It was great to have a day in London today to be able to meet up with Jeremy and Ian and then later with Richard.

It became clear that I still miss the buzz of London. The rush, the diversity and just the action of the place. I do love what I am called to do, but the Rochester buzz is at a very speed different speed to the London one. Apart from anything else there are numerous places to get great coffee and today I met Richard at The Sacred Cafe one of my favourite coffee houses! If you have not been there go for a visit – the espresso machine is set into a pulpit taken out of a church upstairs and downstairs you can sit amongst Buddha’s! It just has a great feel to it.

It was also fairly easy to grab a few gifts while I was in London today … and still be back in time to go to Joe’s carol concert and hear him sing his solo … a massive proud dad moment!

this produced an audible laugh while I was sat in the office!
ASBO Jesus does it again!

I have been thinking a lot more about Alice in the Cities the last day or so.

The thing that strikes me is that both the main characters, Alice and Philip, have very little purpose in life until their chance encounter. The meeting brings a purpose to each of their lives. In its simplest form, Philip has a little girl to look after and Alice has an adult ‘dad figure’ to wind up. Both move from purpose-free to having a purpose.

I was also struck by the fact that neither seems to realise they are giving the other purpose. This can easily be looked upon as the adult helping out the child in need but on a more authentic level, it is clearly two human beings helping each other and giving each other a purpose and, from that a will, to go on.

From this I draw three main things. The first is that we can never underestimate what value we are causing others to experience in our chance encounters with them. We may think nothing is happening, or that we are not helping in any way – but we can never be sure.

Secondly, this relationship is a co-dependant partnership. Both Alice and Philip actually need each other. I need others and others need me in their lives. I do not have all answers, but can find some answers in relationship with fellow human beings.

Thirdly – and I think this is possibly the scariest. None of this happens without making ourselves vulnerable. Alice brings purpose to Philips life by being vulnerable and by allowing herself to be helped. The film is a film of vulnerability and weakness. To help people develop purpose I am finding that I need to make myself vulnerable – and one of those ways of allowing that is by accepting help of others.

I say this is the scariest because, as a Christian minister, i feel it is my role to help others – but I am starting to think that it is just about as much as being ministered to as doing the ministering. In the Bible Jesus at the well comes to mind, as do the disciples going to find the upper room, get the donkey etc.

Jesus put his welfare into the hands of others, and I wonder if mission has something to do with that level of vulnerability.

Well, after all I said earlier on he day it was an amazing game which ‘we’ won 5-0.
I guess the analogy continues along the lines that if you sat away you may not only miss the pain … You may also miss some of the joy when things go right.
The win was great, the lack of involvement still leaves you wondering if things will continue next week.
I hope it does.

Still seems like only yesterday.
Although I had to explain the news to Joe.
7 years ago I remember exactly where I was when I heard.
Strange to think our younger children know nothing about this.
In a way I’m quite glad they were spared the horror of humanity’s brutality.

This picture warns against hate … something that is important to take to heart even now, 7 years later.

Just upgraded to Firefox 3 – its fun!
If you are still using the explorer browser you really should change now!

I have been finding the EA Slipstream podcasts well worth listening to. There are now 4: Terry Virgo, Shane Claiborne, Tom Wright and more recently Michael Frost.

Go listen.

I’m taking a little blog break to sample the finer things in life – see ya in a couple of weeks!

I’ve just had a weird experience.

I don’t often look at the page counter but just did out of interest to see if people do still come here, it’s surprising to see that I am not speaking to myself.

The weird thing is, though, that for the last 2 months between 20 and 30% of all my hits have come from Basildon. I don’t think I know anyone in Basildon … so share who you are please as I don’t have enough friends and am always looking for more!

Last night was an incredibly exciting time for me as the new Chair of Governors for New Brompton College. I had the privilege of attending the Achievement evening and seeing the enthusiasm and the joy of the students was just wonderful.

I’ve been involved with this school for years and it is really obvious to everyone that over the last 5 years in particular standards have been improving year on year. The credit for this rightly goes to the head teacher, the staff and the students as this was stated clearly last night – as was the fact that for the first time ever we an over-subscribed school with a waiting list. It’s good to see that the community is realising how good the school is as well.

For me – it was great to see young lives full of potential starting to realise that they can achieve that potential.

Although much of my stuff that I have done for years will need to stop when I am ordained, I am looking forward to how I can continue to support the school as chair as governors as they move into exciting times.