just the rev

watched the legend of Zorro this week. okay film except the rented DVD kept jumping but we just about managed to keep up with the very complex plot!! Good old Zeta Jones!

not quite sure were this week has gone. Lucy's parents have arrived for the weekend - which is terrific.

Good chat with Claire and Lawrence late last night (they were babysitting)- because of their encouragement L and I might pursue running The marriage course here in Newport.

At St. Mark's this Sunday morning for the Rev. Willie (real name) and then the Lab in the evening.

oh yes had a good chat with someone this week who might turn out to be the mentor/friend I think I really need.

oh yes forgot to say that during our little trip to Gloucester last Saturday was wonderful to see the Donalds (Chris Donald is a very cool bloke....wish he was a student in Newport and not York!!) and the Birtles (ever so briefly!!).

busy day yesterday went okay. Really enjoyed the service in the morning at All Saints - well done Sarah, good job! Service in the afternoon very trad but rural/area deans don't come more supportive, encouraging and welcoming than Arthur - what a star! In the evening Lab went well but smaller number. tried a different layout but still felt a little awkward. Good to have Cat back on the bongos as well as Phil and Micah doing the guitar thing....we always miss Del of course when she can't make it!

had a great time with Mike and Kate on friday night and then on Saturday saw James, Paul and Amy in Gloucester - great time with them but still feeling a bit homesick.

Just heard that Mrs Denno has been accepted for ordination - fantastic. Well done Skye!

long PCC last night but signs of hope. Significant increase in budget for ministry with/to children and young people - represents a real risk. but as old T.S Elliot said " Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go."

today Mike and Kate arrive and are staying over. Can't wait to see them....

Toby's school are having a fairy day so the boys get to go as wizards....bit surreal seeing T go off just now as a young Gandalf!

busy Sunday coming up with three different 'sermons' to nail. Looking at the subject of prodigals and esp. the elder son at the Lab. Last time there were 30 of us and had a really good feel. Hope James the DJ/drummer returns!

one last thought about risk....don't know who said it but i'm liking it - "if you aren't living on the edge you're taking up too much room."

the lab

Stow Hill Baptist is now Zanzibar the night club!!

Is it time as Andrew put to me to "bring worship home"?!?

Made me even more determined to talk to the Zanzibar management about renting it out for some sort of event....maybe not youth focused but prayer focused....maybe a 24hr prayer thing....

have made a booking with the city Leisure Centre to use their wine bar for our Easter Day Lab! very excited about this....

thanks to Mark for: http://www.themcpassion.com/

off to Stround to speak at Wycliffe College Chapel......

Ah students....love 'em!

Cat and Micah escaped off campus to have lunch with us yesterday and help Phil with the music at the Lab. really enjoyed their company and their input to our worship. Micah even provided some excellent lighting for our little gathering. Cat Happy 19th Birthday!

Yesterday's Lab went well....still struggling with continuity - different people each week! Mark B coming down to see me tomorrow....Yippeee!

Have finally start reading Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell.....and loving it.

Nice to see Chelsea are back to their winning ways. Haven't dared to say anything to Phil about Liverpool's defeat aat the hands of Arsenal!

A BLOG INVASION?

kicking off a second blog.

http://newportlab.blogspot.com/

less personal news and more lab info/publicity.

Got some fliers and posters in the pipe line....at last.

Great to see Geoff, Emma and Sophia yesterday....oh the life of a curate....

thought about betrayal and forgiveness at the Lab last night. really good worship thanks to Phil and Cat. Still slowly edging towards a core group of young adults for the Lab. Just off to see Gerald and Andrew again to continue discussions about a Christian nightclub for Newport.

was amazed how few people at the Lab had seen The Mission.....I think we were all moved/challenged by the Holy Spirit last night.

carrying it all on hopefully this coming Sunday when we take a look at freedom.

Oh yes went to see our friends - Nick, Helena, James and Amelia - on Saturday. Was a wonderful time...thank you guys.

enjoyed a great time with my Dad walking up sugar loaf....fantastic views made xtra special by the snow!

L and I met with Phil last night to plan the Lab for Sunday....somehow got onto the subject of Spinal Tap - a rockumentary....then onto the subject of the film A mighty Wind - a mockumentary.....and then onto what we would call the Lab if it became a film....Phil came up with the word "flockumentary."...which I like a lot and was a bit cross that I didn't think of it!

Still looking at the possibility of a Christian nightclub....seem to be some signs that we may not be barking up the wrong tree after all!!

Bernard and Mary are coming to lunch....they are loyal supporters of the Lab and a real encouragement. In a recent "cabinet reshuffle" Bernard has agreed to look after the money side of things! excellent.