I'm not sure that the above cartoon is really the way forward for our churches. However, I really love this passage from 1 Peter as a description of how church should be. If it was always like this, then it really would be brilliant! I am just glad that I get glimpses of this on occasion, through the actions of some very special people.

‎1 Peter: 4: 7b-11

Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.


It's all there: clear mindedness, prayer, love, forebearance, hospitality, gifts, service and the word of God. Peter places God firmly at the centre of it all...For me, this is church as it should be, whatever worship style we choose to wrap it up in.

Epic!!

Little Miss Busy...A week in the Life of a C of E curate.


Before I begin I need to confess that I stole this idea from a fellow curate because it was really interesting to read what filled her week last week: see here. Thanks Karen.

MONDAY: Started work about 8.30am, answered emails, phone calls and then prepared 'All Age Worship' for Sunday. Attended a wonderful women clergy lunch with our Dean of Women, Libby Lane, our Archdeacon, Michael Gilbertson and our Suffragan Bishop, Keith Sinclair. It was really useful to talk formally about the issues facing women in the church and informally with one another. I left about 3.45pm and went straight off to pick up my son from his school choir practice. In the evening I attended PCC where much was discused and some very positive decisions made.

TUESDAY: I had to travel down to London by train to attend an AWESOME committee meeting. I left at 8.30am and got into Euston around 11.30. I made my way to Pimlico where our chair, Liz has her vicarage. We had a lovely lunch together and then continued with our meeting. It was fantastic to meet with such a wonderful group of women, all evangelical theologically and all faithfully following God as ordained ministers. Much was discussed and I realised how much I really enjoy this link to the wider church and the issues under scrutiny at the moment. It is a valuable connection and one I really treasure. Got home about 10.30pm...a long but rewarding day.

WEDNESDAY: I was relieved to discover via an email that it was the Methodist Ministers turn to take communion at the local nursing home. I enjoy going in usually but had so much on this week that any extra space for preparation was very useful. I picked up a message inviting me to go and speak at the local Methodist churches fellowship meeting in November. I prepared Housegroup, phoned a few people and answered emails. I had to take our two kittens for their second set of jabs at pm and then began my sermon for Sunday evening. Took some time out when my son got in from school because in the evening I was going out again, this time to Housegroup. I don't seem to be seeing very much of my family this week; will make up for it at the weekend I hope.

THURSDAY: Presided at 10am Communion and stayed to have coffee afterwards. Then went to the Vicarage for a supervision meeting with my incumbent. In the afternoon I did some more sermon preparation, this time for the morning service and got the intercessions ready. The evening was spent at the Alpha meal where we were very pleased to welcome about 20 people. It went well and some good first introductions were made. The venue at Delamere park is proving to be a good one.

FRIDAY: Back to my previous place of work, The Grange Senior School, Hartford, to take their Harvest assembly. The powerpoint worked and it all seemed to go well. Enjoyed seeing pupils and staff again. The went to visit a member of housegroup who has had an operation to take her a card and some flowers from the group. Came home and did some more preparation for Sunday before seeing a friend for an hour. In the evening took Tom to Youth Group and stayed to do tuck shop and help out with general games etc. Then on to the local village hall for a Church organised Quiz night and fish supper. Thanks to some very clever team members (not me) we won! Phew...Fridays aren't usually this packed!

SATURDAY: I took this as a complete day off as I was supposed to have one on Monday but didn't in the end due to other committments. Was great to chill out with the family and do very little after such a busy week.

SUNDAY: Busy Sabbath!!! 9.30am - CW Communion, lead and preach. 11.15 - All Age: whole thing, 6.30pm - BCP Evening prayer: whole thing. All services went fine although we were down on numbers at 9.30am. A lot of our regulars were away I think. Had fun at the 'All Age' with the theme 'Taste and see that the Lord is good'. Nap in the afternoon, needed the recharge! Got home from the evening service about 8pm to find I had a delicious Indian take away waiting and a glass or two of wine. A lovely end to a good but busier than usual 'week in the life of this curate'.