banksy, - funerals and all things in between

Just been away at Ditchingham for a weekend with ERMC, I continue to be challenged about the nature of my call to ordained ministry, but was more encouraged this weekend with a presentation by Ian Moseby from the Moot project, this is really a reflection of where I connect and engage with contemporary culture in its modern/ postmodern mix. I've come home buzzing with ideas about producing an exhibition for the Carnival tent this year entitled What if God was one of us?.(..got to hunt out those lyrics...) I want to take "Jesus" into everyday situations like the joining the commuters on the platform and Tescos to produce an ironic take on the beatitudes...brain is working overtime but watch this space for pictures...if I can persuade someone to be Jesus for me that is  (also working on suitable bribes).... I'm probably going  to get into trouble againbut hey whats new!...possibly the most wicked idea in my head is to have Jesus sitting amongst the congregation entitled Blessed are the poor in spirit....

More weekend stuff were some pretty useful workshops, I chose funerals ( got to stand in for the minister while he is on sabatical) and Further Education Chaplincy led by Sue Woan, who is always inspiring because she is such an excellent communicator.

Bible study and discussion time were partly good and partly frustrating- possibly because in so many ways I have dealt with these issues long ago and regularly teach on Acts 17 every time I go to teach on New Age stuff...I must take care not to become lazy or so concieted that I am not open to hearing new things from people who are coming at this from a different angle to me. One tendency that was strong in my group was to emphasise the us and them divide...I see no shuch divide, nor it seems did Paul for as he spoke to the group at the Areopagus he quoted their poets saying "we are all Gods offspring"  ...  How do we become inclusive without being pluralistic... it is a tightrope walk but oneworth taking, we must remain open to what God is doing in and through our culture and open to whoever he might speak through...check out banksy...be prepared to think!

I have been finding worship hard over the last few months, hard to lead and hard to participate in, I have been more likely to worship whilst listening to Bach or Vivaldi... or Coldplay (especially Fix You....which often reduces me to tears) ....or whilst walking  out across the fields, but this weekend the worship though not often of my choosing broke through somehow and I found my voice released again. Having read that back it sounds a little potty but that is where I am so what can I do!!!

So I am feeling positive but exhausted, I stayed up far too lat last night, bit better after a sleep when I got home, the joy of older children was that everyone was out so I had the house to myself for a couple of hours. Tim and Joanne had gone sailing. Jon and Chris are still out!

Hitting the books tomorrow I have 3 weeks to produce 3 essays and a piece a project aimed at Spiritual seekers...but I want to get out with the camera photographing Jesus so I will have to be disciplined!

Another learning curve hit me when I arrived home...

More later as the weekends events settle....