two things

I have been busy dealing with a migraine and writing an essay over the last 48hrs. Not a happy combination but 'thems the shakes'. I have managed to get a draft of the essay despite the headache and am now in a position to say that I have written all my Trinity college essays and only have an nasty exam to go.

So, just two pieces of action that you might like to engage with. The first is a Avaaz petition to the UN. I received this email from three people today and rather than sending it on I will print it here and you can take whatever action you feel appropriate:

I'm sure you've heard about the world food crisis in the news. Some 100 million people from the continent of Africa are likely to die of starvation if nothing is done. The UN have responded in part but more is needed. You can read a report here

If you want to sign a petition which will be given to G8, UN, and EU
leaders, then click this link.

This video is a Food crisis appeal from Sierra Leone foreign minister




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The other is a pop related link. You can vote for your Most Musical City by choosing your favourite from the ten nominated cities on the Take it Away website. I voted for Liverpool (of course).

A just peace on Israel's 60th anniversary

I got this through my Ekklesia mailing today and I would be interested to know what you think? If you are church leader could you sign up for this?

The Declaration
We, the undersigned, church leaders and representatives of our different denominations and organisations, join together on the 60th anniversary of the Israeli state to offer a contribution to that which makes for peace.

We recognise that today, millions of Israelis and Jews around the world will joyfully mark the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the state of Israel (Yom Ha'atzmaut). For many, this landmark powerfully symbolises the Jewish people’s ability to defy the power of hatred so destructively embodied in the Nazi Holocaust. Additionally, it is an opportunity to celebrate the wealth of cultural, economic and scientific achievements of Israeli society, in all its vitality and diversity.

We also recognise that this same day, millions of Palestinians living inside Israel, the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and the worldwide diaspora, will mourn 60 years since over 700,000 of them were uprooted from their homes and forbidden from returning, while more than 400 villages were destroyed (al-Nakba). For them, this day is not just about the remembrance of a past catastrophic dispossession, dispersal, and loss; it is also a reminder that their struggle for self-determination and restitution is ongoing.

To hold both of these responses together in balanced tension is not easy. But it is vital if a peaceful way forward is to be forged, and is central to the Biblical call to “seek peace and pursue it” (Ps. 34:14). We acknowledge with sorrow that for the last 60 years, while extending empathy and support to the Israeli narrative of independence and struggle, many of us in the church worldwide have denied the same solidarity to the Palestinians, deaf to their cries of pain and distress.
To acknowledge and respect these dual histories is not, by itself, sufficient, but does offer a paradigm for building a peaceful future. Many lives have been lost, and there has been much suffering. The weak are exploited by the strong, while fear and bitterness stunt the imagination and cripple the capacity for forgiveness.

We therefore urge all those working for peace and justice in Israel/Palestine to consider that any lasting solution must be built on the foundation of justice, which is rooted in the very character of God. After all, it is justice that “will produce lasting peace and security” (Isaiah 32:17). Let us commit ourselves in prophetic word and practical deed to a courageous settlement whose details will honour both peoples’ shared love for the land, and protect the individual and collective rights of Jews and Palestinians in the Holy Land.
“Everyone will sit under their own vine and under their own fig tree, and no one will make them afraid” (Micah 4:4)


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Ekklesia write:
"Ask your church or organisations to join Desmond Tutu, Walter Brueggemann, Ekklesia, bishops and many others in signing the joint declaration by Christian Leaders on Israel's 60th Anniversary, calling for a just peace."

If you want more information or want to sign up go to Joint declaration by Christian Leaders on Israel’s 60th Anniversary.

weekend

Having a rubbish weekend last time it is only fair that this one was a blinder. Friday night I polished off a bottle of white wine that was sitting about and watched some bits and bobs of catch-up tv. Not that there's much to catch-up at the moment - I am enjoying the medieval stuff on BBC4 but a lot of it is very ponderous and poncy, some of it good and much of it less informative than it pretends to be. Anyway, I caught up and crashed out - I was very very tired (it has been a bit of a week).

Saturday was great - we had Liz H's baby shower at ours. I am not sure that it was a conventional baby shower as it was more like a relaxing tea party in the garden with scones, tea, cucumber sandwiches and more cake than can be imagined - pictures to follow! It was lovely having people round, chilling out, telling stories and having a laugh. can't believe that come August both Liz and Elise will have small babies! Wow. What an amazing thing that is!

We are still eating cake today...I had some for breakfast (is that wrong, especially on a Sunday!?). A baptism at church - which was lovely. Actually the whole service was cracking. St Peter's is really coming alive for me again - I can't analyse that at the moment so I will have to get back to it at some point. Anyway, we went to the Wheelers for lunch which was a real treat. Fab food including a very nice pudding (chocolate fudge cake with raspberries - yum yum) a great tour of their new house - which is pretty impressive - on 3 levels including 3 toilets and a chapel! What more could you ask for? They have kindly lent us their roof box for Andrew and Julian's wedding so we will be able to get the tent in the car - phew!

After Eva went to bed Mark and I watched the first series of Gavin and Stacey and ate a rather appropriate omelette (cheese and ham). Perfect end to a lovely weekend.

- I have just realised that this is a rather food driven post (hey ho)!

there's a big mouse working at the anglican cathedral Liverpool

...and it's name is Claire



Be afraid, be very afraid.

world turned upside down

Last night Mark, Bob, Sue and I went to see Billy Bragg. Reminded that I met Bob and Sue at a Billy Bragg gig 13 years ago - a benefit to safe the Picket, Liverpool (seems like we've been trying to save the Picket ever since!)... and that at another Billy Bragg gig in the same year I also re-met Mark. So, Billy Bragg has been an important catalyst in the making of our friendships. Anyway, we've all got a bit older and I am not sure how much wiser but we definitely still share the same desire to see the world turned upside down. Perhaps each of us has our own (different) reasons for sharing such a vision but it remains a significant topic of our conversations and a business of our endeavors. In my case I remain convinced that poverty and injustice prevent people from hearing the good news of the kingdom of God and that as the people of God we have an obligation to fight injustice at every level wherever we encounter it. This week we have been meditating on The Jesus Manifesto - a vision of the world changed forever (Matthew 5; Acts 17:1-9). Jesus' vision for the world turned upside down was one of the meek and the poor being inheritors and the the peacemakers being called children of God. The first will be last and the last will be first.

Anyway, I post this clip of Billy Bragg - his "World Turned Upside Down". A story of what happens when the dispossessed proclaim what is theirs.

up the workers

The teachers (the NUT) are on strike today. Not everyone will be on strike but even those who don't will be happy enough to take the pay rise should the strike succeed. Nobody chooses to lose a day's pay unless they feel the reasons for such action is valid and I have a great deal of sympathy for their decisions. That said I have not been very happy about the decision I made to take Eva into college today. She has found it very difficult to live by my college bound disciplines and I have found it challenging to deal with her dissatisfaction. I have realised that college is quite a demanding environment - demanding of my time, my affection, my patience, concentration etc etc and that having a small person about whilst trying to maintain those demands has not been very easy. Sharing me and college has not been great for poor Eva. I am not the best mum in the world here!

Anyway, the day is nearly over and nobody has got hurt. We are off home in a minute and will have a lovely time chilling out for a few hours before Mark and I go out to meet Bob and Sue. They have come down from Liverpool on their way to Cornwall. We are off to see Billy Bragg tonight - which I am excited about. So, best get off and have a nice time in the sun.

lunch

I am just about to go into lunch at college and I can't be late today because I want to get on a table that serves Crème brûlée. It's not often that I sit on a main meal table because I am trying to eat less meat and prefer the vegetarian table but unfortunately this table is also a fruit table and I am not prepared to make that sacrifice when it is a Crème brûlée day! I am not sure why I am telling you this or even that you'll be interested!??? Hey ho

Anyway, the fact that I haven't posted anything since Sunday is an indication of how busy and distracted I have been:
- I have done quite a lot of liberation theology reading and am nearly ready to write the essay (but not sure when I will have a window of time to do that!)
- I went back to college and attended a lecture
- I met Ravi Holy (he was taking the lecture on universalism) and we chewed the cud
- Some Foundationers came round for the community meal last night and we had a great time. It seems really odd to think that that was our last community meal together. I have made some significant relationships in Foundation and I really am going to miss the fellowship. It was a good send off. Thanks everyone!
- I am at college again and have a day of meetings and paperwork, tonight is our passover meal so it is also a day of food!

Anyway, lunch is a calling.

patience

Tomorrow sees the start of the last ever Trinity term. However, tomorrow is a study day and Mark needs the car so I suspect I will not go into college so it will be a bit of a false start. To be honest I have not had a great weekend and am not at all ready to go back. I feel bit under the weather, the stress of finishing has got to me a bit and all the arrangements that need to be made are making me feel disorientated. I am at a high level of discontent and just want it all to be over and done with. I think the reality properly kicked in this weekend and Mark and I have found it quite difficult to communicate about how we are feeling and as a result have not been all that supportive to each other (sorry to lay this on you - my dear reader - but you have been such a faithful friend I know I can rely on you for continued love, prayers and support). I know what this needs... as Take That would say - it needs a bit of Patience. So, prayers for patience would be great.

big feet

I have spent the day putting my feet in it...by 'it' I mean pretty much everything metaphorical you can think of. But no real poo.

I have not been able to put a foot right all day.
Everything I say seems to upset someone.

I am not writing this because I feel sorry for myself or misunderstood but because I am sure each of us has managed to be this much of a klutz at some point? Perhaps my foolishness will serve as a warning or a comfort or just be an opportunity for ridicule? Whatever, but if you can be of some comfort to me and say you have been unable to be discrete, generous with words, appeasing, uncritical, and humble at some point and managed to recover that would be great. It would be so much of a comfort to know that there are others who can't manage to be passremarkable...

Even if I am alone in my bigfootedness I am going to have to bear a lonely dinner and an even more lonely evening of silence as this is I think the only way of ensuring that I don't hurt anyone else's feelings. For my sins I am most truly sorry.

I am leading the intercessions in church tomorrow so can only hope that the morning will bring a fresh start and a new day of joy and loveliness.

controlled blast in Westbury-on-Trym

I don't know what the weather is like where you are but it is grim here today. Cold, windy and raining. I am feeling a bit under the weather myself and my aching bones could really do with the sun to come out and some warmth on my back. But hey ho.

Not a lot has happened today. Eva went out for a drive and a look for chairs for my Mum to sit in - she isn't getting enough support from any of the ones we have at the moment. The most exciting thing to happen is the controlled explosion in Westbury-on-Trym. The usually quiet suburb is a mass of excitement and slight bemusement.

I am tucked up in bed reading and here I will stay until later when Mark and I are dues to go out for a meal to celebrate Steve and Gayle's big adventure at the Paintworks.

I thin I need to put a cardi on...

back home from Virginia Water

I decided not to stay for too long. My mum was very tired and I think she needed to be on her own having had Eva for 4 days. I am glad that I came back though. It means I can spend the last day of the holiday with Eva on my own and do a few more bits and bobs here. I am so tired now. You wouldn't think driving to Virginia Water, dodging the posh people in the massive cars and eating would be so tiring.

I went to see an old friend this morning - Enid. She is in her late 80's and had just had a new knee fitted. Enid was the first person to mention ordination to me when I was 17years old (all those years ago!). She had a real vision for my ministry and has been a great influence on me and the formation of my faith. She is a straight talking, intelligent, visionary person (she needed vision to see me as a vicar when I was 17years old!). She sees the positive in difficult situations and has been so faithful in her ministry as a reader at Christ Church, Virginia Water. She and her friend Ann work very hard for the church - making pastoral visits, taking funerals, leading services at the Methodist church (which is affiliated to the Anglican church). They are tireless witnesses to the gospel.

I love to spend time with Enid and listen to what she and Ann have been doing in the church and in their other roles. Enid used to be an inspector for Anglican training colleges and knows Trinity well. She has also sat on various boards of training colleges and has a sense of what training for ministry is like as well as what the job entails after training. It is a privilege to spend time with them and I take great encouragement from their interest in me, the family and my ministry. I felt very proud to tell them about my curacy and even though it seems unlikely that they will make my ordination, due to Enid's poor health, I know I will be in their prayers.

If you get a moment and could spare a prayer for an old friend of mine with a poorly knee and problems with deer who eat her flowers then please do.

Christian Socialist Movement, Virginia Water and purple/blue hair

I have to finish a book on the Christian Socialist Movement (CSM) today - its a personal pride thing - I decided last night that I can't go to see my Mum until it is read). I am really enjoying it actually. The book is called Possible Dreams: Personal History of the British Christian Socialists by Christopher Bryant. It is out of print but amazon has a few 2nd hand copies if you fancy it. I know I am a hopeless socialist romantic but reading about the history (albeit recalled by an equally hopeless socialist romantic) has warmed the cockles of my cold heart. I don't feel so oppressed by Liberation Theology (which was very sad and really not what my Latin American brothers had intended I am sure). I am just getting on with the long list of books I have to read and hoping for some sort of intellectual breakthrough (could be here some time then!).

Anyway, once that book is read I am off to the centre of suburban capitalism - Virginia Water. Not, unfortunately, to start the revolution but to see my Mum and collect Eva. I think I am going to stay for a few days to soak up the rays that reflect from the beautiful people and visit some old friends (quite literally as one of them is in her 90's). In order to create a stir I have dyed my hair purple/blue again - my mum thinks I do it to annoy her. I don't...but I have to admit it keeps me on my toes. Having blue hair in Virginia Water means that you get away with nothing and the suspicion of all falls on your shoulders.


If I don't get to a computer I guess I will be out of touch for a few days. Please pray for me that armed with my reading about Christian Socialism and liberation theology I don't try to single handedly start the revolution from the hight street Virginia Water. Unlikely though that sounds if one of those great big Mercedes cars comes too near me in my 'ickle Peugeot and doesn't indicate I may lose my temper and call the workers to revolt. Wish me luck.

mission, liberation theology and cleaning

This is what I have been doing...thinking about mission, reading about liberation theology and cleaning the dirty house (my it was unclean). Now I am very tired and I still don't feel I have done enough. When will it all end? Well, I can tell you that in 8 weeks it will all be over (bar the inevitable shouting). In 8 weeks time we will be back in Liverpool unpacking boxes and panicking about the Park Palace project - and a whole new type of stress will begin. Until then I am here trying to make sense of this last essay and feeling guilty because I just can't get enough done. Hey ho.

So, I am going to post here 2 small talks which took place at the Church Mission Society (CMS) HQ Oxford at the Global Connections Thinking Mission forum on 27 February 2008. I attended this conference and these two speakers offered particularly interesting perspectives on 21st century Christian mission. The first is Paul Davies speaking about The Base Ecclesial Communities which emerged in Latin America in the 1950s and 1960s were centred on the poor, emphasized people over structures, had lay leadership, and were prophetic rather than priestly.



Paul Davies part 2



The second is Jonny Baker - 'Bath water or Baby? Must we ditch traditional church structures to do mission well?'

reading

Yesterday mark went to Liverpool and my Mum took Eva to Virginia Water. So, I am in Bristol all alone. Now that may sound a bit sad but to be honest so far I am loving it. I have already sorted loads of stuff out, tidied the house and done lots of chores that have alluded me for ages. The silence is golden and the thought of two more days of this sorting and clearing is spurring me on. Of course I miss them and it seems very quiet and boring here. But boring is exactly what I need. I have so many forms from the diocese to fill out, reading to do for an essay (the last one ever), shelves to clear, etc etc. that a bit of boring will spur me on to resolve the lot.

So, today is a reading day. I can sit on my bed and read all day without any trouble at all. Nobody will disturb me and I will not be 'absent' because I am reading. If I get 2 or 3 books about liberation theology read over the next couple of days I will be made up and ready to do my essay writing. Best be off then.

lazy weekend

I have had a very lazy few days and intend to continue this way until Monday. Friday was spent going here and there, shopping and doing chores with Eva and Elise. Today Eva and I spent most of the morning in our pj's waiting for my Mum to arrive, then we played Uno for a while and I made a cake and we chatted. Really nothing exciting but just what was needed. I find it so hard to do nothing that when I finally get a chance I have to really give in. I have given in. I cooked a fantastic stroganoff with so lovely beef filet. Elise and Wayne came over so we had a proper so down all 6 of us and I tried out my Bristolian accent on Wayne. Who was (or at least pretended to be) impressed. I managed a whole conversation using all the best brissle words I know. I even managed a few 'yeah, but no but's. I think I might have mastered the lingo. But then I have been taught by the master of West Country talk Sea Mill's stylieee - Wayne (or Wasser as Joe called him).

I am aiming to get the whole lot of us (Mum, Eva and I) out for church in the morning. So, I have come up to bed. Mark is off to Liverpool tomorrow, and Mum and Eva are off to Virginia Water. So, I shall be alone and after this lazy weekend I will be ready to do another essay - the last ever essay, ever, ever.

eva has worn me out

You wouldn't think that spending time with an 8yr old would be tiring but it really is. Not that what we did was that hectic...went for a drive, went to the cinema, went of for lunch, supermarket, home. But we left at 11am and didn't get back until 6pm. I feel like I have had a busy day at work. We went to see the Spiderwick Chronicles which was actually very good. A bit scary but quite effective. It has a slightly strange ending which I won't spoil for you but I would love for someone to do a theological analysis of it. Any takers?

I don't have a plan for tonight and given the fact that I am now trashed I think I will have an early night. Not much space in my head. Need to give it a break.

back in Bristol

So, here I am back in Bristol again. Having had a very profitable time researching but not really seen anyone except Barry and Andrea. It took me ages to get home but I guess that's what happens when you nationalize a rail service. The thing that did my head in most was that I tried to leave my luggage in left luggage at Lime Street Station, in order to do a bit of shopping, but I changed my mind when I realised it would cost me £12 - what are they thinking of? I mean why would you charge £12 for left luggage? It is mad! and this is the Capital of Culture...more like "capital of rip you off". So rather than stay around for an extra few hours I got an earlier train and got back here by tea time. Miss Liverpool already though. Hey ho.

Not much on for the next couple of days. Going to spend some time with Eva - see a film, do some light shopping, have tea and cake out, do some visiting etc etc. Normal mother and daughter stuff. I'll keep you posted.

liverpool

I am in Liverpool doing some work...I am leading an arts project in June with ZHO theatre. The project is about a building on Mill Street (the Park Palace) which used to be a music hall and a cinema. I am planning the project which will work with children in Mill Street looking at the history and trying to rebuild the theatre as it was in 1904 (by making a model of the theatre). WE will be telling stories, making backdrops, theatre bills, etc etc. The project will last a week and will culminate in an exhibition and presentation at the building.

Anyway, I am here to do some research and meet with the leaders and company. Today I have been in the Central library finding out what is available there. I like to use the stuff that is available in the public domain so that anyone can access it at anytime. There was a surprising amount to stuff there. Pictures, playbills, newspapers maps etc etc. So, plenty to go on. It was hard work though. Usually I like to do this sort of trawling slowly and methodically but seeing as I only had one day I had to rush at it and it is going to take a while to make sense of all the info I have found.

I think I have an idea for a story and a way into the drama. Just got to have a bit of a think. Not now though because my brain has stopped and I need some food. I think Andrea and I are going to find something to eat and see a film. Sorry that I haven't been in touch with anyone else. This flying visit has been very much focused on this project and I haven't had a chance to roam beyond it. Next time - and we will be back very very soon.

lee abbey

We had a great weekend in Lee Abbey. Perfect in fact. Just what the doctor ordered and a perfect ending to transition week. I did very little all weekend. Just sat about, drank tea, drank white wine, ate cake (and anything else really), I made a big chicken dinner on Saturday night and we went out for a cream tea. But we did do a lot of talking and thinking. Strange to think that in just a few months we will all be distributed around the country and just Liz, Phil and their inward baby (which should be out by the 2nd week in June) will be in Bristol. In the midst of the excitement of leaving it is also a bit sad that we will disperse and this faze will be done. So, it was good to spend some 'quality time' together before things change.

Anyway, got back to find out that Phil Jackson has been really really unwell and spent last week in hospital including a few days in intensive care. He is ok now - well at least he is on the mend - but that was a bit of a shock. So get better quick Phil. xxx

I am off to Liverpool tomorrow. Catching the train on my own (I am a bit girl now and can get a train to the Pool all on my own) at 9.30am. Mark and Eva are staying here and I am off to do some research into a music hall - The Park Palace on Mill Street. So, I will be kept very busy in the Central Library looking at playbills and maps. I will report on how I get on.

headache

I couldn't go to college today because I have a headache and sitting listening to people for 3 hours just wasn't going to help. I have a long drive to Lee Abbey ahead - we are going away fro the weekend to stay at the Chalet with Liz and Phil, Nick and Bridget and Steve and Sharon, plus 3 kids. Should be a fun end to the week as ling as my head stops banging. I can't take any more ibuprofen so I have been resting in a darkened room. Forgive me if I don't write much as I am not sure this is helping much. When I get back from Lee Abbey I will write more. There will be a short virtual silence for a couple of days. Hope you have a lovely weekend too.

transition

This week I am at college doing a module called "transition to Parochial Ministry'. Basically it is the module where we find out all about what it is like to be a curate, learn a few trade secrets and discuss clergy stuff. It is quite literally a transition module and it is quite strange being at college when there are only leavers there discussing our new jobs, new houses, new bosses, new tasks, etc etc. I feel like it is become more real by the day. Very soon I am going to be ordained and very soon I will be leaving Bristol and moving into a vicarage and starting a new life and this is the week where I make the first transition from this student life to that new life. The strange (or perhaps I am realising not so strange) thing is that as the days are passing I am getting less anxious and more ready to make this transition. I am staring to feel empowered and equipped. Ready? So, thanks for your prayers, support and stuff...keep it coming but don't worry I am getting the hang of it!

I'll keep you posted.

Counter-Terrorism Bil

Today sees the second reading of the Counter-Terrorism Bill. The government wants to allow police to lock people up for six weeks without even charging them with an offence – a proposal that would undermine civil liberties, damage community relations and have a seriously damaging effect on any individuals who were affected.

Amnesty is asking people to sign the “Not a day longer” e-petition calling on the government to abandon plans to extend the time for which police can hold terrorism suspects without charge.

The petition is on the No.10 website

If you are on facebook you can join the NOT A DAY LONGER! group