What do we store unnecessarily?

At today's session of the Holy Week retreat, we were reflecting on the story of Jesus turning over the tables in the temple.The session ended with this poem by Mary Oliver called Storage. 

How was your journey to Holy Week?

This evening as part of our retreat, we were encouraged to think about our journey towards Holy Week. Until last week for me it was incredibly busy trying to fit in all that needed to be done before sabbatical, and then last week where there was nothing (workwise) in the diary at all. It's not been the usual lead up to Holy Week and Easter and it has felt strange, but I am very grateful for the space. How was your journey to Holy Week? 

Yesterday was Palm Sunday and I watched 2 different live streamed Sunday services, neither of which really (wholly) concentrated on Palm Sunday so I missed waving my Palm crosses and singing Palm Sunday hymns. Which maybe why this picture struck me this evening, when we were shown some photos from the Holy Week Story. It's called Entry into the City by John August Swanson, and is a contemporary vibrant image of the ride into Jerusalem. Do you like it? 

Holy Week

A few people have asked how my first week has been..  to be honest it's been  bit weird... although just feels like I've been on holiday (at home). Had my dad staying with us so took him first to lincolnshire for a meeting (I stayed with friends) and then home to Billingham, where I was able to see another friend. Spending some time with dad was one of the things I talked about doing and so it was good to spend time with him without the demands of work getting in the way.

I had been due to spend the Easter weekend on retreat, but sadly it was cancelled. However, I have now signed up to a full week online retreat starting this evening with Scargill House. It will be strange not sharing Holy Week and Easter with congregations but I'm looking forward to following the week's journey in retreat and on my faith journey. 

It will also be a week of doing normal stuff....car MOT and service, a hot stone massage and a trip to the cinema with Andrew. I am enjoying having space to be kind to myself and spend evenings with Andrew. 

and so it begins!

Day 1! And I have to say it's with mixed feelings. I am ready for my sabbatical and I don't feel bad for taking it, but am feeling concerned for my colleagues especially as one is on long term sick and other on compassionate leave. I know that all will be well and God's in charge but doesn't stop me being concerned and they will regularly be in my prayers. 

Anyhow this week is a gentle week...resting, a bit of walking, doing some jigsaw, a bit of knitting, taking my dad home and seeing some friends.... some 'sabbath space'. 

getting ready!

Monday sees the start of my 2nd sabbatical, and so I've dusted off the blog I used last time. I am not promising to use it a lot, or that it will be interesting  - but I will try and share some bits and bobs. 

A sabbatical is a gift from the Methodist church for all ordained ministers every 7th year. It is not holiday or a chance to do nothing ... But an opportunity to do something different which benefits my ministry and a time of renewal, refreshment and rest.

Having tried to fit in too much on my last sabbatical, I am intending to have a gentler one this time - I'll be reengaging with my college dissertation on Sabbath theology and doing some reading around that, finding time to worship, to rest, retreat and reflect on my faith and ministry as well as spending time with family and friends.

As well as 2 retreats, I’ll be trying some crafty things – I’ve booked a half day introduction course on weaving, doing some glass crafting and hopefully finishing the cardigan I started knitting for myself 2 years ago, and look for ways to enable a better work life balance on my return, to keep me going until retirement! 

Sleep and doing nothing is definitely the first task though! 

More sabbatical reflections

The last couple of weeks of my sabbatical have been about spending time with family and friends as well as time to read, for reflection and of course time for God.

I spent a happy morning with my mentor, talking about  some of the things I've thought about, what I miss and don't miss about circuit ministry (and how that impacts on my move to Walsall in September) and other things to reflect on further during my sabbatical (and beyond) ...and came away feeling very positive about the future.

The same day, I went with friends into Birmingham for a meal and a see the musical Billy Elliott, which was brilliant. Telling the story of a boy going against everything that was expected of him, and his background to follow his dream of becoming a ballet dancer. Fantastic watching the dynamics of his relationship with family and friends and many a tear was shed, and the audience gave a standing ovation at the end. The below photo is of us enjoying (a non alcoholic) cocktail and meal before the show.

Last week I, along with my dad travelled to Iceland on the hunt for the northern light. We stayed just outside Reykjavik. Although the hotel was lovely, the rooms were standard and very small, there wasn't really anywhere to hang or place clothes and so we had to put stuff on the floor or keep it in the suitcase (which was stowed under the bed), It would have been fine for a night or two but after 5 nights we ended up with cabin fever.

But it was the northern lights we were there to see - and sadly the boat trip we were going on out, was cancelled for the first 3 nights due to the weather conditions, but on Thursday evening we wrapped up warm and headed out and within minutes of us leaving the bay, we say them. My dad was disappointed as he expected to see the lights he had seen on the TV - but in reality they was mainly green clouds with a couple of flashing lights. However it was the best they had seen for a while -the photo's don't really do them justice, but I was a happy girl!

 (view from our hotel)

 (The white line of light appeared occasionally)

Other than that I've dealt with some admin, caught up with a few people and taken the car in for it's first MOT. I've also finished typing up the sketches and poems I have that my mum wrote, and they have now been sent to my sister and brother in law who will proof read them for me. .. next task is to illustrate them with photos (either ones I have or find things to take which will be suitable).

Tomorrow Andrew and I head off for a few days away "down south" along with Paisley, and we look forward to spending some time together, before I head off back to Launde Abbey on Monday for another 2 weeks.

Leaving Launde

In a few hours I will have left Launde and be at home again ...

I have really loved my time at Launde and living in the community - there is something special about this place... and look forward to coming back in 3 weeks for another 2 weeks of volunteering.

I have had some really good conversations this week, with staff and guests. This week we had the Methodist Probationers in from Lincoln & Grimsby, Derby, Norfolk and Bedfordshire, Essex and Hertfordshire Districts - although I had chats with many of them, I specifically appreciated the conversations about life, ministry and faith I had with Julian Pursehouse, the chair of the East Anglia District and Roger Walton, the president of conference. It was good to reflect with them about ministry, sabbatical and spending time with God. It was also special to share communion with them on Thursday morning.

As much as I have enjoyed being here, and really looking forward to coming back, I am ready to go home and see Andrew and Paisley again. I know they are both missing me... and it will be good to be back with them.