Morning Star chosen for Deanery Mission Project

Another busy day today.  Worked on Sunday’s service in the morning and visited St. John’s to obtain an English Hymnal book and deliver a few copies of the Parish Magazine which Sara picked up from the printers in Old Sarum.   This afternoon I attended a Deanery Fairer Share meeting in a cold All Saints Parish Church where the system of counting members of the church for the purposes of calculating the Diocesan share was explained.  It raised a few controversial remarks from one particular parish which feels that it will discourage parishes from trying to bring new people into the church.  Comments were also made about the lack of clergy visibility within the parishes.  I found the whole thing very discouraging and remarked to the curate that my call was to ministry and not endless meetings dealing with Anglican bureaucracy.  I have some sympathy with those who want to see the clergy doing more by way of visible pastoral care in the benefice instead of having meetings about meetings.  This evening I took Sara’s laptop into PC World because she is unable to access any data on it.  I was told that her laptop had been infected with a virus but, fortunately, after some investigation, was told that it was covered by insurance/extended warranty.  I left it with them and they hope to have it fixed by Saturday afternoon.  No data should be lost.  After this visit I went to Sarum College to attend Deanery Synod where the Mission Project was being chosen by ballot.  I had proposed Morning Star and they were in the running with two other charities. Presentations were given by each and Bev from Morning Star gave a five minute explanation of the work which Morning Star undertake in their various fields.  The other two presentations were very slick but when the result of the ballot was announced, Morning Star had won by a significant margin – indeed gaining more votes than the other two charities put together.  This made up for my earlier disillusionment.  When I arrived home, the House Group had just finished and I sat down and had a coffee with Sara and James discussing issues relevant to the parish.  Sara and I went to bed before midnight tonight although I found it hard to get to sleep because of a gnawing toothache which seems to have developed.  A trip to the dentist is called for (and is overdue). 

A tiring day

Not quite such a hectic day as yesterday with fewer appointments.  Sara did her normal stint at Morning Star and I attended Mid-Week Eucharist at St. John's.  The service was well-attended for a Mid-Week Eucharist - probably because of Lent.  Sara and I spent an hour and a half doing some more book-culling and tidying up in the family room until lunchtime.  I have been feeling quite tired today and when I spoke to Richard he too felt lethargic.  This cold miserable weather is simply not helping.  Thom wants to go to the FA Trophy Final at Wembley at the end of next month (Grimsby Town v. Wrexham) and I made enquiries as to the availability of tickets. The lady at Blundell Park was very helpful indeed.  We don't need to worry too much as there will be plenty of tickets available we were told.  Thom wants to take his friend Doug but his mother is not sure of his availability.  Fortunately for me, I am not on duty in any of our churches that Sunday.  Tonight I went to the Team Office for a Team Council meeting to discuss team strategy for mission.  although this is usually a topic which interests me I was so tired that I couldn't find any enthusiasm for the subject.  Back home Sara and I watched an episode of Ever Decreasing Circles before going to bed relatively early.  a good night's rest is what I need at the moment.

A busy day

  A hectic day today.  After breakfast I dealt with some paperwork and mid-morning visited a new client at their home very close to our old house on Hampton Park Estate.  That meeting lasted about an hour and a half and I then drove into the centre of Salisbury to park in the multi-storey car park in New Road.  I attended a lunch for Alabare volunteers in Salisbury's Guildhall where a number of presentations were made in a recruitment drive for more volunteers.  They are looking for 40 new assistant chaplains and I might consider one of those roles as an extension of my licensed ministry.  After the lunch I drove to Wilton and had a look around the Italianate Church, lighting a candle for Dad and Sara's Mum, before meeting with my college mentor and other students to discuss our ministry formation.  It was confirmed that our Licensing Ceremony/Service will take place on the morning of Saturday 28th September this year.  We discussed a good many things - some were unique to those doing the doctrine course in Amesbury - and quite a few issues were cleared up.  One of my portfolios is being kept back to show to the Church House inspectors in May - I hope that is a good sign - I did get a good mark so I hope it is to convince the inspectors that the teaching is up to standard.    My Mum's 84th Birthday today. I gave her a call this afternoon but her line was busy with goodwill messages from other people. She eventually called me at around 7 p.m. and we had a lovely chat. She is in good spirits and much better in her health. She told me that her consultant thought that she had made a remarkable recovery - one of his best results ever. A quiet evening tonight.  Later this evening we had a one hour Skype conversation with Sara's Dad and Andrea.  He had a health scare at the weekend but seems recovered. This shocked Sara.  His health isn't good with a chronic back problem.  Their weather is worst than ours as they are in the grip of a big freeze at the moment.  Looked forward to my bed tonight as I could hardly keep awake when talking to the in-laws!

Well this is getting rather monotonous - another bitterly cold day.  I wish I could write something better about the weather.  We continue to be subjected to a bitterly cold wind from the north.  This morning Sara, after struggling to complete the Parish Magazine, went to Downton for a session with her personal trainer.  I dealt with some paperwork in the study, ordered some flowers to be delivered to Mum on her 84th birthday tomorrow.  I also did some preparation for tonight's tutorial.  At lunchtime I visited Andover for shopping, banking and a visit to the post office.  I had a coffee in Costa Coffee and wrote Mum's birthday card whilst there as well as reading the Church Times. This evening I attended my tutorial at Sarum College when we discussed the doctrines of Salvation and after the coffee break looked at the pontificates of Pius IX and Leo XIII during the 19th century and the dogmas of Papal Infallibility and the Immaculate Conception.  Really fascinating stuff.  I wish I could write an assignment on the popes but this is not possible this year.  Maybe next year.  I arrived home just after 10 p.m. and watched the second half of a Poirot episode with Sara as light relief from the studying. 

A quiet Sunday morning

A bitterly cold day today.  I took Thom up to the shop to begin his paper round and came straight back, made tea and returned to a warm bed.  I didn't go to church this morning and stayed at home with the kids.  Mary stayed in bed until lunchtime - tired out after yesterday's travel and exertions at Cheltenham. Thom remained in his room.  Sara went to church on her own where she was on duty as a "welcomer".  I pottered about this morning and did some more work on tonight's service.  I cooked lunch for us today - cubed roast chicken and choritzo with roast vegetables - all in a big roasting tray.  The squash and the natural juices made a homemade sauce which was delightful - and filling.  This afternoon Thom and I followed Southampton's defeat (4-2) at the hands of Newcastle United which puts them a place down in the table and only 3 points clear of the relegation places.  Tonight I took the Joint Roman Catholic Service at Whaddon and also preached as the Roman Catholic deacon who was meant to give the sermon couldn't make it.  The service went very well - there were about 15 in the congregation which in the small hall was a nice number.  I really enjoyed preaching to people who have now becomes friends and they certainly seemed pleased.  It was bitterly cold, however, and the heaters only seemed to have warmed up the room as we came to the end of the service.  Back in Winterslow, Richard and I met for our weekly de-briefing at the Lion's Head.  Very few in tonight but it gives us an opportunity to catch up on what has been happening in our respective lives over the week.

Well done Mary and Streetz!

A day at home with Thom today as Sara took Mary, Izzy and Andrea to Cheltenham for the British Cheerleading Association contest.  More snow again this morning although it is not settling.  I didn't feel like getting up this morning with it being so cold and I had no appointments or people to see. Today's task in the 40 Acts of Lent was to have a cup of tea/coffee with somebody I don't know and so I decided to wonder down to the Gospel Lifeboat Mission in the village where each month they put on a free "drop in for coffee and cakes" morning.  I was very surprised how busy it was.  Amongst the people there were the Morning Star guys who were on their way to Bournemouth for a day out and a picnic!  They had stopped off for morning coffee having travelled one mile! I spent some time with an nice elderly lady called Bunny who moved into the village about 4 years ago to be near her son and attended the Methodist Church.  It transpires that she used to go to school at Barton Peveril which is now the sixth form College for which Thom has been offered a place. She has always lived in and around the Eastleigh area - like Sara.  I also chatted with Sid, Carol and Duncan reminding Duncan that we would like him to come and have a look at Thom's bedroom light which appears to be faulty. I bought pies from the shop for our lunch .  This afternoon Thom and I watched football and rugby and I also saw the end of a great film about the last years of Tsar Nicholas II starring Michael Jayston of "A bit of a do" fame.  Sara and Mary had a fantastic day with the Streetz Cheerleading team getting an award for 5th place (out of 13) in their competition class.  They all came home suitably happy as they knew the competition was going to be tough and didn't really expect to get anything.  Well done again girls!  Sara was very tired when she got home - driving to and from strange places is something she detests especially in the dark. 

Farewell for old colleagues

Another cold day today and spent the morning at home.  I hoisted the Scout Association Flag for Thinking Day as requested by the local Scout Leader. Sara went into Salisbury at lunchtime to visit the dentist for some emergency treatment for her toothache.  It seems that she'll either need some root canal treatment or have the tooth removed.  She was given a temporary filling and came home with a number mouth.  This meant that she did not do her normal stint at the Lord Nelson this lunchtime. It has been snowing on and off today - nothing much but the weather is raw.  At around 4 p.m. I set off for Dorking (a trip which used to be a weekly event but is now seldom done) to join others in saying a fond farewell to five colleagues who have been made redundant from Friends Life.  I arrived just after 5.30 p.m. following a good non-eventful journey along the M3 and over the Hog's Back.  It was good to see some old friends - many of whom, like me, are now living a new life after Friends as well as some old colleagues (six in all) who have avoided the "chop".  We had a few drinks in the Sports and Social Club (apparently as a "pensioner" I retain my membership of the Club) and chatted to quite a number of people including my old boss.  We later all went for an excellent Chinese meal at the Chifan Restaurant next door to Dorking Halls.  In all there were about eighteen of us and we enjoyed a buffet/banquet for £14.99 each - really good food.  I finally said my farewells at 10 p.m. arriving back at Winterslow at 11.30 p.m after another good but snowy journey along the motorway.

Out in the Cold Lands

This morning, Sara started the painful process (for me) of going through the bookcase in the Family room and identifying books to go to the charity shop!   was with her for about ten minutes before I had a phone call which took up a good deal of the next half hour.  I had my monthly meeting with Nils this morning following which I pondered my call and my role in the ministry team. I had lunch with Ashley in the Cathedral Refectory which cheered me up and spent the afternoon in Sarum College Library writing up my sermon for Sunday evening.  The weather turned bitterly cold this afternoon - bitter not being a strong enough word to describe the cutting cold we seem to be experiencing.  I built a large roaring fire again in the lounge for our House Group and we spent two hours studying further the works of C. S. Lewis which everyone in the Group is enjoying. Sara has an awful toothache and has dosed herself up into the world of "la-la".  James stayed behind afterwards and we put the world to rights over tea.  It's soooo cold tonight.  I couldn't get to sleep easily and got up at 2 a.m. to watch a programme about Lawrence of Arabia.  The winter seems like the one in Narnia - cold and never ending with no Christmas in sight.

S'No Boarding!

Andrew picked me up at 9.30 a.m. and drive me over to Whaddon for Mid-Week Eucharist, taken by Jane, before going on to our Team staff meeting at the Alderbury Vicarage.  At the same time, Sara took Thom to his friend Doug's and then on to Southampton to spend the morning at the dry ski and snow boarding centre as Thom was keen to try our snow-boarding.  Unfortunately, when they got there Thom was unfamiliar with the kit and Sara felt uneasy about him doing any snow-boarding without proper instruction.  The cost of an hour's lesson and its availability was prohibitive and so Sara and Thom had to spend the time watching and waiting for Doug to enjoy himself on his own.  quite a disastrous trip.  Sara had also hoped to use a Wi-Fi to do some work on the Parish Magazine but no Wi-Fi was available. It grew very cold this afternoon and so I lit a fire.  I could have gone to another meeting this evening but decided that they could manage without me and so Sara and I decided to sit and watch TV by the roaring fire.   

Choir Practice again after 43 Years!

I rose early this morning, attended my devotions and after a lovely bacon sandwich went into Salisbury, first to deliver a bill to one of our clients and afterwards to spend the day in Sarum College Library.  I briefly spoke to Mum from my car phone as I drove in and she seems to be in excellent spirits and enjoying life again now that she is driving and going to curling and her weekly night at the Conservative Club. Sara took Thom into the city also to have his eyes tested and he will be required to wear reading glasses for computer work.  As he is a student in full time education the cost will be met by the NHS.  Sara and Thom came into college and joined me for a coffee in the common room.  It also gave me an opportunity to show them around the building and the chapel.  I stayed in college all day until about 6.30 p.m. and managed to finish off an essay, make amendments to the introduction to my History portfolio and work on the service I am to deliver in Whaddon on Sunday evening at the combined Anglican and  Roman Catholic service.  I called in at Matalan and bought two dark shirts for the very reasonable price of £6 each and then drove to Farley Church to take part in the Holy Week Choir practice.  As there are only four male voices (mine included) I was very much welcomed.  We spent about and hour (with an additional 15 minutes coffee break) practising some Taize and other music.  Very enjoyable.  It took me back to my days as a boy chorister in Grimsby. The enjoyment was enhanced by the thought that I had substituted this event for a budget meeting of the Team Council where I am currently only an observer in any case.  Back home, Sara and I watched a film called "Fracture" starring Anthony Hopkins as a wife killer defending himself.  Hopkins at his spookily best!

Thom offered place at Barton Peveril

Sara and Thom went into Eastleigh today as Thom had an interview for a place at Barton Peveril College to study for his A Levels.  Apparently the interview lasted only about 10 minutes and he came away with the offer of a place from September.  This is good as he now has a second string to his bow in case he doesn't get into Peter Symons.  Afterwards, Sara took him for lunch in Eastleigh town centre.  I read up, this afternoon, on the Oxford Movement for my tutorial tonight at Sarum college. Due to illness and other commitments, there were only five of us this evening.  We studied the develpment of the church in the 1900s with particulasr emphaiss on the Oxford movement and the Non-conformist revival.  Next week we'll look at the roman Catholic Church, Pope Leo X and the First Vatican Council.  Back home at 10 pm. and watched an episode of "Not Going Out" with Sara over coffee before trurning in relatively early tonight.

Worship at St. Paul's

Sara and I decided to worship at St. Paul's in Salisbury today and attended their 10.30 p.m. Holy Communion service.  There were about 300 in the congregation and we were made most welcome and had an interesting and informative chat with one of the Associate Leaders, Andrew.  The service was quite informal but wrapped in the recognisable Common Worship liturgy with real bread and a choice of wine or non-alcoholic juice at the Communion.  Being Lent, I chose the non-alcoholic juice today.  The sermon wasn't particularly inspiring but I was impressed, once again, by the joy in people's faces who were clearly at church because they wanted to be - not because it was a duty or because they had felt forced to be there - and the large number of children and people of all ages is a testament to the success of the low churches.  We were told that many now came to this Anglican Church who had been non-Conformists or who, like us, took a break from their normal parish church to experience something different.  Back home, we had a Tesco delivery waiting for us.  I dressed the crab which Sara had bought.  not as good as last week's, much smaller with less meat, but still enough to make some decent sandwiches.  Dinner tonight was roast gammon.  I met Richard in the Lion's Head for a few cokes (Richard is still drinking beer) and a good chinwag until about 11.30 p.m.  Another day which has rushed past so quickly.  

A Lazy Saturday

The sun appeared today and despite the frosty start, we had a bright day which I spent at home just pottering about. Mary had had a friend, Freya, sleeping over last night and after pancakes for breakfast,  Sara went into Salisbury and took her home and took Mary to Cheerleading practice. She also brought back another nice fresh crab from the market which I will have for my Sunday lunch tomorrow.  Watched a little of the sport of TV and ran a couple of errands in the village - delivering letters.  Otherwise a very slow day.  Thom said he felt bored and tired and spent most of the day in his bedroom.  I had suggested that we might like to go to the Salisbury City v. Billericay match this afternoon but he said he wasn't interested in Salisbury's football fortunes. Mary was in and out of the house this afternoon with her friend Izzy. After a supper of chicken wings and savoury rice, Sara and I watched another couple of Agatha Christie Miss Marple films.

Breakfast Meeting and Evensong

I was up early this morning, showered and got ready for the Ambassadors' Breakfast Club meeting and then a full day in Sarum College Library.  There were not many at Ambassadors' this morning, far fewer than normal, but we had an extremely interesting and instructive talk from Michelle Seaman who runs a life-style coaching and CV-writing business who talked about Decision-Making under the Head/Heart/Gut System.  I had heard about this before and recall a homily which Nils preached on this at St. John's.  I suspect he had recently been on a leadership course.  It was a very good meeting overall.  I then drove to Sarum College and spent from 10 a.m. until 1.30 p.m. in the library, having a 45 minutes break for a toasted sandwich and coffee at Cowardine's in the city.  Another 3 hours work - although I must confess that most of it was catching up on general secular paperwork and not much theology. I attended Evensong in the cathedral and came home at around 6.30 p.m.   We all had a nice lazy evening watching one of the several Agatha Christie Poirot movies we seem to have accumulated on the SkyBox.

Not a Tame Lion

Sara was out again this morning - first to an exercise class at the Leisure Centre and then a meeting with Elona and Si to discuss fund raising for the Cheerleaders' Group. I used the peace and quiet of the morning - Mary remained in bed - to potter about doing some household chores, including cleaning out the grate and preparing the wood for a fire tonight, putting some bits and pieces in in the loft and then attacked a pile of paperwork with a vengeance. Thom has a French GCSE assessment today and is hoping for a Grade C ( the best he can get as he is doing this subject at foundation level).  I felt quite good when Sara returned at about 2 p.m.  I also prepared for the PCC budget meeting tomorrow afternoon which I learnt later, had actually been changed to today!  A lesson here - time to give up that Committee especially as there was nothing in the minutes, circulated tonight, to suggest that my presence would have made a scrap of difference.  The important thing was that the percentage of income for Mission giving will remain at 10%.  That is what I would have been anxious to preserve at all cost.  Thom came home in a good mood having been awarded the Grade C he had hoped for. Both Sara and I had been concerned that he might get a D in view of the limited revision he seems to have put in.  Tonight we had the first of our Lent Group meetings - "Not a Tame Lion" - a study of C. S. Lewis through the films "The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe"  and "Shadowlands". Everyone agreed that the course is good and enjoyed the discussions and reflections. I am looking forward to continuing the study. 

Ash Wednesday - Into the Shadowlands

So Lent starts!  Sara is following 40 Acts of Lent (doing things rather than giving up things) and today accompanied me to the Ashing Service at St. John's which was taken by Cynthia.  Sara enjoyed the service very much and I think is getting a better feeling for some of the more traditional services and their importance in the Anglican liturgical year. Following the service I drove Cynthia and me to Pitton for the weekly Staff Team Meeting to finalise arrangements for Holy Week which ended quite quickly.  The road between Winterslow and Pitton is heavily flooded and we decided to return to Winterslow along the A30.  This afternoon I took Mary into Salisbury where she met a friend and her sister and father for a trip to the cinema.  The father later brought Mary and her friend back and stayed and chatted over tea whilst I made a fire.  This evening, with the fire blazing, we watched "Shadowlands" - the story of C. S. Lewis's relationship with his wife - which brought tears to the eyes of Sara and myself.  Mary, who also watched it with us, was completely unmoved by it!  Mary has never shown any emotion at any film including the Railway Children and War horse - both of which leave me blubbing "uncontrollably". 

Shrove Tuesday - Pancakes & Beer

I must have been very tired yesterday as I didn't wake up this morning until 8.30 a.m.  Normally I would have gone with Peter to "Wheelies" for breakfast but because we spent so much time chatting in the kitchen over mugs of tea, time beat us as we both had to get on our respective ways.  I called in briefly at Sainsbury's in West Hove and bought a breakfast sandwich and topped up the car with fuel.  After yesterday's slow drive along the A259 and assuming that the A27 was still blocked I chose the scenic A272 route which I knew would not take me any longer despite the speed restrictions and the plethora of speed cameras.  I arrived home just after Sara had returned from a meeting of Ladies who Latte at Andover.  I opened my robes in private and tried them on and was delighted that they fitted perfectly. It felt extremely strange and was expecting Mrs. Doyle to appear at any moment to offer me "Tea Father?"  I have carefully put them in a carrier and hung them up in my study. I shall first wear them in public on Sunday 24 February when I take the Evening Prayer service at Whaddon. As it is Shrove Tuesday, the kids had pancakes tonight - quite thick American style ones made by Sara.  Tonight we held our first Pub Theology meeting at the other pub - Lion's Head - which was attended by just four.  Despite the small number we had a very good and enlightening discussion which I believe was appreciated by all present.  Anton provided us with a Chinese curry - massive portions too.  Unfortunately, the person who specifically wanted us to hold it at this pub didn't turn up - this was a shame.  I did. however, get into a theological discussion with another patron of the pub who, whilst not a member of our group, certainly asked some searching questions.  Last pint of beer tonight before Lent starts tomorrow! 

A "Dash" to Brighton

AA cold day today with light snow which covered the lawns and the cars.  A busy morning catching up on quite a number of things. Sara was out for most of the morning.  Thom is at school and Mary is off for half-term - which she spent this morning in bed!   My ecclesiastical robes arrived from Newcastle but I was in so much of a rush today that I have left them still packaged up in their box in the dining room.  I also received a phone call from a close friend of the family (our children's godfather) about the special requirements for a church wedding for his daughter who lives in Canada.  This delayed me a little (although it was important) in setting off for Brighton (at around 2.20 p.m.) where I am due to deliver a lecture at 5.30 p.m. to members and guests of Brighton & Hove Civic Lodge.  This is the same lecture I delivered in Salisbury last Wednesday.  Although my journey was not hampered by the snow, I was diverted off the A27 at Chichester due to severe flooding near Tangmere and had to join the queue of traffic navigating the A259 along through Bognor Regis and Littlehampton.  I arrived at Peter's in Hove at 4.40 p.m. (a journey time of 2 hours and 20 minutes), had a quick change into more sober clothes and a bus ride into Brighton arriving in good time.  The lecture was received well although like the meeting in Salisbury, it was not that well attended. Dinner tonight consisted of vegetable soup, beef (hopefully and not horse) and mushroom pie and creme caramel.  We finished quite early and returned to Peter's by bus.  An early night for a change.

New piano arrives

I took the service at West Dean this morning - Morning Worship - with a congregation of 11.  Unfortunately, due to an error in the local parish magazine, the service had been advertised as being at 11 a.m. and not 9.30 a.m. and so I was later to discover that a few people had turned up at 10.45 a.m. for the service after we had finished, had coffee and left.  I enjoyed taking the service, however, and reading out the banns of marriage for two couples.  My sermon was based on the Transfiguration and seemed to engender some interest - particularly my quote from Winston Churchill - “Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm!".   We finished at around 10.20 a.m. with a short time for coffee afterwards.  Always a delight to take the service there.  Afterwards, we visited Sophie's quickly to pick up the digital piano with which we are replacing the old upright.  Once home I cleaned it up and assembled it in the family room.  I shall really enjoying playing it - it can sound like a grand piano, an electric piano, a harpsichord or strings.  some great effects and useful for writing music.  This afternoon I spent an hour with Morning Star putting together a nomination for the Deanery Mission Project. Finally got it completed and emailed it off to the Deanery Secretary.  I dressed the crab I had bought on the market later this afternoon-  It took about an hour but at the end of it I had twice the amount of meat from this £3 crab than I would have by paying £6.95 in Waitrose for an already dressed one.  The meat was beautifully fresh too.  Fresh crab sandwiches for tea!  Tonight we were two down for the Pub Quiz (Richard and David) and so Thom joined James and me as a team calling ourselves by a different  name, "We'll give 'em a chance". I actually hoped that we might not win this evening as it gets increasingly embarrassing. But it wasn't to be!  We managed to win by a margin of 6 points and I have to thank Thom for being able to answer at least 6 questions which neither James nor I could have answered. So we came home with two bottles of wine this evening!

Winners (and Losers!)

Woke up this morning to find it snowing again!  It was a wintry wet snow which did settle slightly on the grass and cars but the roads themselves were wet and the snow melted away.  I drove through the snow into Salisbury to the Men's Breakfast event hosted at St. Francis's Church by that church, Salisbury CityChurch and St. Paul's.  I met up with James and my former colleague, Anthony, from Friends Life.  The speaker this morning was Steve Martin (not the comedian, although he was funny in places) from Christian Vision for Men who spoke in an engaging and entertaining way about ways Christians can bring men to faith - many of the things I am already trying to achieve through Pub Theology.  His talk was entitled "Winning Men". When we arrived there had been a power cut which meant that the breakfast hadn't been cooked and we had to wait around for a while with coffees and teas before the power was restored.  In fact, I think that this was fortuitous as it meant we didn't have the usual worship period and went straight into the talk and then a hastily scoffed breakfast.  Had it been done in the normal format, then there would have been a period of worship, breakfast and we would all three of us have had to leave before a most interesting talk had finished.  I dropped Anthony off at Salisbury Station (he was on his way to the Hampshire coast for a family meeting) and I went into the city to bank some cheques and had a cup of coffee in Cafe Nero whilst I went through my emails and other messages.  Back home, I did some more work on the service and sermon for tomorrow and just after 2 pm, Thom and I set off for Southampton for the Saints' game against Manchester City (the current Premier League Champions).  What a game!  Saints won the match 3-1 thanks to two early goals in the first half (Puncheon and Davis) and an own goal by Barry in the second.  What a win!  It takes Southampton 6 points clear of the relegation battle and has probably put Manchester City's hopes of winning the League beyond the pale.  A really enjoyable day today.  Tonight I finalised my sermon ready for tomorrow morning and watched Match of the Day - with glee!. 

Writing

I attended Morning Office with Nils and Andrew this morning at All Saints after which I drove over to Nether Wallop to put diesel in my car before returning home.  Sara took Leo into the vets for his annual "MOT".  Unfortunately he has a touch of gingivitis and will need his teeth scraping.  We will see if this can be paid for on the insurance.  I wrote some more letters this morning and this afternoon worked on the service I am leading at West Dean on Sunday.  This evening I wrote the first draft of my sermon - some 1,450 words on the topic of the Transfiguration and "mountain top experiences". The tailors J & M Sewing in Newcastle upon Tyne phoned me this morning to let me know that my ecclesiastical robes (cassock and surplice) had been completed and would be dispatched to me today.  I might even have them in time for my service in West Dean on Sunday.  Sara has gone to bed early tonight I am still up writing up this blog before I watch a little TV before bed myself. 

 



Thom's Birthday

It is Thom's 16th birthday today!  Yikes, where has the time gone?  I can remember my first date with Sara like it was yesterday.  Little did I know that 17 years later I would be celebrating my first born's 16 years on this planet.  It is scary to think that if that date hadn't gone as well as it did, Thom would not be here today.  Thom had to leave early for school so decided that he wanted to open his presents when he came home tonight.  Sara and I had agreed that as it was as much her day as Thom's we would make it a day off - no work or studying although I did spend the first couple of hours this morning writing some letters.  We drove over to Stockbridge and had lunch in the Grosvenor Hotel where we nearly spent our wedding night.  We also ordered an Indian takeaway from the Indian restaurant in the High street - this is what Thom had said he preferred to our usual visit to the Water Margin Chinese Restaurant in North Baddesley.  We ordered the meal for 6.15 p.m.  After Thom came home he opened a few presents - mainly money - and rang is Grandma for a short chat and to thank her for the £20 she had so generously sent him.  Thom and I went back to Stockbridge and picked up the Indian meal.  This evening we watched the film "The Queen" which Thom particularly wanted to see as he had been doing some English assessment work on the Queen's speech following the death of Diana, Princess of Wales.  Sara and I and Mary also enjoyed watching it again.    

Story Telling

After breakfast, this morning, I drove over to Whaddon for mid-Week Eucharist followed by a meeting of the Clarendon Ministry Team at the Alderbury Vicarage which lasted until 1 p.m.  After a brief visit to Tesco to buy some ink for Sara's printer, I returned home for a soup lunch with Sara.  This afternoon I picked up Thom from his school where he had stayed behind to attend a Revision Class for his ITC studies.  Tonight I gave my talk entitled "The Story of Boaz" to a small gathering of about 15 Freemasons at Sarum Lodge.  Essentially I retold the Book of Ruth which everyone seemed to find fascinating and at least two of the Masons present have said that it has encouraged them to pick up and read the bible again.  The best accolade I could have.  After the formal part of the meeting had concluded, I, and a few other masons, including Si, sat around and discussed the future of Freemasonry in Salisbury with the declining numbers we are experiencing.     We concluded that we need to inject some enthusiasm for younger members and be much more outward going in telling of what we stand for and some of the good works we have done in and for the community.  We have a great story to tell and we need to tell it!

No more Doombar at the Inn

We all overslept this morning - it wasn't until I woke at 7.20 a.m. that I realised what had happened - I had switched off my alarm.  Mary had 20 minutes in which to get the school bus, Thom had a little longer - he needed to be out at 8 a.m. and I was scheduled to be at a business breakfast meeting at 7.30 a.m. in Salisbury!  Rush rush rush!  To make matters worse, there was no hot water - that had been accidentally switched off too!  I had an extremely "refreshing" shower of tepid water, flung on some clothes and drove off to Salisbury.  As I left it was sleeting and extremely cold.  My meeting was running behind schedule a little so I managed to get my breakfast without any problem.  I spent the rest of the day in Sarum College library fine-tuning my lecture for tomorrow night on Boaz and writing an Introduction to my next portfolio.  I also started on my preaching essay but need to read some more books before I can get much further with it.  Sara joined me at college at lunchtime with a packed lunch which we ate in the Common room.  Her cough is getting worse and she had to be given a couple of glasses of water by the staff.  Fortunately, she has a doctor's appointment tomorrow.  At 5.30 p.m. I attended choral evensong in the cathedral - a lovely service if not a little strange.  It uses the old book of Common prayer and all the Psalms and Canticles are sung by the Choir as well as an Anthem.  The only participation from the congregation is joining in with the Creed.  However, after a heavy day of study it is nice to let the whole thing wash over you and not have to do much except sit and meditate.  After leaving college and on my way home I called in at Bishopdown Farm and picked Mary up from a friend's house.  It is so good that she has so many friends all over the city and in the surrounding villages. A popular girl.  Richard rang when I got back to arrange an evening at the Lord Nelson chewing the cud over a pint or two of the Cornish brew Doombar - which ran out after the first round!  A long but fruitful day.  Another busy day tomorrow with a Staff Meeting in the Morning and a lodge meeting in the evening when I am delivering my newly written lecture.

Bookwork Day

I spent most of the morning on my own as Sara went and had coffee with her friend Janet at 10.30 a.m and didn't return until 1 p.m.  In that time I reconciled our private bank accounts and undertook some administration work for Complex Services Limited including sending out bills, claiming expenses and reconciling the business accounts.  all quite laborious but satisfying to do.  i also took delivery of a large Tesco grocery order which included a large number of items which had been substituted.  As I didn't know what good Sara had originally ordered (although I later discovered that they were listed on the delivery sheet!) I just accepted everything including two enormous Easter eggs which she hadn't ordered.  On Sara's return she cooked us a beef and vegetable stew (hopefully not horse meat!) and this afternoon I went into Salisbury to spend the rest of the day in Sarum College library where I wrote my lecture on The Story of Boaz for delivery at Wednesday's Lodge meeting and again in Brighton on Monday. I stayed on at college tonight and attended another two-hour tutorial on the Reformation in England (wonderful history) and the theology of Salvation as affected by the Reformers. Heavy theology tonight - Luther, Calvin et al.  Arrived home at 10.15 pm. quite shattered.  Sara had a skyped conversation with her father and Grandrea whilst I made myself a sandwich and sipped wine.  Must enjoy my wine and beer as only one week to go before Lent when it will be back to diet cokes at our pub evenings.

Memorial Service in Hove

Sara was up and awake before me this morning and the first I knew she had woken was when she brought in tea at around 7 a.m.  She had already taken Thom up to the shop for his paper round whilst I was still sleeping soundly!  Both Sara and I attended Early Morning Eucharist at St. John's this morning which was taken by Canon Jeremy. Being Candlemas, he gave quite a long homily on the presentation of Jesus in the Temple and described how the baby's hands would have opened and closed and how, on Good Friday, those same hands would have been spread open.  Quite a moving and graphic image.  Despite the Book of Common Prayer language, Sara seemed to enjoy the service.  After a breakfast of sausage, omelette and bacon, I set to work to put up the new curtain pole in the Family Room.  I had a little trouble interpreting the diagram and the brackets themselves are made up of three separate parts and it seemed to need an engineering degree to assemble them.  However, after doing one the others followed on easily and I was very pleased to get the pole up and level (checked with my spirit level at all points).  Sara ironed the new curtains and put them up after I left to drive to Hove to attend a Memorial Service for Colin Lee at St. Philip's Church, Hove.  I arrived at the church at 2.00 p.m. and it was absolutely packed.  I managed to get a seat towards the back and Tim, the Secretary of my mother lodge in Brighton, joined me.  The service lasted just under 2 hours with four eulogies and an address from the Rev. Stephen Terry, the Sussex Provincial Grand Chaplain. A really good service and I thought Stephen conducted it very well - emphasising that it was a celebration of Colin's life and not a funeral although emotions would be mixed and that it was good to show those emotions if people felt the need to do so.   Afterwards there were tea and biscuits in the church hall.  There must have been at least 300 people in attendance - a big affair for a very dedicated Mason who leaves behind a young wife and two young children - aged 13 and 14.  I called in briefly at Peter's but he is clearly away at the moment.  I finally got back home at 7 p.m. after a journey along the coastal road.  Will watch some of the Superbowl game with Sara and Thom before going to bed tonight. 

Give me Strength

Sara and Thom were up early today - Thom to do his paper round and Sara to take an early morning ramble with Jane M.  Sara didn't return until nearly 10 a.m. having walked the circuit to East Winterslow and back.  I washed up and made breakfast and then spent the rest of the morning completing my "Living the Christian Life" portfolio which I placed in an envelope for delivery to my tutor at Church House.  I fantastic feeling of achievement as I sealed it up - one more out of the way - only another five  to go this year and another twelve in total.  I need to complete an essay on preaching so that a further two portfolios can be completed before Easter. I also updated this blog (which has laid abandoned for a week and a half) with a narrative on my trip to Cornwall and my studies ever since my return.This afternoon I accompanied Sara, Mary and her friend Izzy to Southampton where we went shopping in West Quay.  I experienced Hollister's for the first time and although it is not an experience I would choose to have, it is still not as bad as IKEA!  We left the girls to their own devices and had tea in M&S.  I managed to buy myself a new pair of black Oxfords in the BHS sale which will do me just fine for Masonic events and for when I am leading worship and preaching.  I need black shoes to go with my black cassock.  On my return home  I started writing my lecture on Boaz (which means "in strength" in Hebrew) for the lodge meeting in Salisbury on Wednesday which I am also giving to my mother lodge in Brighton on Monday-week.  Tonight, Sara, Mary and I watched the film "The Iron Lady" which I had intended to see at the cinema.  I am glad I didn't.  Whilst the casting is brilliant - and Meryl Streep particularly good - I found the portrayal of Mrs. Thatcher as an old woman suffering from dementia disrespectful of one of Britain's greatest prime ministers.  Whatever her current state of health, it was unnecessary.  Whilst I understand that many people, especially towards the end of her "reign", found her difficult and domineering, the fact remains that she was a stateswoman and none of the prime ministers which have followed her have shown anything like the qualities she did.  My own political fortunes within the Conservative Party rose and fell with her time in office and I shall always admire her for her tenacity and strength of conviction. 

Catch Up - Wednesday 23rd January - Friday 1st February

Apologies

My apologies to all my regular readers of this blog.  I know quite a number of you have expressed disappointment at not seeing any posts over the last few days but as you will read from this brief resume of events, I have been away in Cornwall as well as busy catching up on some of my theological studies.  I shall try, in this one post, to briefly describe what I have been up to over that period.

Cornish Travels

My last post was Tuesday 22^nd January 2013, and the following day (Wednesday 23^rd) Richard picked me up at 8 a.m. to travel the 200 miles or so to Falmouth in Cornwall where we arrived at about 12.30 p.m.  We met up with his daughter, Helen, who is studying for an art degree there and had a hand fish finger lunch at an old smugglers pub called The Chain Locker.  We spent the afternoon wandering around Falmouth until dusk when we drove to St. Ives to stay at the Tregenna Castle Hotel on top of the hill.  We had excellent rooms – in my case a room overlooking the bay with a four-poster bed.  All for £40 per night.  In the evening we walked down the hill into St. Ives for steak and chips and Doombar Ale at the Union Inn.

The following day (Thursday 24^th) we wandered around St. Ives and then drove down to Sennan Cove, Newlyn, Penzance and eventually to Truro taking in the Geevor Tin Mine and Truro Cathedral in the tour.  I really love Truro Cathedral.  It is so well proportioned with its three spires and lets in much light.  I understand that it was inspired by Salisbury Cathedral.  We had tea and cakes in the public library and watched the world go by outside in the main street.   Back in St. Ives we walked down the steep hill again for a pint at the Union Inn followed by an excellent meal at the Sea Food Café – a misnomer as it is actually a very smart fish/seafood restaurant.  Friday 26^th January saw us driving back to Wiltshire and to the snow (we had been clear of snow throughout our visit to Cornwall). I had a meeting with Nils that afternoon in which we talked about intra-personal relationships.  I went to bed quite early tonight after a long day of travelling and meetings

Back into Study Mode

I spent most of Saturday afternoon manning a book stall for the church at Sara’s Table Top Sale for the Streetz Cheerleading Club.  After deducting the £10 for the cost of the table – which goes into Streetz funds – I made the princely sum of £13 profit for the church.  At least we didn’t make a loss!  I attended the Early Morning Eucharist at St. John’s on Sunday, returning the unsold books to the Team Office at the same time.  On Sunday evening I led worship at the United Service at the Roman Catholic Chapel in Whaddon as well as preaching on 1 Corinthians 7:17-24 (stay where you are when you are called).  There were 15 in attendance including Sara and James.  Both enjoyed the service and I certainly enjoyed, for the second time, leading and preaching in this lovely chapel.

On Monday 28^th we had a four hour session on Christian Doctrine and History at Sarum College in the evening which did include a break for an excellent dinner of fish and prawn pie and roast vegetables followed by lemon tart – the food is certainly good at college.   Tonight we studied the beginnings of the Reformation as well as a study of the Nicene Creed.

On Tuesday 29^th I spent the day in Sarum College again, in the library, writing up my portfolio for the Living the Christian Faith module.  My intention is to have this completed by the end of the week. A long day of study and I decided that the only theological studying I would do in the evening would be in the form of watching either Father Ted or the Vicar of Dibley!

On Wednesday 30^th I attended Midweek Eucharist at St. John’s and afterwards a meeting of the Full Ministry Team at Debbie’s where we discussed arrangements for Holy Week.   After the meeting Andrew gave me his stepfather’s “Bishop Brennan” cloak which will be a useful garment to wear when I eventually take funerals and for cold outside services.  It is very heavy and comes all the way down to the floor.  The kids love it as I look like a cross between Dracula and Darth Vader.  Tonight we held the Joint PCC meetings at Winterslow School in which the details of the Holy Week celebrations were announced and explained.

On Thursday 31^st, I attended Morning Office with Nils and Andrew and at lunchtime Sara and I met them again at Sara Bossom’s for an extended luncheon party as a farewell for Sophie who is shortly moving away with her family to Carmarthenshire.  A really enjoyable lunch and chat with about 15 people present.  Sara B makes an exceptional host in her lovely home.  In the evening we started our Lent Group devotions by watching the film “Chronicles in Narnia – The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” as a precursor to studying the works of C.S. Lewis on the Lent Course “Not a Tame Lion” by the same author as “The King’s Speech”  course which we did last year.

On Friday 1^st February I joined the Ambassador’s Group for breakfast after which I went into Salisbury to return a book to the Sarum College Library as well as borrowing some books on Ruth which I need to write my forthcoming lecture on Boaz.  I called in briefly at the Boundary Café in Alderbury for coffee and a scone and chatted to members of the Alderbury Church, some of whom has heard me lead and preach on Sunday.  Tonight I finished writing up my Living the Christian Life portfolio but ran out of ink in attempting to print it off.  I will need to print it and finalise it tomorrow morning ready to hand in on Monday.  That will be a big relief!

You are now all up to date and hopefully, I am back on track with my daily blog!