margie

Today is Margie's 70th Birthday! Margie is one of my parishioners and very funny. On Sunday she and I sang ABBA's Dancing Queen at the Karaoke and we were great! The picture above was originally posted on Mark's blog but I reproduce it here as a tribute to the marvelous Margie and her 70 years on God's earth.

st john chrysostom

Since I have been living at st john chrysostom vicarage I have been asked a few times who this lesser known saint is...for those of you who would like to know more this site seems to cover most of the basics (and so much more).

darkness

Last year was capital of culture year here in Liverpool. This year it is the year of the environment. The city council published details of the initiative in November last year (more details here) and current plans for 2009 include:

* The introduction of a Green ambassadors programme which will ask everyone, old and young, to sign a pledge committing them to completing tasks to reduce their carbon footprint. These will range from reducing the amount of electricity used at home to planting at least one tree or shrub during the year.
* Hosting special events in each of Liverpool's five neighbourhoods to promote debate about all things environmental.
* Launching the city's very own designer bag for life.
* Dedicating one school day for primary and secondary schools which will focus on green issues and the role young people can play in shaping our future world.
* A celebration event to mark the completion of the £14m regeneration of Stanley Park.
* Events which will encourage residents to get out into their local green spaces and learn more about the environmental wonders of the city's parks and gardens, their history and the impact climate change could have on them.
* A major environmental conference to be held in the city.
* Green Fayres selling organic, locally sourced products to be held across the city throughout the year.
* Encouraging residents to get involved in conservation and become volunteers for their local nature reserves.
* A green pantomime which will get the environmental message across in a fun way.
* Making all city council vehicles, such as waste collection lorries, low-carbon to reduce emissions.

One story that caught my eye this week was that a school in Garston went back in time to see what it was like to live without electricity for a day. The North West tonight report (here) shows how they experienced school like Victorian School children for the day.

We have been looking at the story of creation in our Genesis series of sermons and bible studies over the last few weeks and it has certainly provided me with a lot to reflect on in terms of our responsibilities as stewards of God's creation. It may seem like a small step but I hope that the year of the environment has an impact on the way in which we view the environmental impact of our lives in the city.

synod and racism

Having grappled with tackling a friend's racist comments yesterday I am very pleased to hear that synod decided to make clear that ordained or lay ministers should not become members 'of organisations which contradict the duty to promote race equality'...one small step!
For updates on Synod do pop onto the Church Times Blog

bits and bobs

I am just off to PCC so I can only fit in a few observations...

It took me nearly 30mins to get to church down the road at St Peter's (a 5mins drive normally!) last night because of the Liverpool: Everton Derby game. The traffic was crazy and made much worse by foolish driving. If only curates could have a lights on their cars (what colour would be appropriate) to get passed all the fuss when it is church time. "Move along young man I am a curate don't you know I have a church service to lead" But, sadly I have no traffic rights with my collar on that without. hey ho...

I am doing quite a lot of walking at the moment and there seems a steady increase in dog poo in the area.

I am really enjoying The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson - well worth a read if you like modern crime thrillers.

I am loving the 15 mins extra light of an evening.

Anway, I must dash - and put the heating on in church...

in charge

Henry and I meet up on a Tuesday to talk business and a Wednesday to theologically reflect on recent events and spend time praying for each other, our families and the church and wider community. Today we had to conflate the two meetings into one because Henry is off to London and leaving me in charge. We met for a few hours this morning followed by communion at the Women's Fellowship group I am then running him to the station later. I hope he has a parish (or preferably two parishes) left when he comes back!

Actually, I think I am going to be running about so much that I won't be able to cause too much trouble. I am sure I'll be ok. Mark is away of Thursday for the weekend so I really will be left holding the baby and in charge!

Anyway, I am off to do some visiting now so sorry this is so short. Catch up later. Wish me luck.

the Everton telegraph

One every 3 or 4 months St Peter's church produces (and Henry publishes) a community Newspaper called the Everton Telegraph. It contains a combination of community news, funny stuff and what's happening items of interest. The paper is free (or 20p) and is delivered across the parish by volunteers who don't just shove it through the letterboxes but knock and have a chat with people who are up for it. Obviously I am new to the area so I am just meeting people for the first time but the people I have been out with know a lot of the houses and we have had some excellent conversations at the front doors. It is a great way to meet people and to get round the parish on foot.

Today four of us were out for a couple of hours doing the lower end of the parish - it was such a fine day that many people were out in their gardens and were very happy to see us. I even caught the sun a bit (and I really dislike being out in the sun...combined with the walking it was quite a challenge for me).

I am telling you this good news story because I don't want you to think that it is all doom and gloom here - the robbery really was an extreme incident (painful though it was). This is a great place to live and we are really enjoying being back home. I guess there are always disappointments in any new experience but what is important (for me anyway) is that those difficult things don't overwhelm the positive things.

We have just had a great dinner with friends outside in our city garden and are feeling tired and content. There is no place for complacency but every place for optimism.