just the rev

preached last night at St. Mark's patronal service. went okay. but really wanted to watch the footie. was a bit miffed therefore because it was suggested that one possible reason for the absence of one of the clergy from another church was because it clashed with bridge night! Anyway got back home and saw the missed penalty. Well done Arsenal.
more fun this evening with st. Paul's vestry meeting and churches together tomorrow night! Planning the Lab tomorrow with Luce and Del....hoping to use a lengthy clip from "Leap of faith"....forgot what a good film it is. Had a good chat with Gerald (Salvation Army) in Coffee number one - what a star he is!!

watched Chocolat on Easter Saturday...enjoyed it much more than I thought I would. We had a clip from it last night at the Lab where the theme was "jesus the man". The priest in the story right at the end of the film says the following from the pulpit...."I'm not sure today what the theme of my homily should be. Do I want to speak of the miracle of our Lord's divine transformation? Not really no. I don't want to talk about his divinity. I'd rather talk about his humanity. You know, I mean, how he lived his life here on earth, his kindness, his tolerance. Listen - here's what I think. I think we can't go around measuring our goodness by what we don't do, by what we deny ourselves, what we resist and who we exclude. I think we've got to measure goodness by what we embrace, what we create and who we include."

Hope that the lab becomes known for embracing, creating and including.

Been on holiday last week so its been a very long break from the blog. But thank you for the support and prayers for the Lab at Heroes Bar on Easter Day. It went really well. Last night's Lab was pretty special too with what I have termed 'an agape moment' - we ripped up some bread and passed it to each other remembering that sometimes we try desperately to be anything but human. We think we have to be God himself. Sometimes we don't cut ourselves or others enough slack. In that simple but powerful moment we remembered our brokenness - that we are just frail humans but also that Jesus entered our neighbourhood and knows our pain and will continue to walk with us.

been a good but busy time in the Groves' household. Zoe's 10th B-day yesterday. Went out for pizza and then saw Ice Age 2. Toby thought it was excellent and I thought it was....well...not excellent! Zoe got a very cute rabbit for her birthday and loads of decent presents and cash!! Just got back in from a service at the Cathedral where the clergy re-affirm the promises they made at ordination. Good service...I particularly liked the prayer for vision, courage and joy! Yes please! about to have lunch with the family. then got a meeting with someone at the Lab. A service tonight and tomorrow afternoon.....sermons to write....oh I tell you its all go. Looking forward to the Lab at Heroes Bar even though I haven't got a clue who will be there! We will be thinking about the Lab being a place to encounter God's love. It's great to be loved and I want the young people of Newport to know and feel His love too.

this is my Easter Card from Housley!!

catching up on some viewing....just seen the school of rock again (L hadn't seen it before)....great film....great youth work philosophy.

Seeing Narnia tonight cos we aint seen yet!

Phil triumphed on the squash court today....my powers are weakening ....yikes!

been a busy old day but satisfying.