baptism and we hope to have a Baptismal Service on Easter Day.
Following the AGM I dashed for a train and then a bus to attend the South Easter Baptist Association Celebration held at Tenterden Baptist Church. Travel connections meant I slipped into my seat in the gallery just after the beginning 'like an angel descending' I think Jonathan Edwards (BUGB Gen. Sec.) later described it when we chatted over tea. It was good to represent Walmer and rub shoulders with some old friends and tell them what was going on.
Sunday was Education Sunday and we seized the opportunity to invite the Headteacher of our local primary school to come and share her reflections on 'Faith based education in the 21st century'. She was an excellent speaker and gave us much to think about as we seek to support the school and its community in sharing the Good News with the young people of Walmer.
As I write this I am starting to turn my mind to the meeting tomorrow morning with the architect and contractors who will start work on the spire very soon. It will be good to get this long-awaited work underway. (I've pledged to the church that I'll climb the scaffold to put the re-gilded weathervane on top if the workmen will let me!!)
Our Knitters for the Needy group meets tomorrow for the first time since my appeal letter was printed in the local paper. We've already had wool donated and I bumped into a lady yesterday who said she'd like to come along. It will be great to see this group grow and build bridges between the church and the community.
I've booked my place at the Baptist Assembly in Plymouth (as well as also sorting accommodation for Bloomsbury's Team too!) and all the flights and hotels are booked and paid for for the Baptist World Alliance Congress in Honolulu at the end of July.
Studies resume on Monday with new lectures for the second semester and doubtless a new list of assignments that will need to be written so after this brief break the journey continues...
Friday, 22 January 2010
Twiddling my thumbs - not!
I've been spending time updating friends in other ways. With Bloomsbury's magazine due out soon and with a letter to supporter's well overdue I have been in reflective mode looking back over the last few weeks and months and recalling the highs and lows of both college and church life. I won't repeat the detail here but suffice to say on balance all is positive and the new year promises much.
That said, its raining today which is not so great. Best made plans to spend the day out in the community, chatting in the village, delivering posters to neighbouring churches, and popping into school are on hold unless the rain eases.
Sunday's sermon is written, the powerpoint is ready, all college assignments are in and even the Manse is in fairly good order so I'm at a loss to know what to do.
The reality is of course that I've already found one thing to do and I'm doing it now -updating my blog and I'm sure that once I hit the 'publish' button I will start on a fresh task. News of that and more will follow...watch this space!
That said, its raining today which is not so great. Best made plans to spend the day out in the community, chatting in the village, delivering posters to neighbouring churches, and popping into school are on hold unless the rain eases.
Sunday's sermon is written, the powerpoint is ready, all college assignments are in and even the Manse is in fairly good order so I'm at a loss to know what to do.
The reality is of course that I've already found one thing to do and I'm doing it now -updating my blog and I'm sure that once I hit the 'publish' button I will start on a fresh task. News of that and more will follow...watch this space!
Sunday, 17 January 2010
'As you can see rumours of my death are greatly exagerated!'
With these words an elderly member who lives alone began to share testimony of recent events in her life.
Having missed her at a number of events in the past week and that folk had tried to raise her on the phone without success, prompted action late on Friday night when a deacon called the Manse.
Visiting her home which was in darkness, speaking to her neighbours who confessed they had not seen her all week, alarm bells started to ring. Her brother, living 20 miles away was called and he came as soon as possible armed with a key and fearing the worst.
To our great relief, but her surprise and shock, on entering her home she was in fact OK - contentedly watching t.v. although mildly annoyed at regular telephone calls all evening from callers who 'withheld their number'.
In the cold light of day and after reflection and further concern shared by others who had been alerted to the potential situation the night before, she shared he gratitude that folk were concerned for her and that God's love was evident through this and through their well meaning actions.
As we witness the horrors of the scenes in Haiti and recognise the outpouring of concern and support from nations and individuals there must be much for us to learn and reflect upon, as we seek to hear what God wants to say to us about how we respond to crisis, whether at home or abroad, in our personal lives or the lives of others.
Apart from the unexpected events of last Friday, the week has been largely uneventful. Studies for the semester have ended although one further assignment needs to be written before the month ends.
We have started to prepare for our Annual Church Meeting on 30 January when members will elect new Deacons and hear reports on the life of the church in the past year.
That we have an extra nominee seeking election to the diaconate is encouraging and will share the load carried by the existing team.
Two names will be brought to the church for membership with a further name brought to the next meeting.
One member has asked for Baptism and we've set Easter Day as the date for the Baptismal Service.
As the sun shines through the window of my study as I write this update, the future looks bright. We thank God for his care for us and look forward to all he has planned to do amongst us here in Walmer in 2010.
Having missed her at a number of events in the past week and that folk had tried to raise her on the phone without success, prompted action late on Friday night when a deacon called the Manse.
Visiting her home which was in darkness, speaking to her neighbours who confessed they had not seen her all week, alarm bells started to ring. Her brother, living 20 miles away was called and he came as soon as possible armed with a key and fearing the worst.
To our great relief, but her surprise and shock, on entering her home she was in fact OK - contentedly watching t.v. although mildly annoyed at regular telephone calls all evening from callers who 'withheld their number'.
In the cold light of day and after reflection and further concern shared by others who had been alerted to the potential situation the night before, she shared he gratitude that folk were concerned for her and that God's love was evident through this and through their well meaning actions.
As we witness the horrors of the scenes in Haiti and recognise the outpouring of concern and support from nations and individuals there must be much for us to learn and reflect upon, as we seek to hear what God wants to say to us about how we respond to crisis, whether at home or abroad, in our personal lives or the lives of others.
Apart from the unexpected events of last Friday, the week has been largely uneventful. Studies for the semester have ended although one further assignment needs to be written before the month ends.
We have started to prepare for our Annual Church Meeting on 30 January when members will elect new Deacons and hear reports on the life of the church in the past year.
That we have an extra nominee seeking election to the diaconate is encouraging and will share the load carried by the existing team.
Two names will be brought to the church for membership with a further name brought to the next meeting.
One member has asked for Baptism and we've set Easter Day as the date for the Baptismal Service.
As the sun shines through the window of my study as I write this update, the future looks bright. We thank God for his care for us and look forward to all he has planned to do amongst us here in Walmer in 2010.
Monday, 11 January 2010
Winter Wonderland
The train journey to college was slow! Despite the platform information at Walmer and on-line the trains were not running to London but rather a shuttle service between Ramsgate and Ashford from where eventually it was possible to catch a stopping service to London. The long stop at Maidstone East was a further delay whilst the service was regulated and other trains passed by. Arriving in London to yet more snowflakes gently falling from the sky onto the already snow covered ground was a reminder of events of the past week when in varying amounts each day snow had fallen.
The snowman hastile built on the front steps was melting fast by Sunday morning but almost certainly snow will still be on the ground when I return home.
This is the last week of lectures for this semester and sees us rounding off our first round of modules. As is the norm with most things these days we have to fill in a questionaire for each lecturer rating our satisfaction of the teaching - content, delivery, etc., - and comment positively and negatively on aspects we wish.
With another assignment returned with a more than favourable mark there is little I wish to cooment on so am simply ticking the 'very good' boxes for everything.
The next couple of weeks will be given over to finishing two final essays due by the 1 February.
At church we are preparing for our AGM at the end of the month. Accounts are being auditted, Deacons are being nominated and joyously two names for membership will be presented to the Deacons this week.
On a practical note - snow from the church roof slid off with some force and through the roof of the garage which leaves us with a big repair bill some of which we hope the insurance company may fund.
The new year has begun... and already the challenges have been many.
The snowman hastile built on the front steps was melting fast by Sunday morning but almost certainly snow will still be on the ground when I return home.
This is the last week of lectures for this semester and sees us rounding off our first round of modules. As is the norm with most things these days we have to fill in a questionaire for each lecturer rating our satisfaction of the teaching - content, delivery, etc., - and comment positively and negatively on aspects we wish.
With another assignment returned with a more than favourable mark there is little I wish to cooment on so am simply ticking the 'very good' boxes for everything.
The next couple of weeks will be given over to finishing two final essays due by the 1 February.
At church we are preparing for our AGM at the end of the month. Accounts are being auditted, Deacons are being nominated and joyously two names for membership will be presented to the Deacons this week.
On a practical note - snow from the church roof slid off with some force and through the roof of the garage which leaves us with a big repair bill some of which we hope the insurance company may fund.
The new year has begun... and already the challenges have been many.
Sunday, 3 January 2010
Happy New Year!
As the snowflakes once again fall outside my study window I realise that it's high time I posted an update.
With college studies due to resume tomorrow and the prospect of an engineering works effected journey to London looming there is just time to post a few lines.
Christmas was celebrated well. Attendances where encouraging with visitors at every service and a relaxed atmosphere throughout as worshippers drank their 'mulled wine', ate mince pies and chose and sang their favourite carols.
Slowly we re-told the Christmas story ending this morning with the coming of the Wise Men and an opportunity to let incense fill the sanctuary as we reflected upon the gifts the travellers brought.
Doubtless the chocolate coins - the gold - have already been eaten but hopefully the frankincense and myrrh everyone received will stay in home a little longer.
Two major essays need to be written this month as the semester draws to a close so that focuses the mind a little on the Spurgeon's front.
The Church's AGM looms large at the end of the month too with reports to be written, Deacons elections to be arranged and accounts to be prepared, audited and reviewed.
As ever then there is much to do...watch this space.
With college studies due to resume tomorrow and the prospect of an engineering works effected journey to London looming there is just time to post a few lines.
Christmas was celebrated well. Attendances where encouraging with visitors at every service and a relaxed atmosphere throughout as worshippers drank their 'mulled wine', ate mince pies and chose and sang their favourite carols.
Slowly we re-told the Christmas story ending this morning with the coming of the Wise Men and an opportunity to let incense fill the sanctuary as we reflected upon the gifts the travellers brought.
Doubtless the chocolate coins - the gold - have already been eaten but hopefully the frankincense and myrrh everyone received will stay in home a little longer.
Two major essays need to be written this month as the semester draws to a close so that focuses the mind a little on the Spurgeon's front.
The Church's AGM looms large at the end of the month too with reports to be written, Deacons elections to be arranged and accounts to be prepared, audited and reviewed.
As ever then there is much to do...watch this space.
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