21 June 2009
Happiness is ...
Father's day lunch in the UK. ;)
19 May 2009
Inspirational person of the week ...
Discovered another inspirational person while surfing this morning. Her name is Nomfuso ... she was raised in KwaZhakele in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, by her mother. At the age of 12, she lost her mother to AIDS and was taken in by her Aunt, who tragically also died of AIDS 4 years later.
Sadly, her cousins then became emotionally and physically abusive, prompting her to leave and move in with her brother in his shack in Khayelitsha in Cape Town, where she began working to support her studies in Accounting. Her job was at Stardust restaurant, where waiting staff were required to perform on stage in-between meal service, and things took off from there.
She wrote her first song on the day of her mother's funeral. Her music is energetic and her message is simple, you need to take control of your future and rise above your situation.
I take my hat off to her ...
17 April 2009
Day of Silence
17 January 2009
The race is on...
| LOL ... I've just found the news articles about the atheist bus campaign that's ruffling evangelical tail feathers. The buses have amusing phrases on them, like "There's probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life." This became a news item when a bus driver refused to drive one of the buses, because the website name ( http://www.atheistcampaign.org ) offended him. I guess I can understand how evangelical Christians could be upset at the banners, but I just find them funny. And you can't really make exceptions ... the evangelicals have been using buses for years ... with the alpha course and jesussaid.org banners. So why should the atheists not get a crack at it? Interestingly enough ... people seem to be a lot more passionate about the atheist campaign than by the alpha or jesussaid campaigns. Compare http://www.justgiving.com/alphaposters/ with http://www.justgiving.com/atheistbus . The difference is astounding, and quite funny. Who knows ... Perhaps this is people saying that Christianity needs to find a message that includes people, rather than attempts to scare them into submission and conformity? That the Church should focus on how it can serve people, rather than dictate to them? That Christians should not feel so threatened by people who don't conform to their method of thinking, but should be ready to share the playing field and hear (and understand) their views? That the Church is in no position to focus on how it can exclude people ... it should focus on how it can include and welcome them and celebrate their differences? For that reason, I reckon the atheist bus campaign is a good thing. At least it encourages discussion and inclusion. |
Labels: atheist bus campaign
06 January 2009
Bizarre...
| Who would have thought they would ever see the day when footballers were better at expressing God's will than the pope? I guess it ties in with the commonly felt notion that football stadiums are the new cathedrals. Perhaps footballers have now become the proclaimers of Good News to the masses, and the pope is now an overpaid, overly dramatic individual with an over-full wardrobe, a distorted sense of reality and a home that's oversized? http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/beckham-fights-antigay-prejudice-1228180.html |
24 December 2008
Benedict the bulldog
| What do I think of the Pope's recent hateful comments that will no doubt give rise to new enthusiasm for homophobic attacks and discrimination? Well ... the thing i've learned is that the pope has authority, but he doesn't represent all Catholics, pretty much the same as Bush didn't represent all Americans, mugabe doesn't represent all Zimbabweans and osama doesn't represent all Muslims. What it shows, is that - sadly - the loudest voices aren't always from the best people, and often the people with the loudest voices, not the best character, end up in positions of leadership. It would be a mistake to judge all those under them by their misguided behaviour. |
23 December 2008
Prop 8 The Musical
While Benedict, the Catholic Bulldog, tries to spread hate, it's nice to know some people are trying to spread love.
Bless them!
19 December 2008
... Because u're worth it!
Seen on an underpass in Southampton ... Graffiti for the soul. ;)
07 December 2008
First frost...
At least, I think it's my garden's first frost of the season. With much more to come, hopefully. ;)
26 November 2008
Christmas in the vicarage
| A little over a week ago, I was interviewed by some of our Media students about Halloween. They wanted to know what I thought of the observations of Halloween, whether I was concerned by it's pagan past, and what I thought of dressing up. Naturally, I told them that dressing up was fabulous, but that I had difficulty deciding. ;o) They then asked me whether I was concerned about the commercialisation of religious festivals, and what I thought of the fact that stores were pushing things like Christmas, Easter and Halloween as money-making events. My response was that I had nothing against the stores ... everyone was trying to make a living. And, in reality, perhaps they were keeping the festivals more alive than the religious institutions could. But, I did add that it would be good if the consumers were aware of the origins of the festival. I'm not fussed if people know the origins of Christmas and the Christmas story, but then decide to distance themselves from that and that Christmas for them is a time of giving presents and feasting together. Everyone has the freedom to make up their own minds, but they should at least know the origin of the feast they're observing, even if they choose to differ. On that basis, last night I ignored all traditions and conventions, and put up my Christmas tree! I spent last Christmas working in the Caribbean (ok, it was a 2 week Caribbean cruise, but I did have to work on it!), and now that I have met Mikey (who, in 10 years, has only had one Christmas at home), I felt it would be nice to put the tree up early and give it a good run for it's money. So now my home is operating more on a commercial timescale of Christmas ... interesting. I shall, however, resist putting out the eggs for Easter in February. Happy Wednesday to all. ;o) |
24 October 2008
I have been one acquainted with the night ...
Power's out, time for books, candles and bubble bath. :)
29 September 2008
Some informed and inclusive thoughts ...
Times ...
Firstly, by an article in the Comments section, by Dr Michael King.
http://www.churchtimes.co.uk/content.asp?id=60752
Secondly, of some interest are the letters in the same edition ...
http://www.churchtimes.co.uk/content.asp?id=60769
And thirdly, not from the Church Times, but a link I've often mentioned
before which is good for generating some informed discussion is
http://www.wouldjesusdiscriminate.org/ , which also has a very good video
introduction.
15 September 2008
All loved up...
Flowers from Mikey. ;) South African Proteas.
16 August 2008
The Christmas Broadcast, 1957
Awesome dedication and commitment!
26 July 2008
Happiness is ...
... Boston Tea Party in Park Street on a lazy Saturday morning. ;)
20 July 2008
Hark, what is that on the horizon?
19 July 2008
Great things on the horizon!
Ikea Southampton cometh! 2009. What joy!
27 June 2008
I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien ...
The compulsion to photograph landmarks in London is just too strong. ;)
18 June 2008
Scans see 'gay brain differences'
The brains of gay men and women look like those found in heterosexual
people of the opposite sex, research suggests.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7456588.stm
09 June 2008
Glass half full
How I wish I could napalm it!
02 June 2008
Craig Womersley in last year's Britain's Got Talent
What a phenomenal performance. It really is all about having a dream!
27 May 2008
Birth year in music
21 May 2008
Trinity 1 - why worry?
Our gospel reading for this morning contains some great advice, which I
only wish I could follow.
Worrying is what I do ? it?s not a preferred pastime, but one which I have
become rather good at over the years.
However, I like to think that I?ve gotten a little better at recognising
those things that aren?t worth worrying about, or that worrying about will
not actually make any easier.
For example, last week I worried a lot about what to preach on Trinity
Sunday, but when I discovered on Trinity Sunday that I was in the vestry
at St. Mary?s and my sermon notes were in my study at home, I didn?t
really worry at all. The one I could do something about, the other not.
Perhaps that?s a good place to start ? worry only about the things that
are worth worrying about. Perhaps we should do less worrying and more
planning.
I think there is great wisdom in recognising when worrying will not
actually help a situation at all, and in knowing how to let go of those
worries. Worrying about your speed in a traffic jam, worrying about
whether or not you?ll have a job in 5 years, worrying about whether we?ll
have sunshine over the weekend, worrying about whether or not someone
likes you ? I could go on and on ? these are all examples of futile
worrying.
However, to stretch the metaphor a little, what we can do is try and avoid
heavy traffic routes, or keep performing well at work and looking for
opportunities to add more skills to our CV?s, or have a plan B in case it
rains, or work to earn someone?s trust and friendship ? these are all
perhaps ways in which planning can be beneficial, while worrying can?t.
That way there SHOULD be less to worry about, but I know that that?s not
always the case, either. Being absolutely in control is not often
accompanied by low stress levels.
I guess this is a prime example of a delicate balance that we only really
begin to learn about with experience and the wisdom that age brings.
And there I was, worrying about getting old!
Trinity Sunday
The news this week seems to have only gotten worse. It reinforces what I
mentioned last week that it is absolutely vital that we stand together as
human beings, leaning on each other and offering each other love and
support.
This is backed up by our second reading this Sunday, in which we?re told
to agree with one another, to live in peace and the God of love and peace
will be with us.
A poem that I have received a lot of inspiration from this year, is one
written for the Holocaust Memorial Day.
HOPE FOR THE FUTURE
Pledge for National Holocaust Memorial Day 2008
Everyone has a right to be free,
Where there is no freedom for others,
There is no freedom for me.
Everyone has a right to be different,
Where there is no respect for difference,
There can be no respect for me.
There is HOPE for a safer future if I protect liberty,
If I RESPECT others,
Others will RESPECT me.
© Roger Cliffe-Thompson, Liverpool Poet
With warmest blessings,
Andy
07 May 2008
Pentecost Parish News Insert
The news this week has been rather sobering. We have heard about tragic loss of life in
In our first reading today one phrase leapt out at me "they were all together in one place" (Acts 2:1). It reminded me that there is strength in numbers. It also reminded me of the African phrase of "Ubuntu", which is roughly translated as "I am, because we are" a sense that a community and a society is only as strong as its individuals, and that each person is responsible for the well-being of the community which naturally includes them. So that every act that an individual performs for the benefit of the community benefits them too albeit indirectly sometimes, and every act that an individual performs that harms the community harms them too.
We are reminded, too, in our second reading that "just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ" (1 Cor 12:12), which this morning I would like to use in the context of community again.
It strikes me that, with the scale and number of disasters we are seeing now, what we really need to be doing as humans, is supporting each other and standing together. Not judging each other on nationality, gender identity, faith, creed, political affiliation, income bracket, accent, ideologies or any other such thing.
It is vital that we become a people that focus on our similarities, celebrate these, and support and act for the good of each other. I believe it is when we begin to do that that we see true transformation of communities and individuals, and the Spirit of God can truly begin to work and to renew.
Happy Pentecost
28 April 2008
You're a WINNER!!
LOL ... I do think frezned is awesome. Love this video. May forward it to a few friends. ;)
Water draining in the Southern Hemisphere
And this video is water draining in the Southern Hemisphere ... also clockwise!!!
What's that about? Clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere?!
Does gravity go up occasionally, too?!
Water draining in the Northern Hemisphere
OK ... so been a while. Plenty happening, but not much I've felt needed blogging about.
So for those of you that wondered ... on a recent trip back to South Africa, I did test the whole clockwise or anticlockwise water draining thing in both hemispheres. Here's the result.
This video is water draining in the Northern Hemisphere ... clockwise.
Southern hemisphere video will be posted next.
13 February 2008
Lent 2
Lent 2
After last week's snippet, it occurs to me that perhaps next year I should give up meetings for Lent.
It seems that in the Christian and Secular spheres, we often have people setting up meetings for the sake of it. We have meetings to discuss ideas, meetings to discuss meetings; we even have meetings to ensure that the meetings remain in our diaries. Sometimes, we have that most blessed of all – the duplicate meeting.
Meetings appease our conscience – they make us look busy, give us a sense of accomplishment and can help us gather others around us to make decisions we don't want to accept sole responsibility for. Meetings can be hugely beneficial, and often are, but sometimes I do wonder how many of them are needless duplication.
The trend exists in the Church (with a capital 'C'!), but it does have to be said that the trend exists outside the Church, too. In other organisations and institutions, we sometimes see the infamous 'Update' meeting creeping into our diaries.
I wonder whether the purpose of many of our meetings is clear to us, or whether it is to enable us or others to feel busy.
We do like to be busy and to look busy – in our faith and in our careers. It gives us something to measure, some way to validate how we spend our time. I wonder how much time we clear in our lives to enable us to reflect and be silent. That's not as easy to measure or to feel good about, but arguably much more beneficial.
Perhaps that's a second challenge this Lent, or for a future Lent … Can we allow ourselves some space to reflect on our faith, our families or our careers? Or is that me trying to give the time a purpose again? Can we simply allow ourselves some time without anything to do?
Lent 1
Lent 1
In 1993 I was doing a year of missionary youth work in the Northern and North Eastern areas of the old Transvaal province in
During Lent that year, we asked the Diocesan Treasurer what he was going to be giving up for Lent, and he responded that he was giving up Church! We all thought he was joking – until he never arrived for the first Sunday in Lent … or the Second, or the third, or any services in Lent. True to his word – he only came back to church on Easter Sunday. We initially thought it rather strange, but at the end of Lent, we saw a changed man. From Easter, that Diocesan Treasurer found that – rather than dragging himself out of bed and grudgingly sitting in Church – he loved going – Lent had both transformed him and transformed his experience and understanding of his faith.
I realised then that Lent was about more than just giving up something … it's an opportunity to spend time looking within ourselves, at what makes us tick, and identifying the areas where we can make positive changes.
I'm not suggesting that we should all give up church for Lent. But for that Diocesan Treasurer in 1993, Lent was an opportunity to evaluate what his faith meant for him.
The challenge for us this Lent is not to think about what we can give up, but to find out how we can make Lent a time for positive change for each of us, and perhaps for us as a community.
February Newsletters
3 February
It's the end of January and already the year seems off to a rather shaky start. I hear from colleagues at the university, friends and family about personal and, sometimes, tragic losses experienced in the post-Christmas period. Students are struggling with post-Christmas homesickness, dwindling student loans, assignment deadlines and exams. Then there are the news headlines, about a potential recession, not to mention 'wars and rumours of wars'.
A recent article in the Guardian mentioned that Thursday last week (January 24) was apparently the most depressing day of the year. This was calculated by Cliff Arnall of
So if you're feeling a little off-colour after Christmas, it's nice to know that at least it's perfectly natural, so we don't have to add guilt to all of the above.
But what can we do about it? It's good to remind ourselves about what we do have … homes, families, friends, food, life. Look for the signs of spring and new life … the earlier sunrises and later sunsets, the flowers in the lawn, the buds on the trees. Find and encourage the positive in others, especially our nearest and dearest … say something positive, do something for them, pamper each other a little, book a meal out or cook a meal in, watch a film together, enjoy a lazy cup of coffee together in the afternoon sun or perhaps plan a day out together.
And, remember, too, in the words of our Psalm this Sunday "The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory" … our God is loving, welcoming, unchanging, victorious, accessible, forgiving and eternal.
31 January 2008
January blues ...
A brief article written for a local parish newsletter:
It's the end of January and already the year seems off to a rather shaky start. I hear from colleagues at the university, friends and family about personal and, sometimes, tragic losses experienced in the post-Christmas period. Students are struggling with post-Christmas homesickness, dwindling student loans, assignment deadlines and exams. Then there are the news headlines, about a potential recession, not to mention 'wars and rumours of wars'.
A recent article in the Guardian mentioned that Thursday last week (January 24) was apparently the most depressing day of the year. This was calculated by Cliff Arnall of
So if you're feeling a little off-colour after Christmas, it's nice to know that at least it's perfectly natural, so we don't have to add guilt to all of the above.
But what can we do about it? It's good to remind ourselves about what we do have … homes, families, friends, food, life. Look for the signs of spring and new life … the earlier sunrises and later sunsets, the flowers in the lawn, the buds on the trees. Find and encourage the positive in others, especially our nearest and dearest … say something positive, do something for them, pamper each other a little, book a meal out or cook a meal in, watch a film together, enjoy a lazy cup of coffee together in the afternoon sun or perhaps plan a day out together.
And, remember, too, in the words of our Psalm this Sunday "The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory" … our God is loving, welcoming, unchanging, victorious, accessible, forgiving and eternal.
11 January 2008
Dad and his harmonica
I recorded my Dad playing his harmonica tonight. I reckon he's pretty good. There are three songs in total ... click along to my YouTube profile to see the others.
09 January 2008
ROFL
Sagittarius (11/22-12/21)
The key for you is to minimize your daily drama as much as possible, dear Sagittarius. You may not realize how much you are crippling yourself by the way you exaggerate every aspect of your life. Try not to give so much of your attention to things that really do not matter much. Petty jealousy and gossip about other people's lives are especially irrelevant in your world.
Capricorn (12/22-1/19)
Be careful of advertising yourself as someone who is so strong and mentally competent that you are capable of handling everything, dear Capricorn. Take note that the strongest mule on the trail usually ends up carrying the most weight. Your emotions are more sensitive than you may think, and certainly more sensitive than you demonstrate to others. Be honest about the way you feel, and not just the way you think.
Are they suggesting that I'm an attention-seeking drama queen?! I'll show them!!!
Islands & Cruises
A few reflections on our Caribbean Cruise
We started at Barbados on 21 December. We were more than a few hours late departing port, because our flight from Gatwick had been delayed by 6 or 7 hours (thanks to the fog). From Barbados, we sailed North and then West, stopping at a different island each day, with Cozumel being our furthest Western port. From Cozumel we sailed East across the Caribbean Sea, with two full sea days, before arriving at Aruba, then Curacao and Grenada and finishing up at Barbados again. Grenada replaced Mayreau on the original itinerary, as the Captain found out that Mayreau would have several cruise liners in port that day, and thought it would be too busy.
We berthed at St. Lucia a few hours late on 22 December.
Next was Antigua on 23 December, and St. Maarten on 24 December.
We were at sea on Christmas day.
Ocho Rios, Jamaica on 26 December.
Grand Cayman on 27 December and Cozumel, Mexico on the 28 December.
29 and 30 December were at sea, and 31 December was in Aruba.
On 1st Jan we were in Curacao, and then at sea again for the 2nd of Jan, and in Grenada on 3rd Jan.
We returned to Barbados on 4 Jan, and began the flight home.
The cruise was fantastic. Although we would've had more privileges as passengers (as well as more opportunity to join the official tours on each island - at an extra cost, mind you - so I probably would've still preferred to wander about on foot), we had a great time. What I did find is that the passengers were for the most part extremely cautious of being near the Chaplain (a great way to secure an empty seat next to you, or an elevator to yourself!), but the Crew were fantastic. The Deputy Cruise Director had scheduled a church service for me for every morning, and numbers weren't always great (people would either be sleeping in, or waiting to go ashore or gathering for their tour groups), but my Midnight Mass and Christmas morning numbers were very good, and larger than last year's figures. I think it's the first time the Cruise Director's office has received a breakdown of statistics from the Chaplain after a cruise.
For the most part, the heat was wasted on me ... I'm a winter lover, and so I was slapping Factor 50 on whenever I went outside to avoid tempting melanomas (unlike most of the passengers), but the islands were fantastic.
Particular favourites were St. Maarten, Curacao and Mexico (not least because I found a Starbucks in Mexico, and by this time I was seriously craving my Grande, extra shot, Soya Cappuccino!). I'd love to revisit those some day. I did not enjoy Jamaica, and found the people rude and aggressive. Other than that, it was fantastic.
Our star entertainer on board was Claire Sweeney, who came across really well, with a warm and down-to-earth personality. I didn't get to chat to her, but did spend some time with the other entertainers and a meal with Graham Powell, one of the other guest entertainers (all I know is he used to perform with Matt Munroe), who was a great guy, and David Bennett, a graphologist who was giving a few lectures on board.
I hope that brings you up to speed, but naturally, there's loads more, so if you would like to know anything more, let me know.
Happy New Year!!
Labels: Caribbean, Christmas, cruise, Islands, New Year
20 December 2007
The age of miracles is upon us!!!
Have they tried to fit a Bible, Liturgical materials, Common Worship service books, altar linen, robes, stoles, communion wafers, clergy shirts, and more in their hand luggage?! Andy thinks they are uninformed!!
12 December 2007
Christmas cheer?
We always knew, Prancer. (from CollegeHumor)
Labels: Prancer
07 December 2007
Are you looking for Jesus? How about Jesus in pink flock?
Labels: Pink Jesus
Happy Christmas
But, I've had the obligatory illness, I've got the tree up and the presents are wrapped, so it must be time. I've even got new decorations on the tree this year, and a second set of new lights. Yes, a second set, as the first new set I bought didn't work - I can't ever buy anything that works first time ... it's an impossibility.
What was even more amusing, was the fact that I was off sick with the flu, but still decided I needed a change of scenery and it was time to change the horizon of my pillow for the actual horizon. So I wrapped up warm and went into town to John Lewis to go and exchange the faulty Christmas lights. Only, I forgot I was running a helluva fever, and by the time I got to the counter at John Lewis, I was out of breath, my voice was deep and raspy, I was dripping with sweat, my shirt was soaked through with massive wet patches and I was shaking. I'm sure the bloke behind the counter was looking at me and thinking what a loser I was, "Sheesh! Who's this guy kidding? Why bother with the lights ... Like anyone would spend Christmas with him!"
Thankfully I had driven in, because by the time they had finished with the paperwork, I wasn't sure I would make it much further than the car. Needless to say that when I got home, I ditched the lights on the floor, made a cup of Lemsip (Med-lemon to all my Saffa friends & family) and collapsed into bed.
I decided to come into work today, as I was feeling much better, but again, have discovered that feeling much better in your room at home, does not mean you're necessarily well enough to walk into work and spend the day there. I've got this vague 'out of body' feeling going on, where I need to actively concentrate to perform routine functions like walking. My movement is extremely calculated, rather than natural. I arrived this morning, announced I was feeling better, and was promptly told by a lovely colleague that I looked like "$h1T" and should go home. I probably should've, but you never know, I may need my sick leave later on for an even deadlier illness (I'd probably still wheel myself into work, dragging my spleen behind me!).
My dad arrives in the U.K. in about 5 days' time. I'm really looking forward to his visit. My family does have a really limited honeymoon period during which we amicably co-habit, and after that we simply co-habit. It'll be interesting to see what happens with just him on his own, because he's very much the quiet member of the family (which also means he's the most picked on). He does everything he can for others ... I just hope I don't resort to old family patterns and lose my temper with any small habits I've forgotten. But, no point worrying about that. I'm looking forward to his visit. Not least of all, because it's the first time one of my parents has come to see me since I settled in the U.K. in 2002. But, also because it's great to be able to offer him the chance. He's not travelled since 1981 and he's not been on leave from work since 1986 (he's been self-employed and struggling to keep his head above water since then).
The two of us will be cruising the Caribbean over Christmas ... another major thing to look forward to. I've been asked to perform Christmas services on board, and in exchange they will give flights, and the cruise and accommodation to myself and a guest. Although I'm not sure if I am looking forward to it. I think it's because I'm not sure what services I'm going to be asked to do yet, and I hate last-minute planning. I like having a full printout of all services, knowing what times they're likely to occur, what the readings are, what hymns/songs will be played, who will be present, etc., etc.. Then I can begin to plan what my part is. This 'going in blind' approach doesn't really suit me. But, perhaps I'll be pleasantly surprised and will have a phenomenal time. Perhaps it'll even teach me to be less pedantic about planning ... not likely, though.
Wishing you and your loved ones a phenomenal Christmas, or - if you're celebrating one of the many other festivals over this period - a joyous festival.
;o)
Labels: Christmas, cruises, fever, flu
02 November 2007
At last Fred Phelps gets his come-uppance!
An independent church that pickets US soldiers' funerals claiming their deaths are a punishment for American tolerance of homosexuality has been fined $10.9 million. Grieving father Albert Snyder sued the Westboro Baptist Church after members demonstrated at the funeral of his son, Marine Lance Corporal Matthew Snyder, who was killed in Iraq. The church composed largely of members of its leader's relatives regularly attends military funerals waving banners declaring 'God hates fags' and 'Thank God for dead soldiers'. A Baltimore jury ruled that the church had violated the family's privacy and deliberately inflicted emotional distress."
Sources: The Guardian (1/11); The Times (1/11)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,,2203227,00.html
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article2783974.ece
In my opinion, they should be pursued and forced to pay. They've done nothing but spread grief and cause emotional turmoil for grieving families, and forced their hatred on others when they are most vulnerable. Perhaps a life of working to pay off $11m will quiet them down enough to enable them to rethink.
01 November 2007
Yep ... this just about sums it up! ;o)
So he called one of his angels and sent the angel to earth for a time. When he returned, he told God, "Yes, it is bad on Earth; 95% of people are misbehaving and only 5% are not."
God thought for a moment and said," Maybe I had better send down a second angel to get another opinion." So God called another angel and sent him to earth for a time too.
When the angel returned he went to God and said, "Yes it's true. The earth IS in decline; 95% of people are misbehaving, but 5% are being good." God was not pleased. So he decided to e-mail the 5% that were good, because he wanted to encourage them ... give them a little something to help them keep going.
Do you know what the e-mail said?
No?
Okay, just wondering. I didn't get one either.
25 October 2007
Thank God for a healthy faith approach to sexuality
This is a greeting from Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu for the beginning of the 2006 Out in Africa Film Festival.
If only mor This is a greeting from Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu for the beginning of the 2006 Out in Africa Film Festival.
If only more people practised this approach, rather than religious bigotry, how much better would the world be?!
09 October 2007
News, views, cars & the lurgy
20 September 2007
Empowering
Lk 14:25 – 33
- Rather than the Gospel, I’d like to focus on the reading from Philemon this morning
- Because it lends itself well to a theme that seems to be occupying my thoughts a lot of late … namely the theme of inclusivity and affirmation.
- In our Philemon reading, there are 3 main characters; Paul, Onesimus and Philemon. The letter is written to Philemon – afriend of Paul’s, while Paul himself is in prison, about Onesimus.
- Why was it written? That’s not immediately apparent simply from reading the text, but is rather to be found in the background behind the text. That’s also where it becomes quite an interesting story. Onesimus was once Philemon’s slave. To make matters more interesting, Onesimus had stolen from Philemon and then run away … matters which clearly were not befitting for a slave.
- Onesimus ended up where Paul was in prison, and was of assistance to Paul, and so Paul writes the letter to Philemon, encouraging and affirming him first, but then asking him that he do welcome Onesimus back, but even more, welcome him as a brother, not a slave. So he was asking for Philemon to not only forgive Onesimus, but to free him.
- A bit of a tall order, perhaps?
- But, then Paul saw something in Onesimus that others couldn’t see.
- He recognised Onesimus’ potential and sought to empower him to reach that potential.
- And do we know exactly what happened to Onesimus, after Paul’s act of kindness? We do know that Philemon forgave and freed Onesimus and welcomed him as a brother.
- After that, things are not as clear. Some scholars believe that he is the same Onesimus that was consecrated Bishop of Ephesus by the Apostles years later.
- We do know that Onesimus has since been sainted by the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox and Lutheran Churches
- But who knows where he would’ve ended up without someone who saw him, not for what he was, but for what he could be?
- Our Lord was an empoweror as well …
- He had a small band of misfits as followers.
- I like to think of them as the gang that weren’t…
- The weren’t glamorous enough; they weren’t literate enough or learned enough; they weren’t wealthy enough; they weren’t articulate enough; they weren’t respected enough; they weren’t strong enough; they weren’t brave enough; they weren’t wise enough; they weren’t charismatic enough…
- And yet … He believed in them!
- And look at the outcome of that relationship!
- Our Lord is an empoweror to us as well.
- He believes in our potential, and wants us to reach that potential.
- Are we empowerors to those around us?
- Do we see the potential in others, or do we simply see what they do wrong.
- I think, sadly nowadays, people are far too aware of what other people do wrong, and not able to see the phenomenal potential of the other person
- And so, we are faced with two challenges this morning;
- Firstly, how we can reach the potential that our Lord sees in us; and
- Secondly, how we can affirm and empower others to reach their God-given potential
- The reality is that we don’t live in an affirming society … we’re bombarded with messages and media that tell us all the negative things about ourselves and our lives:
Our young people are disrespectful, not to be trusted and lazy
Our children are not clever, sporty or well-behaved enough
Our young men and women aren’t fit, attractive or glamorous enough
Our parents aren’t wealthy or cool enough
Our partners aren’t considerate, romantic or attractive enough
We’re not thin enough, rich enough, beautiful enough
The list goes on - We’re bombarded by negative messages about our lives, our society and our loved ones.
- Sadly, the picture is not much better in many of today’s churches, were too often people are made to feel badly about themselves because they’re not modest enough, conforming enough, pious enough, regular enough in attending worship, giving enough to charity or the Church, “Straight” enough or perfect enough …
… to be welcomed into the Church - We see far too many churches and church leaders focusing very hard on who they can exclude, in order to protect their exclusive members’ club, rather than on who they can include, to grow it’s sense of family and community and also it’s numbers.
- We see a very different picture in our Philemon reading this morning, and we see a very different example in the life of our Lord.
- We have been given “Good News” after all!
- We have been freely welcomed and should be freely welcoming all to share in that good news.
- So back to our challenges…
- How can we welcome, include, affirm and empower others, in order that they may reach their potential, rather than being dejected, rejected and excluded?
There is an old story that is told about an army (which is the actual collective noun for frogs!! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_collective_nouns_by_collective_term_A-K ) of frogs that went hopping through the forest one day when two of the frogs suddenly fell into a deep pit. All of the other frogs gathered around the hole to look down on their two fallen comrades. They all began to sadly shake their heads and to croak out dismal warnings. “It’s too deep!” croaked one frog. Another frog croaked that there was no way that they would ever be able to get out of that pit alive.
The two fallen frogs began to continuously jump as they tried to get out of the pit, but the frogs that were watching kept croaking louder at them that they might as well stop because they were as good as dead and just wasting their time. One of the two frogs finally gave up and heeded the pessimistic advice of the frogs at the top. He quit leaping and literally “croaked” and died. The other frog just kept right on jumping and leaping harder than ever in spite of all the loud croaks of disapproval from the frogs around the top of the hole. They kept croaking shouts at him to quit jumping and save himself from all the pain and suffering he was incurring as he leaped and fell back down to the bottom of the pit over and over again. Finally, he jumped even harder than ever and to the surprise of all the other frogs he leaped right out of the deep pit. The other frogs asked him, “Why did you keep leaping even though we croaked and yelled at you to stop?” It was then that the frog explained to them that he was deaf and he had thought they were cheering for him and shouting words of encouragement to him the entire time! - Our words and actions have the power to help others to rise above where they are and achieve their full potential.
- We need to not stop at what we can see, but rather to ask for the grace to see what each person’s God-given potential is. Then we have to WORK hard at keeping that up, because it can be easy to resort back to judging and belittling them when we don’t see them living up to their potential.
- We need to remind ourselves of the grace we received, and of the fact that they are God’s beloved, perfect in His eyes.
- The second challenge we had was how we, ourselves, could reach our potential.
- This is, for many of us, a harder challenge, partly because we’re so accustomed to seeing our negative points. We’ve been conditioned to do so … it’s how businesses sell products to us.
- So, it’s vital that we extend the same grace to ourselves, that we’ve just discussed extending to others.
- We, too, are perfect in God’s eyes and perfectly loved.
- We, too, need to realise this, ask for the grace to see this, and then ask for help to affirm this within ourselves.
- And we could try spending a bit more time with people that affirm us, rather than those that judge us (making sure that we return the favour).
- Amen
Labels: Affirming, Empowering, Potential
04 September 2007
Good News for all the earth?
Gospel: Luke 14:1, 7-14
Interactive introduction (for a church set out with tables and chairs, rather than rows of seating - if church is in rows of seating, adapt as necessary):
Approach front table, and lay with plates and wine glasses. Pour Bucks Fizz (or sparkling wine / champagne, if your finances can support it) into the glasses. Light some candles. If you have any eats for them, lay those out as well.
Then ask the congregation whether or not they mind if you go ahead at that table, and that it's unfortunate that they weren't seated at that table. Tell them you only have enough for the one table, but you're sure they'll understand. Proceed with the celebrations at that table.
Talk:
· Ask the congregation how they felt when they realised they weren't going to receive the same treatment? Ask if they felt it was unfair or not?
· Then return to the pulpit (if you need to clear the table, you can do it here, or perhaps later on in the service, during the peace).
· I'd like to tell the story about a young girl. I'm not sure of the origins of the story ... I was given it in email many years ago.
It's the story of a little incident that took place in
The printer had a little daughter, Alice, who came into the printing press and picked up a discarded sheet with only one line of print. That line of print read: "God loved the world so much that he gave..." Now, those were times when popular religion was a matter of living in fear and trembling before the awesome wrath of God. So
· And that's the point!
· We're meant to share in and share 'Good News'
· God loves you and me so much that He gave ...
· And yet ... that's not currently the message that we see many Christians sending out!
· Something has gone fundamentally wrong with the Church, with a capital "C"
- It's become more obsessed with moral policing, with who's in the "in" crowd and who's in the "out" crowd, than with telling people the Good News of God's love.
- Gospel means Good News. In the modern Church, we don't have a Gospel anymore ... we have doctrine.
· IF the Church is the Body of Christ, then how does the world out there ... Joe & Jane Bloggs in the street, your neighbours, the youngsters in the pubs and clubs ... how do they see the Church?
· Well - we're forcing them to regress back to a medieval understanding of God as the big Eye in the sky, watching and judging everything that you do.
· The impression we're giving them, is that if you're married, with 2.5 children, which are all in faith schools, you have a mortgage, a good job (but only one of you - the other must stay home and parent), you tithe on your good income, you belong to a midweek Church group of some sort, you primarily listen to Gospel music, you don't swear and you own your own DVD copy of The Passion of the Christ ... then you're definitely in.
· While the contrast is also true: If you're very rich, you're out; if you're very poor, you're out; if you're divorced, you're out; if you're a single parent, you're out; if you drink or smoke or use any other substance, you're out; if you're gay / lesbian / trans-gendered / transsexual / transvestite / bisexual, you're definitely out; if we can't understand your accent, language or culture, you're out; if you're in any way mentally or physically different, you're out. There's no room in the Kingdom for your sort - God is perfect and does not tolerate imperfection.
· It's abhorrent, but sadly it is the image that far too many churches are sending out to the general public.
· (Directed at the people who were at the fortunate table) How did it feel when I was laying your table? (Directed at the rest of the congregation) And how did it feel when you realised you were not going to receive the same treatment?
· It may be helpful if you mentioned personal experiences relayed to you of people being kicked out of a church, or excluded, for some reason beyond their control - perhaps a beggar, a young person, a gay person, etc..
· And yet?!
· The life of Jesus tells us a VERY different story
- He didn't spend time with the dogmatists, he didn't spend time with the legalists, and he didn't spend time with the socially comfortable, the pious or the acceptable...
- He was out on the streets with the scorned, the excluded, the outcasts, and brought them inclusion, hope and love.
· That's why we call it a Gospel; because it's Good News
· And we're instructed to share Good News with people,
· NOT to turn God into a malicious playground monitor.
· That's what Jesus was about
· That's what our Gospel is about
· That's what our Faith is about
· That's what today's reading is about
· We are called to share the good news that all are welcome and that all are included.
· That's why we share communion - it's an opportunity for everyone to join in the meal around the table.
· I'd like to share the words of a poster I saw on the wall of an St Columba's House, in Woking,
Beware!!
Here we practise the inclusive Gospel of Jesus Christ!
This means you may be mixing with tax collectors, sinners, adulterers, hypocrites, Greeks, Jews, women as well as men, female and male priests, homosexuals, lesbians, the disabled, the dying, thieves and other sinners; even Black people, Asians and other ethnic minorities, Muslims, Bishops, bigots, people of other faiths, strangers from Rome and Nigeria, heretics, etc., etc..
And yes, even you, dear guest, are most welcome.
In fact, anyone like those who Jesus mixed with.
So beware! This is not a private club! Welcome to all!
· And so, let us close with the words of the hymn (which I know may be politically incorrect in it's use of the word 'men', but I simply quote as it was written):
"We have a Gospel to proclaim
Good news for men in all the earth ..."
· Amen
© 2007. A. Marshall
Labels: Good News, Gospel, Inclusive
30 August 2007
Delightful or diseased?
Labels: rats
Communication, theology, science fiction and cappuccinos...
I had Gayle, a friend from school days, come and stay with me last weekend. She's lived in the U.K. for years, but we lost contact shortly after school ... probably because of the fact that both of us reckoned the other one would no longer wish to be in contact ... I assumed that Gayle was probably completely uninterested in remaining in contact with me, because she was going out and pubbing and clubbing, and I worked for the Church. She may have assumed that as I worked for the Church, I would no longer want to maintain contact with her. We used to be Sunday School teachers together when we were kids. Anyway, through Facebook, we got in touch again, and discovered that we were probably more similar than we gave the other credit for, and had a good weekend catching up on all the news. The strange reality surfaced when we were having coffee at Starbucks in Borders, and I suddenly realised that Gayle had picked up a number of Theology books to read, and I was reading Science Fiction while checking out the eye candy at the next table.
I got in touch with another friend via facebook, one of the people I prepared for Confirmation. Again, I wasn't too sure if he'd be interested in chatting, as I was his Youth Pastor. Anyway, he was grateful that I started chatting, and as it turns out, him and his dad were chatting about me earlier that same day ... LOL. In the end, he's come out the closet as well. Which is really funny, because at the time, I thought he may be gay, and I really wish I'd had the courage to offer him a listening ear about it, when he needed it most, but I was too scared to broach the topic. At the same time, I was really struggling with being gay myself, and he says he wish I'd told him, so that he could've offered me a listening ear. He's a few years younger than me, but still ... having someone to chat to would've been good. As it turns out, we've both been through the fire since ... me being removed from post in Port Elizabeth and having Eddie spreading rumours about me and making false accusations about me, while I was struggling with all my identity issues and grappling with who I was, and him struggling with coming out and all his identity issues surrounding that. It would've made things a helluva lot easier for both of us, had either of us had the courage to initiate that conversation. Needless to say, we didn't, and each of us coped on our own ... but for both of us it was touch and go for a while, as it so often is for gay people ... the struggle with identity, the struggle with acceptance, the struggle with ostracisation, the struggle with thoughts of suicide, the struggle with guilt. How much better it would be if people were able to communicate their struggles openly.
Finally, Stuey and I finally sat down the other evening and had a long chat about my frustrations about the cruise. He assumed I was blaming him for not wanting to come, and couldn't understand why I was upset at having to pay for my dad's ticket to fly over, when it was my choice. I told him that - although I'm excited about my dad flying over to join me, I didn't envisage the expense and couldn't really afford it, and that the expense wasn't my choice ... it was unavoidable. We also sat down last night for the first time in a long time, and had a long chat about his new job. I've not really seen him and he's not been replying to my texts during the day, or replying to calls, and he missed a supper we'd had planned the other night. He shared how they're not allowing him lunch hours, and expecting him to be at work by 7 in the morning, and to finish after 7 at night. He shared how they won't allow him to take leave between April and August, and how they're forcing him to take 2 weeks' leave over Christmas, how their products seem to be endlessly breaking down, how - after a month - they still have not produced a contract for him, and so on and so on. So, he's not been able to reply because he's not getting a break. We spoke about what he's going to do, and then snuggled a while. My poor baby.
So it is really all down to communication. The sooner we all learn to communicate, the more openly and honestly we encourage others to communicate and the more openly and honestly we communicate ... the better.
Labels: Cappuccino, Coming Out, Communication, eye candy, Science Fiction
08 August 2007
Reflections on pride ...
I knew it'd be fun, which it was, but it had such a warm community feel to it, as well. It felt like an entire town, and it's residents and businesses and institutions, gathering to celebrate the diversity of life. People came out with their kids, their babies in push-chairs, their parents and grandparents.
In the parade, there were commercial floats, community floats, religious community floats (from the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement, the Quakers and the Salvation Army), floats by the forces and the emergency services ... and it was a wonderful celebration of the diversity of life and of acknowledging each other's differences, yes, but it was more than that ... it was celebrating similarities ... we're all in this together. It was great.
Although few, it was particularly great to witness some religious input into the parade. Well done to the Salvation Army, Metropolitan Community Church, the Quakers and the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement. I'm glad that at least some people have realised that the Gospel is 'Good News'. There are way too many organisations and movements that are focused on belittling people, undermining their humanity and mocking the wonder and diversity of God's creation, by trying to force people to comply to their limited understanding of religion, and not enough people attempting to include people in the spreading of 'Good News'! We are, after all, called to share the Love of Jesus Christ with the world, not to exclude and judge.
I'll include a selection of photographs.
The Lesbian and Gay Christians and their friends. Praying for an inclusive Church, indeed!
Labels: Brighton Pride, Good News, Gospel, Inclusive, Love
30 July 2007
Floating homes ...
On the left, the Trilobis 65, and on the right, the Jelly-Fish 45.
Labels: Floating homes, Flooding, Jellyfish 45, Trilobis 65
28 July 2007
July Flooding 2007 UK
I decided to mow the lawn today, despite the clouds overhead. They weren't too dark, so I figured I may have enough time to go over the lawn once with the mower (it normally takes two goes to get it short enough).
I had a bit of drizzle after the first pass, but decided to soldier on and managed to finish both front and back lawns and trim a few bushes (no lewd comments from the peanut gallery).
When I put the tools away, the rain started falling ... again. I love a good rainfall ... in fact LOVE a good rainfall ... I find it much more pleasant than sunshine. It's cleaning, refreshing and a thoroughly pleasant experience.
I've always said that the U.K. has had nothing but warm, sunny, African weather. I've never really experienced cold and wet England. Naturally, the Brits always complain about the weather, but it's like this ... the sun can shine for 3 months, and then it'll rain for 3 days, and everyone will say how wet the UK ALWAYS is, and they'll talk about that 3 days rainfall for the next 3 months.
However, for once, even I am thinking it'd be time for a break from the rain. It feels like it's been raining for months.
So I'll put a bit about the flooding here, for all my friends and family in S.A. who've seen a little about the flooding in the U.K., and think it's bad in a few small areas. It's not ... it's devastating, and has affected massive chunks of the country.
But, I hasten to add that that's not typical English weather, either. In fact, it's rained more in June and July than it ever has in the U.K.. We've had the most rainfall since records began.
The devastating thing, of course, is that some areas were under severe flooding in June, and didn't really get a chance to recover before the flooding in July hit. By all accounts, July's flooding is no worse, but it's affected a massive chunk of the U.K., with something like 450,000 homes being evacuated, people not having any fresh water supplies, homes without electricity, people being killed by th efloodwaters, roads and bridges being washed away, ground being washed away from underneath railway lines. The damage is into several billion pounds (and counting).
Southampton is fairly safe, and I think my friends and family in the U.K. are fairly safe. The worst side-effect I've suffered is my plants growing uncontrollably, like something out of "Little shop of horrors," hence my keenness to mow the lawn today.
So, would the person that pushed the jet stream down South, please take it back? We need a bit of time to recover.
One of the people I work with raised the interesting question about which nations were going to send aide to the U.K. ... as the pressure seems to be on the U.K. to send aide to every other nation in difficulty. It's an interesting question.
Anyway ... I found a video on YouTube about the flooding, which you can take a look at.
Take care
