Ashley Alive

The way to live

2011-11-27T20:01:00.001Z

Rom. 12:10-Love one another (Eph. 5:2-Love as Christ loved)

Rom. 12:10-Honor one another

Rom. 14:19-Build up one another

Rom. 15:7-Accept one another as Christ accepted us

I cor. 12:25-Care for one another

Gal. 5:13-Serve one another

Eph. 4:32-Be kind to one another

Col. 3:13-Forgive one another

I Thes. 4:18-comfort one another

I Thes. 5:11-encourage one another

I Thes. 5:13-Live in peace w/ one another

James 5:16-confess sins to one another and pray for one another.

The Lighthouse - see Gill's comment on the Thomas Merton prayer

2011-11-16T20:17:00.001Z

Thomas Merton

2011-11-13T20:13:00.001Z

My Lord God,

I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please You does in fact please You. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that, if I do this , You will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it. Therefore I will trust You always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for You are ever with me, and You will never leave me to face my perils alone.
Thomas Merton

Christmas Gift ideas

2011-11-06T15:35:00.000Z

See below for details of Created (Tearcraft) sales at church this year. You can start your browsing at http://www.createdgifts.org/

Created 2011[1]

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News of Alalay Project Cochabamba

2011-10-16T16:24:00.004+01:00

Recently we have been raising funds for The Alalay Project in Cochabamba, Bolivia. This has been done through Toybox and two representatives are currently visiting the project. One of them Ben Noland has a blog at

http://www.toybox.org.uk/resources/blog/Grubby-happy-children-in-Cochabamba/

You can read about his impressions and the project.

Also below is a short presentaion given at Ashley this morning:

Roy

An interesting thought

2011-10-12T21:03:00.001+01:00

Moving into new territory

2011-10-09T13:19:00.000+01:00

This morning we looked at Joshua's move into leadership and considered how the promises God made to him can give us the confidence to trust in God's help with our move to new leadership.

Moving into new territory –

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More Abbey light

2011-10-09T13:14:00.001+01:00

Abbey light

2011-10-08T20:31:00.000+01:00

Who Am I - Casting Crowns

2011-10-04T17:56:00.000+01:00

Thanks to Gill Rakowski

Growth

2011-08-28T18:32:00.000+01:00

Been away from the blog for a while but hope to get back to it again now. Today we considered our potetial for growth as Christians. What do you do that helps your relationship with God?

Preparing for growth

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Pentecost Sunday

2011-06-12T13:23:00.000+01:00

Pentecost sunday 2011

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What can the Holy Spirit do for you. What do you need to ask God for today?

Are you waiting, are you ready?

2011-06-10T21:35:00.001+01:00

The Ascension of Jesus

2011-05-29T13:27:00.000+01:00

What’s so special about thursday

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It's the stories we tell ourselves

2011-05-24T18:39:00.002+01:00

I have this song a bit stuck in my head at the moment. It talks about how what we tell ourselves affects us, which is not a new concept. So if we believe we are unlovable and tell ourselves that constantly we put ourselves into an unnecessarily dark place. The dog pictures I feel I could live without, but the words are quite striking.

Where have all the blue-tits gone

2011-05-08T16:51:00.003+01:00

Thinking this morning about how our relationship with Jesus can be hindered and helped. The title was based on the fact that all the blue-tits in my garden have suddenly moved and I realised that rather than focus on that loss I could focus on the fact that if you look closely at sparrows (which are very prolific in my garden) they are actually beautiful birds too. We have to be prepared to look for beauty in all things especially when it comes to Gods creation.

Where have all the blue tits gone or

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video from last slide can be seen below

Creation Calls -- are you listening? Music by Brian Doerksen

2011-05-07T18:20:00.000+01:00

What an amazing God we have!

Lord you have my heart

2011-04-20T23:18:00.000+01:00

This chorus has been in my mind a lot over the last few days. Thanks to Sidharth Mohandas for this video of it.

Beyond the cross

2011-04-17T08:57:00.000+01:00

Yesterday morning at our prayer meeting I kept seeing an image of Jesus on the cross and the despair of the people around him as their hopes were shattered by His death. In the picture I could see people turning their backs on Jesus and walking away with hunched shoulders not knowing what to do next. This image stayed with me for a significant part of the meeting and I couldn't seem to get passed it. As I was praying about it towards the end of the meeting I felt Jesus was saying I didn't come to die but to be raised to life so that everyone can have eternal life.
I don't know about you but sometimes with all the situations we see around us and the difficulties we or those close to us face it can be difficult to see beyond the pain and the suffering. My prayer for this holy week is that we will all be able to see beyond the cross and experience the life that Jesus died to bring. We are not promised a life without suffering but we are promised eternal life and the support of Jesus if we put our trust in him.

Psalm 100

2011-04-15T09:14:00.001+01:00

A Thanksgiving Psalm
1-2 On your feet now—applaud God! Bring a gift of laughter,
sing yourselves into his presence.

3 Know this: God is God, and God, God.
He made us; we didn't make him.
We're his people, his well-tended sheep.

4 Enter with the password: "Thank you!"
Make yourselves at home, talking praise.
Thank him. Worship him.

5 For God is sheer beauty,
all-generous in love,
loyal always and ever.

The Message

Palm Trees

2011-04-12T15:41:00.003+01:00

Thank you Shaun for making us think on Sunday with the help of palm trees. Here is a picture of palm trees on the march in Santiago, Chile. Clearing the polluted air with their leaves - could be another thought there maybe.

Roy

Palm Tree Christians

2011-04-10T08:29:00.000+01:00

Palm tree christians

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Brian Doerksen: You are here

2011-03-12T23:50:00.000Z

Liking this a lot

Candle or Mirror?

2011-03-05T18:24:00.001Z

There are two ways of spreading light:to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.

Edith Wharton

Prayer and fasting

2011-02-27T17:40:00.000Z

Slide show from this morning with a few notes to expand some of the points. Please remember to pray and fast (if able) on Tuesday seeking God's will and vision for our church.

Fasting 27 02-11

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1 Samuel 2:1-3

2011-02-21T08:32:00.000Z

1 Samuel 2

Hannah Prays
1 Hannah prayed:
You make me strong
and happy, LORD.
You rescued me.
Now I can be glad
and laugh at my enemies.
2 No other god is like you. We're safer with you
than on a high mountain.
3 I can tell those proud people,
"Stop your boasting!
Nothing is hidden from the LORD,
and he judges what we do."

Community sermon - Sunday 13th February - Part 2

2011-02-14T21:55:00.002Z

God and man - written and presented by Gillian

God and man

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Confederation bridge - presented by Mike (photos by Karen)

Confederation bridge

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Community sermon - Sunday 13th February - Part 1

2011-02-13T20:46:00.003Z

Peruvian suspension bridge - presented by Steve

Peru suspension bridge 130211

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Hartland covered bridge presented by Alison

Bridge to life

2011-02-13T09:22:00.000Z

Bridge to Life from Adamson.TV on Vimeo.

From the makers:
This is a poetic and visual representation of the Bridge to Life illustration of Salvation in Jesus Christ. I came up with the concept of illustrating it with graffiti. We had a great crew many of which added to the creative. Our team located very talented graffiti artists and a spoken word poet through myspace, and youtube.

Director: Kevin Adamson
Assistant Director: Larissa Miller
Line Producer: Jonathan Grubbs
Director of Photography: Tracy Eakes
Camera Operators: Tracy Eakes, Erik Murphy, Alex Patton
Sound Design: Anthony Short
Music Bed: DJ Promote
Editor: Lissette Cameron, and Bryce Hoover

Artists:
Graffiti: FASM, CAMR1, DJ Promote
gospelgraffiti.com/
Spoken Word: Tavis Brunson
myspace.com/tavisbrunson

Back to basics (onions!)

2011-02-06T16:58:00.001Z

Praying is hard to do

2011-02-06T16:28:00.003Z

Yesterday at the prayer meeting I was struck by the fact we are called to keep persevering in our prayers. I had a picture of us like the freinds of the paralysed man tearing the roof apart to get to Jesus.
I felt Jesus saying we have to keep digging no matter how long it may be taking or how hard it gets. He will be there right beside us helping us to reach the presence of God

A great church

2011-01-31T21:58:00.002Z

Back to blogging and this week we considered what makes a great church. What do you think?

A great church

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DRAMATIM Hand Mime Easter Outreach (1st Performance)

2010-05-02T22:59:00.000+01:00

How clever is this!!

Community Sermon

2010-04-29T21:55:00.005+01:00

On May 16th we have our next Community Sermon. Everyone is invited to give thought to and come willing to share thoughts on the theme of JOURNEY. There are no real rules, except that the contributions be appropriate to share and brief enough to allow everyone a turn.

Contributions from anyone not able to be present could be shared here on the blog. If the contribution is artwork, please email a copy of it to Shaun.

The bible in 750 words

2010-04-20T19:04:00.000+01:00

Thanks to Gill R for bringing these to our attention. Maybe a challenge others might like to have a go at.

See top three entries here

Truth and Freedom

2010-04-14T20:57:00.003+01:00

A poem from Karen seems to fit this picture.

Happy Easter

2010-04-04T07:07:00.002+01:00

2010-04-02T08:59:00.001+01:00

Alone with none but thee, my God
I journey on my way.
What need I fear, when thou art near
O king of night and day?
More safe am I within thy hand
Than if a host did round me stand.

Columba 521-97

I Have Placed My Hope in a Crucified Man

2010-03-20T22:16:00.004Z

Here is a link to a song by Graham Kendrick called I have placed my hope in a crucified man. I find it quite moving. It acknowledges the mystery of what we believe and also discusses the power of God to turn everything upside down.

Community

2010-03-19T09:14:00.003Z

Preparing for the quiet day on Good Friday, an artist among us was asked to make a poster we can put outside the church so people passing feel invited to join in.

I was really touched by the sketches of the pressures of life that he has produced for that. Isn't it great that we all have different talents and passions and isn't community an awesome thing when people are able to use what they are good at as part of our worship?

I can't draw like Steve, or create gardens, or play instruments but it is all the little bits of what we do that make up our worship and it is beautiful.

2010-03-13T22:49:00.000Z

The centre of the bible!

2010-03-11T19:54:00.001Z

You may have seen this before but it's still amazing. I have prayed for anyone who reads this, that they will be blessed by God in the coming week.

Book Review - John

2010-03-04T09:13:00.004Z

I have just enjoyed reading 'John' by Niall Williams. It is a novel about a group of people around the apostle John. They lived on Patmos with him into his old age and then just shortly before his death returned to Ephesus. They lived in the expectation that Jesus would return in power any minute now. When they returned to Ephesus they had to contend with the chaos of a city that was desperately looking for God, in some very strange places and things didn't go as they had expected.
The author writes that he was not intending to write this book, he just wondered one day what John was doing the day before he wrote his gospel and then couldn't leave it alone.

Another miracle under way

2010-02-20T09:25:00.002Z

I was struck by these images and the way that new life continues to burst forth from the dead rotting matter, which in fact provides the nutrients required for the new life to begin. Without Jesus' death we are nothing but a pile of rotting matter but because of what He did we can do the same and have new life. We might think that our lives are a brown ugly mess but Jesus uses that and brings vibrant life and colour. My prayer is that whatever situation we find ourselves in we can remember that and that we will continue to see miracles in our lives and the lives of those around us.

A Valentines message - God's love

2010-02-14T20:02:00.000Z

A moment with Jesus

2010-01-21T13:30:00.000Z

Conversation requires talking and listening. As I talk to Jesus may I also learn to be still and listen. I picture the gentleness in his eyes and the smile full of love as he gazes on me. I can be totally honest with Jesus as I tell him of my worries and my cares. I will open up my heart to him as I tell him of my fears and my doubts. I will ask him to help me to place myself fully in his care, to abandon myself to him, knowing that he always wants what is best for me.

(taken from the 'sacred space' website - see right hand side for the link to helping find a little bit of time to contemplate our Lord)

Quiet Space

2010-01-17T20:42:00.002Z

Thank you to everyone who took part in the reflective day this weekend. It was a real treat to spend time doing nothing with you all.
I had had a very busy week and it was great to be able to put all that aside for a while. I hope it was a useful space for other people too.

If there were any particular activities that you found helpful, or anything that was definitely not helpful, please let me know by email and we will give it thought before we do it again.

New year, new service!

2010-01-03T13:58:00.000Z

Do you have situations and issues that you'd like more people to be praying about. Please use the link in the top right of this page to send prayer requests to us and we will bring them to God in our Saturday morning prayer meetings.

A new Year plan

2010-01-03T13:47:00.001Z

My talk this morning was looking at what we can do to help bring a little God's kingdom to others we know using some insights from 'The Shack' and Paul in 1Corinthians. As I said I was mainly talking to myself.
Below is the slide show used this morning, my notes can be read here as the slide show doesn't make a huge amount of sense without them!

A fairy tale manger

2009-12-16T06:50:00.000Z

What might happen if a fairy tale witch visited the new born baby

My gift for the child:

No wife, kids, home; No money sense. Unemployable.
Friends, yes. But the wrong sort –
The workshy, women, wimps,
Petty infringers of the law, persons
With notifiable diseases,
Poll tax collectors, tarts;
The bottom rung.
His end?
I think we’ll make it
Public, prolonged, painful.

Right, said the baby. That was roughly
What we had in mind.

Ups and Downs

2009-12-05T21:37:00.001Z

“Who do people say that I am?”
It seemed a strange question to ask: he’s Jesus, the Teacher. It’s obvious who he is. Yet I felt that there was more to it than that. There was a look in his eyes, which made me think his, apparently, throwaway question was anything but throwaway. Something was coming. I didn’t know what, but I felt uncomfortable, uncertain. Someone was going to end up looking stupid. I didn’t want it to be me, so I kept my mouth shut and tried to find a natural way to avoid any sudden glances. I listened, I observed, but I wouldn’t be drawn into it.
Some of the others replied, sheepishly, “Some say John.”
“Or Elijah.”
Confidence was faltering.
“Or Jeremiah.”
Confidence was almost gone.
“Or… another prophet…”
Sometimes, it’s strange being amongst a bunch of Galileans – their accent’s strange. Half of them are fishermen, at that: I’m much happier with my feet on dry ground. But when they start snatching at answers like that, it affords some relief: it keeps the attention away from me.
“But you. Who do you say I am.”
Rats. The pressure was on again. Everyone glanced at each other. No one dared shrug shoulders, but… pregnant silence. Someone had to break it. Of course, Peter couldn’t take it much longer. You could rely on him. He’s an impetuous fellow. He doesn’t do uncertain silences for long.
Then he blurted it out: “You are the Christ.”
Everyone’s head swung to stare at him.
“The Son of the living God.”
His head spun to receive one gaze after another.
“Don’t go overboard, Peter.” That was me, but I didn’t dare say it: I just thought it, silently.
Now, this felt humorous: waiting for Peter to get dealt with again. He had a habit of putting his foot right in it. He always knew he’d done it, too. You could see from the way his lower lip wrinkled.
“Simon, son of Jonah…”
Here it comes.
“You are blessed, indeed.”
What?
“No man told you that. It was my Father in heaven.”
Blow me down. Peter landed on his feet, for once. And weren’t we going to know it? He managed to suppress the beaming grin, but he stood up straight, that little bit taller than usual and his chest stuck out - only a tiny fraction of a cubit, but I think we all spotted it. The Teacher seemed quite content with that.
He carried on, “You are a rock and on that rock I will build my church. Death, with all its power, won’t beat it down. I’ll give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. What you stop on earth will be stopped in heaven. What you allow will be allowed in heaven.”
So much for looking stupid.
Then the Teacher’s attention scanned around the group, sometimes lingering on chosen individuals. At times like this, he seemed to be drilling a hole in our minds. “Don’t tell anyone that I am the Christ – no one, do you understand?”
That’s weird. If he really is the Christ, then why not shout it from the rooftops? Use it, or loose it. Up to him, I suppose.
He changed the spell. “We must go to Jerusalem.”
I couldn’t get the connection. Geographically, too, it seemed a bit of a U-turn. We were north of Galilee, going in the opposite way.
“I have unfinished business there. But I warn you: it won’t be easy.”
There were a few worried looks as he continued, “The authorities plan to make me suffer.”
Several people glanced at each other.
And then, plainly, “In fact, they’re going to kill me.”
Gasps, heads spinning, shrugged shoulders, wild gestures, mayhem. Everyone was talking at once. The Teacher carried on, now reassuring, but by this time, no one was listening. It was a storm that wouldn’t be stilled.
Then, Peter strode to centre stage, raised his frame in authority and with a hand on each of the Teacher’s shoulders, shrieked above the hubbub, “Never, Lord, this shall never happen to you!”
With that everyone quietened for the man of the moment, just in time for the Teacher’s caustic reply, “Get behind me, Satan! You get in the way. You don’t think like God, you think like men!”
Silence. That was harsh. Satan? Where we come from, that’s the last thing you call anyone.
I studied Peter. I thought he was glaring at the Teacher, but that surly fisherman was left motionless. Eyes fixed, he just stared. I realised that he was focused on infinity, his face muscles limp, his arms hanging as if paralysed; his mouth dropping a little open; I couldn’t even see him breathing. It was like he was dead on his feet. I didn’t know how long before he’d collapse. I watched for movement: usually, his chest would shudder, slightly, as he sobbed, silently, or his lip would quiver, but this time, nothing.
We were all numb, except one woman, who went, quietly, to Peter and embraced him, to comfort him. She was tiny against his enormous, rough, fisherman’s frame and yet, was there anything else holding him up? Then, one tear trickled down his cheek – one only. He couldn’t even cry. Never before, nor since, did I see Peter like that.
The Teacher moved, sat on a stool and continued. Now, against the stark silence, his words seemed to echo as in an amphitheatre.
“If anyone wants to come after me, deny yourself, take up your cross and, then, come, follow me. If you try to save your life, you’ll loose it for sure, but if you loose your life for me, then you’ll discover real life. What good would it be, if you win the whole planet, but loose your soul – the heart of who you are? Can you buy your soul back, again? But I’m going to return, in God’s glory – with his angels – and then, I’ll reward every person as he, or she deserves. Some of you won’t die before you see me arrive in my kingdom – believe me!”
It was a speech, which could have rocked whole nations, but we were crushed. There was nothing left to respond with.
Then, suddenly, I felt a hand on my shoulder. My head swung round so fast, I ricked my neck. It was another of the women. She must have read my feelings. With a slow, reassuring, kind nod, she spoke, though no sound came out, only her lips moved: “It’ll be all right, Judas.”
Oh no, it wouldn’t.

Steve Wilkinson

Keep breathing!

2009-11-30T07:57:00.002Z

I have a friend who, when I get anxious, tells me to keep breathing! At this time of year I can't be the only one who needs reminding of that. I found this writing by Christine Sine that sort of helps if read slowly. It doesn't alter how much there is to do, but it does nudge my thinking;

Breathe in the breath of God
Breathe out your cares and concerns
Breathe in the love of God
Breathe out your doubts and despairs
Breathe in the life of God
Breathe out your fears and frustrations
We sit quietly before the One who gives life and love to all creation,
We sit in awe of the One who formed us in our mother’s wombs
We sit at peace surrounded by the One who fills every fibre of our being
Breathe in the breath of God
Breathe out your tensions and turmoil
Breathe in the love of God
Breathe out your haste and hurry
Breathe in the life of God
Breathe out your work and worry
We sit quietly before the One who gives life and love to all creation,
We sit in awe of the One who formed us in our mother’s wombs
We sit at peace surrounded by the One who fills every fibre of our being
by Christine Sine
http://godspace.wordpress.com/2009/02/16/a-breathing-prayer/

Celebrating Seventy Years

2009-11-16T18:26:00.003Z

Thank you Joy, Lucy, Katie and Amelia for this poster.

We celebrated Ashley’s seventieth birthday over the weekend with a barn dance and supper on Saturday and a Service on Sunday. The whole weekend was a very special occasion.

Thank you so much for so many of you coming to celebrate with us. We also missed others that couldn't make it and were in all our thoughts. We met lots of friends, families and children. A wonderful event.

I was delighted to see people from Ashley representing all the seven decades that the church has been in existence. It has had many changes and different expressions of our shared faith.

Ashley started in a different world before most of us were born. It has been small, large, more formal, less formal but always attempting to keep Jesus Christ at the centre. This has resulted in many different ministries, styles and initiatives with links across the world. We have all of you to thank for the journey we have been on and for the foundation we have for going further into this century. We have a great building and community to embrace this future.

We are always trying to answer the question ‘Why did God decide to convert a laundry into a church at the junction of Ashley and Hatfield Roads in the midst of many other churches?’ With all your help we have tried to answer that question in the way we ‘do church’ and will continue to do so with ever changing circumstances and personnel. We hope always to do this creatively seasoned with some radical thinking from time to time.

This weekend of celebration acknowledged the many contributions of you all. Some of you for a short time, and others of us for a longer time – but all valued, important and significant. We were so pleased to be together to celebrate God’s grace and goodness. .

When the road is rough and steep

2009-11-13T09:39:00.002Z

With anniversary celebrations in mind I was thinking about some of the old Sunday School choruses we used to sing and found this one on You Tube.
It is clearly an old-fashioned children's song, but the words aren't just for children.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwDz2boCWzk

Eager Space

2009-11-04T09:26:00.003Z

I was thinking about the creative writing exercise and came up with the expression 'eager space' to describe being somewhere with an expectation. Maybe that was how the disciple felt in the company of Jesus. They don't know what he is going to say or do next, but there is an expectation that he will do something.

Three Encounters with Jesus

2009-11-02T09:33:00.003Z

Three dramatic encounters with Jesus that we looked at on Sunday:

The Road to Emmaus

2009-10-25T22:30:00.005Z

I was very taken by a little bit of reading I did about the road to Emmaus this morning and the 7 'steps' it talked about

1. Jesus comes along side us when we're lost and confused - Luke 24:15-17
2. A lot of people and us sometime don't recognise Jesus when he appears - Luke 24:16
3. Often Jesus has to correct us or tells off before we can get to a place where we understand that He 'means what He says and says what He means!' - Luke 24:25
4. When we want answers to problems we need to go to God's word - Luke 24:27
5. We need to take time to commune with Jesus to sit and eat with Him - Luke 24:29-30
6. As you spend time with Jesus and in the Word of God your eyes will be opened and you develop a passion for Him a fire in your heart. Luke 24:31-32
7. Once Jesus has rescued us and answered our prayers we need to tell others. Luke 24:33-35

God be with you this week wherever your road may lead you.

Sitting at the feet of Jesus

2009-10-25T15:50:00.001Z

I read a book called ‘Sitting at the feet of Jesus’ that tells of the story of a three week conference in Australia set up to talk about that activity. It was a conference attended by ninety church leaders and several well known speakers were invited to address it. When the day came, all of the speakers were unavailable except the one who had said he would not address the conference as any sort of expert, but he would attend and participate in it. So the organisers went ahead with this huge speaker-less event hoping that God would respond and give them some guidance before the event began, but he didn’t. For three weeks the pastors, all busy leaders, met together and prayed and worshipped each day without any sense of direction – there were no speeches, no grand plans; they just met and prayed and talked. At the end, the speaker turned participant said it had changed his life. Where they might easily have endlessly discussed sitting at the feet of Jesus, what they had done was to do it for real.
I found this inspiring. I can’t imagine how those organisers managed to carry on with the event when it must have felt like it was falling apart. They must have really wondered whether they had misunderstood God’s intention, but God was looking at it differently and wanted more for their relationship with him than they had understood for themselves.

What I was up to on Sunday - Spirited Exchange

2009-10-19T21:00:00.002+01:00

I went to a Spirited Exchange Facilitation Training weekend in Oxford run by Jenny McIntosh.

The facilitation training was for people interested in Spirited Exchange Groups or similar gatherings which help people who have left church but are still ‘journeying on’ in their faith. Annunciation Trust helped the weekend financially and I went along as supporter of Jenny’s work. I could only go for the Sunday but found it challenging and inspiring. There were five participants (plus Jenny and myself) on the Sunday morning. Another two had been there the previous two days but had needed to leave. A couple of others had to cancel just before the event.

Jenny is attempting to spread the work of contacting and supporting people who have left church down to a local level. As the sole facilitator she can only do so much centrally. This process does require skilled facilitation allowing stories to be told in an atmosphere of acceptance and respect with no agenda accept to help the individuals on their journey wherever that might lead. The training weekends are essential for this ministry to grow.

The group were people who had been on the journey themselves and had been involved in a group and/or starting a group. I chaired one session and participated in another which mainly consisted of people telling their stories. We discussed the way we can encourage groups to grow when and where they are needed and find the contacts of people who need a group. The stories of the people there were moving and reminded me of how important listening to stories is to facilitate spiritual growth.

I think the conclusion of the workshop was that gatherings such as the weekend were the way forward to encourage and facilitate local level work and that too much planning and organising could not be done. It can only be organic growth with ever changing needs and groups which will come and go and hurting people who will often be averse to joining yet another group. It is real challenge for Jenny to progress this work with limited resources in such a free flowing way. Also we touched on the need to communicate more about people that do leave churches and whether some people could remain in church if their journeys were respected and valued more by the church.

My own view based really just on my gut feel and some anecdotes is that there are a lot of people out there that are looking for a community that can support them in their faith journey outside of church. They often feel vulnerable and lonely and yet they are not that easy to find. It was excellent that Annunciation Trust could provide some support to a ministry which addresses a need which I think Ashley could also make a contribution to.

Jenny will be with us at Ashley on Sunday 15 November to talk more about her work.

Roy Gregory

And the next creative writing title is........

2009-10-19T18:58:00.000+01:00

"Someone who is pretending to be something or someone they are not".

Jesus Encounters the Woman at the Well

2009-10-15T20:43:00.001+01:00

Here is a UTube dramatic representation of the woman at the well I used last Sunday.

"Describe an interesting person you have met whilst on a journey."

2009-10-05T16:56:00.004+01:00

The newly formed Creative Writing Group meets Wednesday 7th October at 8pm at Ashley.

But, for those who don't intend to be at the meeting, but are still interested, I thought it might be good to be reminded of the task for the month.

Light from Lite

2009-09-27T22:02:00.001+01:00

Sometimes a bit of light comes into our life from an unexpected source and this week for me this happened whilst reading ‘The London Lite’ football page.

For the non-London commuters ‘The London Lite’ is a free daily newspaper given away on London streets full mostly of show biz trivia and football news which takes about ten minutes to read (well, maybe twelve). Not the place for a spiritual lesson you would think but I find the Holy Spirit often sneaks up on me in the strangest places. In fact I often listen best when I am not expecting it.

It was a Frank Lampard quote (for any non-football fans who are still with me he is an outstanding mid-field player whose scores lots of goals) on the return of Jo Cole (another Chelsea and England player);

“Joe is the type of player who has all the tricks and skills, whereas for me the game is all about arriving at the right place at the right time” (London Lite 24 September 2009)

It’s true! I have watched Frank Lampard play many times and he rarely tries to beat anyone – he often just passes the ball and runs in to space. This suddenly became a strong reminder for me of the way I think the spiritual life works. Life, like football, has a flow about it and the trick can be reading that flow and running and creating space to be in right place at the right time. Sometimes, this is counter intuitive in a society which encourages ‘doing’ just as it can be counter intuitive in football to find space and not chase the ball all the time.

I made a new resolution to find ways of running into (or creating) space in my life so that I can be in the right place at the right time for God to show me the way. Any thoughts

Be a smelly Christian

2009-09-16T19:35:00.002+01:00

2 Corinthians 2:14-16 (The Message)

In the Messiah, in Christ, God leads us from place to place in one perpetual victory parade. Through us, he brings knowledge of Christ. Everywhere we go, people breathe in the exquisite fragrance. Because of Christ, we give off a sweet scent rising to God, which is recognized by those on the way of salvation—an aroma redolent with life.

I was reminded of this passage last week when noticing smells around me that pervaded the air without really being able to discern the source and it has continued to be on my mind this week. Hopefully I am spreading an aroma that is worthy of Christ wherever I go.

A fishy encounter

2009-09-13T16:41:00.003+01:00

This morning we considered one of the first encounters described in the gospels where Jesus chooses Simon Peter as his disciple. The power point below can be viewed with my notes which can be viewed here

My Own Version of the Story

2009-09-06T20:12:00.000+01:00

In church today we heard the story from Mark 5, of a woman who had been bleeding for 12 years; she touched Jesus cloak and was healed. Most Bible translations talk about her doing that because she believed that Jesus could heal her.
I learned the story in a translation that talked about her wanting to be made whole and another translation talked about her wanting to be safe. I like to think of her as approaching Jesus, not with the thought that if she touches him she will stop bleeding, but more in recognition of him being someone that she cannot help but reach out to; she sees something of who he is. I like to think of her seeing him, not as a magic man or special sort of doctor, but realising as she sees him there, that she has to connect with him, and a result of that reaction to him, she is healed.

Seeds

2009-08-28T17:56:00.004+01:00

For a little project later in the year, I would like to collect some different seeds. I have a million and one hollyhock seeds, but if anyone has any other sorts spare in their garden please could you collect them up for me.

Encounters with Jesus

2009-08-23T22:27:00.002+01:00

Today's talk became the start of a little mini series where Roy and I will be focussing on the encounters different characters had with Jesus and what we can gain from another look at these epidodes.

This morning I took the story of Zacchaeus, the powerpoint below just highlights some of the phrases of the encounter, what are your thoughts?

Intercession

2009-08-14T08:45:00.005+01:00

A friend was describing a picture that she had stuck in her head and we decided to try and get it on paper. Over coffee and a series of emails we came up with the following digital collage. It is called Intercession. It means what it does to her, but I think there could be lots of stories it describes.

A Revive! reflection

2009-08-09T17:48:00.001+01:00

Having had a day or two to reflect on my Revive! experience this photo (taken at the site) and Psalm 23 express a lot about what God has been saying to me during the week

The Good Shepherd
You, LORD, are my shepherd.
I will never be in need.
You let me rest in fields
of green grass.
You lead me to streams
of peaceful water,
and you refresh my life.
You are true to your name,
and you lead me
along the right paths.
I may walk through valleys
as dark as death,
but I won't be afraid.
You are with me,
and your shepherd's rod
makes me feel safe.
You treat me to a feast,
while my enemies watch.
You honor me as your guest,
and you fill my cup
until it overflows.
Your kindness and love
will always be with me
each day of my life,
and I will live forever
in your house, LORD.

The whole thing.

2009-08-05T20:35:00.003+01:00

I went to Taize last week. I find it quite an experience. There is so much to take in; so many favourite little moments, it is all a bit of a medley.
I discovered that my computer's photo software offers the option of piling all your photos on top of each other. I'm sure there is a sensible reason for that that I have misused, but here is my entire collection of photos of Taize - the silly hats; the cup of coffee being brought in the morning; the view; a butterfly on some buddleia; the group gathering ready to go in to the amazing space that is the church; the queue for food; a monk's prayer stool; stained glass.

There are just so many images and it is hard to decide what sums Taize up the most for me. So, I was quite pleased to be able to display it as a splurge of mixed images, because that feels quite apt!

God's hand on my shoulder

2009-08-01T18:31:00.002+01:00

The last few months have not been easy in the Bramwell household, and I have found it difficult to hold on to God's peace. While we were away in Hereford this week God gave me a dream which I am holding onto tightly. I hope others will find it helpful too.

I was walking early in the morning. It was spring following a long dreary winter, and the air felt soft on my face. The sea was in front of me with a blue sky and warm sunshine. There were blossoms as I walked along and I saw the beauty and delicacy of their creation. I felt as though a weight was being lifted from me.

Then I was aware of a hand on my shoulder and I knew it was God's hand. It lifted me to a new level of peacefulness, which filtered slowly through my whole body. I woke up, still concious of this feeling of wellbeing, and lay in bed thinking about what a hand on your shoulder can do.

It can indicate caring and support, someone drawing alongside and just sharing in whatever we are experiencing, good or bad.
It can be a guiding hand, gently showing us which way to go, without forcing us; out own built in satnav, that never gets cross if we go the wrong way, but always able to find another route to the desired destination.
It can be a supportive hand that steadies us when the ground beneath our feet is uneven and we stumble.

In my dream God's hand was all these things, and since then, when I have felt that things are a struggle, I recall the dream and say to myself that God's hand is on my shoulder. The journey is easier when you know that God is guiding you and dreams like this reinforce the knowledge that He does guide us if we let him. I continue to try and rely on Him and not myself.

I know that this was my dream and not yours, but I pray that anyone who nneds it and reads this will be aware of God's hand on their shoulder too.

The book of Job

2009-07-31T18:57:00.001+01:00

Below is the power point from Steve's talk on Job last Sunday. A lot to think about from it. Any thoughts please comment.

Christ in the House of His Parents

2009-07-19T22:39:00.007+01:00

I was intrigued by Ray's sharing of this picture this morning and all the symbolism it holds. If you want to know more there is some interesting detail on wikipedia here

A study of the Holy spirit

2009-07-05T19:41:00.001+01:00

This morning I condsidered why Jesus sent the Holy Spirit and how the bible describes the Holy Spirit so we can understand just what a fantastic resource Jesus left us.

The Holy Spirit

View more documents from shaunperryman.

YOU ARE MY HIDING PLACE

2009-07-04T00:17:00.001+01:00

A reminder that God is there when we need Him most and when we don't think we need him at all.

Miracles

2009-06-30T15:33:00.002+01:00

Miracles I think present quite a puzzle for those of us that want to follow Jesus.

They are very much part of Jesus’ ministry as described in the Gospels and Jesus invited us to follow him. As a breath of fresh air of the spirit I decided to relook at the miracles to see what I might learn to keep faithful to his proclamation of the coming kingdom (Lk 4:18-19). Just a few thoughts that I gave on Sunday after looking myself at all Jesus' miracles again and seeing what Jesus actually did and/or said and looking for ways of following him (Mk 16: 15-18)

• It is very challenging to us and it is important we take our bit of faith and work with that not what others do. There was no one way but many always focusing on the Kingdom ie the teaching, proclamation and actions of God’s Spirit
• We are to establish an ecology of the Kingdom for us as individuals and as a community (light, water, nutriments, balance) ie everything has a potential for following the Spirit and seeing the kingdom manifest
• Jesus often tried to keep miracles a secret. They were not an advertising gimmick but a natural free flowing consequence of God’s Spirit
• Prayer was not often in evidence. The prayer at the time is often for our benefit. For Jesus the prayer seems to be at other times and often in private (most of us need the gathering together more to encourage each other)
• Miracles and the preaching mostly occurred outside of formal religious places and gatherings
• Touch and interaction/conversation were important
• Jesus often connected body and spirit healing together
• Spiritual warfare (a driving out) was involved however uncomfortable that makes us (me?) feel
• Opportunity seem to be important and desperation and seeking are often involved
• Selectivity and sometimes failure for his followers was evident (eg Mk 9:26)
• It was sometimes a person’s faith, sometimes Jesus authority, sometimes Jesus compassion

Learning to Pray

2009-06-27T20:12:00.003+01:00

I was thinking about prayer and being prayed for. Being prayed for is not something I have gone in for in a big way in my life and recently when a friend elected to pray for a situation I have concern about, solely because I have concern about it, I found it really surprising. Hearing my concern presented to God as though that was the only natural thing to do with it, removed the weight of it from my shoulders completely. The issue hasn't changed, but the process of it being taken up by someone else and prayed for, changed quite a lot about it for me.
I just found that quite interesting! I couldn't recommend going around wrenching people's troubles out of their hands and hurling them at God; it is a bit brutal, and it has to come out of relationship, but there are probably far more opportunities to enrich people's lives by praying with them, than someone like me will ever be brave enough to take.

Who you gonna call?

2009-06-23T22:54:00.003+01:00

I saw the question 'Where do you turn when you get down?' and it reminded me of this bus I'd seen in London. It was a good reminder that I know really where is the best place to go, even though often I might hunt around in all sorts of other places for a solution before I end up taking difficulties to God.

A Breath of Fresh Air

2009-06-21T19:33:00.002+01:00

Early in June on a Sunday two people independently felt a cool breeze during the worship time as though a window had been opened. Since that time there has been a strong sense in our Sunday meetings and Saturday prayer meetings that God is wanting to blow through the church with his Spirit. Two weeks ago we looked at the alternative world view of the kingdom through the book ‘Sons of Thunder’. The PowerPoint which I called ‘Dreams’ gives an idea of what I said (see below)encouraging us to dream dreams of faith about God's kingdom and what the church could be like.

This Sunday we believed that God was inviting us to have faith for healing no matter how long it takes or how messy and unconventional it is. We took inspiration from the story of the healing of Jairus’ daughter and the women healed from a hemorrhaged when touching Jesus (Luke 8: 40 – 56). At the Sunday Communion meeting a number people were touched by God’s Spirit and we expect more in the coming weeks.

Festival Pilgrimage

2009-06-19T22:27:00.002+01:00

The procession of the huge puppets through Verulamium to the Abbey is on Saturday 20th June. The puppets are twice the height of a person and tell the story of Alban.There are Romans and lions and it all looks quite dramatic. It is a good way to remember the town's Christian history.

Community

2009-06-08T08:33:00.002+01:00

I really enjoyed listening to Henry Morgan on Sunday. Still thinking about what he said, I read a great quote this morning by Abbot Christopher Jamison (he of the TV programme – The Monastery) He was writing about how difficult he found it when he first become a monk and realised how much time he now had to contemplate the things inside his head. He wrote:

“I had been led over the edge of my own competence to new territory where I had to learn from others how to move forwards. I had to admit that I could not handle my interior world on my own: I needed support and guidance. We are all instinctively afraid of the dark and I was afraid of my own darkness. But just as we can learn to overcome our fear of the physical dark so too skilful friends can help us to overcome our fear of the spiritual dark.”

I know I keep concluding this, but every time it is like a new revelation to me, that the people around us are amazing, and that we in our turn are part of that for others. It sometimes seems surprising that God gives us each other as the best way for us to grow like him, but at other times it sort of makes sense.

Border Guard Converted!

2009-06-01T20:30:00.002+01:00

Two Sundays ago I talked about Zacchaeus and this Sunday an even higher high profile conversion - Saint Paul.

The letters of Paul give an insight into the incredible conversion that took place from ‘border guard’ to the one who broke down the barriers - preaching free and direct access to all. His whole world view completely changed. Just like the border guards pulling down the Berlin wall! A Pentecost where God’s spirit breaks down all the barriers.

Paul saw a new covenant that meant the Gentiles could access God based soley on the death and resurrection of Jesus. No need for food laws, circumcision, temple sacrifice, etc. Paul who had been trained all his life as a Pharisee to guard all these borders that divided Jews from Gentiles now preaches that the borders have gone. A cosmic change in the world that means we are free to know God for ourselves.

The PowerPoint I produced on Sunday attempted to say some of that

Do we sometimes need conversion again from guarding our borders to telling people that the wall has gone and we are free. What might be our borders we guard?

Happy Birthday blog!!

2009-05-30T09:14:00.002+01:00

Just realised that our blog was one yesterday, doesn't time fly when when you're posting fun. In that time we've had 2158 hits which may not be much compared to other blogs but I think is great. So thanks to all who have contributed and I look forward to hearing from all and more of you in the next year.

MPs Expenses and Sunday School

2009-05-27T09:10:00.004+01:00

The story of the hated tax collector Zacchaeus in the gospel of Luke (Lk 19:1-9)is a well worn Sunday School story. Last Sunday at Ashley I re-visited the story and found the possibility that Jesus can change a life with the right word at the right time very hopeful. In a week of MPs expenses it offers the possibility that human beings can change when God comes into their lives. I found this Utube drama from a youth group a way of coming fresh to the story.

Flower power

2009-05-23T23:37:00.003+01:00

This 'appeared' at the prayer meeting this morning. Matthew brought the flower and placed it on the floor and after being moved by Gill it ended up 'on the cross'. As I studied it a couple of things occured to me. At one point part of the flower was in shadow and part in the sun, the part in the sun was brighter and looked'nicer' than the rest, the thought that came to me was that no matter where we feel we are in life, in the dark or in the light Jesus recognises our beauty all the time. The second thing that happened was that the flower wouldn't 'stay on the cross' (shadow moving) it reminded me that Jesus didn't either and because of that I am who and where I am today.

Numbers 6:24-26

2009-05-22T20:11:00.004+01:00

I am going to a neighbour's plant sale in aid of a local hospice on Saturday morning. There is something very exciting about this passing on of seedlings and cuttings. That a by product of this happy exchange should be the raising of funds for a hospice, is gratifying. If anyone wants to come, let me know. I shall go about 10ish. (It is in Hatfield.)

Just Because.....

2009-05-17T20:30:00.003+01:00

"No matter how deeply we journey into the mystery of God's being-there-for-us, we shall never achieve any kind of knowledge that would qualify us as experts. The most travelled knight-errant of faith knows as much (that is, as little) as the beginner. If there is anything to 'learn' here it is chiefly, a matter of unlearning the presumptions that we have aptitudes or rights in the matter. If we are ever more fully welcomed into the infinite mystery of the divine conversation, it is not because we are clever, or interesting, or brave, or beautiful. The only final 'because' is, as the New Testament puts it, God first loved us." - George Pattison

Say it with flowers

2009-05-15T16:31:00.001+01:00

Someone gave me flowers today to say thank you for encouraging her to do something. It was touching to know that I had been instrumental in helping her to do something she wanted to do, but was struggling to go for. I hadn't realised that my comments had played a big a part as she says they did. I think it is often the case, that we don't know how what we say to people affects them.
Anyway, thank you to everyone who encourages me. You can share my flowers!

Waves

2009-05-14T09:12:00.005+01:00

I was just inspired this morning by Clark Little's Images of Waves. Here are couple to give you a flavour:

Worship encounters

2009-05-12T21:23:00.005+01:00

I have come across two things over the past few days that have made me think again about worship.

The first was from reading an article on Jonny Baker's blog (read here) about about 'worship curation'. Effectively he was saying that curation is about managing a space to be used by artists to display their work therefore worship curation is about creating a space in which people are able to worship. Jonny relates it to worship leaders however I think we are all able to facilitate/curate (?) worship for others by sharing a thought, creating a space for someone to think, praying for each other etc who knows what might trigger peoples thoughts towards God.

The second thing was whilst being squash amonst several thousand people at the radio 1 big weekend music festival on Sunday. I was very struck by all these people worshipping their 'gods' and what it was in them that made them need to do it what need was it meeting. One of the performers came down into the crowd and it was interesting to watch them clamouring for a touch of his hand - why? what need did it meet? It made me think of the woman who was healed by reaching out and touching Jesus' robe probably in a similar sort of crowd.

There is a need within all to fill the 'worship' gap, our challenge is to be curators to create the spaces where all people can meet God and have their needs met.

Some More Public Than Others

2009-05-09T16:14:00.003+01:00

I was looking for something else and I came across this image again. It reminded me that we all make mistakes but some are more public than others.

God knows about the seen and the unseen and still loves us.

Dancing in Woodley

2009-05-06T09:45:00.003+01:00

We sat in the centre of Woodley, near Reading, on Monday with a brass band playing and experienced the infectious nature of dance just like the T-mobile advert (well a bit smaller!!!).

As the band played some little girls started to dance and them some ladies on a flower arranging stall and everybody started to smile. The atmosphere changed and the weather seemed better and less cold.

Dance and joy are infectious. How about we try to infect someone with joy today. Do something different to celebrate life. Maybe even dance...........

Just to remind you of the advert:

Do you know him?

2009-05-05T23:04:00.001+01:00

I thought this was worthy of being on the blog, thanks to who ever found it.

More 'in the gap' - On the road to Emmaus

2009-05-04T13:47:00.003+01:00

I had been challenged last week thinking about the gap and seemed to more focused on it being a place where Jesus isn't or at least isn't recognised so my thoughts were draw to the Emmaus road encounter where the disciples failed to recognise Jesus because of the darkness of their percieved situation. Talking to Roy after the talk he said and I agree that often we can ask Jesus to lift us out of the hard places/situations when in reality Jesus will climb in with us and then help us to move out as we begin to recognise Him and listen to what he has to say about the issue. Jesus drew near to the disciples on the road to Emmaus and listened to all they had to say, their hurts and heartbreaks. Gradually he turns their thinking around and eventually they realise who is with them and believe once again.

My notes can be read here

Community Sermons as a Worship Trick 65

2009-05-02T20:27:00.002+01:00

Through Sue Rockhill's e-conversation with Jonny Baker we are now Worship Trick 65 on his Blogg. Sue ask permission to use his labyrinth ideas and in return he asked Sue to describe the service.

I like very much Sue's description which keeps us well grounded. Well done Sue for the labyrinth and the contact.

We are an ordinary group of people but at times God seems to do extra-ordinarily gifted things through you all at Ashley. Lets keep going!!!!

IKEA Church?

2009-05-02T20:22:00.003+01:00

It is not new to say that shopping malls are, for many, the church of today. I went to IKEA in the week and really enjoyed it. What is so special? What can that tell us about what church should be like today.

At IKEA you are taken on a journey that you didn’t necessarily choose and shown ways that the items on show can be accessible to you. You can take them home and make them your own and I find the experience inspiring in terms of developing my own home.

Is there something there for us who are attempting to make church relevant and contemporary. We need to take people on a journey that maybe they would not have undertaken and provide ways for them to develop that are accessible and can be taken away and used in everyday life. Do our Community Sermons make a start on that? Do we need to go further and learn a lesson from IKEA?

Being more thoughtful, accessible, available, ready to use, child friendly..........

More of the Gap

2009-04-29T16:24:00.003+01:00

This is the sketch Steve did for Sunday. He was telling me that it was based on his own outstretched arm and that holding the position even for the time taken to draw it was painful which gave him cause for thought.

In the Gap

2009-04-27T08:41:00.003+01:00

Glyn cast this in lead from sand moulds and the detail is just incredible. I love the curved cut to the left which shows that all of this that happened is just a small part of the whole that is God. Mindblowing.

In the Gap Reflections between Easter and Pentecost

2009-04-26T20:18:00.002+01:00

Our Sunday Service with ‘In the Gap’ as its theme had contributions of photographs, drawings, narrative, a lead casting and in the middle of the church a labyrinth with various prayer activities. It reinforced for me the way gaps (ie no planned ‘service’) can be transformed into creative spaces.

Gaps can imply something is missing that we wish was there but space can imply that there is room for new creative things.

At Easter the disciples had a gap wrenched in their life but it was in fact a space for the Spirit to come. Is this meaning of the story of Mary Magdalene not wanting to let go of Jesus after the resurrection?

Jesus said, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, `I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'" [John 20:17]

The labyrinth on the church floor for me symbolised the way an expanse of church floor usually occupied by seats (a ‘gap’) could be transformed into a space for prayer and meditation.

Has anyone experienced this type of transformation from gap to space? Why not let us know through a comment?