exploring My Patch

Yesterday I managed to get out and explore a new part of my Patch and wandered off towards the feilds I walk past most days. What i love about being here more than anything is the differences. Stand at the top of the hill outside the church and look one way, you see the houses of the two estates and down towards the village. Turn and look the other and theres fields.  Walk through the estate and the noise of traffic and life being lived in its many forms can be heard and smelt. But walk the other way the very different sound and smell of life takes shape. 

Yesterday was cool but nice perfect exploring weather.. There was part of me that began remember the time a group of us would head off to explore the local woods as kids. Walking through the quite was great. exploring the different tracks that cut back and circled going nowhere at times It didn't matter.

WALSINGHAM YOUTH PILGRIMAGE 2012

50/55Phone a friend or ask the audience they are the choices ( life lines) when playing the game who wants to be a millionaire.  They are also the choices that went with the question leading up to the summer holidays. For the first time we planned to take a group of 10 young people to the youth pilgrimage at Walsingham. There's nothing new in taking a group of young people camping or on a camp durring the summer holidays. leading upto the week away I'd used all my life lines on just one question how will they find they week,  - answer at the bottom of the post :)

“More than Gold or Silver” was the theme of the week building on the olympics that were taking place. 

on a bright monday morning saw Y@AS (Youth@All Saints) heading off for the first time to the Walsingham Youth Pilgrimage. And  Joining up with around 700 other young people from the UK and much further afield.

The week was one of many firsts,  as a group it was our first major event. This was a time of many firsts.As leaders it was the first time of being away together.The first time of being a leader.For some it was the first time of campingIt was a first in number of ways: putting up tents  for most ( two of the girls managed to have 3 tents and not manage to put any of them up!) The week was mix with fun and laughter and seriousness. We celebrated Mass in a Big Top and we had Supper with Bishop Lindsay. 

Midway through the week there was a washing-up mutiny ( due to the priests group seeing Him doing the washing up and doing a runner 20 mins later and a run round the site they finally turned up to help) and also a trip to the beach. There was  VERY late first-night/early morning (you know who you were who wen to bed at 2:30am and were up again by 4am)and I did get my own back on them :) . We walked the Holy Mile together, finishing at the Shrine as the day slowly drew to a close – it was a powerful experience for all, as was the all-night Vigil.

Within the week was also a opportunity to just be together and get to know each other in stronger ways.

How best to really sum up the week the words of two of the young people:

 ”Walsingham; life changing, memorable amazing.”  Mollie

 ”My week away at walsingham was memorable, dramatic, and life changing! I wish to go again next year: D “  Maisie

I need not have worried by midway through the week they were all plotting/ planning how to come back next year :)

looking back, moving Forward

It's hard to believe that at the end of this week I'll have been in post as the Youth Missioner in this patch for a year...  There's been so much happening in what seem to be all to short a time. Two MA papers submitted and passed with great grades. Moved house again. started a Youth group, a weeks youth pilgrimage, 2 baptisms and 4 taking communion for the first time, a house group started. two holiday clubs planned one completed and one starts in the morning. Trips to olympic warm up games ( we saw Mexico the Gold medalist play). and a weekend brake to Turin. There plenty more I've missed I'm sure of that.

Theres been learning curves some steep, laughter and pain.  whats for the coming year. that together in this little patch in a corner of Leicester we continue to build on the foundations of this year. that we continue to press on together...

None of what has happened this year could have happened in our own strength.  One of the passages that has been a constant this year was psalm 37: 3-7

Trust in the Lord and do good;
    dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. 
⁴ Take delight in the Lord,
    and he will give you the desires of your heart.

⁵ Commit your way to the Lord;
    trust in him and he will do this:
⁶ He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, 
    your vindication like the noonday sun.

⁷ Be still before the Lord
    and wait patiently for him;

It's so easy to have plans and ideas that we think are great or good. If we are not seeking after Gods will and vision for the place that we are called to it's like building on sand with no foundation. yet when we seek him and those plans are ideas come from HIM then those projects and plans will move forward not always with amazing here and now celebrations. rather with the laying of seeds in the lives of others.