Pig in a day

What a fun time I have had having at last taken up my christmas present from last year of a cookery course.

I had chosen the 'Pig in a Day' course offered at The Milestone, on Kelham Island.

With eight others we had the delight of getting to grips with a number of cooking opportunities. We started of course in a civilised manner with coffee before the chef demonstrated how to cut up half a pig. So all the various joints were explained from pigs trotter, a hock, tenderloin etc. Then it was down to carefully taking of a piece of  skin  from what would be our bacon, and slicing, seasoning and it became some very tasty pork scratchings. 

Then it was on to cooking our lunch a piece of fillet which though I do so say myself tasted wonderful.

Here it is in the pan and then

plated up. Most civilsed lunch with a glass of red.

Then it was onto making black pudding, marrinading our bacon that needs 48 hours vacuum packed,  then sausages which though they did not look totally neat tasted amazing.

Finally we plated up a slice of our own blackpudding with attempted touches to make it look professional.

Well I tried ! 

So while the rain fell it was a great Saturday of cooking. 

 

Understanding Islam

I have had the real priviledge of participating over three days in a course led by Dr Chris Hewer to really get to grips with understanding what it means to be a Muslim. This has been more than an academic account of the Muslim religion. It has been to get under the skin and get to grips with seeing the world , life and  God from the viewpoint of a Muslim. The clarity and insights have been profound and while it is so easy in life to focus on the negatives, the failure to live the ideal, the conflicts in our world, gaining a deeper insight is invaluable. To be helped to see what is the real understanding behind this religion, is both exciting and challengng to me as one who is a Christian. So the flip side has been to look afresh at my own faith, the true intentions that lie behind my faith practice, to see how the ideal and reality can often be far apart. Yet so refreshing to see Jesus Christ bringing such a creative life affirming offer from God. Bringing forgiveness, acceptance while challenging all to live life differently. 

If you ever have the chance to listen to Chris grasp it.

Retreat - Superintendents together

Always good after the rush of business in the new Methodist year to stop for a couple of days. 

So I found myself at Sneaton Castle near Whitby.

Each year the superintendents in Sheffield district spend a couple of days away with the chair of district for conversation, prayer, refreshment. The best part of it all for me is not having to do anything and to be with with people who are highly motivated, work hard and keep going. Even though we are all very different it just serves to remind me how amazing it is that God in Christ can hold such variety together. 

The chance to have a whole afternoon to myself meant I could have a long walk. Up to the abbey via 199 steps and down again. Then along nearly to Sandsend before cutting back to the retreat centre.

 

It was just a wee bit blustery but wrapped up well kept me warm. 

Another book

A time to mend - reflections in uncertain times by Peter Miller published by wild goose publications .

It's a little gem of a book that had the capacity to give you hope. Well worth a read . 

Remembrance

A St Peters church council meal out , saw us take the opportunity to see the amazing poppy projection onto the outside of High Bradfield Parish Church. The photo does not do it justice. 

Then Sunday at Firth Park saw again a good gathering  of ages as we sought to balance out a sense of loss that war brings with acknowledgement of lives given up for the sake of others .

We planted poppies at one point outside the church while others laid prayer cards at the communion rail.

And the young people modelled spitfires out of clay as we recalled the 75th anniversary of the battle of Britain.

And our BB had made a large poppy out of hands to serve as a back cloth. We remember that hands  can reach out to 

help others as well as be clenched to hurt. God invites us to open our hands to reach out to all with the Love which is at the heart of God's creation. 

Books to read and Spectre

Havng just completed 'love for the future a journey' by David Osborne I wholeheartedly recommend this as a very good read. He reflects as he uses his walk/ pilgrimage from his home in Cheshire to Iona. He walks and connects up places that have been important to his life and understanding. This is a really excellent thought provoking read. With his understanding of the environment shining through and our need to act. But it is much much more as he encourages thinking about how we are or are not connected to people and places. Just for me walking from my home to our church at Firth Park does, helped by the pace of walking, to connect these two places in a way that does not happen when I drive. Then there are the people you see, smile at or even share a word another form of connecting. Then to walk is to see the environment as it is with beauty and the rubbish littering the spaces . It all stirs up real thoughts and emotions. This is s book to read again to absorb more fully the gems within. Second good read 

Chris's  book provides a whole series of spiritual snap shots by a range of people . Individually they are partial but together they provide such a rich diverse tapestry it too is a book that stretches my thinking as it what really is spirituality.

So what do you do when it's a wet day ? You all go to see the latest James Bond film. Filled with usual gadgets, violence, fast cars and baddies. Not as good as 'Sky fall' but a reasonable story line as bond films go. 

Days out

Trip 1

I haven't been to an IKEA store for ages but found myself there as we sought out a few items for daughter number three and her flat. I guess one day we will stop laying out finance for our children but no sign yet! Still all good fun. Now all we need is to move her in later this week no doubt we will have a full car of goods and need for energy at the other end to put the recently purchased goods together. But thats later in the week.

Trip 2

A visit to the hospital and the audiology department to get my hearing aid sorted. A training scientist meant did I mind a full hearing check? Of course not. No deterioration good news and a new hearing aid means I don't have to keep taking it out to check the battery to make it work. I certainly have been getting my money out of the health service recently. I can only hope I give going to the hospitals a good long break now, well,apart from visiting ill church members.

Trip 3

Today Jill and I drove over to Lincoln to see how Eric and Mary and the family from Ghana are settling in. Wonderful to see them all and to receive hugs from Suzzane and Jehu. School and college appears to be going well in these early weeks. Eric is full of ideas for the churches and I am sure his enthusiasm will go along way in helping to move things on. Chatting took me back to my recent time in Asebu and to receive the greetings of those I have begun to get to know there not least my farmer. Mary made us palm soup so Jill could taste for her self what I had experienced. That taste took me back to my farmer and his small village. How he had cut the palm down which was made into soup later that day. Then again it reminded me of the wonderful oranges he gave me from his trees, and of leading worship in the part built church he attends, and giving him communion. Good to know that money sent has meant the building work has recommenced and I pray I will be able to send more. 

There was good news that someone agreed to pay for the drilling of a bore hole about £2,000 which means clean water for the manse and church at Asebu, and for the new toilets with the potential for a small buisness sellng clean fresh water.  

Well being reminded of all of this helps to reorientate my thinking when caught up in the niggles of church life here. I know its possible that a difference can be made for peoples lives and yes I thank God I have been enabled to do so. 

One of the things I have learnt slowly over the years is to understand what Mr Wesley meant by 'go to those who need you the most' People have to want you to work with them and if they don't you take up the  advice of Jesus himself and 'shake off the dust on your shoes and move on.'

Of course discerning this is not easy but its a vital part of the Christians tool kit, and especially being a minister. 

Now a couple of days not travelling before we move our daughter  to London so its chill out time.