Well, That Was Jolly!

Part of my ministry is teaching. Today I taught Christians how to express themselves creatively. It didn't involve liturgy (hard to comprehend, I know), and it didn't involve prayer as we know it. This act of blessed creativity brought with it a panoply, nay a plethora of Epiphany moments  in the context of the our discussion about the relative merits of arachnids. 

It is fair to say that there was outer and inner cursing. There was modesty and self-reproach. There was some appetite to mechanise. There was considerable example setting, and yes - even the questions about the merit of the creativity in focus were heard.

But we made 200 Palm Crosses and God will see that they are good. 

I was taught how to make a Palm Cross when I was a sprog and I have even had the opportunity to teach the kids to do it (which they managed, remarkably quickly I might add). But a dozen Christians sat together in the beautiful spring sunlight that floods through our Victorian stained-glass, chatted and fashioned these little worship-devices. 

Yes, you can pay through the nose and buy them in pre-made. They look the business, all uniform, all neat and tidy. Ours have character and ours now have a far greater meaning to us. They are the work of our hands, some not as nimble as others. 

To me, moments like these are a precious gift. They are an opportunity to put aside a couple of hours with a purpose and with others (so as not to feel guilty for stopping). They are moments when people who might otherwise have sat alone at home have now sat with friends in their church when only a year ago it was firmly bolted shut. They all learned something new, and the glee that they expressed when they 'got it' was a joy to behold. I now have a dozen flock-members who can (and should) teach others this noble art next year. Saturday is posy-making for Mothering Sunday (you will notice that I got it right that time). Coming together to be and do - perfect. 

Pre-made palm crosses? Why would you!

And the pictures are amusing too, but that is a matter for us - not you!

Working with Big Bob and the Captain

Something happened last weekend that I am eager to share with you. Something happened that is often so rare that even thinking it is fruitless, but it happened. 

In Aylesbury, something good happened that bucked trends and filled my stoney heart with hope for the future.

No, I didn't speak in tongues, and no, I didn't suddenly develop a sense of romance - much more improbable than that.

Lean forward, dear reader - lean forward so that I can share this modern day miracle ... are you listening?

Christians from across the traditions worked together on a single enterprise, and we all lived to tell the tale.

You heard it here first folks - carflicks and jellies got it together for the good of the community. And man, it felt good. 

The thing is this (get up off the floor and listen, you can worry about the implications later) - me, Big Bob Big Bob Legge, the Curate from our own AitchTee (HT dear,  as in Holy Trinity, keep up), and Cappun Blyth (aka Andrew), the new Area Dean and Big Bob's boss, we got together for the good of the kids of Aylesbury, and we did good. God saw it and saw that it was good too, cos it didn't widdle on us. 

After the tensions that permeated Aylesbury a few Saturdays back, the Town are providing free street entertainment from now until after the Summer holidays, and Saturday was the turn of Aylesbury Churches Together. So, me, Fr Shane (my boss and chair of the Churches Together), the Cappun and my good mate and fellow geezer Big Bob we got some folks together and between us we rocked. The wonderful people of our churches put on so many activities and games, and we saw hundreds of people into and out of the Big Gazebo. So, Christians from across the traditions can work together, and not come out in a rash. Actually, we had a good laff  too, and recognised that for the 'churchies' of Aylesbury, things were looking very hopeful indeed.

...and thanks for the coffee Andrew - I forgot to say on the day!