A King Is comming

Maggi Dawn writes 

The first Sunday of Advent is the beginning of the Church year, the liturgical journey that explores not only the story but the meaning of salvation. Creation as the start of everything is a theme that is often highlighted at this time.

It is also the beginning of our preparations for Christmas—and, as Christmas celebrations are creeping further and further back into December, Advent is focused more on Christmas than it ever used to be. The preparation for Christmas, and the stories of the nativity, are a key part of the later weeks of Advent.  (Beginnings and Endings (and What Happens in Between): Daily Bible Readings from         Advent to Epiphany P11)

Today in churches around the world the first candle was lit, a candle of hope of promise a candle for the prophets who proclaimed the wonderful message Of what God was going to do. During our Family Eucharist today our first candle was lit.. And we reflected on Advent   and used the Godly Play material for Advent. Which we used last week for the story time at our monthly Kids club...


The opening words to today I love almost as much as the words from the Holy Family "wonderful in a Easter kinda way.

 A King is coming, but he is not the kind of king that people thought was coming. This King had no army, no great house, and no riches. This King was a baby who was born in a barn.

The King who was coming is still coming. This is full of mystery. You know, a mystery is hard to enter sometimes. That is why this time of Advent is so important. Sometimes people can walk right through a mystery and not even know it is there. This time of year you will see people hurrying in the malls buying things and doing this and that, but they will miss the Mystery. They don’t know how to get ready or maybe they just forgot.

Things were slightly bigger than I'm used too... we had the first tile on the big screen throughout most of the service... which was great to do but I do like sitting in a little circle on the carpet to tell the story.


As part of the service FrM shared this video 

It is so easy to miss the what advent is all about..This time of year you will see people hurrying in the malls buying things and doing this and that, but they will miss the Mystery. They don’t know how to get ready or maybe they just forgot. it's not just those who are rushing about in shops that my miss the mystery.  I wonder when was the last time you stopped and reflected on what Christmas is about. Maybe this advent take up the challenge for just five (5) mins a day to think about what is this mystery to me...


there are plenty for resources for advent like the one mentioned above (link)


shared briefly about letting the kids touching interacting with the materials and take on the story for themselves to often the nativity set is to be looked at but not touched..... 

when we were clearing up last week turning round to see the kids playing with the Holy family and the module of Bethlehem..


During advent each sunday morning the rest of the ADVENTure will unfold...  

Y@AS

Last night saw the launch of the youth club here in Scraptoft.  The idea is to have a very relaxed relationship building based group, provide a safe space. To start last night we had the Wii out table top games and a quiet area, a silly game that will run the next four weeks ( till christmas) and not forgetting a tuck shop. 


I had expected a very quiet start to the club, three youth were moving up from the monthly kids club. And a few interested from detached work over the last few weeks (Each wednesday morning- yep you read that right a youth worker talking about mornings :)) while the youth waited for the bus. So 6 or so youth were expected.


We wasn't I wasn't expecting to get 18... 


So a much busier night than any of us had expected. 

In proverbs 16 it says 

Commit to the LORD whatever you do,
   and he will establish your plans.

The danger is when you do this He could just blow your expectations out of the window. Taking them further than you think. 

The prayer now is for next week that they return and relationships are built at the club but also while doing detached in the mornings and We continue to give the plans to God and to listen to His plans and leading. And for more volunteers to come forward...

three months

That was this weekend, Its been three months since I began work in the parish here.  Since being here my one word answer to the Diocesan Youth Officer(DYO) when asked how it goes has been SLOW. Today things started to speed up as the meetings with schools finally happened. One a primary school the other a community college. So from next week I'll be in both at least twice a week doing reading, pastoral playground games, story time...

between the two meetings nipping into a chip shop and a great chat with the owner about the youth in the area and that they often hang out in the shop in a evening. Not doing anything just a warm welcoming place. 'there good kids just nothing to do' and not having the money to buy anything. From this is another place and contact to meet with the youth with a bag of chips in hand to chat.

it's these "chance" conversations that so much is learnt about place and people.

All Saints Kids

We were making the nativity today at Kids club we meet every third sunday last time we met I told the Godly play Story of the Holy family this week we did advent one ( which we will do again during family Eucharist next week) As we finished and we collected the characters together the conversation went like this

Kid: wheres baby Jesus... Me: being made over there... kid: but I thought He was born.... 

As the other leaders started laughing  it then a discussion with a 9yr old about the creed

the end of the conversation was followed by haha you were told by a 9yr old...

MA MA

I was watching repeats of  dr who (gridlock) and there this really cute bit with a basket of kittens the dr picks one up and it says Mama. 


My patches life is often a juggling act.. let me explain Two years ago my friend and mentor encouraged me to apply for a course that I was interested in. The course at cliff college was to be a PostGrad certificate in Wesleyan Theology And Spirituality. What came next totally surprised me but not so my mentor. I never expected to be completeling a Masters degree to be honest I never expected to complete any further study after leaving school. Two years into the part time course and this week attended a dissertation conference at cliff college. Three words really sum up the feelings about this next task exited, scared, overwhelmed. You see i have the same probem as pooh bear 

“My spelling is Wobbly. It's good spelling but it Wobbles,

 and the letters get in the wrong places.”

 -- Winnie the Pooh


This week I'm off upto Cliff college for a dissertation conference scary.. 

The other part of the juggling act is that I have a full time post as well.  Its just  over 2 months now since starting here in Leicester and things are about to get busy with  going into two schools and the new youth club starting in a couple of weeks and in between a week long course with the diocese so not much on then..

And a some point I need to write a 6000 word essay for the third unit of my course ...

the end of october

I don't want to get into the rights and wrongs of halloween in this post there's plenty of other places where that is and has taken place.. 

This year is the first time in many years that my doors been knocked on and the bell rang and standing there in costume are a couple of kids. it's happened a few time now tonight. Until this year I've lived in a flat or been in college so have missed this side of things.  What has been so good is seeing the community side of things the small groups of mums (and the odd dad looking a bit out of place) standing chatting to each other at the gate  but with eyes guarding their young as they press the bell and wait for the candy... it's not the wild packs of children banging on doors demanding trick or treat some tend to describe. Every knock on the door and questions trick or treat has come politely.. and in the case of a couple of very little ones I'm not sure what they would do if trick was the choice requested...

There was a little catch though tonight every one who came to my door also got a invite postcard to our monthly kids club :) 

Last night we did a bright and light party. A alternative to halloween we spent much of the evening in the dark playing games in a spotlight and with glows-ticks and balloons, had a feast and story about living lives full of colour in Jesus.and decorating candles by melting old wax crayons..

there was also much laughter with the apple bobbing 

 I don't know about the youngsters but i was ready for a cuppa and bed when I got home...

5,000

When I started my patch I wasn't really expecting 18 months or so later to still be still posting it was started mainly for portfolio I needed to do and a journal wasn't really my thing.. I was semi talked into a blog instead... well this week my patch broke the 5000 views marks :) 

Pageviews all time history

5,079

easter Kind of way

Last sunday was ASK! our monthly kids club and Introduced the children and leaders to the Holy Family. It was great to see everyone get involved and begin to wonder in wonder time.  as we were getting ready to get out the parachute for the last 5 mins I turned round to see this. one of the leaders listening as one of the youngest children retold the story in her words and the older ones joined in....

Time fly's having fun fruit fly's love bananas

Ok that's a silly title for a post but time has flown by this past weekend marked two months since I moved up to Leicester.
 I think I'm finally working out where things are.


Things I now know

1. Its easier to cycle to the supermarket ( almost wrote prisma that will make my finish friends smile) than catch two buses one in the oppersite direction and a long walk, it takes 10-15 mins to cycle though the hill on the way back is a killer :p. 
2. You need money for the bus - got very use to having my oyster card. 
3. Don't eat supper then try to get up the hill to church in 10mins this has very yucky results.
4. Don't run down the stairs to answer the phone and forget to duck through the arch way at the bottom this leads to missing the phone call and a sore head :)
5. check the bin men have been before you bring the bin back in two more weeks before it's emptied is a long time...

last week saw the a trip to Leicester Cathedral There are time when your name finishing with the second letter of the english alphabet is helpful. As I sat on the front row scary it was lovely though to see so many new friends from my church come to celebrate too the sad thing on occasions like this is there is little time to spend time with everyone. It was nice to see a friend from london and via cliff college STF was there too....

heres the article from the Diocese website

Called Together

last updated on: 10th Oct 2011

At Leicester Cathedral on Saturday 8th October and whole range of Clergy and Laity came together celebrate Lay Ministry at this years 'Called Together' service.

This service, the fifth of its kind in the Diocese, seeks to bring together the different authorised lay ministries from all across the Diocese and was very well attended.

Those welcomed this year:

Our first Pioneer Ministers, David Boyce, Keith Ellis, Judy Ellis and Janet King.

YP4L workers Caroline Brown, Gillian Gamble, Dan Gardiner, Katy Harris, Ali Goodman, Jayne Lewis, Mads Morgan and Ali Simpson.

Readers, Kathryn Noble and Norma Morris-Chapman.

Pastoral Assistants Edna Curtis and Joan Hawkins.

Pastoral Assistants in Training, Adrienne Saunders, Audrey Hutchin, Marion Porter, Jenny Bickley, Rosemary Griffiths, Alison White, Patricia Wood, Rosalind Barney, Chris Sedman.

Evangelist in Training, Phil Brenner.

Readers re-licensed in a new parish, Jenny Bacon and Elaine Browne.

and yeah thats me in the pink hoodie  :)

As youth workers the sign of our office was (drum roll) hoodies 

New Haunt

Fridays used to be spent at Sally's a short train ride from vauxhall to Putney and then wandering round the charity shops (often finding some great bargains) and then for coffee and chocolate taut. Some very happy memories there.

All change over the summer and now mondays are my day off and new things to find and do. I needed to go down to the bank ( thanks to a couple of checks from HMR&C :)) and being a nice day I went on the bike and found a new haunt :)  Finding the little cafe wasn't on the list of things to do today but I found it as I pulled over at the pavement as I spied a place to lock up the bike.

it's not Sallys I don't think anyone will ever be able to step into her shoes. But it was very friendly and welcoming.

Humberstone park cafe 

Postia Pappi Jaakobille

Letters to Father Jacob 

This I was given this film as a gift by a friend F when he came to stay in the summer. The poor guy was staying with me while I was packing. Every night F came back and had to fight his way to bed as I'd been putting stuff in his room while I packed. 

It's in Finish with subtitles 

It's a beautiful movie

It's the story of a old blind priest Fr Jacob and a pardoned murderer Laila who takes a job as his assistant, reading the letter asking for prayer and then writing Fr Jacobs response. On leaving prison there was nowhere else for her to go and now the secluded house becomes a new prison.while at the house she belives it was the priest who applied for her pardon and is bitter about it refusing to accept the help that she isn't one of the priest charity cases,  after some time she can not take it any more and plans to leave then one day the letters stop coming. Fr Jacobs life is shaken to its core Physically fragile before, now he is spiritually at his breaking point and Leila finds she cant not leave him. when the letters stop coming leila makes up a letter about a dog running away but something much much deeper happens and she opens up to the old Priest  about her past 


through the journey they travel  together both are freed. 

it's a journey of forgiveness of hope and grace


the old priest asks a question about who he was doing this for he thought it had been about God but was it about and for himself... 


in our patches are we building our own kingdoms where is our heart is it on selfish things or are we living out of love 

Mary

Photo by Mrs.wilsons art room 

A little different makes you think.... Today around the world many christians will be celebrating the birth of Mary... It's not something that the traditions I've be part of before have focused on.. I learnt today that three births are celebrated in the church Jesus, Mary and John the baptist. To take time out to just think at the start of the day about the life of a young woman her journey and impact was to be aware of who is there for those in our community to look up to.. when we see the state of the lives of those who are often the focus of admiration by young girls who want to be like "her". Recently in the news here in the UK the news of the tragic death of another young women for who fame and celebrity took it's toll. Yet it sadly to these and many others that teenagers and some much younger long to be like. 

There is much to learn from the " saints " and leaders who have gone before us whatever our view on Mary there is a lot for us to learn from her and those other early believers.  

Anyone who knows me well knows I'm not really into feminist stuff!! but who are the healthily good godly heros?  who are the role models for young women today?

here in mary we find a young woman who stepped out and stepped up to a challenged who was willing to lay aside her own rights and self even the man she was to marry thought to "devoice her quietly " 

what about me what about you are our lives worth following can we say like paul in his letter do what I do do our lives reflect Jesus. If not what am I what are you going to do about it.

OH and GUYS sorry you don't get off that lightly today either young men need role models just as much  will you step up to the mark too

He's a bit heavy

I did sunday school today for the first time here in my new patch.. we only had one little girl M and M was wonderful such a delight to hang out with. we sat at the table at the back of church and discussed and coloured and made oh then snuck look at what fr Martin was doing by creeping along the back row..

we talked about putting on Jesus and thats where the giggles came as M looking thoughtful but he's big thats silly...

untill....


 in whispers the story unfolded we worked out that even a 4yr old can put on Jesus...

when we showed people that we love (heart) we listen (ear) we care (tissue) when people can see these things then we're showing Jesus

and It's not really about giving Jesus a piggy back giggle

what I really loved today was it was M that put the little people all together in the middle of the heart I'd placed them at the edge going round... she just reached over before i'd finished and moved them love that

ASK

Lets try this again - Having Noticed last night that the time was wrong on the first poster I hope that this is at last right :) 

More to follow on this later 

Bank Holiday's

You can tell it's a bank holiday here in the uk - it's been overcast and rained on and off all day .... it put a end to some of my plans but others came about... I made two shelves out of reclaimed wood one for the living-room and one for the office.

reclaimed I like that word :)  the wood was reclaimed not recycled... Reclaimed it's been made into something new but it's kept much of what it was. It was part of a blanket box was part of one of the side panels it still looks like it did in the box but has been reclaimed and reused in a new way it's been reshaped just a little to fit where I now have it.

recycled to me means it looses all that it was it's broken down made into something totally new I have a recycled bag. on it it say I used to be a plastic bottle. recycling is great.

but I don't want to be recycled... I want to be reclaimed and reused in a new way...

but being reclaimed isn't always easy it can be hard work...  recently STF reclaimed my garden from the weeds... now I've reclaimed it even further and its been taken back to its raw bare self.. I have cuts and bruises and a few scares as I got to close to certain creatures I really don't like but know they have a very good job to do eating other bugs....

to reclaim our villages towns and cities will be like that too... some time there will be the easy bits turning the side panels of a box into a shelf other times to reclaim the places will be hard work it will be slow and painful.. it will be dirty and messy ......we may not see the full results of our labour either.

but we need to be faithful to the vision and call that God has given us....

I have the picture of what I want my garden to look like in my head... it may not work out as I think but I will follow this picture...

we need to do the same with the vision that God has given for our lives our churches and our communities... even when it means going out in the rain and getting mucky....

Time to play

My friends over see-through- faith and storyteller have been doing Godly play for a while. It was through them that I heard about it and went on a course in June to be a godly play teacher. Yesterday I got to 'play' it's the first time for a long time I have had my paints and craft things out. there was a reason behind this I made my first set of Godly play materials 

Set of advent plaques....just missing the Holy family characters. Normally I'm complaining about christmas being in the shops so early but to think about the plaques as they were being prepaied was to let my mind wonder each piece had to be done slowly and with care sometimes we can lose that and rush through the time of advent and christmas and miss just how much care and wonder that actually went into that first christmas.. 

if your not sure what Godly play is about you can read about  what storyteller has to say about it here 

I got to play in a different way for a few minutes last night as well. It was a first time I've ever got to have a small go at bell ringing  and was a real eye opener   I've only ever heard the wonderful results.  To see just how much work really goes into it, mentally and physically. 

first day

Today was the first day proper at my new patch.  

It was a bit of a strange night waking every half hour or so the service is no different from my last patch 10 am but I thought every time I woke I'd over slept. Silly I know but I'm like that when I travel to. In June I spent the night at heathrow and was worried all night that I'd fall a a sleep and miss my flight due to being asleep somewhere in the departure terminal.

This morning I was commissioned as the children's and you missioner.  I have stood before the church in many places and made promises /commitments /vows. The last time was in March as I was welcomed into full plan as a local preacher. Today though was like it was the very first time, I've always taken these times with a great respect and seriousness and do not enter into these lightly. the words today struck me to the core.

Caroline, do you believe that you are called by God, through the church, to ministry among children and young people

I do.

As you commit yourself to this ministry, we ask you these questions: Do you confess Jesus Christ as Lord?

I do.

Do you receive the witness to Christ in the holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments?

I do.

Do you embrace the faith and unity of the holy, catholic and apostolic Church?

I do.

Will you submit yourself to the Church’s discipline?

With God’s help, I will.

Will you assist the church to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ to young people, and to build them up in the faith? With God’s help, I will.Will you encourage young people to offer their faith, gifts and energy to God in the life of the church and the community? With God’s help, I will.

Will you seek opportunities to enhance your gifts and skills in youth ministry?

With God’s help, I will.

May God give you strength to fulfil these vows; and to God be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus from generation to generation for ever. Amen.

There is something very powerful about declaring aloud in public that makes these words more than just words. How we speak and the intentions of the heart as we do speak carries deep implications.

I stood today in front of new friends to make these vows... it was a safe place even if it was totally scary. In reflecting on this I do think and pray for those members of the body of christ around who make these vows in much different circumstances and where these words can mean even in 2011 a life of struggle hardship and imprisonment.

New home

They say that moving house is one of the most stressful things you can do in life. Thanks to a couple of friends the move was fairly smooth though tiering the heat while cleaning the flat and packing up that end..  a slight detour due to loosing the road signs meant we arrived latter than we hoped but still managed to unload half the van.before collapsing into camp beds.  

finding new homes for everything takes time and where they first where put many haven't stayed I guess that will happen for a while as I settle in.  

Moving

I've been quite on here for a few days now that was due to living in chaos. A week ago today it was almost impossible to get into my front room or through the front door because boxes had been stacked in any space we could find. It was only when we drove up to Leicester last thursday evening that another friend who was staying while here studying actually had a room to call his own.

cupbord cleaning by stf 

Thankfully it was cooler last thursday as we packed the van and drove up north. Fun and games on the M1 with 15miles of roadworks and then loosing the signs for the A46 and then working off the little I know of the area. We got to the house eventually :) unpacked most of the van then collapsed for the night.

I now have internet and cable installed so all good... Just need the sofas to arrive ( and get through the door :S and will be almost there)

off out now for supper

It's now just over a week since the sad incident of a shooting on a tuesday lunch time took place on black prince road a few yards from where I live here in vauxhall. Though such a incident take but a few seconds the lasting effects ripple out through time. The boy is still in hospital, and will be for some time to come. Yesterday the world was looking on in shock and horror as news came out of Norway of young man who went out and caused so much hurt and pain. And our thoughts and prayers today go out to the families and friends of all involved as they beginning in the next few days to start the process of coming to terms with what has happened.

This morning the pascal candle was lit, as we were reminded that we don't normally light it in this season but as a sign of hope and remembrance we light it for those in Norway.

on facebook and other social network sites hundreds of people have responded to groups inviting to act and unite out of hope and love 

20.58 (Central European Time) Please check your time zone online to see what time that is for you - eg UK is one hour behind so it will be 19.58

Please join in 2 minutes silence on Facebook in memory of the victims of the Norway bombings and shootings, and their loved ones left behind to cope with this horrific and sensless violence. Please post the status "In Memory All Lost and Affected in Norway" at 20.58 (CET) and then cease all activity on Facebook for 2 minutes as a show of respect all around the world for all the people of Norway.Please spread the word and invite your friends.

another group Tenn et lys for de døde og skadde etter tragedien i Oslo og Utøya. writes this 

ENGLISH: We light a candle for the victims of the bombing and shootings in Oslo Norway today. Over 92 youth were killed in a holiday camp. In the Capitol, seven are dead so far.

On a day like this it is again important to remember that actions like this are not performed by race or skin color, by states or continents, but of individuals and groups that have lost focus on the importance of the World: Unity, caring, understanding, empathy and love .. spread this on! And take care of your beloved family and frends ♥

NORSK: Tenner et lys for de sårede, døde, pårørende og rednings mannskapet, over 92 døde på Utøya, 7 døde i Oslo sentrum.

På en dag som dette er det igjen viktig å huske på at handlinger som dette ikke blir utført av raser eller hudfarger, av stater eller verdensdeler, men av enkeltpersoner og grupper som har mistet fokus på det viktige i Verden: Samhold, omsorg, forståelse, empati og kjærlighet.. spre dette videre! Og ta vare på dine nære og kjære ♥

Tonight the community here in North Lambeth walked together quietly praying for the area here  we left from under the tree of hope a tree that stands at a crossroad. Our prayers were for not just this area for those who were perpetrator and victim bit for all caught up in a life of violence and hurt. for all who are in such a place that they see no way forward than to use force and violence.