Wrapping

Whenever I've talked/written about this subject i have the (in)appropriate Goldie lookin chain song going round my head, anyway...

So i was on East Midlands BBC news on Saturday night, my first TV interview! (sarcastic woo) Then on Monday morning i was on the radio, but i never listened.

In fact pretty much no one turned up! The idea appealed to the TV, radio, my clergy colleagues, the diocesan press people, all of whom were greatly supportive, but to the people of the meadows...

Well we'll see, the truth is that it's all gotta come from relationship, it's time I got out there more, first three months have been about familiarisation, but from January it's about time on the streets, open house and starting the three house/organic/simple congregations. Off to suggest it to one family today, COME ON!

(just bought 'guns don't kill people, wrappers do!')

Set about putting together a course/programme/thing to use in these gatherings for the first 6-10 weeks with pete farmer, good to do something i feel like i can for a change!

Anyway, midnight service (with bead baked during, mulled wine and hot chocolate!), xmas day celebration, big food shop, wrap caroline's pressies, clean house and we're sorted for the Christmas collapse.

bus-ed in, or incarnation?

The other day I drove into the meadows from town.

As I pulled into the box in the middle of the road to get across the lane of traffic I saw to vehicles in front of me heading for the meadows, one community policing the other a housing agency van. Then me.

How does it feel when you live in a place where everything’s done for/to you? Is it disempowering, are we creating apathy through this outside in, top down approach?

Where do I fit in? I’m not an official insider or anything yet… I do say to people I could have moved anywhere in the country and I chose here, but they just give me that “nice line mate” kinda look.

I’m wary now of our social action, we’ve organised a free present wrap for anyone who turns up at church on Saturday. Is that patronising?

Is it loving, I guess I came up with it ‘cos I’d appreciate it.

But are we perpetuating an unhelpful cycle?

I’m not sure but since I don’t fear failure anymore, I looking forward to giving it a bash and seeing what happens. If a few people come in and get chatting about important things… that’s a start.