Two lots of choir this week - Thursday night at my church at Dorridge and Friday night at Acocks Green Methodist. We are doing Ding Dong Merrily on High in 5/4 with occassional 6/4 bar - breathing is optional seemingly for us altos as we have the 'echo' at the end of each line! Before I went out to choir on Friday, I managed to get a first draft of my sermon written which was a weight off my mind and Saturday was spent collecting together things for the prayer focus and photographing some so that they could be put in the powerpoint.



Things to remind us of Jesus' leadership and the way he encouraged others to lead.



Things from the crucifixion which remind us that leadership is painful and has no guarantees but should be about hospitality and celebration. The sign shows that whatever we do will be received and valued by some but ignored or rejected by others.

Pause for Thought was good last night , we had quite a wide ranging discussion but I was disturbed that a lot of people had felt that Rememberance Sunday should not include references to conscientious objectors or people who felt broken by the part they played in the war. The idea seemed to be that the worship group should have warned people (how?-with a banner, in the notices?) that this was not going to be a 'traditional' Rememberance. I found Andi very inspirational and uplifting and it was clear that he spoke from the heart and had a challenge for us. Some of us last night tried to explain how we thought he had talked about rememberance and how all the elements of the service contributed to that. We did have the silence (at 11) but not the 'they shall grow not old'. Instead we had the reading ' First they came for the communists, but I did not speak out as I was not a communist' which I have used before and think was a very appropriate challenge for a congregation like Dorridge. Maybe the worship group should not have arranged a sermon series on peace to end on Rememberance Sunday? Or maybe people should be more open to receiving what God is saying to them even when it doesn't come in the expected form.

Today could not be more different than yesterday. Yesterday woke to cold and foggy which cleared to cold and sunny. Today has been wet and grey all day. Porridge for breakfast, jacket potato in Shirley for lunch but healthy diet spoiled by two double chocolate muffins with afternoon tea :)
Still have sermon to write for Sunday but have been thinking about it whilst trying to establish who maintains the website, distributing information on Network weekend and Methodist School of Fellowship and looking for a replacement small table for the children to use at Mustard Seed.
Main excitement for the day is that Sarah has had a baby girl after three boys. Sarah is my husband's cousin's daughter so goodness knows what relation that makes her to me but at 9lb 2oz her daughter is a bonny lass. Dad used to read us funny stories from old Devon and one of them was called 'What relation be I to cousin Emily?' I really must try to find a copy.

This evening is chicken curry (made by my chef with the remains of Sunday's roast) and then Pause for Thought which this week is looking at the sermon which Rev Andi Smith gave us on Sunday. Follow his musings on Saltley Methodist Church.

Let's try again

This is another attempt to start my blog. Now I have been on fb for a while, maybe it will be easier.

Today I have been on a course about churches using social media for mission. I have learnt quite a bit and been encouraged to get involved in the church website which is something I have been resisting for a long time. We heard from Rev Jayne Webb who uses twitter to point people to her blog which is serving as the church website whilst a new one is being constructed. We also met Rev Gareth Edwards who is a Methodist Minister in South Wales and part of the leadership team at the Anglican Cathedral in Second Life. I shall try to include more pictures in my blog.

Great lunch but tired after.

Yesterday I met up with some friends who also have LAM for lunch. We had a good meal and chat, catching up on all the latest. Clare L had her transplant on the 15th and is now out of ICU and detached from chest drains etc. We decided that we must get together more often so Lucy will arrange something for late January.

Next Monday I am off to see the Occupational Elf to be assessed as to my ability to carry on working. I want to cut down my hours but HR recommended that I am assessed first. Hopefully I will be able to cut my hours down to 30 which will mean I have all of Monday off.

Back again at last!

Last weekend we went down to The Bear of Rodborough near Stroud. We walked round Westonburt on Saturday afternoon taking photos of the autumn colours, then on Sunday we walked across the common into Minchinhampton and back again before lunch. My knees were complaining and I was very tired but it was good for my exercise program! BOC came up trumps with a concentrator and liquid oxygen for the four days.

My craft work is stalled at the moment because I'm finding it difficult to do things when I get home from work and it's hard to see wildlife in the dark.

Papworth at last!!

I have received my summons to Papworth for testing. I get to stay for three days while they test me for all sorts of things. What I am not sure of yet is whether I get an answer at the end of the three days or whether I have to go away and wait again.

Nick has to come with me as part of the process is talking to the transplant coordinators.