Jen's blog

A bath and a font.

2011-10-30T20:49:00.005Z

At Gillian and Ian's house last night in Inverness, I had an emotional flashback to my own children's childhood. Their son, Callum, had just had his night time bath and the bathtub still had his toys strewn across it. A powerful memory of days gone by.

Today in Hilton Church water was being used for a very different purpose; to baptise Callum. As a congregation we were reminded of the everyday and essential nature of water. With this common element a sacrament of baptism took place; taking us beyond our ordinariness and the everyday things of life to God who was born, lived, died, rose again, and ascended for Callum and for each of us.

The bath tub reminded me of my children who have grown, the baptismal font reminded me of the God who walks with us through all the days of our lives.

Jen

Ugly and cruel

2011-09-30T08:06:00.004+01:00

I was sitting chatting with some teenagers this week. We were discussing lots of questions on life which were on a set of playing cards. One boy read out his question, "If an alien came from an another planet how would you describe planet earth to them?" Immediately 3 or 4 people said, all at once, "ugly and cruel!". That was the initial response, but as we chatted, and answered more questions, it was evident that their life experiences did include much beauty, kindness and excitement. They had people in their lives they cared for, there were places they longed to visit, there were smells they loved (bonfire night!) and activities they enjoyed.

However I was left wondering why did some of them react so immediately with that negative phrase? In 2007 Unicef produced a report on child well being in rich countries http://www.unicef.org/media/files/ChildPovertyReport.pdf. The results of this report showed the UK at the bottom of this table of research in regard to - material wellbeing ,health, education, family and peer relationships, behaviours and risks, and subjective wellbeing. The report is worth reading and there are many issues we need to explore in it, but one of the most concerning to me is that we have the lowest proportion reporting that their peers are kind and helpful - less than half say that is the case, compared with more than 80 per cent in Switzerland.

Was that one of the reasons for the dramatically negative answer to the "alien" question? Does life seem cruel, so often, for many British teenagers because of the way we speak to each other (and this is not just teenagers!). What can we do to change this? Well it starts with me. With my words reflecting the immense kindness and compassion of Jesus. Let's be kind and gentle!

Our young people need us

2011-08-10T11:28:00.004+01:00

I just re read my last blog, written at the end of June. My final words "our young people need us" seem incredibly poignant now in the light of the events in England this week. How do I respond, as a youth worker, to the scenes from Manchester, Birmingham and London of teenagers smashing, burning, stealing and generally rioting? I think the only response, is to hold onto that statement, our young people do need us - and they are "our" responsibility - not just the teachers, or the youth clubs, or even just their parents, we all need to do what we can to care and encourage our young people in our communities.

What does that mean in reality? It means showing them kindness at any opportunity, just as we should to anyone of whatever age! Giles Fraser (Canon Chancellor of St Paul's Cathedral), on Radio 4 "thought for the day" this morning, spoke of the "copy cat" nature of the violence that has spread across English cities. His challenge was for us to create a "different kind of copying". The twitter feed "Riot clean up" had attracted 90,000 followers by this morning, these followers, and many others, are imitating simple acts of kindness and generous service.

This is what Jesus calls us to; to bring his grace, love and kindness into our communities. I had the privilege of being thanked at Scoughall this summer, by a 15 year old, for showing him kindness during his weeks holiday. What young person could we show kindness to this week? What act of kindness have we received that we could copy?

Another year ends

2011-06-23T09:13:00.004+01:00

As we come to the end of another school year, I find my mind full of many thoughts!

I have lots of snapshot images from the last fortnight - children singing songs of endings and beginnings, high schools taken over by visiting P7s, the mania and excitement of school shows, frantic packing (mingled with a bit of fear) for a school trip, a school thanksgiving service for a brilliant teacher and a good man, prizes handed out and certificates awarded, tears and smiles.

Along with all these memories is a strong sense of time passing - how did I get to the place of having children at the end of their school lives? It just seemed like yesterday I was buying Andrew's first school shorts (pause for some tears), and it's always a wee bit of a surprise when the bus doors open at Scoughall each July and young men and women come down the steps who were children the year before! The rapidity of growth between S1-6 is incredible, and sometimes adults struggle with the behaviour of young people in this age group and forget this may be a direct consequence of the growth process they are going through.

I'd like to encourage us to give young people some consideration in these formative years. None of us remember fully how tough it is to "grow up", it's difficult but fun too, if you want a wee bit of reminding listen to Bruce Springsteen's "Growing up", a brilliant song!

If we have the privilege of being with people this age over the summer, give them your support, care and time. Listen to them and create space for them to "grow up" (don't just shout that phrase at them, however tempting!) Organise events which are fun, safe, and memorable with lots of space to discover the God who knows exactly what it's like to "grow up"! Our teenagers need us!

Jen

Loss

2011-05-25T17:29:00.003+01:00

As I ran on Tuesday morning, I had to climb under a tree and run around two others. The final tree I had to circumnavigate was a long lived tree. It's trunk was thick and had seen many decades in its hillside location in Stonelaw Woods in Rutherglen. It had been uprooted and lay fallen across most of the narrow hilly park.

The evening before I had received a phone call from a friend in Caldervale High School to tell me that Gordon Austin, a maths teacher, and member of the chaplaincy team, had died suddenly. As I saw this tree lying fallen my thoughts turned again to Gordon. He was simply a good man, full of laughter and kindness. He would do all he could to help and support people around him. For 5 years we have worked together developing RO in the school and building a strong chaplaincy team. I am privileged to have known him, if only in a small way, and the love of Christ that flowed from him has touched my life and I will miss him. The fallen tree seemed to symbolise the end of something good and utterly reliable. Gordon has gone from us, but he walked with Jesus, and now rests with Him, it is not the end for him, or for those who are left behind, still feeling and benefiting from the love and kindness he brought into our lives...

Jen

The bible seems like a very big book?

2011-05-10T18:25:00.004+01:00

In a primary SU group that I visit weekly we have shared many bible stories, the children have been fascinated by the stories of Joseph, Moses, Jesus, and Paul. Their imaginations have been captured by them and, I believe, they have experienced the presence of God as they have listened to them and explored them together.

On Monday we sat down at a table and I gave each of them a copy of the whole bible. They were fascinated by the "fragile" pages (a P6 girls own words) and completely perplexed by all the numbers! Where was the page number? What were the big numbers? The little numbers? But with time and attention they managed to look up the story of the crossing of the red sea in Exodus and of Pentecost in the book of Acts. Words that they had been using verbally appeared on the page as a new language - resurrection (how do you pronounce that?).

It was a very precious time. What struck me most forcibly though was their real desire to read these stories for themselves, it was difficult, complicated and confusing - but they knew these stories, and had come to love them, and now they wanted to read them for themselves and discover more. They will have lots of chances to do that over the next few weeks.

Jen

Easter Sunday

2011-04-24T09:52:00.005+01:00

Today is a morning of hope. Hope is not about everything being good and right and happy. Life is not like that! It is often painful, uncomfortable and messy. Even if at the moment our lives are content we just need to raise our eyes a little to see the pain of countless others in our world. But today is a morning of hope. I have appreciated travelling through Lent with Maggie Dawn's book "Giving it up", which I commented on in Lent 2010, today I share her view on hope...

" There are seasons in our lives when Lent is a more comfortable place to live, because it reflects our struggles and our doubts. There may be circumstances in your life that make you feel entirely out of step with the joy of Easter Day, but even if joy hasn't materialised for you yet, it's still a promise of things to come that will unfold in time. Easter is a promise that the absence of God has been penetrated with light, and the silence of the early morning is no longer hollow but hopeful..."

On Thursday at Woodside Primary the P6s hung their hopes, dreams and prayers for Easter on an "egg" tree. Big hopes for the world, big hopes for their lives. Whatever your hope today may it be touched by the light of this day of hope.

Jen

In our midst

2011-04-21T07:06:00.005+01:00

Holy week began with me thinking about how we listen to the children in our midst. It has continued with opportunities to be with young people as they explore this week in a variety of ways.

On Monday at the SU group at St John's primary the children were fascinated by the Easter Garden that one of the leaders had lovingly created. They asked many questions as the bible story of Easter day was read and the garden explored! What's behind the stone? Why has Jesus turned into a gardener? Did Jesus move the stone himself? Can I make one of these? I've never heard of Palm Sunday tell me that story!

On Tuesday the P7s of Chatelherault Primary visited the Easter Code at Cadzow Parish Church. There was a peaceful, happy and reflective atmosphere as they experienced the sharing of the passover meal, the serving of feet washing, the struggling of Gethsamene, the seeking of the crowds, and the sacrifice of Good Friday.

Wednesday lunchtime, as always, is time for Cafe Haven at Larkhall Academy. This week a wooden cross stood in the corner as the young people drank their hot chocolate, chatted, laughed, and played connect 4, Jenga, and card games. A number of them took up the invitation to take a black armband from the cross to wear in remembrance of the death of Jesus. Some tied it to their wrists, some used it as a scrunchy, others tied it to their bags. The presence of the cross reminded me of these words by George Mcleod...

“I simply argue that the cross be raised again at the centre of the marketplace as well as at the steeple of the church.

I recover the claim that Jesus was not crucified on a table between two candles but on a cross between two thieves, on a town garbage heap, at a crossroad of politics so cosmopolitan that they had to write his title in Hebrew and Latin and Greek, and at the kind of place

where cynics talk smut

and thieves cursed

and soldiers gambled

because that is where he died, and is what he died about, and that is what Christ’s follower ought to be about.” George McLeod.

May you know his presence this Holy Week.

Jen

Do you hear what they say?

2011-04-17T16:19:00.005+01:00

It's quite strange when a member of your family is a minister of word and sacrament and you go to hear them preach, you know them well, all their idiosyncrasies, strengths, weaknesses, and when it's your big brother, a lifetime of memories! Although strange it was also very moving and reassuring to be in my brother's church this morning as he led the Palm Sunday Service, when you know someone well it makes the whole experience powerfully authentic.

I was left thinking about the messiness of that day at the start of Holy week, a week that was going to get increasingly messy, as Steve Turner says in his poem "Christmas is really for the children"...

"It has whips, blood, nails,
a spear and allegations
of body snatching.
It involves politics, God
and the sins of the world.
It is not good for people
of a nervous disposition."

And yet children circulate around the story of Jesus' arrival in Jerusalem, culminating, in Matthew's account, of the "indignation" of the chief priests and teachers of the law, as the children shout praise to Jesus in the temple. Shouting in a holy place, giggling, laughing, being unpredictable, being absorbed in the moment, as the noise, excitement, and experience of the street tumbles into the Temple?

How do we cope with children's behaviour in our "holy" places,at our "sacred" moments? Do we let them be integral to what we do? Do our children tumble into our church services, able to express their thoughts and feelings, able to grow spiritually.

Are children an inconvenience - maybe this is unlikely in our culture today, but are they merely a form of "entertainment" in our services? To look cute, to give us the occasional laugh, or do we give them their place to praise God, to express their faith, to share their stories, to praise and pray? Do we listen to the children in our midst; that was Jesus' question to the religious leaders - do you hear what they are saying? Are we listening? That might involve losing some of our dignity in the process!

Jen

Jesus and Peter

2011-03-20T19:28:00.002Z

This little book by John Bell and Graham Maule was well used at my home church's youth weekend away. I was really pleased to be asked to lead 3 slots at the weekend, where we reflected on the bible, shared with each other and wondered at how Jesus changes people. At the end of each time together one of these "off the record conversations" was read.

The conversations between Jesus and Peter are funny, realistic, and sensitive. I was inspired to write my own for the final day on Jesus and Peter's chat on the beach from John 21 - we were able to perform this around a bonfire, at the side of a lake! All that was missing was some roasted fish! To see the young people presenting these sketches was brilliant; but more than that, each of us was touched by the reality of Jesus, His love, and the challenges he brings to our lives.

If you've never used these sketches, some of which have been around for quite a while, have a look at them on http://www.ionabooks.com/1117-1901557170-Jesus-and-Peter.html.

Jen

Lent

2011-02-21T16:03:00.003Z

On Saturday evening at Megaquest (P4- 6 event) some of the children coloured in "hallelujahs" at the start of the evening. After lots of games, a very funny retelling of the Good Samaritan, some hotdogs, and drawing some "cool" people, they took their "hallelujahs" home to hide away over Lent (Ash Wednesday is on the 9th March); on Easter Day they will bring out their "hallelujahs" and stick them up at home or take them to church. Everyone also took away a little book called "love life, live lent" http://livelent.net/

Lent is a time to "get away" from our normal lives, to stop some things, perhaps, not just because we want to be "self disciplined" but so we can clear out some of the "clutter" in our lives and make time to be more radically like Jesus.

When it comes to Easter day, and we can say "hallelujah, Christ is risen", will we have spent more time with Him over the previous 7 weeks and helped transform His world just a little? Have a look at "love life, live lent" - it will help!

Jen

Invitation

2011-01-27T19:33:00.003Z

On Monday evening "Glee" (E4) contained brilliant cover versions of Billy Joel's "Only the good die young", and "Losing my religion" by REM, alongside these songs were lots of fascinating conversations and interactions about belief, unbelief, and prayer.

Sue Sylvester, the cheerleader coach, described her experience of prayer as a child. She prayed and prayed for her sister, who had additional support needs, to be "normal". Her prayers never became reality, and she watched as people were cruel and unkind to the sister she adored. She came to believe that there was no God, no one was listening. As an adult, this pain and hurt as a child, had caused her to have deep suspicion of people who "pushed" their beliefs on others.

Near the end of the programme Sue is sitting with her sister playing draughts; as they play Sue asks her if she believes in God. Her sister says she does and offers to pray for Sue, who starts to weep and is profoundly touched by her sisters simple invitation to be part of her faith.

Arguments, discussion, debate may never have changed Sue's attitude to God, but the simple offer of a prayer, from someone she was in a close relationship with, touched her soul.

Jen

...travels of a 42 year old youth worker!

2011-01-21T09:25:00.004Z

I realised this week that I have spent time with nearly 2 generations of young people.

On Saturday evening I drove a car load of S3-6 boys to sledging from my home church, it was great to part of their banter, stories and conversation, and it reminded me of all the years I have driven young people around Scotland and been a part of their lives even just for a short time.

On Sunday I ran in the 5k around Strathclyde park with my friend Lucy, later in the week someone asked us how we knew each other, Lucy answered "Jen was my youth leader" - and that was true, but now we are friends, and what a privilege to move from youth leader to friend!

And just last night I was making a powerpoint for a primary group to see what the Lanarkshire Weekend is all about and as I looked over the last 4 years of photos from that event - I was struck by the number of children and young people I have had the chance to get to know, care for, and to learn with.

A small contribution, but one I am so grateful to be a part of, as Shakespeare wrote "The powerful play goes on and you many contribute a verse!" - I've liked my verse so far!

Jen

Inconvenient!

2010-12-03T20:19:00.004Z

My heart sank as I answered the phone, it was the bus driver on his way to pick us up from the Secondary weekend at Lendrick Muir, “I’m not going to make it, I’ve had to turn back, the roads are a nightmare…” How inconvenient! How disruptive! I was meant to be back in Hamilton for the first bubblegum ‘n’ fluff of the season the next day, I had a team of volunteers who needed to get back home, and most importantly all these young peoples' parents would have to be contacted, they would have to rearrange their plans to pick their young people up the next day, and we’d already stripped our beds!

I like to be organised and plan in advance, in fact it is essential to my job that I am organised, but here was a situation out of my hands, all we could do was to stay put and wait till it was safe to return to Lanarkshire. How appropriate that this should happen on the first Sunday in Advent, as we get ready to celebrate the arrival of Jesus. Mary must have felt extremely inconvenienced; she is waiting to get married, when she discovers she is pregnant; how inconvenient! How disruptive; to her life, her plans, her reputation, but what she is recorded as saying in Luke chapter 1 is, “I am the Lord’s servant” and later on she sings,

“He has brought down rulers from their thrones, but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.”

Maybe at this advent season and beyond we need a “corrective perspective” helped by Mary! So often we plan and prepare and see these as the important things, the places where God will work, and do what we would like him to do. Do we need to start seeing the inconvenient and disruptions as the places where we simply say “Lord I am your servant, show me in this situation how my humility and emptiness can show your mercy and glory?” I think I will give it a go, as we work together for his Kingdom to come!

Jen

Games

2010-10-29T16:17:00.004+01:00

I have always enjoyed leading games with young people; from extreme wide games in the dark with rules so complicated they take days to prepare, to simple games sitting round a table.

In the last few weeks I have realised again the importance and centrality of games in youth ministry. Sometimes people can dismiss games as being secondary or less important than the times we sit down and pray or read the bible, but surely this is a narrow view of how God's love and grace is known through the ministry we are involved in?

When we play games we laugh, compete, chat, learn new skills and make new friends. At a cosy cafe in a school this week I was playing the "yes, no" game with some pupils, it was a struggle at times, but by the end of the game they were encouraging each other and working together, and new friendships had begun.

Jen

The little things matter

2010-10-01T09:19:00.003+01:00

I seem to have attended a copious amount of conferences over the last few weeks, it is always good to find at least one good thing from these events.

A story has stayed with me from a Head Teacher from a large Lanarkshire Secondary School of the support offered to him and his staff during their merger. The chaplaincy team had sent all the staff a card during the upheaval of forming their new school. The HT said that 2 years on the card was still on his desk, he also commented that a fellow teacher had told him that her card was still stuck on her fridge at home.

A little note of kindness, expressing their care for the staff during the time of change, mattered! It was important...Jesus said the kingdom of heaven was like a mustard seed, the smallest of all seeds, but it grows into a huge tree, where the birds of the air come and find shelter.

Jen

R.E.S.P.E.C.T.

2010-09-22T21:04:00.003+01:00

I had the privilege of spending all of last week in Calderside Academy. The school are aiming to become a Rights Respecting School as part of a UNICEF initiative.

As part of this process the SMT invited the chaplaincy team to lead a whole week of activities with the S1 pupils, to increase their awareness of what it means to be a Rights Respecting School.

For three mornings every S1 pupil visited 2 workshops. Each workshop was based on an article from the convention of the rights of the child. Through games, drama, music, art and storytelling the pupils explored what the articles meant for them and their school. As a finale to the week we held a S1 period long assembly. Each workshop fed back to the whole assembly, through singing, drama, DVD and interview. One group of pupils sang the Cyndi Lauper song "True Colours" (more recently performed by the Glee cast) and included their own "new" verses which they had written at the workshop. It was deeply moving to hear them sing the chorus...

But I see your true colors
shining through
I see your true colors
and that's why I love you
so don't be afraid to let them show
your true colors
true colors are beautiful
like a rainbow

Along the wall of the assembly hall were rows of posters that many of the children had made in the workshop that described "them" in words and pictures. The words of the song complimented this visual banner that surrounded us. For me this was a "wow" moment. How I longed for each young person in that place to be able to "shine their true colours" to be themselves, and to grow into adults aware of others rights and their own incredible uniqueness. There was a sense of mystery, otherness, and challenge. It really was an RO event. Each pupil received a R.E.S.P.E.C.T wristband to remind them of the week with the chaplaincy team.

Jen

Reaching out

2010-09-10T17:14:00.004+01:00

There's been lots of chat this week about the church in the USA who were going to have a ceremonial burning of the Qur'an.

It seems such a far cry from the Jesus that the Christian Church follows, the Jesus who told a story of a beaten, bleeding man lying at the side of the road, his life hanging by a thread. The religious people of the day walked past, too busy, too religious, too clean, too distant to help. Along came a "despised" Samaritan, an enemy, a threat? He goes to the man, cleans his wounds, puts him on his donkey and pays for his stay in a hotel overnight, leaving enough money for his future care. Jesus said this was how we were to treat our neighbours.

Who is my neighbour? The person whose world view is different form mine? The reality is that the people who want to burn the Qur'an are merely a media catching extreme example of how far the Church often wanders from being the people Jesus calls us to be. That starts with me and my attitude. Thanks for the reminder Dove World Outreach Centre!

2010-08-30T09:57:00.006+01:00

I had a little bit of space this morning so have just watched "A Church in Crisis" which was still available on BBCi player.

The final image of the programme was of a candle being blown out as Reevel Alderson stated "The Church must change if its light across this nation isn't to be snuffed out " This was dramatic but also poignantly inaccurate. The Church must change - we are constantly changing as followers of Jesus, our faith should challenge us and makes us people on the move, however the "light" of the Church, which is of course Christ shining through His people, will never be snuffed out.

I really want to make another programme, full of the stories of people who have known and know this light in their lives; the child who went to a church holiday club this summer and experienced the love of God through the people who led it, the young person who goes to a Cosy Cafe during their school lunch break and finds a church alive and welcoming, a parent who finds a home at the toddler group on a Wednesday morning when they have spoken to no other adult all week, a broken middle age man who finds friendship and purpose as he chats in the pub with some guys from the church, and an elderly person whose life is touched by the light of Christ as a young person brings her a cup of tea at the end of a church service.

When these stories, and many more, are told the nation will see the light of Christ through His Church. "The Life-Light blazed out of the darkness; the darkness couldn't put it out." (John 1, The Message)

Summer

2010-08-05T21:27:00.004+01:00

Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird" was published 50 years ago this summer. It is a book that changed me - it gave me a hunger to read, and also opened my youthful eyes to the reality of prejudice and how each of us can make a difference to our society. Early in the book the young narrator, Scout, reflects on summer...

"Summer was on the way; Jem and I awaited it with impatience. Summer was our best season: it was sleeping on the back screen porch in cots, or trying to sleep in the tree house; summer was everything good to eat; it was a thousand colours in a parched landscape; but most of all summer was Dill."

For the past 6 years summer has been many things; time off, beaches with the family, the dog running in the sea, long evenings with less meetings; but most of all summer has been Scoughall.

The final week in July has found me at the beautiful campsite on the East Coast of Scotland. While there a temporary community has been formed made up of a team of 30 adults, and 50 young people (P6-S2), from all over Scotland, but with a strong Lanarkshire contingent.

Summer is Scoughall; songs on the minibus, young people scattered across the field or the beach, quiet times and noisy times, sad moments and moments that we will remember all our lives, an awareness of God's presence and a longing that we would know that reality when we return to our homes, space to pray and worship, young people growing into adults; hurts healed and stories shared; tiredness, sun, and sticky toffee pudding!

Summer is Scoughall - maybe you, or someone you know, could be a part of it in 2011!

As we go now...

2010-06-23T18:29:00.002+01:00

It is always a privilege to be involved in the life of a school - in the happy times and the sad times. Today was a happy day and a sad day at Woodside Primary, in Hamilton, as we said goodbye to the Primary 7s.

We use many words when we mark rites of passage in our lives; "good luck", "all the best", "best wishes". For Christians and those of other faiths we pray for the person and their situation.

I recently wrote an essay on the place of prayer within Religious Observance in Scottish Schools. Can we pray? Should we pray? How do we pray?

The reality is that prayer is part of many peoples lives, however within RO it shouldn't be something we force onto people, rather we should provide opportunities for people to pray. Alongside those prayers will also be space for others to reflect, and express hopes and dreams, without praying.

At Woodside we attempted to create an opportunity for this to happen. The P5's each drew round their foot and cut it out. They were then given the choice of writing a prayer or a comment about their thoughts as they said goodbye to the p7s.

The photo here shows the result of their work. Each foot contains a prayer, a hope, or a wish for their fellow pupils at this time of transition. It was beautiful to hear some of them read out their prayers and comments. One pupil wished that the P7s would "keep up the laughter!" and another who prayed that they would all know that "God was always with them."

My prayer is, in the words of a Fischy music (http://www.fischy.com/) song, "May they walk with one another, may they help each other on the way".

Jen

Adventures at Scoughall

2010-05-29T08:08:00.006+01:00

I've been meaning to blog about the adventures at Scoughall since we got back last Sunday, but the General Assembly of the C of S, numerous meetings, SU groups, essay writing, and ensuring the new boiler was put in the right place, were bigger priorities!

I also had to write my report about the event this week - it was interesting to realise that when an event has been so good there is very little to report. Are we better at using words when there are things to sort out and deal with, rather than using our words to describe beauty and happiness? These two words do describe last weekend's Megamix weekend!

It was beautiful in so many ways, the sun shone, we played on the beach, and had so much fun. During the "adventure times", when we explored the Psalms, one group chose to read the Psalm out loud together. It was beautiful to hear young voices and slightly older voices reading these ancient words together, words that can still bring comfort, challenge, direction, peace and hope.

The young people exuded happiness. They got on well together, they shared their stories, they ran and played and learned and grew together. In a culture where children so often are harried out of childhood, by what they wear and what they are surrounded by, last weekend gave brilliant opportunities for spiritually enhancing childhood experiences.

It was a privilege to be there - thank you to everyone who shared in that privilege.

Jen

Integrated Community project

2010-05-14T17:26:00.003+01:00

The title of this blog does not reflect the life and vibrancy and hope that filled two East Kilbride Churches today!

Pupils from Our Lady of Lourdes, Mossneuk, and Canberra Primaries were welcomed warmly by Father Nolan and Rev Mackenzie in their respective churches.

In both buildings they listened, created, chatted, and built an "integrated community", in reality not just in theory.

There were two highlights of the day for me. Firstly hearing some P7 pupils from OLOL primary sharing about their baptism, first confession and communion, and their very recent confirmation. It was deeply moving to hear them share so confidently what these events had meant to them in their faith development, and how it had increased their sense of belonging in their worshipping community.

At the end of the day we all listened to "As we go now" by Fischy Music, as it played each pupil collected a wrist band with the words "No Divided City" embossed onto it. These wrist bands were lying under a cross draped in green and blue cloth. The words from the songs struck me forcibly as I watched each of these children, with so much ahead of them...

"As we go now from this moment

As we leave behind this time together

May we treasure one another

May we realise how precious we are"

They have the potential to change the history of our community, to bring understanding and connection, to create "a new future" as Theresa Breslin says in her book "Divided City". Each pupil today had already read this book as part of the project. That's what I am doing as soon as it arrives from amazon...

Jen

Home

2010-04-26T19:43:00.006+01:00

I don't have any particular concern or interest for pigeons, but I was intrigued to hear that homing pigeons will only come home to a safe, warm, nurturing environment. If the conditions of "home" aren't right, if they are cold, hungry, or feel insecure, they will find another home, or even go "native" and end up living on the streets!

The powerful need to be "home" has been widely expressed recently, as we have heard the stories of people stranded all over the world due to the eruption of Eyafjallojokull, and the resulting ash cloud.

Home may not be where we live, home is not about a place (although we can have strong attachments to our physical location) - it is people and relationships. Home is the place where we feel completely ourselves, where we aren't judged but accepted. Home is essential to our well being as whole human beings.

We also need spiritual homes. Communities where we are accepted, loved and listened to. Where questions can be asked and doubts expressed without fear of rejection. Where we are challenged and nurtured and able to grow, where the stranger is welcomed and noticed, the loner included and accepted, and the hurting are healed and restored.

How are our spiritual homes? What are we contributing to them to make them places where people would chose to be rather than go "native"!

Jen

Passion and politics

2010-04-16T18:21:00.003+01:00

I am just coming to the end of 2 weeks holiday - it's been good.

Time to tidy the porch and the garden, an overnight trip to Edinburgh, meals with the family, time to read, watch TV, and relax.

I began the holidays watching "The passion" produced by the BBC. (The DVD comes with an excellent CD ROM containing resources for RME and RO written by the Scottish Bible Society - http://www.bbc.co.uk/thepassion/.) It follows Jesus and his disciples through Holy Week. It is skilfully put together and I was particularly struck by the radicalism of Jesus in his interaction with the "outcasts" of society. The shock and contempt he produced by chatting with prostitutes, the horror around him as touched people with skin diseases and spent time with those who were "unclean" - unable to be in the temple with God and His people. In Jesus God comes to them.

This morning I was watching the analyses of the "Prime ministerial Debate" on BBC1's breakfast show. The "appearance" of each of the participants was being analysed. He has his hands in his pockets, his hands gestures are too tight, his jaw is too loose, his eye contact is misdirected, his tie is the wrong colour...

What a contrast; firstly Jesus who includes people for who they are, taking great risks to do so, accepting them in their damaged and messed up lives; and then a media that demands such perfection, such poise, such beauty.

A contrast but also an incredible challenge...

Jen

Giving it up

2010-03-31T22:00:00.002+01:00

It has been a pleasure to have the company of an excellent book throughout the season of Lent. Tonight I realised, sadly, that I only have a few days left of "Giving it up" by Maggi Dawn.

It has become part of our culture to "give up" something for Lent. Usually to help us lose weight or live some kind of disciplined life. Maggi Dawn takes us beyond this contemporary view to a deeper understanding of why we may give up something during Lent.

I have learnt so much from her daily readings and thoughts. Lent can be a time when we de clutter our lives so we have more space for stopping and "seeing" things God's way, as we do this we may need to give up our pre conceived views of Jesus or of familiar bible passages. Lent should help us see God more clearly, to reconnect with what it means to be community, and to be Christ's hands and feet in the world around us.

"Giving it up" has helped me have a deeper and profounder understandinge of Lent, and has prepared me to celebrate the incredible grace and love of God, revealed in Good Friday and Easter Day.

You can read more of Maggi's thoughts on http://maggidawn.com/. She also has written a book for advent called "Beginnings and Endings".

Jen

2010-03-28T22:17:00.003+01:00

The stories from holy week are overflowing with people. People full of different emotions - fear, hope, anger, confusion, distress, terror!

As I was preparing for a visit to an SU group tomorrow, I was choosing some stories for them from the final chapters of Luke's gospel, together we will imagine we are one of the disciples in each part of the story, and will wonder at what they would have been feeling at each dramatic turn of their most tumultuous week together.

At the same time I was preparing for a visit to a church to help them examine their ministry to children and young people, thinking about questions like "How can we engage with children, how can we encourage more leaders, how can we help young people grow in their faith...".

What is the connection between these two sets of encounters coming my way tomorrow? How can a church be effective in it's ministry with young people, and what does it have to do with these stories from the gospels?

All through holy week people were catching glimpses of Jesus - who He was, what He said, how He reacted, why He did what He did? As churches we need to give children and young people a chance to see Jesus - how will they see? Through us; in what we do, how we care, how we welcome and listen to them, and in the midst of that relationship, formed within a loving community, we will share the story of the God who...

"Heals the broken hearted,

and stays our sin,

and calms our lurking fear,

and lifts the burden from the heavy laden,

for yet the Saviour,

Saviour of the world is here."

(William Fullarton)

Jen

Easter Code

2010-03-18T20:34:00.004Z

Tomorrow is the first Airdrie "Easter Code". Over the next 2 weeks 5 primary schools will visit 4 churches to explore Easter together.

The primary 7 classes will travel through holy week, visiting different locations which Jesus and his friends visited, as they headed towards Good Friday and ultimately Easter Day.

With the help of their school chaplains, they will have their feet washed, experience the pressure of the crowd, watch a film depicting the Garden of Gethsemane, eat a passover meal, and make a craft based around the cross.

At the end we will reflect together on what Easter means to Christians and what it might mean for each of them.

Find out more about the Easter Code at http://www.calderside.org.uk/

I need to be at Airdrie High for 8am - that means an early start, time to head to bed!

Jen

Cosy Coffee House

2010-02-28T22:14:00.003Z

This evening was the launch of the "Cosy Cafe" at Burnside Blairbeth Church.

What a great night! Lots of chat, laughs and games. A place to chill out and be with each other. A whole bunch of young people and a range of adults chatting and skilfully making hot chocolate in the kitchen!

Our theme for the night was "community", it was fun making models of our community with Calum, Andrew, and Lesley and chatting about how the Trinity could help us create a loving community!

We'd taken lots of time at lunchtime to create a comfortable cafe atmosphere with lights, couches, bean bags and coffee tables. Along with the Wii, snooker and table tennis it was a fun place to be.

I'll keep you posted about how we progress in the weeks ahead as we discover more about God together at the cafe!

Go to http://www.madstuff.biz/browse-resources/details/11/2/cosycoffeehouse-kit/cosycoffeehouse-kit.html if you want to find out more about creating a cosy coffee house at your Church.

Jen

Why Oh Why I'm Asking!

2010-02-28T08:48:00.004Z

This great song by Fischy music set the scene for Megamix last night at St John's church in Hamilton.

75 children and young people, from P4 to S1, filled the hall with their smiles, laughter, quietness, loudness, singing and questions.

With the older group the young people took turns in the hot seat to answer the questions of their peers. Questions like - what is heaven like? Does God answer prayer? Who started Megamix? How do planets stay in space? Why is the earth so big? There were some beautiful answers - "heaven is full of chocolate rivers", "it's sort of marshmallowy". "I think God tries his best to answer our prayers."

The big question of the night was "Why can't we see God?". In groups we explored this question together, by creating a drama from different stories about Jesus, making balloon sculptures, taking a challenging "amazing" world quiz, and playing some games together. In Jesus, each other, God's creation, and the Holy Spirit (the breath of God) we discovered that we can "see" God.

The next Megamix won't last just for a Saturday evening but for a whole weekend in May - it's going to be fun!

Teams

2010-02-12T22:14:00.002Z

As I look back on my week from the space of a Friday evening I've realised that teams have played a big part in the last five days. Right in the middle was the deep joy of watching Motherwell hold Rangers to a draw at Firpark. It was brilliant to watch the team play so well together, creating so many chances and some brilliant passing football.

I travelled to Firpark within an hour of my return from the SU staff days at Lendrick Muir. These two days had reminded me of the importance of having opportunities to chat to people whom I normally don't spend much time with. Without conversation we simply make superficial judgements about people, and cannot develop good relationships and strong teams.

The day after the frozen, but deeply happy, football experience I had a meeting with the Calderside Chaplaincy team. This was to start planning for our follow up to Bubblegum 'n' Fluff and The Easter Code. Our next project is to plan an S1 Religious Observance event around UNICEF 's "Right Respecting School" initiative. By the end of the afternoon (surrounded by a huge variety of cream cakes!) we had started to build a framework to help the pupils explore what makes a strong community. It was a creative and positive meeting. A lot of work lies ahead but there was a sense of excitement as we took our first steps together.

I was left wondering what makes a good team. Trust is essential. We need to be able to say exactly what we think without fear of rejection or ridicule. We need to be able to challenge each others opinions without damaging the friendships that exist. This takes time and effort. Effort involving listening and getting to know each other.

How are our teams? Are we willing expend energy and become vulnerable to make them effective for God's kingdom?

Jen

Eating together

2010-02-06T21:15:00.003Z

What a week it had been, all they had hoped for, longed for, and looked forward to was gone. As they walked they talked. Walking away from the city, away from all the memories and the pain. Walking home.

They heard someone coming up behind them, he didn't pass by but walked alongside them. He asked them what they were talking about. He listened. He began to talk about the week that had just been, he began to explain some parts of their holy book. They began to feel different, the darkness and emptiness in their hearts seemed to change. Their hearts were warmed.

It was nearly dark, they were at the door of their home. The stranger seemed to want to keep on walking. They didn't want him to go. They asked him to join them for their evening meal. In the warmth and welcome of that home they sat down to eat. They asked their companion to say the blessing. He picked up the bread. He lifted it high to bless it, as it broke, and they heard his voice they realised it was Him, it was Jesus!

There wasn't time to tell this story at "Gear Up" today in Airdrie, but so much of what this story holds were evident all through this youth ministry conference. The need for us to walk alongside young people, joining them in conversation, sharing and experiencing God's words together. The need for us to sit down together and eat, and the incredible hope and prayer that as we eat, share, chat and explore together we, the young and older, may "see" Jesus as He really is.

Thanks to everyone who made "Gear Up" what it was. We need each other, as we walk with the young people that God has put in our care...

Jen

Memories

2010-01-25T21:44:00.002Z

Scripture Union Holidays have taken me to a variety of locations over the last 23 years (always as a leader, I just wanted to stay at home as a child!).

One of the more bizarre was a very large house in Wales called Kinmell Hall. My memories of the holiday are a bit vague after 16 years but they include; a very cold (slightly slimey) outdoor pool, miles of long corridors, and strange ornamental gardens.

These memories were awakened the other day when I visited an SU group. One of the leaders recognised me. After a short chat we realised that we had both been at Kimnell Hall. She was there as a teenage "camper" and I had been her group leader. It was brilliant to meet her again and to find her leading an SU group.

It was good to remember, not just the holiday, but the God who had brought us both through all those years, to meet again in a primary school in Lanarkshire!

Memories can take us to sad places, of days gone by that we wish would return. That kind of remembering can be crippling, when we think "how good it was...".

There is another kind of remembering. When we think back to when we knew God close, times when He helped us or comforted us or we were touched by the reality of Him - these memories can support us in the present. Whatever the present reality may be.

We need each other to do this. In the dark times we need other people to gently walk with us, and tell us again the stories that bring God close...

Religious Observance:Design and Practice

2010-01-16T18:43:00.004Z

After many months of thinking and planning, the accredited course at masters module level in the delivery of Religious Observance began at Glasgow University this weekend.

www.gla.ac.uk/departments/religiouseducation/coursesanddegreeprogrammes/religiousobservancedesignandpractice/

Having been part of the planning group from the beginning, it was brilliant to see the dream becoming reality. 26 "students" (in real life teachers and chaplains) gathered to engage in a "peer led" learning experience from late Friday afternoon to Saturday morning.

There were many highlights for me. On Friday evening we each shared a RO event from our own school situation. The quality of these events and the creativity involved in preparing them was examplary. On Saturday morning, in small groups, we had to design a brand new RO event for a fictional school situation. The group I had the privilege of working with designed an excellent week long event for Valentines day called "A change of heart".

Vital to the whole experience were the liminal moments. The so called "gaps" of the programme - the coffee breaks, the meals, the unexpected debates and discussions - which offered time to meet new people from very different situations and contexts from myself. These were times of change and were potentially transformational.

We now have 9 hours of on line learning, 2 more half days training, and a written assignment. Why? So that the RO we deliver to school communities across Scotland will be relevant and meaningful.

So I'm a registered student again after many years, and that means I've got a student card - that's a very good thing!

Jen

Memories

2010-01-15T08:58:00.003Z

Last night we watched DVD's of Andrew and Fiona when they were very young. This footage had previously been on VHS tapes, we are so grateful to our kind friend who converted them onto DVD. It had been such a long time since we had watched these beautiful memories.

It's made me think of some of the contrasts between adults and children...

Children bathe and splash, adults need a quick shower.

Children play, adults discuss politics

Children laugh loudly, adults smile

Children touch and hug, adults fold their arms

Children ask questions, adults try and get the right answer

Children go with the flow, adults try and direct it

Children tell it as it is, adults stay quiet

I'm not saying children get it all right. The number of stern shouts of "Andrew!" from me on the DVD, and the dissapointed sound of "Oh Fiona", prove that theory wrong, but there is so much that we need to claim back from childhood as adults.

Want to give it a try - laughing, enjoying, appreciating? I'm going to!

Jen

Gear Up

2010-01-12T21:39:00.005Z

It's taken me ages to write my first 2010 blog. I'm not really sure what has held me back.

I think New Year has always contained a strange mixture of emotions for me, and maybe for us all.

There's excitement - I still remember vividly my childhood pleasure of having my school bag packed neatly for the new term. I didn't actually want to go to school but I liked the feeling of being ready! There is also the sense of loss of all that was Christmas, as we tidy up the decorations and switched off the lights.

You also have to face things that have to be dealt with, like getting ready for GEAR UP, the youth ministry conference on February 6th. Why does February seem so far away in December but is right next to January!

It was really good to meet today at Jackson Church in Airdrie where GEAR UP is being held. Kenny, Jonny, Kay and myself were putting the final touches to the event.

I was reminded why we are holding this conference. It's not just about giving people information, or skills, to take back to their churches. It's also about creating a space where we can inspire and learn from each other as we grow God's Kingdom in Lanarkshire, the part of Christmas that doesn't get packed away. That's exciting...and we're having bacon rolls at the start of the conference!

Jen

Home

2009-12-27T12:21:00.004Z

In Central Station in Glasgow last Tuesday, half an hour before the doors of the station were closed, I met my friend Pete. Like many others he was going "home" for Christmas - the hope of this happening was being gradually eroded; many eyes scanned the digital displays only to see the words "delayed" and "cancelled" repeatedly appearing.

There are times in our lives when we simply long to be "home".

In his book "Drops like stars" (a beautiful book - just to hold it is a pleasure!) Rob Bell begins by recounting the story Jesus told of a young person who longed to be home.

A son has deeply offended his Dad but returns home to forgiveness, and a party to celebrate his return. The older brother is infuriated by the injustice of the party for his brother. His Dad says, "We had to celebrate and be glad because this brother of yours was dead but is alive, he was lost and is found."

Bell points out the incompleteness of the ending of the story, the story is left unresolved, he asks us to imagine the next scene, as the elder brother enters the party and the scene of the brothers reunion, "...they embrace and everyone at the party circles round and starts clapping and then the camera pans over to that one last shot - the one of the Father holding a glass of champagne and a smile on his face and a tear in his eye...but that's not how it always goes, is it?...some elder brothers never join the party, some father's never throw one, some brothers never come back, some things are never resolved, lots of parties are missing somebody..."

Bell wants to help us deal with this reality of life, that even when we have returned "home" to God, to his forgiveness and outrageous grace for us, not everything is going to be good and complete and superficial answers and solutions won't help "...it's not honest and it's not right and it's not real."

I'm looking forward to what the rest of the book holds...

Jen

O Holy Night

2009-12-18T17:04:00.005Z

"O Holy Night" has been voted Britain's favourite carol. I wonder why? For the tune perhaps and less for the words?

Today at Caldervale High School's Christmas assembly it was sung incredibly beautifully by a sixth year pupil and accompanied skilfully by her music teachers.

It was a moment of blessing and peace in the midst of what can be the mayhem of Christmas. The second verse includes these lines...

"The King of Kings lies in the lowly manger, in all our trials born to
be our friend, He knows our need, our weakness is no stranger..."

He is the reason we can wish each other peace at Christmas.

Jen

Mind Blowing

2009-12-17T19:58:00.003Z

At the end of the "Angry Hotel Man", (written by Fischy music and performed brilliantly by St John's primary school today), the hotel man storms round to the stable where all the strange visitors have been directed, and from where the noise of "hallelujahs" have woken him from "lots of lovely sleep".

He intends to give everyone in the stable a "piece of his mind" but he is silenced by the presence of the baby he finds there. He runs back inside and tells everyone to get out of bed, and go to the stable, because what is in there will "blow their minds".

Let's take time this Christmas to have our minds blown away by the incredibleness of God becoming man, mystery becoming known, remote coming close, invisible made visible.

As Lucy says in The Last Battle by C.S.Lewis , "In our world too, a stable once had something inside it that was bigger than our whole world."

The contents of that stable in Bethlehem really are mind blowing!

Jen

Bubblegum on ice

2009-12-14T16:30:00.000Z

The amount of ice on pavements and roads this morning would have filled me with excitement as a child.

I can remember sliding on the ice at the side of the house on days just like today in the '70's. My more adventurous brother could even manage to extend the slide to include a jump off the garden step - I was slightly more restrained, but still enjoyed the ice sliding experience!

The ice this morning was so perfect for sliding that the P6's from Chapelside Primary couldn't make it to St Columba's church for Bubblegum 'n' Fluff - so we packed up and went to them. The mosaic tile craft and the puppet staging had to be left behind in the rush, as did the laptop and projector, but we managed to still have lots of fun exploring Christmas together.

The adaptablility of the whole team was brilliant, our resident "Nutty Professor", in the picture, took his present testing to new scientific levels, and the children's fun and enthusiasm made it an excellent morning.

Being organised is important, in fact it's only when we have prepared well; becoming really familiar with what we are presenting, that we can be as adaptable as the team were this morning.

Now it's time to get ready for the Easter Code...

Jen

Down to Earth

2009-12-08T09:35:00.000Z

My ipod speakers wouldn't work yesterday at St John's SU group in Hamilton.

We had played games, and burst open some huge Christmas Crackers to hear the Christmas story, but there was no music to sing "Down to Earth" by Fischy music http://www.fischy.com/.

I started to read out the words, they are so good, and the whole group said "We know this song, we're doing it at our Christmas assembly" and they all began to sing. It was a beautiful moment.

It turns out the pupils are performing Fischy's "The Angry Hotel Man" in the last week of term - I can't wait to see them in action.

Here is the last verse of the song...

"He could have been full of his importance
and felt so very grand
his servants would have bowed and said
"Your wish is my command"
but he wore a crown of thorns
gave everything he had
he gave his life that we might know
the great love of his dad."

(...and yes, my speakers worked fine when I got back to my desk!)

Jen

Greenhouse Churches

2009-12-07T18:46:00.000Z

Yesterday I was at Claremont Church in East Kilbride. I spent the first 40 minutes with "Crossword" a group of young people aged from 12 to 18 years.

At the end of our time together we silently (there had been lots of noise from party hooters and bursting balloons prior to this as we read Matthew 3 together) lit these little candles from the central candle, considering as we did, what it meant for us to have "the light of the world" in our lives and what difference He might make.

We then joined the rest of the congregation for communion. It was moving to watch older hands sharing the bread and wine with young hands, and then these young hands passing it to each other and on to older hands once more (it's interesting how hands often show our age even if our faces don't!).

I was reminded of Mark Yacconeli's comment in his book "Contemplative Youth Ministry" - "It takes a greenhouse to nurture the souls of young people - a greenhouse formed by adults who want to know God. A young person's faith is best tended by a variety of relationships within a Christian community."

It's not about us getting it all right, or running the best, exciting, programme. What matters is the community we create with Jesus at the centre - where young people can belong, grow, contribute and receive.

Jen

Bubblegum 'n' Fluff

2009-12-04T19:32:00.000Z

I've had the privilege this week of spending two mornings with 60 primary 6 children as we explored Christmas together.

On Tuesday Rochsolloch Primary visited New Wellwynd Church, and today Golfhill Primary pupils were at Airdrie High Church.

The children laughed, listened, chatted, created, sang, and expressed their hopes and dreams as we unpicked all the "fluff" of Christmas to find the still "tasty" centre at the heart of our celebrations.

The children who come to bubblegum 'n' fluff have fun, they hear some of the stories of Jesus when he grew up, they have a positive experience in the church building, they get to know their chaplain, and some members of the congregation better, and go home with memories of what they discovered together about Christmas.

It's been great working with the chaplains of Airdrie and we've got more to look forward to next week, for me that means more Christmas wreaths to make!

Jen

New Moon

2009-11-28T21:55:00.000Z

It seemed like we were a week behind the rest of the population, but last night we finally sat down in the comfort of the Odeon Cinema to watch "New Moon", the second instalment in the Twilight series based on the books by Stephanie Meyer.

The Twilight books are incredibly popular and the films have taken this popularity to a phenomenal level.

"New moon" is a great story that also manages to deal with big issues of life - love, loss, commitment, eternal destiny, sexual desire, abstinence, and temptation.

If you are involved in youth ministry watch this film or even better read the books!

I have a couple of unanswered questions though - why can't Bella smile and why is there a Marks and Spencers advert in the middle of the film (when Alice looks into the future and sees Bella as a vampire)? I look forward to your answers!

Jen

The Jesse Tree

2009-11-25T14:16:00.001Z

I have just finished reading "The Jesse Tree" by Geraldine McCaughrean.

A lonely, grumpy, old man is carving the symbols which will be hung on the Jesse Tree during Advent. He is working in the cool dark confines of the church building in the height of summer. Outside the church walls the summer glows and laughs as he works silently on. One day a boy disturbs his world, he skips into the church full of life, and questions.

Each day, for 24 days, he arrives and asks the man to tell him the story behind the different symbols he is making - a boat, an angel, a sheep, a ladder, a star. The man, at first reluctantly, tells the stories of a garden, a flood, a dream, a rescue... many stories leading up to and, including, the incredible birth of Jesus.

As the stories are told the man changes, the arrival of the boy each day is no longer disruptive, but is a touch of grace in his lonely life. He is reminded of the importance and power of the stories symbolised on the tree and the need to pass them on to the next generation.

Thousands of years ago The Jesse Tree was the bible for those who could not read. The priest would point to the symbols and tell the stories of the Old testament and Jesus birth, and as the symbols were hung on the tree people would see how the birth of Jesus was not a beginning, but a completion of God's plan and design.

The book was another encouragement for me to continue telling the stories of the Bible, within the context of relationship. As we tell, both we and our listeners, may be touched by God's grace.

2009-11-17T12:21:00.000Z

I like to talk, to text, to laugh, to discuss, to play games, watch telly - these are all good things, but I've been thinking recently that maybe I need a bit more space in my life; space to think, to wonder, to listen, to consider.

At church on Saturday we had a prayer conference. I went with a heavy heart. I imagined sitting in a circle looking at my feet, trying to find the right words, long silences, my mind wondering onto what to cook for dinner. William, our minister, had something else in mind.

The morning was an oasis in the midst of a busy world. Space was given to meet with God. I read a book, painted a picture, read the newspapers and reflected on the 20th Anniversary of the collapse of the Berlin Wall. A wall that took 14 years to build but only days to be pulled down. An incredible reminder of another few days on a hill and in a garden near Jerusalem.

There is something special about quietness and stillness - it is a place where God can remind us of what is really important in life; loving justice and mercy, and walking with Him.When did you last paint a picture, sit round a bonfire, look at the stars. It is in these spaces that we can intentionally be aware of God and what He wants for our lives, His priorities often seem very different from mine.

The privilege of welcoming and nurturing young people within our church communities demands that we make this time and space.I am going to give it a try, I've left my fields in farmville with no crops just now - so that might help! I hope this blogging will to...

Jen