marching in the rain

I haven't been able to make it to London today but it is great to see so many people marching through London demanding action on poverty, climate change and jobs, ahead of next week's G20 summit. There is some good coverage of the event on the BBC website...including some great photos.

We have had a good day resting, gardening and light shopping at the farmers market on Lark Lane. I am feeling particularly tired and in need of rubbish TV and nibbles. Mark and I had a great evening out last night (which is why I am a bit tired today - not used to late nights and spicy food) with some of the people I was ordained with last June. It was lovely to relax and talk about some oft he adventures we have been having. Mine has been a strange year - with a mix of commitments inside and outside of the parish - not exactly what I had expected from my diaconate year. But, I am looking forward to a more normal parish life after Easter. I am struggling to get my head round being ordained priest in June...but that is still a while off so perhaps it will fall into place before then.

Right, I am off to read a bit of my book and doze on the sofa.

racist friend

This was an interesting article about how Jerry Dammers dealt with a racist friend. He speaks about his regret at not challenging his friend and points out that if he had been able to speak to him perhaps he might have altered his behaviour. I guess it is up to each of us to challenge inappropriate behaviour and language whenever we encounter it.

Jesus is a friend of mine

I have had a very stressful few days and it is always good to have music to cheer yourself up...and this definitely cheered me up!

crepe

I must report that Eva and I had a fab crepe at John Lewis last night - after some gentle shopping because Eva had a filling and was feeling a bit vulnerable. I bought the vase I was after...but haven't had time to unwrap it. Had a mad couple of days and definitely don't feel like I am keeping up with events this week.
Where am I?
Being in my little office blogging is a bit of a sanctuary from the madness out in the real world. Not that I can avoid it. It's just nice every so often to have a bit of a hide to recap and recoup. So, that's what I am doing...sitting in my office sharing my stuff with you and with God.

I am off to Kate's 40th birthday bash soon so I must get some prayers in and then get m glad rags on.

My favourite news report of the day is that Gordon Brown's phone went off while he was addressing political and business leaders in Davos - oh dear...it's not looking good is it!?

advent sunday

Today is advent sunday and we lit the first candle on the advent wreath today...and the new Church of England advent website - why are we waiting - has put up it's first posting. We open the chocolate advent calendar tomorrow.

Having been down to Bristol for my Trinity College graduation ceremony yesterday I am feeling a bit tired today (it was great to see everyone again) so must get back to afternoon tea and a sit down before the evening service.

harvest

Today I have been preparing for the harvest service tomorrow at St Peters. There has been photocopying to do, tins to buy, bread to make, sermon to write (I say sermon it is more like telling two all age stories based on Luke 12. 13-21 - the Rich Fool and Isaiah 11.1-9 - A Vision of God's Universal Peace.

We are going to use some of the material from the Loaf Service - Christian Ecology Link's Food Campaign. We are going to make bread at the beginning of the service so I am preparing the dough a bit later so that all that has to happen tomorrow is some shaping at the beginning of the service, a quick rise and bake. To be honest I would quite like to be tucked up in bed with a lemsip. I have been fighting off a cold for a few weeks now and I feel like I am fighting a losing battle. I am freezing cold and Mark, Elise and Eva have all succumbed to it. Still, I am enjoying getting stuff ready and making the harvest loaf is going to be great.

I though I might be able to get out tonight to wish Dilys happy birthday but the combination of harvest prep and feeling like death warmed up probably means I am best being at home (also Eva is not that keen to go out for a curry!). I hope Mark is feeling well enough to go on all of our behalf.

buckets

having just got the house settled and the plans for new windows nearly in place a new incident has got us in a fluster. Last night we had a bit of a storm here in Everton (and that wasn't just because Liverpool did well in the footy). Whilst I was out at the healing service and Mark was out at the Shewsy (Eva was being sat on by my new friend Penny) the flat roof over our dinning room sprang a leek and the part of the ceiling gave way. We have had to employ a number of buckets to catch the water - which has now subsided to a drip. As they say - "it never rains but it pours". Hey ho.

I am in the house writing (more like fiddling) with my PhD which is going to be discussed by Sara (my supervisor) and I over lunch today. It will be Sara's first visit to the vicarage and I am hoping that she will be gentle with me. As usual I have prepared for writing by cleaning the house a bit - mopping the kitchen floor and all the surfaces (including the toaster, kettle, bread bin and compost bin). So, after 1 hour of messing have achieved 200 words. Which believe me is good going. Having some time to work on this chapter has helped me to realise the strengths and weaknesses in the work so the mulling / cleaning process is time well spent digesting my methodology.

Later on this evening I am off to see Kathy and David - my friends and hairdressers...they are planning a bleaching session and I will be able to discuss pop music, culture and the opening of the 2nd phase of Liverpool One shopping centre which I suspect will become the Museum to Capitalism shortly. Well, we can but hope.

back from Greenbelt

I am back physically but to be honest I think I left most of myself at Greenbelt. I can't quite settle and I am wacked. I have washed the mud off my crocs and have started back at work today. I slept for 12 hours last night and can't wait to get back there tonight. If only Liverpool would put a goal in the back of the net and I can relax! I am not sure I am going to be able to watch the TV for long becuase it is too stressful!

Anyway, Greenbelt was great. My hightlights include:
- The curry out in Cheltenham on Thurs night
- Transcendence service
- Foundation - Babel
- Dream - spontaneous worship and the service in New Forms
- Lucy Winkett's talk about being English
- The Larry Norman tribute
- seeing 'ickle Toby H again - he is so cute
- being in New Forms hanging out and working

Things I struggled with:
- watching poor Claire Caddick having to eat with a wooden fork
- cold evenings
- yacky mud slime as it seeped through my crocs
- not having enough time to see all my friends properly
- missing loads of talks
- not seeing a single band on mainstage

favourite moment:
- having a right good laugh in the teepee with Jane, Anne, Emma, Sarah and Claire

greenbelt preparation

I am busy sorting stuff out for greenbelt and starting to get excited. Mark and I are bot working at New Forms and are really looking forward to enabling the alternative worship groups to set up, worship, strike and leave in peace!

I have checked the long range weather forecast and all is looking good (we live in hope). Claire Caddick and I both have our wellies sorted so at least we will have dry feet if all else fails.

I am looking forward to:
- the CSM drinks in the Jesus Arms on Sat at 5pm
- Foundation service 6pm Sun at new forms
Dream service 2pm mon at new forms
- Bruce and Sara Stanley's Happiness and Chocolate & Neotopia an "edible workshop" at 8pm on Saturday in the Soul Space - "using the most pleasurable food to learn how to savour experience for the most happiness". And Neotopia is a multi-media meditation, taking place at 10pm on Sunday in the Soul Space. What would happen if the world was arranged so that you had just your fair share of its resources?
- Transcendance - Ancient-Future Mass on Fri
- Also, Jane Corbett is speaking - but I can't work out when and where yet.


I am also looking forward to seeing Andy Small again (for our now annual meeting and hang-out at Greenbelt) and seeing Becky S, Liz H and Foundationers and everyone else. Oh dear I am a bit excited in a slightly uncool way - hey ho!

Eva's birthday

Well, 9 years ago today I was in Liverpool's Women's Hospital recovering from having Eva! Today we have been to town for burgers at Eddie Rocketts and to Fact to see Walle. Eva's friend Maddie is going to sleep over so it is chaos here.

The most extra-ordinary thing that happened this evening was that I met - quite by accident - the woman who was in the bed next to me when I had Eva! We always refer to her as "Twin Lady" because she had twins! She was in FACT with her twins and older daughter. An amazing coincidence and one that really has warmed my heart. We kept in touch for a few years after the babies were born and even spent a couple of birthdays together but we have been out of touch for at least 3 years so it was great to swop numbers.

Anyway, I had better get back to the giddy girls.