Queens, a funeral and decorating again!

Tuesday saw a trip to Queens Fundation college with Jill who will be coming to serve in our Circuit the September. Always strange to go back to a place after many years. It was in fact 35 years ago I arrived  at the Ecumenical college set in Edgbaston. Predominantly in my day it was Methodists and Anglicans with the odd member of the URC training together and the wonderful opportunity to do an exchange in  our   final year with the Roman Catholic college at Oscott. Birmingham was a great city to train in with its diversity of culture. As part of receiving new ministers into circuit life the church likes to encourage  the chance to meet  them at their college. So it was good to meet up with Jill and chat through a range of questions and the circuit and her churches look forward in anticipation of what she will bring to our corporate life.

Friday saw a wide gathering of people meeting in Victoria Hall Methodist  church to celebrate the life of Vernon Marsh. While we remain shocked by the suddeness of his illness and death, with quite a few questions to ask of God, to be able together reflect on the meaning of his life was invaluable. The service was rich in music and much of it led by Vernon's son Tom with the whole family being the supporting   singers. To see Meg, Beth , Jo and Tom supporting each other yet helping orhers to grieve was very moving. The reflections on aspects of who Vernon was to so many , was finally brought together , when Roger Walton talked about the way memories cannot be held by all of us or one of us. In fact only God who brings us into existence and holds us can hold all the memories. Yet in the gathering a mutitude of memories existed, some overlapped, others not known by most, yet all contained part of who Vernon is. So into a tapestry of memories we added our own spoken and unspoken yet all known to God. And still we move on with serious questions to ask of God.....

Now its bank holiday Monday and once more in London as the date for the birth of our first grandchild draws closer. Today saw another bedroom decorated as the pace gathers to ensure as much can be done to have the home ready, because once the baby is born we all know DIY will come to a halt. So a full on day ending with a quick cut of the lawn as rain is forecast so my only chance to get it done and save them another job.

Of course there is something very poignant in reflecting on someones death and the awaiting of new life to be born. Vulnerability and the uncertainity of life really do come to the forefront of thinking.   

Tuesday again a bit of general tidying up and rubbish to the tip so tomorrow we can go and visit the RHS garden near Chelmsford before returning home. Next time we come to London it will be to see new life how exciting that will be.  The crib  is ready but we hope the baby looks nothing like this strange looking toy! 

Firth Park Methodist Church celebrating the Queen's 90th

A cake fit for a Queen's tea party.

And flowers to match

The queens love of horse racing inspire the above fence for jumping"

Red white and blue for the unin jack colours.

There was a wonderful turn out for the tea party.

All ready now to eat but earlier they had ben entertained with Pauline playing beautifully 

Added to this Sue with good humour and stories entertained as she produced flower arrangements.

A great idea for a gentle afternoon and cake to follow

Happy Birthday.

Christian big breakfast at the circuit office

IThe circuit office team did us proud with a great opportunity for people around the circuit to meet, eat and raise valuable funds for the important work of Christian Aid.

 Debbie cooking the bacon

Ruth and Heather putting it together

Oh look the circuit finance steward! 

 Richard from woodseats caught in action or sticking his tongue out at me.

  

I think that's Dave hiding behind the door. He's suposed to be doing tea and coffee.

Looks like our American Minister David cycled here but not from the states just Dronfield. 

These were the early ones who just got there as door opened....must be hungry .

The result was an amazing £291.50 . Well done to Ruth, Debbie, Heather and Dave.

Circuit Pilgrimage stage 3

On Tuesday I was joined by Louise my colleague to walk from Mosborough to Killamarsh via Emmanuel Waterthorpe.

We were joined on route by others but we began with refreshments and conversation.

So we touched on their life as a church, the importance of being welcomed, and so we had a great start to the day. Mosborough has a great parents and toddlers group led by Janet and they have been very supportive of my involvement with a Methodist church in Ghana. So I will be joining them again for a  fun morning and to collect the latest collection of childrens clothes to send to Asebu.

On route we passed the local Church of England  parish church.

We were joined by three knowledgable folk who gave us an understanding of the area and its history.

So we made it to the church of Emmanuel Waterthopre one of the local Ecumenical partnership churches. The church is linked physically to the Junior School and Infant School. Four Christian traditions came together to make the church some forty years ago - United Reformed- Baptist- Church of England-Methodist. 

A warm welcome awaited us as the parent and toddler group was getting set up for the afternoon.we had opportunity to look round the school.

The multi purpose worship space with a baptistry.

They have a wonderful outside classroom 

It must be great to have a lesson inside here .

Or What about this 

A willow classroom space.

So having heard all about the exciting work and possibilities we prayed and moved off ...

Louise and John setting the pace while Janet and I chatted.

Killamarsh  was our final destination.

Oh dear did you put your foot into it Louise?

Inside to have a drink and conversation and again to hear about the diverse ministries the church exercise.

It must have been a good time because we well over run on time....still it was worth every moment to be encouraged by what our churches are doing. 

Now to plan the next stage.

Saturday out with a friend

One of our favourtite places to visit is  the Yorkshire Sculpture Park. Today in the sunshine it was again a delight and a group of sheep and lambs could be found resting under a tree. It was a very rural scene.

A very good friend from our days in Leigh on Sea had joined us for the weekend so a good stroll out gave us the opportunity to walk and talk.

The sculptures are always amazing to see and this time the Longside gallery has some quirky ones.

Make of them what you will.

Certainly a contrast to the wonderful scenery all around us.

The bluebells alongside the steps were stunning.

A lot of work is being undertaken to repair and renew the water courses.

It always feels like there is much to see at YSP an ever changing scene as the natural world passes through the seasons.

Is this next picture the church council/ circuit meeting with everyone choosing to leave their heads at home?