City of Sanctuary

Well I thought I lived in a city of sanctuary, but the vote even though close, reveals how when peoples fears are played upon that picture begins to fragment. Sitting now listening to the leave leadership you can hear the hollowness of what they claimed. Not one has yet been able to explain how they are going to negotiate the way out. Rather they appear to be at sea. Picking and choosing which laws to keep and you can bet they wont keep the ones that protect people. So foolish to play into the hands of a divided conservative party that willlpotentially leave us with a right wing government. They will not care about workers rights as they only see things in terms of making wealth for a few under the guise of caring about the working person.  So will we now have to have Boris as prime minister who clearly has played this one in the hope of becoming that? 

The need to find a way forward and for society to be reconciled is clear. But that future must not be built on fear of the stranger, and the false hopes that have been the hallmark of the leave campaign. Dont't be surprised when Boris and co start giving reasons why they can't reduce immigration. After all he and they knew the evidence shows we are richer because of it not poorer. 

We need to be very conscious how those who live, work and contribute to our society who have come from Europe will be feeling. Nothing may have actually changed and may not for years, but peoples perceptions of how they are viewed is real and can be hurtful. The Christian community needs to ensure that in word and action it reveals the inclusive, hospitable Christ and be the voice that holds the leave leadership to account for what it goes on to do.  

A grandchild at last

Well after all the waiting Emily was born on Tuesday. Its both a sense of joy and relief. Joy at new 

Life and relief that mum and baby are fine, oh and her dad. Then the further wait to be able to drive down and not only see her but hold her.

 Jill was out of school really prompt and soon we were on our way to London. Traffice was kind so not the usual horrendous Friday night drive. 

So what do you do as a Granddad? Well do some  cooking and have the fun in the middle of the night to settle her down so mum can go back to sleep. Already it puts the rest of life into perspective. Who cares if England go through in the euro, or some vote in a referendum or even the length of our last circuit meeting.... 

Is it not strange how we can get so excited about some issues and lose sight of what is really important. So as I sit here writing my first grandchild is feeding and six adults are all focussed on one small child. Her other aunty will soon be ariving and we will have all gathered as a family and I will have all my girls in one place. Then it will be perfect and all well with the world.

 

New gardening opportunity being in community

It has been a real joy to have new neighbours after waiting months for the house next doors to be put in good order. Best of all the front garden has been cleared now and "could we help advise on planting" So a little time out today saw me dig in four plants which we had selected on Friday for them as a gift. Straight away it has been a talking point for all our neighbours who are fasting as its Ramadan. Comments of approval all round and an even greater sense for us of belonging here. Of course always helped by the delivery last night of food as sunset took place. Yes we were once again included in the important hospitality as people cook for each other and support each other at this important time.

You might not be able to see the small plants but they will grow as I water them as well as our own. And thats a real parable of what it has been like living on our road. Small acts of hospitality to one another has grown a sense of belonging. It makes me smile and I reckon it makes God smile too.

RHS Hyde Hall

The opportunity to visit RHS Hyde Hall was too good to miss havbg been in north London.So a slight detour home meant we could visit. But what a day to pick. It was grey, cold and yes at one point it rained.

But being hardy gardeners even if not dressed for the weather we fortfied ourselves with a coffee and made the most of the time.

Delightful hostas with a canopy above and no signs of slug attacks !

The grasses were in abundance and the wind kept them moving.

 There had been a local school competition. 

Which was fun to see.

And this literally moving sculpture of ash keys set beautifully against the long backdrop of lawns and trees caught the eye.

Even on the grey day it was as we expected a beautiful place to visit.

With plants from New Zealand

 

No self respecting garden can be without a decent pond

Rain literally  stopped play so we retreated to the barn for hot soup and cake. A good move as then the weather cleared up and we could continue to look for ideas.

 

Now how about a bridge across  my pond?

And while the roses were not really out, just a bit early in the season, many were.

In the end the cold got the better of us and we retreated to the car and the journey home. 

We discovered that at last our neighbours have cleared their front garden. How delightful they called to see if we were okay as we were missed. They wanted advice about what to plant and of course they brought us food.  Who on earth would want to leave Sheffield? 

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.