Local Youth Suprize me

Today was my birthday and being a Tuesday is the busiest day of my week, we managed to fit in Pizza hut in the 1hr gap. We went straight into the Girls discipleship group and then into Chill, the youth drop in.

I took some of my birthday cake to share. they were telling me off that i did not tell them about my birthday. BUT. Later in the evening the kids had got together before and got me a cake and card signed by the kids.
It made my birthday.

church army conference

What can i say, I have been to many conferences in the retail world before i started pointing people to Jesus, and they have been inspiring and motivational and did not think they could be topped. This conference was not only inspiring, motivational, but added an extra dimension. from moving away from the focus on ones self to work in partnership with God to transforming people, in the power of Jesus.Wow that is something to get fired up about.

Jackie Pullinger was fantastic, real and had a no nonsence approach.
For me particular the following jumped out.
Don't skip the relationship bit with God.
Expect to see miracles
Read the basic gospel and just do it.
See people how Jesus see's them.
See transformation not conversion.
Time for friends, prayer and support.

I'll finish with a word from Rob Bell in "Velvet Elvis""A trampoline has many springs, and are essential to help us jump, they help us make sense of the deeper realities of our faith. The springs are not God, the springs are not Jesus. They are statements and beliefs of our faith that give words to the depth that we are experiencing in our jumping."Lets focus on Jumping and not on the springs.

Beer and Hymns at The local Pub

Once again we hosted the Beer and Hymn night at the local Pub. It was transformed into 1940's style for the St Georges evening. It was topped of with a George fornby and Vera Lynn lookalike.

It wasnt as packed as its been before but all in the pub were involved this time. I could have published it better, but it was all last minute thing.

Holy Week - quiet and relective

Wow what a week. we had nothing prepared at church. i spent the weeks, promoting all the events at the other churches, giving me a time to reflect and be fed personally by God. The week ended with a great walk of witness which i organised starting at Hampden wesley reform church, finishing at St Stephen's via, st barts' s salvation army and then St Thomas's Philadelphia. It was great walking throughtesco carpark. We handed out easter cards and eggs.

the week finished on a high with a joint BBQ with St Stephens on Easter Sunday.

Deputy head interviews

i was privileged to spend a whole day interviewing for a new deputy head at Wirlow grange. I was exhausted with all that thinking. How interviewing has changed since my B&Q manager days. Gut feel was part of the decision process, where as now we cannot even know the persons date of birth or move away from the process. Slightly frustrating but can understand some of the process for being fair.

Community Bingo

Spent the evening at the school Bingo and auction With Gina. What a fantastic way of raising money for a good cause and also have a fab time. It was great seeing the teachers relaxed and having fun. It was also great to connect with local families. I spent £5 on a box of liquorish allsorts in the auction( good cause) and won a massive Chick, which my daughter is jealous off.