just the rev

The lab was a good on Sunday night - smallish group. The Archdeac was there ...again!! he either quites likes it or believes I need keeping an eye on....amybe even both! our theme was 'made in God's image' and we got people to take "the walk of mirrors" so they could see just how beautiful they are! really good to have Cat from the Uni on the bongos....Hoping to explore the possibility of an alt. venue for some of the labs after Easter....maybe Heroes Bar at the Leisure Centre - it looks fab (and has some wicked sofas!)

Also mulling over with Gerald (Salvation Army) and Andrew (Bethel Church) the possibility of hiring a nightclub for a Christian gig.

Dad arrives tomorrow for a day's walking, talking and praying.

Missing the squash at the moment with Phil...leisure centre not free until next week. So I will have to wait to try out my new racket! (broke mine during my last dual with P!)

so what's been happening here in sunny Newport?! quite a lot really.....

last week we had the Parker family staying (mates from Ridley) and finally got our new motor. Sunday morning Sheila was away, so I took the service and preached - which I really enjoyed. Got to read the Banns for the last time for Andrew and Fern which was v cool. the Lab in the evening went very well. Del spoke very well about being empty before God can fill us. Much to my relief both the University posse and the Bethel youth leaders returned. Oh yes the Bish (Dominic) turned up and seemed ok with everything.

Monday morning saw us off to my folks in Kingston for a couple of days to see family and friends before returning to Newport for a meal with Claire and Lawrence (from Bethel)last night. C and L are both cool and godly....how do they do it?!!

Most recent news is that I am an uncle again! My sister gave birth to her 2nd this morning.....a boy called Thomas! Brill news.

was thinking a bit with C and L about taking the Lab out of Church....Lawrence and I talked about Zanzibar as a poss venue!!! You can hire it out....might be wicked for a one off...

T's b-day tomorrow....so plenty to get ready for that!...can't believe my lad is going to be 7!

meet with Phil and Del this evening. excellent meal at Phil's. what a talent! Looking forward to next Lab, hope we get some younger people coming back or even for the first time. we are looking about God filling us....you know - its only the empty who get filled.

the Parkers are staying (john and i trained at ridley together and go on an annual retreat together each summer).......wicked...

played squash last night again with Phil. Hung on for a draw!

Went to our local Italian last night with Lucy. Our table was next to some friends from another church. When we came to leave we discovered that when they had left earlier they had paid not only their bill but ours too! felt all loved and very humbled.

Lab went well on Sunday. Fantastic to have Si there from the original Fountain team. Looking for the right time and way to:
1. draw others into our team
2. move the Lab from a Sunday slot
3. move the Lab from a church venue

Have had huge problems with our car as many of you know - so we are hugely relieved to be picking up our new motor this Friday. (pretty excited actually!!)

Lab number 4 last night was a very special time - the first one I've really enjoyed. A lot of that probably due to the people there (esp. good to see the guys from the Uni and the posse from Bethel Community Church.) and to the great worship (thanks Phil).We looked at the issue of risk and how we are nothing and have nothing unless we are prepared to take risks.

went to Phil's for a drop of beer and a bite of pizza after the Lab. And to Phil's disgust we watched Chelsea defeat Liverpool 2-0.

the perfect end to a great day.....

was just thinking this morning perhaps there should be more stunts in church or as part of our worship....

hi I'm back. Have ditched explorer for firefox and should make blogging a bit easier! Was at the Uni last night for the CU...sort of just to see what they get upto and to introduce myself.

The Lab went well on Sunday - a good crowd and some young people too! Since then have met a couple of youth workers - Rob Burton and Andy Hunt. Also have had an encouraging chat with Gerald (who is one of the Captains at the Salvation Army)and am pretty sure we will end up teaming up for something or other. Both of us like the idea of running a pilot for a Night Club maybe in the summer.

relationships take a while and i am such an impatient so and so but I think we are beginning to get somewhere. Please pray that the right people join our little team at that right time.