Wimbledon fortnight- very strange seeing two Eastern European women slogging it out on a tennis court this afternoon. I say "strange" because in another parallel universe I'd be cheering them both on "How come!? " you say. Well, if my Dad had not become a naturalised British Citizen away back in the 40's, my name would have been "Kolodjinska" since he was born in Poland.
Anyway before Being a couched spectator of sport on TV, I'd had a real game of badminton with some of the Mannofield crowd. Great getting to kn ow a few. Sundays with 1-200 folks is more daunting still.
Church Secretary now on holiday for a week. Jean is a wonder- deserving a medal for her people skills as well as her IT knowledge, and lots more. Her experience of church life is invaluable.
Also today, the organist for this week's funeral was on my cell phone, checking hymns for tomorrow. There's a slide presentation of the life of the deceased too, so lots going on. Got a short powerpoint presentation sorted this afternoon too. I LOVE finding appropriate pictures to accompany a sermon- some are straightforward Scripture verses on a coloured background, and others are a bit quirky- like myself. Folks seem to like my "West Coast" sense of humour so far!
"Why so early?" I hear you cry. Your next service isn't for 10 days...ah but, well but, when a funeral may come in at any time, it's wise to have your next service "under your belt" so that you can relax and go with the pastoral flow. Someone may land up in hospital too, while the minister is on holiday- so in the old Guide adage ( or is it Brownies?)- BE PREPARED. This part- time business is tricky
a) Because you still live 3 hours drive away and most of your funeral/wedding admin stuff is there and b) Since you are normally up in Aberdeen WITHOUT the car ( so hubby can have it for early early morning shifts or late late returns) you decide to do pastoral visits further afield, up in Kingswells, while you HAVE the car...saving so much time than taking 2 or 3 buses. Actually, as I expected, Mannofield folks have been super at checking I have a lift to and from church on a Sunday when buses are fewer.
So thanks God for a busy happy week, the use of a car, and I mustn't forget, a chance to hug a retired Deacon called Ann Lundie, who was in Cafe Connect ( cafe attached to church) one afternoon. Old Deacons don't retire, they just.............................................finish the punch line. Again, in my experience, when we hear a tribute to a "Deac" who has died, always they will say."She/he retired the first time, in 1973, then they went to X. When they retired the second time, they went over to Y church, and so on. I wonder how many times ( in the current shortage of ministers) I will retire!!?
Saturday, 8 July 2017
Thursday, 29 June 2017
Housey ! Housey!
Well here we are. David and I said 11 years ago- that's the last move! But today we had surveyor in for obligatory Home Report, and a lovely guy from our estate agents to measure up, take photos etc.
I've watched enough "Location, Deviation, Hesitation" TV programmes, to know to put clutter into a corner or out of sight ( stuffed in wardrobe) to only show to the camera "dressed" bedrooms and living rooms. I thought dressing a cat was to neuter it...and so I " neutered the rooms" so that potential buyers can see themselves in oor hoose.
It was raining heavily so hoping the gutters didn't overflow and give the impression we don't care ....ha! ha! In one sense we don't fret about material possessions because we know our Heavenly Father has the route mapped out for us, but I DID tell the surveyor that funding had been invested in our student daughters and not the house, and he nodded sagely...
Watch this space..I shall be travelling back and forwards to Aberdeen and David will be training elsewhere, but between us, we'll show folks round with the smell of coffee and home baking wafting seductively in the new owners direction......
I've watched enough "Location, Deviation, Hesitation" TV programmes, to know to put clutter into a corner or out of sight ( stuffed in wardrobe) to only show to the camera "dressed" bedrooms and living rooms. I thought dressing a cat was to neuter it...and so I " neutered the rooms" so that potential buyers can see themselves in oor hoose.
It was raining heavily so hoping the gutters didn't overflow and give the impression we don't care ....ha! ha! In one sense we don't fret about material possessions because we know our Heavenly Father has the route mapped out for us, but I DID tell the surveyor that funding had been invested in our student daughters and not the house, and he nodded sagely...
Watch this space..I shall be travelling back and forwards to Aberdeen and David will be training elsewhere, but between us, we'll show folks round with the smell of coffee and home baking wafting seductively in the new owners direction......
Wednesday, 21 June 2017
Message in a Bottle
...Captain's Log June 21st....
Have been cocooned away from the world for 2 days and nights- n ot adrift on the ocean in a bottle, but in Musselburgh for annual "Deacins Meetins and Greetins" i.e Diaconate Council. Superb fun,and fellowship with family. that is honestly how I feel, afgter being about 15 years around Deacons. active and retired.
I sensed a new spirit among us, a spirit of movement into the 21st century...we are no longer harking back to a bygone era but sprinting via Facebook and other technologies into a more modern and even more relevant variety of ministries and teams throughout Scotland.
Downers: Assumptions made by central committees and Councils that we are "in the know" about certain new developments, and at times; feeling patronised by those folks who are paid/ valued more highly than us.
Uppers: laughter, more free time with each other for cheese and whines. ...keeping on keeping on and growing in resilience as we have, and continue to persevere against many odds....
Have been cocooned away from the world for 2 days and nights- n ot adrift on the ocean in a bottle, but in Musselburgh for annual "Deacins Meetins and Greetins" i.e Diaconate Council. Superb fun,and fellowship with family. that is honestly how I feel, afgter being about 15 years around Deacons. active and retired.
I sensed a new spirit among us, a spirit of movement into the 21st century...we are no longer harking back to a bygone era but sprinting via Facebook and other technologies into a more modern and even more relevant variety of ministries and teams throughout Scotland.
Downers: Assumptions made by central committees and Councils that we are "in the know" about certain new developments, and at times; feeling patronised by those folks who are paid/ valued more highly than us.
Uppers: laughter, more free time with each other for cheese and whines. ...keeping on keeping on and growing in resilience as we have, and continue to persevere against many odds....
Train Sporting!
Early June... Finding lots to do on my weekly 2 hours + journeys to and from home to Aberdeen by train! Took up the hem of a charity shop maxi dress in prep for summer holiday in August. So mindful darning/sewing ....AND colouring- in, have been my pastimes. Actually, all these colouring books are so pretentious and expensive, aren't they??? A child's colouring book costs next to nothing and often has more cheerful line drawings in it.... Just buy yourself a cheap set of coloured pencils or felt tips and you're away! ( by train, of course!?)
Wednesday, 7 June 2017
Sunshine and Showers !!
It's been a strange week or two- not just in weather terms, but nationally and politically too, We must not forget the murders of British and European folks in the Manchester and London attacks by religious extremists.
The only sunshine I can find after those events is that once again, people came together to mourn, and to lay flowers ( quite moving to see them in George Square Glasgow, as I crossed to get local train back to Hamilton)
How extraordinary that such atrocious evil happenings here, should bring out the Rainbow of Hope that is God's comfort through the lightings of candles, visiting bedsides, and showing many kindnessess in little and big ways.
Like Band Aid of the 80's, popstars loudly proclaimed peace. generosity and solidarity,with the sufferings of the world. Maybe it puts the church to shame/OR will spur us on to be bolder in our demonstrations of love !
Speaking of rainbows, I had an interesting chat with T and N who served me my "chippy" (child's portion my blogspotting friend who is a Weight Watchers Rep) !?) So T told me in broad Aberdonian why she doesn't believe in God..
."If I want near your cherch I'd fry and sizzle jis like moi chips here !?" She then told me how her daughter had had a baby boy still-born, and showed me her tattoo with his name on it imprinted on her arm. As my dinner cooked, she continued speaking about how her daughter was now having IVF treatment and was now 4 weeks pregnant with her "rainbow baby."
How wonderful that she hadn't a clue that the symbol of coloured-spectrum-light-show was God
given after the catastrophe of the Flood in Noah's time!
Showers and Sunshine!
The only sunshine I can find after those events is that once again, people came together to mourn, and to lay flowers ( quite moving to see them in George Square Glasgow, as I crossed to get local train back to Hamilton)
How extraordinary that such atrocious evil happenings here, should bring out the Rainbow of Hope that is God's comfort through the lightings of candles, visiting bedsides, and showing many kindnessess in little and big ways.
Like Band Aid of the 80's, popstars loudly proclaimed peace. generosity and solidarity,with the sufferings of the world. Maybe it puts the church to shame/OR will spur us on to be bolder in our demonstrations of love !
Speaking of rainbows, I had an interesting chat with T and N who served me my "chippy" (child's portion my blogspotting friend who is a Weight Watchers Rep) !?) So T told me in broad Aberdonian why she doesn't believe in God..
."If I want near your cherch I'd fry and sizzle jis like moi chips here !?" She then told me how her daughter had had a baby boy still-born, and showed me her tattoo with his name on it imprinted on her arm. As my dinner cooked, she continued speaking about how her daughter was now having IVF treatment and was now 4 weeks pregnant with her "rainbow baby."
How wonderful that she hadn't a clue that the symbol of coloured-spectrum-light-show was God
given after the catastrophe of the Flood in Noah's time!
Showers and Sunshine!
Thursday, 18 May 2017
Why do I always rise to the bait????
Yesterday I had a conversation with my Line Manager about the rights and wrongs, risks and blessings, of being on Facebook where any of your parishioners can see what you do in your spare time, show photos and so on, and so on. I, in my pride, said well I never, or rarely, enter into controvertial discussion topics on Facebook. there are forums for that ( such as the closed one Minister's Forum, where bucks and roes can rutt to their heart's content!?) "But, no, I only put fun things up, or where I've enjoyed and would recommend a film...."
Then today someone had notified me of a particular sermon to watch on youtube. The title alone should have had a red beacon of fire glowing out at me saying "Avoid avoid! Danger! Danger!" What did I do? i listened to the first few sentences then...wallop...straight I fell into a bear bated theological trap of "Commenting"...actually knowing that I might be the only Christian to disagree with this person because their Facebook "friends" would be those lads and lassies who either went to their church, or who would agree with their viewpoint.
So.o.o.o. I have fallen at the first hurdle in my pride, and open a potential tinderbox ..But I couldn't help myself. I was raging!! Why do I always rise to the bait????
On a lighter note- walking round a small district of Mannofield Parish to do Christian Aid collection, I came across a lady from the congregation whom I didn't know. Not hard, I hear you say, since you've only been in post 3 weeks and there are 998 on the roll!!! But I was invited in, and we had tea and a chat. She filled me in on a lot of useful info about the church,and her dear late husband. It was especially joyous cos I had wondered how to fill in my time from early afternoon till 6.15pm when the Alpha parenting course began. (Not enough time to get 2 buses back to my Northfield home base, and too tiring...)
APC was very worthwhile, by the way. There were 3 Iranian Mums included in the number who came.
God is good. Byeeee
PS Will try and blog once a week....
Then today someone had notified me of a particular sermon to watch on youtube. The title alone should have had a red beacon of fire glowing out at me saying "Avoid avoid! Danger! Danger!" What did I do? i listened to the first few sentences then...wallop...straight I fell into a bear bated theological trap of "Commenting"...actually knowing that I might be the only Christian to disagree with this person because their Facebook "friends" would be those lads and lassies who either went to their church, or who would agree with their viewpoint.
So.o.o.o. I have fallen at the first hurdle in my pride, and open a potential tinderbox ..But I couldn't help myself. I was raging!! Why do I always rise to the bait????
On a lighter note- walking round a small district of Mannofield Parish to do Christian Aid collection, I came across a lady from the congregation whom I didn't know. Not hard, I hear you say, since you've only been in post 3 weeks and there are 998 on the roll!!! But I was invited in, and we had tea and a chat. She filled me in on a lot of useful info about the church,and her dear late husband. It was especially joyous cos I had wondered how to fill in my time from early afternoon till 6.15pm when the Alpha parenting course began. (Not enough time to get 2 buses back to my Northfield home base, and too tiring...)
APC was very worthwhile, by the way. There were 3 Iranian Mums included in the number who came.
God is good. Byeeee
PS Will try and blog once a week....
Thursday, 11 May 2017
Pastures New...meh! meh bah! ( humbug)
Started new job at Mannofield Parish Church on April 27th, as well as my part time commute between Hamilton and Aberdeen 3/4 nights a week. Enjoying meeting folks and trying to remember faces and names, names and faces. With almost 1000 on the congregational roll, it could take some time!?
This week, in lovely sunny weather, I was invited out to the garden of one of the "flock" and she gave me a big bunch of ....................flowers?
No, rhubarb...delighted...stewed it that evening with maple syrup and ginger...whoop whoop!
This dear wee lady also gave me some sweet smelling honeysuckle, which I promptly put into water in a toothbrush mug for the kitchen window since my wee home- base ( not the DIY store) is pretty sparse. These wee touches will make a difference. Have also met a local church Session Clerk who lives across the road, so I'll make a bee line for her if I'm feeling lonesome of an evening, especially since I have no tv!?
Found a smashing quote by Maya Angelou that I like " My mission in life is not merely to survive but to thrive, and to do so with passion, some compassion, some humour, and some style!" Hopefully the folks I will be serving for three years, will see this in me....
Oh , one last thing.... I'm truly blessed in this job! why?
For the first time in my Diaconate career, I am in a church where there is
a) A Caretaker ( Jannie)
b) A dedicated office and secretary 4 mornings a week (she's a star, helping me to settle in and much more)
c) I no longer have to buy my own stamps for posting pastoral cards...there's a drawer full of them!?
d) Most people are on email, which makes communication that bit easier and often all in one go ..
And all in a warm modern environment... Thanks God.
This week, in lovely sunny weather, I was invited out to the garden of one of the "flock" and she gave me a big bunch of ....................flowers?
No, rhubarb...delighted...stewed it that evening with maple syrup and ginger...whoop whoop!
This dear wee lady also gave me some sweet smelling honeysuckle, which I promptly put into water in a toothbrush mug for the kitchen window since my wee home- base ( not the DIY store) is pretty sparse. These wee touches will make a difference. Have also met a local church Session Clerk who lives across the road, so I'll make a bee line for her if I'm feeling lonesome of an evening, especially since I have no tv!?
Found a smashing quote by Maya Angelou that I like " My mission in life is not merely to survive but to thrive, and to do so with passion, some compassion, some humour, and some style!" Hopefully the folks I will be serving for three years, will see this in me....
Oh , one last thing.... I'm truly blessed in this job! why?
For the first time in my Diaconate career, I am in a church where there is
a) A Caretaker ( Jannie)
b) A dedicated office and secretary 4 mornings a week (she's a star, helping me to settle in and much more)
c) I no longer have to buy my own stamps for posting pastoral cards...there's a drawer full of them!?
d) Most people are on email, which makes communication that bit easier and often all in one go ..
And all in a warm modern environment... Thanks God.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)