just the rev

2006-12-18T18:23:00.000+01:00

Time to say goodbye to this blog!

Time to switch to LAB Central

2006-12-08T20:23:00.000+01:00

Pub Lab this Sunday at Wetherspoons at 7pm and the final one of the year! Exploring future plans esp a weekly prayer space on wednesday nights.
WWJD? (what would Jesus drink?)
Good week so far. really really enjoyed my time with Dad at the Bridge. Some excellent footie. terrific youth group session last night. Very inspiring stuff - thanks Chris! Those of you who know old George from St. Cat's please remember him in your prayers. I think he is finally beginning to feel his 95 years...

2006-12-05T11:07:00.000+01:00

day off today. Going to London to see the Chelsea match with my Dad. so looking forward to it. in the midst of Christmas prep, meetings and services...in the midst of getting ready to take over from Sheila as the vicar (Priest-in-Charge) at the start of January...trying not to lose sight of Jesus. Loving that Tim Hughes song "Be my everything"......esp. that line "Christ in me the hope of glory".

After December 31 I will shut down this blog. It has served me well. I am working on a new website that will fit in with a new year and a new direction in ministry. The new website will have a blog, pics, short films and some other stuff. Will post the new address on here before Chrimble is over.

2006-11-29T14:17:00.000+01:00

L and I popped into Toby's class this morning. They had prepared some questions for me about what I do and believe in etc. Great kids and fab questions. One of the questions was "Do you know the story of the Good Samaritan?" this led us onto talking about other stories in the bible. Right at the end of the session one lad came up to me and said "I think this story is in the Bible....its that one....you know....the one with the King and the goose"!! Couldn't work out which story he might be muddled up with or whether this was just a random thought that happened.

Went to see my bro this week. His album is out soon. Check out some of the songs on charlie

2006-11-24T18:32:00.000+01:00

ever been to The Cartoon Blog by Dave Walker?

this one of a few you are allowed to re-use on a blog. Hoping Santa might bring me the book for Christmas.......

good time taking the LAB to the Christian Union at the Uni on Tuesday. Some guy was saying that Rob Bell (Mr Nooma)had been in Cardiff on Sunday and how good it had been. Does anyone know if he is speaking anywhere else in the UK soon?

2006-11-19T21:11:00.000+01:00

nooma tonight at the lab was called 'bullhorn'. A very passionate plea by Rob Bell to love without an agenda. best sermon on evangelism/mission/witness I have heard for a long while.
really good to join with the Salvation Army at their cafe tonight - good crowd of over 50 people....lovely atmosphere.

its been a real ecumenical Sunday. Took the service and preached at Del's church (Methodist) this morning. what a good bunch.....

2006-11-10T18:08:00.001+01:00

been thinking a lot about prayer. been mostly prompted by the offer to write the intro for a prayer resource called fusion. check out >http://fusiondata.blogspot.com/2006/11/
countdown-has-begun-20-days-and.html

also had our first mini lab youth group meeting at St. Paul's last night for younger teens. Brilliant evening! thanks Chris! watched a dvd called "the upper room - mobilize your church to PRAY like never before." thinking we should have a week of continuous prayer for the youth of Newport in 2007 and also have a prayer room at St. Paul's.

Making time to pray can never be time wasted.

2006-11-09T17:37:00.000+01:00

2006-11-06T10:31:00.000+01:00

brilliant lab again last night. Nice little crowd of about 25. Good to have Steph on the drums. The nooma was called "luggage' and was a very powerful talk on forgiveness.....really stirred us up.

have not been blogging with much frequency because of a mix of busyness, half term and toying with the idea of vlogging (blogging via video).

just four 'meetings' today and then L and I are going for a meal this evening.....

not sure what to call the vlog when it happens....any ideas?

I think people believe I only acknowledge Chelsea when they are doing well....losing to Spurs I ask you ....oh dear oh dear.

2006-10-20T16:13:00.000+01:00

Delirious? have had quite impact on me and on my ministry since their early Cutting Edge days. When I was a youth worker in London I welcomed them on stage at our church in 1996 and watched about 500 people go nuts. In 1998 Lucy and I saw them here in Newport. Then in 2000 Lucy and I welcomed them on stage in Cheltenham at p2k and watched several thousand people go nuts. Last night we saw them again here in Newport playing at a very full Leisure Centre......what a fantastic evening. The songs still seem to cut it and their ministry is as encouraging as ever. Mission Bell is their latest album and if you don't have it then for crying out loud get one now! The visuals for my favourite song ever "history maker" were great as were the visuals for 'paint this town red'. Well encouraged.

2006-10-11T11:36:00.000+01:00

LONDON: A touch of the fairground came to the Tate Modern gallery as the latest work trying to fill the cavernous turbine hall of the former power station on the River Thames.

Conceived by Belgian-born German artist Carsten Holler, Test Site consists of five helter-skelter slides – the tallest of which drops 26.5 metres from the top floor of the building and is 55.5 metres long.

"The moment of going down the slide is a moment of release," Holler told a news conference at the opening of the installation. "In my opinion, the fairground experience is completely under-rated.

"But this is not just a fairground experience. It embodies a lot of other things," he added.

This is participation art, said Tate Modern curator Jessica Morgan.

"Holler firmly believes that slides should be far more widely used in public life. The idea is that if we all went down a slide on a daily basis it might profoundly change our lives," she said.

I think Holler is on to something here. see my post on Friday 1st September. Also ties in with some reading. Looking at "The Passionate Church' by Breen and Kallestad (excellent stuff by the way!) - they talk about working from rest rather than what we all seem to do which is resting from work. perhaps there is more of a chance of being productive and fruitful if we resist being a workaholic. The true sign of being godly is pattern our life after God himself. And for God rest is vitally important. Would be interesting if we brought more of a mix of rest and the fairground experience to our discipleship.

Been down a slide recently?!

2006-10-06T15:02:00.000+01:00

been away on a conference called Welcome to Wales. Pretty useful stuff...might have helped more to have gone on it last year! Good to be home...briefly...away for my Mum's priesting in Southwark Cathedral this Sunday.

felt a bit discouraged just recently but listened to a New Wine talk whilst at the gym this morning! It was all about courage and the bloke was talking about the Spartan army and in particular the battle of Thermopylae where just 300 men stood upto the might of the Persian Army - The performance of the defenders at the battle of Thermopylae is often used as an example of the advantages of training, equipment and good use of terrain to maximise an army's potential, as well as a symbol of courage against extremely overwhelming odds.

2006-09-29T16:54:00.000+01:00

ah harvest.....one of those full on weekends. church harvest supper here tomorrow night for about 25. sermon for sunday morning to finish and our first all age service to finish sorting as well as the Lab. Avoided a harvest theme for the Lab instead we are taking a break from nooma to look at psalm 137 and what we feel about exile and singing a new song in a foreign land......

got given a cheque for 2000 yesterday towards our part time schools worker that we are keen to get underway...PTL!

off to my mate Rob's school for a quiz night fundraiser....useless at this sort of thing....might be okay for sport and religion I suppose!

2006-09-25T09:57:00.000+01:00

Gr8 weekend! Had Sarah, Blaise and Lily staying..,,also had our first children's event at St. Paul's - Harvest Messy Play. were thrilled that some young families actually came and seemed to nejoy themselves! next up is our harvest all age service this Sunday. Lab was very quiet last night - not sure where everyone was but had a good time of worship and watching Nooma 3 - Trees. thanks for the photo John.... a bit shakey but you get the idea!

2006-09-17T17:25:00.000+01:00

what a goal!
made up for Phil beating me at squash yesterday!

2006-09-16T11:12:00.000+01:00

L's uncle and aunt have been staying. richard was my spiritual director when I was training at ridley. Sort of bloke whose is so very wise that you need to remember anything he says to you. He said to me this morning he felt God was opening doors and quoted Revelation "I have opened a door for you that no one can shut."

feeling exhausted but encouraged.... ready to step back from meetings, planning etc and going to the fair with the kids later!

2006-09-15T19:16:00.000+01:00

Local Salvation Army are exploring cafe church and are asking me to look in on it soon. Life has become one gigantic meeting.....but some good stuff this week. offered some serious funding by an individual towards an outreach worker and some stuff shaping up for when I take over as priest in charge of St. Paul's. Got my bro working on a soundtrack for an alternative eucharistic service - could be fun....

2006-09-09T20:23:00.000+01:00

Well, an interesting comment from Mr B on my last entry suggesting selling the anti alpha clergyman but I am neither a football manager or bishop.....a drop of patience is what is called for

finding waiting pretty tough. I don't do waiting. Today we went for a barbeque with our friends the Morse Family by the Usk. Found it very hard to wait for the charcoal to light! Am finding it quite hard to wait and not try and speed up the lighting of the Lab or St. Paul's......a drop of patience is what is called for

I so want to see Chelsea firing in lots of goals... (Sad to admit but was happy that Arsenal drew even with Gallas!!)...a drop of patience is what is called for....anyway at least (unlike Liverpool) we won!

2006-09-08T15:04:00.000+01:00

The threat of an own goal.

Mixed opinion about whether we are better off without Gallas.

Was a bit taken back this week by a local clergyman saying that he would be active in stopping people coming on Alpha. Had been ready for church leaders to say that they were unable to join in but this seemed something like a threat of an own goal.......

2006-09-01T17:24:00.000+01:00

was cracking on this week with some paperwork and admin when yesterday I had a really difficult conversation with someone and ended the day on a real low. This morning I got up feeling not much better and was beginning to give into that aweful disease that clergy especially seem to suffer from - taking myself too seriously. Went swimming with the family today to Newport Leisure Centre. Not a bad pool - its got a wave machine and a slide. Went down the slide and as I did I felt a weight lift from me; I felt a sudden burst of joy and relief as I let go. Was praying with my mate Rob afterwards and he text me a reworking of Psalm 119:32 - it goes like this "I slide down the water chute of your commands for you have set my heart free." Thank God for swimming pools and water chutes and for his freedom.

2006-08-31T09:59:00.000+01:00

just got back from seeing our mates Si, Amanda, Lucy, Daniel and Max in Plymouth. Great to see them and their new home. Anxious to hear how Greenbelt was this year for people. More admin nonsense to wade through day with family moments to keep me going. Next week we are going to John and Moira Knight's house for the day - John and Moira looked after us when we got married and started our first youth work job in Finchley. Really looking forward to that - they were friends/mentors out of the top drawer....amazing to have wise people who care looking out for you. Hope you've found a John and Moira.....

2006-08-26T10:08:00.000+01:00

Loved New Wine and am going back next year but for sometime I have been kicking around the idea with others of doing something much smaller, more 'house party' like. Instead of New Wine for instance how about New Port? was initially thinking of camping in the Gower next May. Have come across a Christian ski company and now thinking instead of New Wine how about Glu Vine? By the way have absolutely no idea who the people in the pic are but they look nice christian people......don't they?

2006-08-22T13:38:00.000+01:00

ever felt you were running on empty? and then holiday comes along.....

the last two weeks have been a really good time away esp. the time with Lucy and the kids. We have braved the icy waters of the Dymchurch sea and cycled through a Berkhamsted monsoon and now we are home! last weekend saw a gentle return to work. Had an excellent meeting with Gerald (Salvation Army) re city centre plans for alpha and youth ministry....pretty confident that there will be at least four or five churches who want to do the alpha thing together. Had a lab planning day with Phil, Lucy and Del on Saturday which was really encouraging (going to stick the plans for next term on the Lab blog soon). Yesterday and today saw the terrifying moment of facing a backlog of planning and admin. beginning to get some grip on it. enjoyed seeing match of the day on Sunday (a very comfortable win for chelsea). Only other thing to draw your attention to is the fact that Delirious? are back in Newport in October. Lucy and I are hoping to go with our friends Mike and Kate and hopefully the Philski too!

2006-08-05T19:23:00.000+01:00

Just got back with the family from Cardiff. Went with ten others from st. paul's to see my fair lady. enjoyed it more than i thought i would....

off tomorrow for 2 weeks holiday. our annual pilgrimmage to Dymchurch (home of Dr Syn - once the vicar there) and then on to see Lucy's parents. Been a fairly productive week. Good PCC and a great time with Andrew - the pastor at Bethel. oh yes and I beat Phil on the squash court again!

2006-07-31T18:02:00.000+01:00

just got back from a family trip to see "Stormbreaker". Good film. Kids loved it. It reminded me of what I had heard this week at new wine....the need for courage and how Christianity in the West has lost its guts.

New Wine very enjoyable. A bit weird returning to services at St. Paul's and then at St. Julian's (evensong)where they didn't hold back on the incense. Met Maggie Smith this morning to keep her and churches together informed about a possible city centre alpha.

oh by the way check out me old mate Mark Balfour's blog. But be warned he's ever so deep!hopeful amphibian

2006-07-20T09:21:00.000+01:00

went to a clergy day yesterday. Bishop of Bristol spoke. Not many Bishops who can make you laugh and feel good about life and yourself......good stuff.

Clergy were invited to wear casual clothes. the pic is a reminder that there are some clergy who think of casual in a different way to me! Oh dear!

2006-07-15T12:53:00.000+01:00

really cheesed off with Orange. My sim card has decided to malfunction and it might be Wednesday before it is sorted. Apologies if you've been trying to get me on the mobile!
its been a real week of eating and meeting. last night we were at the Bish's for a clergy buffet supper and tonight we have David and Louise Parfitt coming round for a meal. (David is vicar in Malpas).

2006-07-13T14:12:00.000+01:00

beginning of the week saw a visit from Andrew who runs Indigo Valley. They provided fairtrade filter coffee to churches inc. the machines. Brilliant bloke and a good setup. check it out - indigovalley

Had a good birthday on Tuesday - felt a lot less depressed about being 37 than I thought I would!

Today had a meeting with Bishop D. about my future at St. Paul's - which was very helpful and encouraging and have just had lunch with Chris and Helena from Glos....part of the old C21 all age services team....great memories of some pretty wacky services.

beautiful weather in Wales today....the chances of it staying fine for New Wine?!!

2006-07-07T15:53:00.000+01:00

loads to say and not sure where to begin! thought I better had blog something though before Passmore gets on my case again about out of date blogging and out of date World Cup analysis! Mike and Kate Capener about to arrive so I may have to stop soon. Working on a presentation to the city centre church leaders for joint youth work initiatives in the city and a possible city centre alpha initiative in 2007. Just got back from my annual retreat at Launde Abbey...great time praying, relaxing and hanging out with my mate Johnny Parker. beautiful countryside. on our first walk ended up being chased by a herd of cows, then by a dog and then by a farmer's wife and on our second walk got stuck in the middle of a thunder storm....getting just a little bit wet! Preaching this Sunday on not just believing in Jesus but knowing that He believes in us too! Actually the diary is a bit mental at the moment. Mike and Kate staying tonight and then Lucy and I are going to Gloucester tomorrow night for James Wenham's 30th Birthday. Oh yes of course there's the conclusion to the world cup on Sunday night. I think the Italy/Germany game would have made a great final....really enjoyed that. Chances of Ronaldo playing again for Man U? - slim. Chances of Beckham playing for Newcastle? - even slimmer.

I will return to fill you on some other work stuff soon...promise.

2006-06-28T16:55:00.000+01:00

met this morning with one of the elders of nant coch evangelical church to chew over youth work opportunities. My little world of ministry seems awash with possibilities and good ideas.....most of which (for the time being) seem just out of reach.

Lucy has gone away with a friend for two nights for a well deserved break and so I am in charge at home!

trying to progress the idea of a CYM student for next Sept....how far the churches in the city centre are willing to actually work/mission together is going to become very apparent in the next two - three months. Presenting some city centre youth work ideas/possibilities/strategies to the other church leaders in September....

off now to sort out tea!

2006-06-21T16:47:00.001+01:00

never a good time to lose a key player from your team. never a good time to lose a key player from your church.........never have a team needed more cohesion and more creativity (thank goodness for Gerrard and Cole). never has the church been in need of more creativity and cohesion.....Which is more frustrating - Church or Football?

had lunch with Father John Kelly from the Catholic Church today. Top bloke.

2006-06-17T10:08:00.000+01:00

Have been too busy watching the world cup to blog!...and now there's tennis on too!

Thanks to my scouser mate Andrew for the following:
It is just before England v Brazil at the World Cup. Ronaldino goes into
the Brazilian changing room to find all his team-mates looking a bit glum.
"What's up?" he asks. "Well, we're having trouble getting motivated for this game.
We know it's important but it's only England. They're rubbish and we can't
be bothered". Ronaldino looks at them and says "Well, I reckon I can beat these by
myself, you lads go down the pub."
So Ronaldino goes out to play England by himself and the Rest of the
Brazilian team go off for a few jars.
After a few pints they wonder how the game is going, so they Get the
landlord to put the teletext on. A big cheer goes up as the screen reads "Brazil
1 - England 0 (Ronaldino 10 minutes)". He is beating England all by himself!
Anyway, a few more pints later and the game is forgotten until someone
remembers "It must be full time now, let's see how he got on". They put the teletext
on. "Result from the Stadium "Brazil 1 (Ronaldino 10 minutes) - England 1 (Owen
89 minutes)". They can't believe it, he has single handily got a draw against England!! They rush back to the Stadium to congratulate Ronaldino.
They find him in the dressing room, still in his gear, sat with his head
in his hands. He refuses to look at them. "I've let you down, I've let you down." "Don't be daft, you got a draw against England, all by yourself. And they only
scored at the very, very end!"
"No, No, I have, I've let you down... I got sent off after 12 minutes"

England must get better....one can only hope and pray. Couldn't believe how many chances Lampard wasted.....

2006-06-09T15:38:00.000+01:00

Come on Costa Rica! watching the opener with Phil and the family. did a world cup assembly at toby's school this morning to help get in the mood.

Been a hot week! Met with Richard Passmore at the beginning of the week. Richard works for the cym (centre for youth ministry) in bristol and is a old youth work mate from my Gloucester days. Good to show him round and get his take on things. Also discussed the possibility of getting a student from cym on placement in Sept 2007. Also went to Liswerry School CU with my mate Jim - Jim thanks for a great chat and an awesome bacon sandwich! L and I met with Sheila to discuss the "transfer of power" with regards to St. Paul's restaurant as of September this year. And we've enjoyed seeing Cat and Sarah and other people too. Sorry if this is all a bit dull but apparently some deanery whingers having been saying that they don't know what I'm doing......perhaps they'll be none the wiser even if they read the above!.....they could of course just ask me.....

Preaching this Sunday by the way on John 3 for trinity Sunday and been thinking lots about what Brian McLaren says about eternal life in his excellent book "the sercret messge of Jesus". What is eternal life? Do we need to get further away from the pie in the sky when you die stuff and more into the steak on the plate while you wait stuff?

2006-06-05T09:09:00.000+01:00

really enjoyable time at Heroes. Great input from Lawrence, Claire, Andrew and Del as we focused in on Jesus the King. thanks again everybody. Nice little crowd representing half a dozen different churches - all just mucking in together.

as promised here's the link to the free vid of S M Lockridge's prayer That's my King!

2006-06-03T10:34:00.000+01:00

Got back from family camping expedition in the Gower on Thursday and then spent yesterday in bed with a vicious tummy bug. Could it have been the barbecue?!

Yes before you ask that is a copy of the Church Times at my feet! Did I buy it? No I was given it (honest!). Why did I have it on holiday with me?! well actually there was an interview with Brian McLaren about the Da Vinci Code in it....it also came in handy to fan the flames of the barbeque!

Feeling a bit better this morning...wanting to be 100% fit for our second lab at Heroes Bar/Lounge in the Leisure Centre tomorrow night. Bit of input at heroes this time from the godly crew at Bethel......looking forward to it.

2006-05-27T19:58:00.000+01:00

space invaders!

2006-05-25T15:29:00.000+01:00

thinking a lot about pub church. went with the lab team today to look at Brown Sugar. they all thought it was a terrific place and location. the manageress is still keen for us to use it on a Sunday night. So it looks like as of September the lab venue will be Brown Sugar.....

pcc went well last night. a few concerns over the plans for re-launching children's ministry - but on the whole the presentation was excellent and there's nothing that can't be sorted with a bit of care.

family feeling mildly enthusiastic about half term camping expedition....might have something to do with fact that the sun is out today and its actually warm!

2006-05-24T17:23:00.000+01:00

A time for everything......according to Solomon.

A time to tear down and a time to rebuild.

Quite a lot of tearing down in Newport city centre of disastrous ugly concrete buildings inorder for a new shopping complex with debenhams right at the heart of it.

off to a signficant pcc meeting tonight. another chapter in the rebuild of st. paul's about to be written.

2006-05-18T09:44:00.000+01:00

we are keen to move the Lab's informal worship time from a church venue. Have been thinking for a while now of being based around the clubs and bars at the other end of the high street. Brown Sugar is small bar/pub with a great room upstairs which we might be able to use free of charge. Hoping to get Phil and Del to see at the beginning of next week.we are also wanting to gather the Sunday night Lab regular's into more of a team/community. Would value your prayers for these two things.

Tomorrow is family night in the Groves household. Looking forward to it even though its probably gonna be too wet for a barbeque.

For those of you who remember my dear friend Mr Capener and would like to follow his exciting progress in youth ministry check out
Mike's blog

2006-05-11T14:07:00.000+01:00

This was one of the "gripping" scenes at the Christian resources exhibition on Tuesday! hadn't been to the CRE for years and probably wont be going again for a while! but it had some plus points hidden between the flood of Christian books and magazines...isn't it time that we had fewer and better quality christian books?! Best bits of my time down in Esher were bumping into Steve Hunt (ex Viney Hill bloke - not seen each other for years) and catching with Tom Chacko (from LBC days - not seen each other for 12 years!....good old Wacko!!). Also really good time with my folks....really enjoyed my lunch and chat with Dad.

So what else is going on for just the rev? Loads is the short answer. Ministry seems to be brimming over with opportunities/possibilities but not with resources (personnel). Anxious to find some year out people for next year. If you are interested or know anyone who might be - get in touch!....please. L and I have located a brilliant bar/club in the city centre with an upstairs bar area which the manageress would let us on Sunday nights free of charge!

2006-05-03T15:04:00.000+01:00

some good viewing last night. watched the film - "keeping mum'...pretty funny and quite weird. then watched another episode from the fourth season of Frasier - hilarious stuff. someone once said "he who laughs, lasts". have you had a laugh yet today?

2006-04-26T14:49:00.000+01:00

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!!

2006-04-24T12:46:00.000+01:00

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.

2006-04-13T12:28:00.000+01:00

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.

2006-04-06T18:58:00.000+01:00

this is my Easter Card from Housley!!

2006-04-06T18:50:00.000+01:00

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.

2006-03-31T18:47:00.000+01:00

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!!).

2006-03-27T09:23:00.000+01:00

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!

2006-03-24T09:57:00.000+01:00

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

2006-03-15T15:45:00.000+01:00

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......

2006-03-13T17:38:00.001+01:00

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!

2006-03-09T10:20:00.001+01:00

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....

2006-03-06T09:42:00.000+01:00

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.

2006-03-03T11:59:00.000+01:00

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.

2006-02-28T16:04:00.000+01:00

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!)

2006-02-23T11:02:00.000+01:00

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!

2006-02-17T00:15:00.000+01:00

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...

2006-02-15T09:32:00.000+01:00

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!!)

2006-02-06T10:24:00.000+01:00

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....

2006-02-01T15:54:00.000+01:00

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.

2006-01-27T09:59:00.000+01:00

Our wood supplies have just been boosted by some guys hacking down some trees in our road.I feel God has not been so much chopping away at me as chipping away at some of the things I tend to put my trust in. Was remembering poor old Gideon whose resources were pretty poor and then God reduced them even further. Been a good week of building relationships and L and I are off to T's school for an assembly this morning. Phil hammered me on the xbox last night so I am seeking my revenge on the squash court tomorrow! When we talked about it last night he tried all that "its only a game" nonsense......

2006-01-23T11:32:00.000+01:00

Lab number 2 last night. bit thinner on the ground than last week but a really good evening. our mate Catharine from Malpas was there with some young people. We sang a lot and shared a few things. Catharine shared some thoughts around Exodus 33:12-23....which was very helpful and encouraging for me. Easy I suppose to get focused onto who God is going to send rather than the fact that unless God goes with us we are doomed anyway....we need His presence and oh for a glimpse of His glory!

do you think Moses had a 'parting ministry'?! or was the Red Sea a one off?!

2006-01-21T10:33:00.000+01:00

hmmmm.....interesting week! Phil is now ok and raring to go for Lab no.2

Lucy has done a stint at the church restaurant as a volunteer which went really well and we had a fab couple called Antony and Jackie from the church round last night.

family night tonight with special guest Uncle James!

2006-01-20T10:54:00.000+01:00

Phil has a peanut allergy.......more about that it in a moment.

Don't you hate it when you plan your week and people cancel things or circumstances mean you have to pull out of stuff. Was supposed to preach at Wycliffe College in Stroud but cos our motor is dodgy and can't go on motorways....I had to pull out. Was supposed to do an assembly at Toby's school this morning and the head had double booked us. was supposed to meet someone at lunch time today and they pulled out yesterday. Getting the picture? Anyway young Phil came round last for a meeting about the next Lab and we ordered Indian take away and two mouthfuls in he stops eating and his face/mouth starts swelling up. He tells us that it is not a serious reaction but after phoning his Mum we all decide a trip to A and E is in order. The people at the hospital were great and plugged him to a few machines and gave him some serious injections and at about 12.15 this morning we arrived home. He is fine and is sleeping it all off upstairs. sometimes missing a meeting seems like a big deal. Last night put things into perspective. I think I get a bit paranoid still about what people think.......I think that they will think good of me if I have a full diary and attend lots of meetings. Actually most people don't think like this and if they do they are very sad people....busyness is a killer. Not am I busy but am I fruitful?

Steer clear of the nuts!

2006-01-18T10:58:00.000+01:00

where has the last week gone? what have I been doing? Hmmmm let me see....ah yes, the bass guitar still brings a sense of freedom and joy. have been listening to (and trying to join in on the bass) Stronger on Delirious?' Mission Bell. Great album - seems to sum up a lot of what we feel about The Lab. Had a prayer meeting for the lab at the church on Sunday night. Quite a lot of older people but a good mix of backgrounds. Felt great because it seems we have made an official/public start. Over the next few days need to do some serious thinking about where we are going over the next few months with the project lest the service on Sundays becomes our everything....just feel God nudging me to not hold too tightly on to it.....Hopefully meeting the wonderful but slightly elusive richard about the logo and flier. Watched the Chelsea match on Sunday round at Phil's. he had recorded it. he has Sky plus.

(lucky dog!)

Anyway the match was a bit dull apart from Robben's ridiculous departure from the field. A yellow card followed by a red for showing excitement! ah yes, the referee was just doing his job.....me thinks he was a bit too caught up with the letter of the law....not come across that before!!!!

Phil cooked us a wicked curry on Saturday and is doing really well in his new job. what else to say?.....loads probably! Please continue to pray for wisdom and openings for us with The Lab.

2006-01-11T09:30:00.000+01:00

don't really know what I am doing yet (!) but already the bass has a special place in my world.

Richard from embrace designs has come with some ideas for a logo for the lab and as a team we have plonked for one of these. Will show it off soon! hopefully we will get some sort of flier out before our launch on the 29th.

2006-01-08T21:42:00.000+01:00

good productive day today. Preached twice at St. Mary's Malpas. nice lunch out with our mate Catharine Morris and then the Christingle this afternoon. All the new kit worked a treat. Great singing led by Phil k and the rev Del and fab input from the wonderful Mrs G. interestingly I think all the oldies quite enjoyed themselves and most did the actions to Great Big God. Cool

nice one Leicester!

2006-01-07T16:56:00.000+01:00

so getting under way with one of my goals for 06...learning the bass! my new mean machine arrive this morning!

sermon sorted for tomorrow and pretty much everything in place for the old christingle afternoon do.....40 oranges with sweets and candles on already for whoever turns up.

seeing wedding crashers on dvd tonight - hope its as funny as everyone else has said.

2006-01-03T19:28:00.000+01:00

so the experiment continues into 2006. waiting for the lab to kick off at the end of the month. in the meanwhile am preaching at the evangelical church in Newport (Malpas) on Sunday and in the afternoon Lucy, Phil and I are taking St. Paul's Christingle service. Then an evening of prayer for the lab is on 15th. feeling pretty good about it all really....

was wondering whether Tobes could make an appearance as Darth at the Christingle and we could try and convert him to the Light Side........

2005-12-27T15:58:00.000+01:00

have eaten a monster amount of food and have drunk plenty too! Still at Mum and Dad's and then off to Lucy's parents tomorrow. Been reading Leonard Sweet's "out of the Question...into the Mystery?" He asks the question 'how did we get the point but miss the person?' A lot of the book focuses on Genesis 22 and Abraham setting off to kill his son Isaac. Sweet talks about Abraham passing the test of obedience but flunking the test of relationship....why didn't Abraham argue it out with God like he did for Sodom and Gomorrah? Have found the book has done for me what I think the author sets out to do....not challenged about what I believe but more challenged about if I am getting close to Jesus. God is looking for nothing less than full engagement because God is present and God is relational. Anyway enuff about that for now.... hope your Christmas was a goodie. Head buzzing with ideas and heart beginning to pound again with enthusiasm for 2006 in Newport. How will I judge 2006? I hope by relationships and not by statistics......relationship is crucial and Jesus is everything.

2005-12-21T18:09:00.000+01:00

sat and watch Madagascar as a family last night. Good film. Loved the penguins. the film is about a pack of not so wild animals experiencing some serious culture shock when they move from the Big Apple to the Mighty Jungle. I identified with Marty the Zebra and his restlessness and dreaming of the wild. the group fall out once in the 'wild' and Marty tries to encourage his friends to the happy side of the beach.....know how he feels..sometimes.......

Anyway the film is much deeper than it looks (1) and much deeper than I am probably making it sound (!) and a good chuckle - see it!

Then this morning the archdeac of newport came round to chat with me and L. there are some good wise pastors still in the church and Ken is one of them - what a relief.

2005-12-19T15:29:00.000+01:00

well L and I have had a lovely anniversary celebration weekend without the children! But its good to have them home now! Friday had lunch with my sister in her new home then dropped the kids with my folks and spent Saturday evening in London with our buddies Blaise (cool name. cool bloke) and Sarah. Saw Billy Elliot on Saturday at the Theatre...great show! Also went to the Tate modern to see Rachel Whiteread's piece "Embankment" (what a lot of boxes!)

"embankment" is part of the Unilever Series at the Tate. on the brochure I read the following words and thought I wish someone could say the same about church....

"Our business is built on understanding everyday needs, desires and aspirations of people. It is a relentless quest for insight, where success is dependant on appreciating what lies beneath the exteriors of peoples lives. Creativity and vitality are important parts of Unilever's corporate mission and lie at the heart of everything Unilever does and everything we produce....it adds vitality to people's lives"

talking of creativity....was hunting the web for some help with designing an invite to the lab and stumbled across a company by the name of Embrace just outside Newport. Met richard from embrace last Thursday and of course turns out he is a Christian and is a very cool chap. So that's looking good for the Lab. Hope to see Phil K tonight as he is back from his training for HsBc.

more thoughts soon.

2005-12-13T21:10:00.000+01:00

don't let the picture fool you....Methodists are cool! Had a brill evening out with our mates Del and Tony (both Methodist ministers) last night. Very therapeutic.

2005-12-11T19:05:00.000+01:00

a good weekend. great to see my bro and his three kids yesterday. showed off the sound system to him. Spent the day after church with friends....really relaxing.

Church this morning was interesting....especially the last hymn. which L and I tried to sing but felt unable to in the end. the refrain was "Hail Mary, Hail Mary, Hail Mary, full of grace." its no 759 in 'complete anglican - hymns old and new'. check it out and let me know whether you think you could worship God singing it. May be its just us.....

2005-12-09T17:12:00.000+01:00

ended up going for a walk to the shops with L. Can't be grumpy for too long when you're with a beautiful lady. Life's too short....plenty to smile about it really...

tonight Margaret - President of Churches Together - is coming round for a meal. Then tomorrow my bro is coming over with his kids for the morning - yippee!! might drag the equipment out for him to look at, he has just written a fantastic Christmas carol for his daughter's school and recorded it. The boy's a superstar I tell you....

2005-12-09T13:42:00.000+01:00

feeling old and grumpy!....

off to prayer walk/moan at God after some lunch.

2005-12-05T19:12:00.000+01:00

the above book is a great resource for Christmas services. Used a story from it last night. had a great time with the balfours and just got back from a pint with my line manager.

Chelsea v Liverpool tomorrow night.....not often I look for revenge but....

2005-12-04T21:38:00.000+01:00

well the chaplaincy meeting on Friday at the Uni was all a bit confusing...need to talk it through with someone...best not to try and unpack it here!

yesterday hung out with my best mate from London Bible college days. Crusty Pope otherwise known as Chris. His two smashing girls came too. They left this morning before Church.....some friendships can actually survive years of no contact. Weird or what? Crusty if you read this....thanks for being a good mate and sharing some good theological insights with me....most refreshing.

And I have jsut got in with the family from the diocesan Youth Eucharist Service held this time in Usk. All good and interesting. I spoke and led the service. bout 150 people there....anyway a bit too tired to unpack that now too!

L and I have celebrated 12 years of married bliss today!

tomorrow mark and rosalee balfour come for a chat, pray and nose about Newport. Nice one! (mark and i kicked off the fountain alt worship experience in Gloucester together)

random (ish) thought: no clergy/pastors should ever tick 'their people' off for not being at a service....if not many people turn up, don't do a service next time or try something different! (Leave a comment if you disagree)

2005-12-02T12:37:00.000+01:00

well the sub woofer is here!

rigged up the sound system in the front room! one word. AWESOME

Good meeting last night. Come rain or shine we kick the lab off on 29th January and before that we are going to have an evening of worship and prayer on the 15th January to lay ourselves and our dreams before God.

off to prayer walk and then off to a chaplaincy meeting for Newport Uni.

oh by the way had a really good time with the MU ladies yesterday! really enjoyed it.

2005-12-01T11:51:00.000+01:00

just got back from Cardiff. went there to get the rest of the sound system from Business Post HQ, having rung them yesterday to tell them I didn't want to run the risk of them calling when we were out. arrived only to be informed that our gear was on a van on its way to Newport!

wasn't impressed.....the subwoofer better arrive in one piece this time...

richard tarran - the diocesan Sec - is calling round here instead for meeting just in case business post grace us with their presence. r t coming to talk about money! yippee!

this afternoon off to St. P's for the MU meeting and then tonight meeting as a full team to talk about the Lab.....me, Luce, Phil and Del ....over a Chinese from Tescos.

2005-11-30T10:03:00.000+01:00

Monday night went to a teen challenge presentation with my mate Del (the Methodist minister). Was a really good evening. TC are going to take their bus into the city centre for ten nights leading up to Chrimble Day 11pm -3am. Del and I signed up for the 21st Dec! Yikes!

Good day yesterday with my parents and granny! Showed them around the church after everyone had gone home and fell in love with it again!

Caught up on priest idol having videoed most of it. If it can happen there, who knows it can happen......

(by the way if you have no idea about priest idol (shown on C4) you missed something special...to find out more check out http://www.channel4.com/culture/microsites/C/can_you_believe_it/debates/priest.html

2005-11-27T21:26:00.000+01:00

Nant Coch evangelical church is just where I have got back from. was invited by Tony the youth worker to speak at their youth service about suffering. Tony's wife Mel and some young people led the worship superbly. Tony and Mel are leaving Newport for Hong Kong in January - nice for them I suppose, a bit of a bummer for me! Anyway a very good place Nant Coch (http://www.nantcoch.org.uk/index.htm)......

St. Paul's this morning: there was a baby/toddler. The next youngest person was me! Time perahps for some new (younger) faces....

2005-11-24T18:24:00.000+01:00

musing about our church building a bit at the moment....
great pics from http://www.btinternet.com/~smallritual/section5_menupage.html
.....St. P's I think has made a huge and impressive start on having a building that has a life outside of Sunday mornings. Just feel we have a huge way to go if a faith community of young people are ever going to feel comfortable with it.....don't really feel ready for the politics of a building at present. Lord give me strength

second team meeting tonight and first bit of equipment for our sound system arrived today....so things ticking along nicely.

2005-11-20T22:01:00.000+01:00

not perhaps then so much about getting young people into church, even a youth church(!), but more about them finding themselves in Christ and experiencing all the freedom and security that that gives.

Took my first morning service at St. Paul's....didn't feel I connected with many people at all. Maybe that's just me rather than them....

hoping to put a bid in for some govt. money for a year out youth work scheme....

2005-11-18T10:05:00.000+01:00

Luce, Phil and I had our first meeting to talk about The Lab. Felt really encouraged. Chatted through ideas around the fact that this was an experiment to find God. Possible themes around experimenting to look at initially are: testing, risking, failing, dreaming, hoping, creating, imagining, probing and changing! talked through the whole issue of sung worship - what sort of songs, how many of them, what interaction to hope for etc. Looking for a possible lab launch of 22 January. Plenty to do and think about before then.

O for a few more crazy scientists in the church....people who will take us places we have never been before....people who can pick up the scent of adventure...

2005-11-15T15:41:00.000+01:00

the above book (And Now Let's Move into a Time of Nonsense: Why Worship Songs are Failing the Church) is by Nick Page. saw it at my line-manager's house and ordered it through amazon. looks a goodie. will keep you posted as I read it.

busy weekend of partying! Great time back in gloucester with our mates. thanks again Si and Amanda for hosting a really good evening. Sister's party went well. Had scanned in 50 pics of her over the last 40 years and then with a bit of help had managed to burn the imovie onto DVD. was so pleased with the result have ordered some software so I can do the same!

things getting busier job wise too and a few speaking invites have come in which is cool.

2005-11-10T22:51:00.000+01:00

been a frustrating day so I thought I would blog just before bed. Last night Phil and I went out for a drink at the Walkabout which apart from a party of 20 was quite quiet given that it was student night! Went on somewhere less studenty for our 2nd which was very enjoyable. Bumped into an old street preacher called George who was witnessing to a group of students who were out doing an assigment with video camera etc. We listened for a while. George spoke with a passion for Jesus. he told them John 3:16 which they had never heard before and then they asked him to make it more simple! Phil and I a good chat with them after George was done. Turns out there assigment is research into what young people think about religion! Gave them my details and invited them to follow the story of the youth church at St.Paul's as it unfolds....really hope they get in touch.

off for the weekend. Party in Gloucester and then my sister's 40th in Kingston on Saturday....will be great but part of me would rather be here. Phil has got three weeks temping before he starts at the bank which is cool.

2005-11-09T14:38:00.000+01:00

just to let you know that the diocese are supporting me in the purchase of some equipment for our new service and whatever else we get upto next year. Getting the equipment is nice but what makes me feel really good is that there are some senior chaps here who are serious
1. about the job/ vision which they have asked me to pursue
2. about me and my judgement

was a bit nervous cos this was like a wee test for the future....so it looks like we are on track.

really wonderful to pray with Phil this morning. L is in Gloucester having her hair cut. I don't know whether I will be allowed to blog the new look!!!!

2005-11-07T15:28:00.000+01:00

ever thought that church leaders are just like those in politics? its just a question of the bland leading the bland......

perhaps it is the bland guides who strain out a gnat but swallow a camel....(matthew 23:24)

anyway Phil has officially arrived in Newport today! and is in the process of moving into his flat... I feel like a premiership manager who has just pulled off the biggest signing of his career!

2005-11-05T12:24:00.000+01:00

our plans to start an informal service on a Sunday evening possibly called "The Lab" received a massive boost when young Phil K got a phone call to say he had landed the job at HSBC! he plans to move into a flat in Newport next week and we can start making some concrete plans for THE LAB and some stuff too. The Lab is not a youth church but an attempt to provide something from which one might grow. It will hopefully be a mix of church/laboratory/playground.

Just off to meet my Norwegian buddy who is over in Bristol for a few days. haven't seen Stig for a very long time. first met him during my YWAM days and a few years later flew out to norway to be his best man.

Mike if you read this....the new car is fab. number 12 isn't it?! Not ideal for a youth worker though - more a set of wheels for an associate priest!

more thoughts on THE LAB soon

2005-11-02T12:00:00.000+01:00

"You have an idea, and then you just put one dumb foot in front of the other and course-correct as you go." said media mogul Barry Diller

I never expect to be a person who is planned but I do hope to be prepared....at the moment I sensing some kind of confrontation is looming over my position and role and I want to be prepared.

knowing how and when to stand up is crucial. your prayers please.

still waiting for the money from the diocese for the equipment and still waiting to hear whether Phil has got his job a the bank. On Monday L and I saw Arthur Edwards (area dean), then I had a meeting with my line-manager (we talked about my curacy and I found it very refreshing and reassuring) and then we had the Methodist minister Del and her hubby Tony over for a meal (seem to be getting on well with Delyth and I imagine we will work well together). Yesterday was my day off so I painted Zoe's room with a bit of help from dear daughter...

our friends Geoff and Emma will be here soon so must dash. Tomorrow we have a house full of youth workers from lots of different churches. will let you know what happens with that

2005-10-29T15:47:00.000+01:00

been a busy old half term...seen loads of people. James and Katy from Gloucester stayed last night - excellent to see them. trying to get me weekends and Sunday duties fixed. Off to the Methodists tomorrow! oh yes Phil's interview went well and he is waiting to see if he got the job...if so he can move straight away! Also waiting to see if the Diocese is going to stump up the cash for the equipment we need to get our new informal service off the ground. L and I are having the weekend before Christmas as an anniversary celebration...rather chuffed that I have managed to book tickets for Billy Elliot in London.

2005-10-25T14:40:00.000+01:00

Came across an article on the shawshank redemption by a phil wilson. found it encouraging. here's a snippet:

Now though, in the closing moments of the movie, as Red is walking up the beach at Zhuatenejo, his shoes tied together over his shoulder, carrying his coat, he sees Andy working on his boat, and he narrates to us: "I find I'm so excited I can barely sit still or hold a thought in my head. I imagine it's the excitement only a free man can feel. A free man at the start of a long journey, whose conclusion is uncertain. I hope I can make it across the border... I hope to see my friend and shake his hand... I hope the pacific is a blue as it has been in my dreams... I hope... "

Hope is a dangerous thing. Hope gives us freedom to dare for something more. Hope allows us to look beyond where we are and believe that there is something better. Hope makes me look at the church and say, "Yes, it's screwed up, but Jesus chose this to be His body and the representative of Him until He returns. If Jesus could have hope for what we could be, so can I." Hope allows me to look at myself and think, "I'm not what I once was, but I'm not what I will be either."

God is at work. I don't always know how; I don't always know why; but I know He is. My life is evidence. My wife's life, my daughter's life. God gives me hope.

Right now I have a lot of hope - fear has kept me a prisoner over the lst few years - hope is setting me free.

2005-10-24T10:25:00.000+01:00

So a great weekend with Si and Amanda and their kids. saw the new Wallace and Gromit - excellent. Went to church with Si yesterday - a good sermon from Del (Methodist minister) who I am meeting tomorrow and hope to work with in the very near future. Today I am going to hang out with the family. Off to cardiff soon even if it continues to pour down!

Prayer walking on Friday came across another sign:

what are the seven principles????

2005-10-22T10:16:00.000+01:00

ah yes my first chapter here in Newport.....well overall good and interesting. didn't wear my dog collar....i'm soooo radical!!...but kept my mouth shut and just listened (yes I know quite an achievement!)

family night on Thursday was great - a really chocolate fondue and game of pictionary.

yesterday went to see my bro to talk about sound systems. very useful as we need one in order to start our informal evening worship at St. Paul's.

Good prayer walk yesterday.

Last night Rev Catharine Morris came for a meal. Felt slighty guilty that she was she so busy and I am not.....but got over that quite quickly!

And today my mate Si from Gloucester is coming with the family for the weekend. Si saw me thru my last bit of work for Glos diocese at their conference in Swanick. We helped organised the important stuff - pub quiz and footie!

2005-10-20T11:41:00.000+01:00

had an encouraging morning on my prayer walk listening to some Mark Stibbe bible teaching from New wine 2003 and some Graham Cray stuff on community and then some worship. Took some pics as I prayed, thought, listened and sung worship songs (no, not outloud!)...

prayed for the students and how to reach them

prayed for the homeless and how to support those who work with them (what a great name for an Estate Agent!)

prayed for the police and the chief inspector who is a Christian. (Good to see a police present near the shops....only prob was that there was no one in or near the trailer)

prayed for people to have a reason to visit church as well as the shops...prayed for the church to be a people and a place that would interest, excite and bless others

off to meet the other clergy. Let you know about that later or tomorrow. Having a family night with the kids.....make your own pizzas and a chocolate fondue. Yummy!

2005-10-19T21:51:00.000+01:00

getting nowhere fast with my new ps2 game (pilot down) - "a unique adventure experience, fusing stealth, tactics and action."

off to my first chapter tomorrow here in Newport....will proabably need some stealth and not to sure on my tactics at present!

In world war 2 over 180,000 allied airmen were shot down over occupied territory. Only 300 made it to freedom. Will I be one of them.....

God help me to fuse stealth, tactics and action here in Newport.

2005-10-19T17:08:00.000+01:00

Lucy and I had a very good lunch with Caroline from Teen Challenge. Going to try and get a little video made of their great work so we can give the churches a taste of what is going on and how they can be part of it. A new mobile Coffee bus will be launched next year but urgently needs volunteers to man it! Anyway for more info check out: www.teenchallengenewport.co.uk

2005-10-19T12:04:00.000+01:00

IN THE SH**?

Saw this sign on my morning prayer walk. So prayed for relationships in Newport...

whole gang

2005-10-17T19:13:00.000+01:00

whole gang, originally uploaded by justtherev.

the pic is of the whole groves gang at my mum's ordination. well so what's been happening in Newport? Main news as follows:
1. Phil a young worship leader is moving to Newport to work with us. Waiting for an interview with a bank. please pray for him that things go well.
2. Lucy and I are looking to start an informal worship service on Sunday afternoons at our church and from that we hope to launch a youth church sometime next year.
3. have committed myself to prayer walking every day till the end of the year.
4. still meeting loads of interesting people - some of whom I really look forward to working with and some of whom I look forward to getting to know as friends.
5. please pray for the work of teen challenge here in Newport - the only people who seem to be out there on the streets with the large gangs of young people who r into binge drinking and not much else. going to see their main person, Caroline on Wednesday. She's a newcomer too......only been here 13 years!!
6. Bish of Monmouth seems to have come thru his heart op really well. please pray for his full recovery......top bloke/bishop.
7. thinking of calling our informal service "The Lab" - cos i hope its going to be very experiential.
anyway that gives a flavour hopefully of whats going on. will try to post some newport pics sometime soon.