More people thinking we need space to create:

“I lived in solitude in the country and noticed how the monotony of a quiet life stimulates the creative mind”

Albert Einstein

maybe a bit naughty but ASBO Jesus has me laughing again!!
Just shows … I’m a pioneer not a pastor!

We saw Oliver as a family last night.

Fantastic show and Rowan Atkinson’s interpretation of Fagin is very funny and incredibly well portrayed. There are very few people that can walk onto a stage and say only one word which causes the audience to laugh.

If you are into musicals and get a chance – try to see this before Atkinson leaves the show in July.

The news of Jade Goody seems to be hitting the nation in a sad way. Both Michele Hanson of the Guardian and Gareth of God is Not Elsewhere have very valid things to say.

Our prayers go out to her family, husband to be and children.

I bought a Flip Video today from Amazon who are doing a great deal with 23% off.

This is an amazing little video camera. It’s light, easy to use, auto focus and one button to use. It looks good, has been well designed and because you access the video files bu USB connection (which flips up) does not even waste battery power on file transfers like most other cameras.

It’s snowing outside and I’ve shot a little video in incredibly low light and it looks fine. The whole process from unwrapping, to putting batteries in, shooting the vid and uploading it on You Tube took less than 10 minutes. This is so simple to use and gives just as good an image – I’ve experimented in good light but to post that would mean showing me – and that ain’t gonna happen! You can see the unimaginative snow video here which was taken at about 10.30pm.

If you are looking for a great video camera go for the flip – its cool.

the view from my house … and still the snow falls!

Good to see that the Pope has caught up here (and about time!) with Archbishop Rowan by launching a You Tube channel.

I’m not really trying to wind up and bait my catholic friends!

I have just returned from a Moot Eucharist service and it was great to be back amongst the community.
It was also a great chance to meet up with Jeremy and his great family – thanks for supper Ruth, you are a star as ever!

I have now just finished packing to go to not so sunny Bognor for the Rochester Diocesan Conference. I must admit I can’t get enthusiastic about Bognor or Butlins in January but I’m sure we will have a great time. I’m particularly looking forward to hearing the teaching from Paula Gooder who was excellent at the YFC staff conference last year.

I am responsible for leading two 30 minute worship slots and will be interviewed at some stage and asked about what I do as a pioneer … won’t take long to answer that one … I pray, wait, chat, pray chat and wait!

I’m not sure Butlins will give us wireless access so I suspect the blog will be quiet this week – if you are a regular reader do something more useful instead … pray for a lasting peace in Gaza and that the inauguration of President Obama will satisfy at least some of the expectations that the world is placing on this guys shoulders.

One of the great spin offs from being on placement with Moot, which seems likes years ago, is making friends with some great people.

Mike is one of those and artist at Moot. He has designed some great t-shirts here which are well worth the money.

I have to go to the diocesan conference at Bognor in a couple of weeks and was thinking about purchasing t-shirt illustrated to wear – but I wonder if it might wind someone up …. but maybe would not upset some more ‘narrow’ people as the t-shirt below … whatever … why not go buy one from here and make Mike a happy man!

It was brilliant yesterday to be present at Jen’s ordination.
We have all traveled so far together over these last 3 and a bit years and to see this day come was very special and quite emotional for everyone.
God was clearly present and his working through Jen is and will continue to be obvious.
This was a great day – we are all proud of you Jen!