'Displays of the Cross' Day 3

After tomorrow the journey through lent picks up pace. We start to associate the days far more closely with the well known Easter Story, and so today requires that intake of breath before we set off. Over the next few days, we may be changed, we may challenged by the cross, inspired by the resurrection or feel pain by the Last Supper. The question is 'are we ready?' Have we been preparing ourselves to truly immerse ourselves into Easter as an event rather than a re-telling of an old familiar story?

Displays of the Cross Day 2

Firstly, I am glad you have managed to find me on the new address. I hope it will still be the same rambling, erratic blog that it always has been.

I type below the reflection I wrote and shared with the assembled crowd this evening at the 'Displays of the cross event' at church.

A cross is such a simple structure.

In essence it is two separate things, placed at a 90° angel from each other.

A technique that has helped us build from the earliest dwellings to the most modern of buildings.

Think about it, everywhere we are, a cross is so close by.

Even in the building we are now, think, look around at the different places you see the cross. In the window frames, in the balcony.

Think about your journey here this evening, how many crosses did you see? How many did you walk past unknowingly?

This structure is so important to societies architecture and buildings, so vital at holding everything together

Such a simple structure.

Such a simple structure.

That holds so much for Christians

In essence two separate bits of rough wood, placed at a 90° angel from each other.

A sign that has been held dear for many people, from the earliest Christians to us right here, right now, and for those who are yet to see.

Think about it, everywhere we are, the cross is close by.

Even in our lives, the journey to the cross, the suffering at the cross, the power at the cross, all live with us.

Think about your life, where have you felt the cross close by, was it when you suffered? Was it when you felt loved? Was it when there seemed no-where else to turn?

How many times have we gone through life with the effect of the cross unknowingly guiding and shaping us?

This structure is so important to us as Christians, so vital at holding everything together.

Such a simple structure

Displays of the Cross

Today was our first day of the displays. Around the church are different crosses that the congregation have either made or brought to the display. It has been amazing to see so many crosses, each with their own story behind them and each one meaning something different to those who brought it. So I suppose it asks the question, what cross would you have brought and why? For each of us this season has different meanings and we each experience different things, that is the beauty of God.

Team Gathering

So what did we do at our team gathering today? Study bible passages? Talk about deep theological issues that are controversial? Plan the next few weeks? No... we sang Children's songs....and what a great morning it was. We started to think about how we introduce more songs that children (and adults) can relate to well. We went through alot of songs, discarded some, laughed at others, worried about the writers of one or two and then made some actions. I look forward to how these are going to enrich our worship on a Sunday morning together. I hope you do too!
On another note, I am 160 pages through my book for NAM studies (Newly Accredited Minister) it is called Jesus and the Eyewitnesses by Richard Bauckham So far, I think I would describe it with this metaphor "a good sermon that tries to make too many points with too much evidence and you are left wondering what the sermon was about tin the first place" it may change, or I may just not be intelligent enough to get it, but I plod on...

One year on...

It was a year ago last Sunday hat we started our first all age learning. This is an opportunity for the congregation to choose different ways of understanding the bible passage we explore on that day. We have had craft options, reflection options, sermon options, drama options and some more as well. I really enjoy these sundays as people seem to get so much out of them, we only do them once every other month. It is just amazing that it is a year already since we started them and how important I believe they are.

I think Church should be like Apple

My mobile phone broke a couple of days ago, and I went into a phone store (which shall remain nameless) to get a cheap PAYG phone to tie me over until my contract ran out. I was greeted by the employee (who I worked out was the manager) and was made to feel like a nuisance, as he was more bothered by the customers being served by one of his employees, I left rather unsatisfied. I then went into the new Apple store at Cribbs, some may think it too clinical. But the moment you walk in you realise you are somewhere pleasant, somewhere relaxing, somewhere where people know what they are on about, and if they don't they will be honest. Somewhere where quality abounds and where everything is tangible, hands on and clear. Church sometimes sadly can be too much like the first shop I went into, I think Church should be like Apple.