I would really like to write something perky and upbeat but it's proving to be quite a tough month. So today I have decided to have a "plateau day", take a deep breath and reflect a little.
So many of those who are close to me, known to me or close to those who are known to me are experiencing loss, trauma, disappointment and anxiety. Generally speaking their circumstances appear to have arisen suddenly and unexpectedly since this year started. Perhaps January is always like this! Perhaps life is like this and I'd not spotted it before!
My role within a chaplaincy team does provide opportunities for a greater awareness of troubles and suffering. As I listen to people and try to hear with my heart sometimes I feel the tears welling up in my own eyes as my spirit identifies with them in their suffering and uncertainty. Sometimes being present with someone to listen or just be silent provides that person with companionship and support. Yet, however effectively a person is accompanied, grief and disappointment are places where people travel alone and come face to face with themselves, often in new ways.
Does it all seem worse because it is January and only a few weeks ago we felt we had a fresh start, a new year. We thought about changes and made resolutions which would make life better, more fun, more fulfilling, more energised and dynamic. Some of us have spent that last 26 days or so eating healthy food, taking more exercise and keeping our email inbox under some sort of control but we have discovered that we cannot control our circumstances, we can only control the way we respond to those circumstances. In extreme situations we feel that we cannot even control our responses and reactions.
Surely this is what it means to be human. As I take today to pause and reflect I have a rising sense of hope and encouragement that the message of Christmas, of Immanuel - God with Us, is all about humanity, owning life as it really is in adverse circumstances and yet finding God with Us. Perhaps when times are tough we discover God with Us primarily through one another and those who have the courage to be with us when we grieve, share our disappointment or feel paralysed by anxiety.
So let's take a deep breath and pause before having a good look round for those who are there for us, who provide us with hope, light, laughter and courage and then let's look for those for whom we can offer the same.
Even so I hear lots of you say "Roll on Feburary!"!
Thursday, 26 January 2012
Sunday, 22 January 2012
Creating Community
Time for a bit of honesty people!
I started my current job as leader of City Lights, the ChaplaincyPlus group for the under 30s almost a year ago. ChaplaincyPlus is a Christian charity which provides personal support and encouragement to people working in the professional and commercial sectors in Birmingham City Centre. For me this new job, which is part time working flexible hours, marks a total change in career and lifestyle. I had spent the previous 20 years practising law, for the first 6 years as a Barrister and for the other 14 years as a Solicitor.
So this is something new, an opportunity to follow my passion and desire to encourage and support people in the workplace. It has been a joy to listen and journey and where appropriate share faith, hopes and dreams. But, - here is the honesty bit - I have not actually managed to do what I was recruited to do. The City Lights group that I inherited from my predeceasssor has reduced in size beyond all recognition. The events and gatherings that I have arranged have been poorly attended. I have met lots of new people and the one to one work has thrived but I am not creating community or a network of young adults who will provide one another with friendship, support and encouragement.
There are a number of reasons for this. There has been significant upheaval in the workplace over the last 18 months or so and this continues. Those who are more junior in organisations are being asked to work long hours, take up secondments, work out of other regional offices etc. The workplace for the under 30s is a place of fluidity, uncertainty and long working hours.
Arguably the changes in the workplace lead to many feeling ever more isolated and without the time to connect in any meaningful way with others. So here is the challenge, how do I create community amongst these young adults.
I am inspired and impressed by the effective use of social media by many independent small businesses which are building relationships with customers, suppliers and competitors. They are creating a sense of relationship, belonging, loyalty and community. Let me give you two examples, a couple of weeks ago I bought some delicious goats' cheese and by the end of the day I was tweeting Gary (@AndersonandHill) who sold me the cheese and Sarah (@brockhallfarm) whose goats produced the cheese. This week, I tweeted about eating delicious cake in Six Eight Kafe (@SixEightKafe) and by the evening I received a tweet from Gavin (@tobizzy2bake) who made the Guinness cake. What fun!
So begins the second year of this new career. I need to embrace and explore more widely the use social media and think creatively about how to create safe and interesting spaces of connection and community for those who have little time or who may not be physically present. Thoughts, ideas, experiences and inspiration are most welcome if you have any you would like to share!
I started my current job as leader of City Lights, the ChaplaincyPlus group for the under 30s almost a year ago. ChaplaincyPlus is a Christian charity which provides personal support and encouragement to people working in the professional and commercial sectors in Birmingham City Centre. For me this new job, which is part time working flexible hours, marks a total change in career and lifestyle. I had spent the previous 20 years practising law, for the first 6 years as a Barrister and for the other 14 years as a Solicitor.
So this is something new, an opportunity to follow my passion and desire to encourage and support people in the workplace. It has been a joy to listen and journey and where appropriate share faith, hopes and dreams. But, - here is the honesty bit - I have not actually managed to do what I was recruited to do. The City Lights group that I inherited from my predeceasssor has reduced in size beyond all recognition. The events and gatherings that I have arranged have been poorly attended. I have met lots of new people and the one to one work has thrived but I am not creating community or a network of young adults who will provide one another with friendship, support and encouragement.
There are a number of reasons for this. There has been significant upheaval in the workplace over the last 18 months or so and this continues. Those who are more junior in organisations are being asked to work long hours, take up secondments, work out of other regional offices etc. The workplace for the under 30s is a place of fluidity, uncertainty and long working hours.
Arguably the changes in the workplace lead to many feeling ever more isolated and without the time to connect in any meaningful way with others. So here is the challenge, how do I create community amongst these young adults.
I am inspired and impressed by the effective use of social media by many independent small businesses which are building relationships with customers, suppliers and competitors. They are creating a sense of relationship, belonging, loyalty and community. Let me give you two examples, a couple of weeks ago I bought some delicious goats' cheese and by the end of the day I was tweeting Gary (@AndersonandHill) who sold me the cheese and Sarah (@brockhallfarm) whose goats produced the cheese. This week, I tweeted about eating delicious cake in Six Eight Kafe (@SixEightKafe) and by the evening I received a tweet from Gavin (@tobizzy2bake) who made the Guinness cake. What fun!
So begins the second year of this new career. I need to embrace and explore more widely the use social media and think creatively about how to create safe and interesting spaces of connection and community for those who have little time or who may not be physically present. Thoughts, ideas, experiences and inspiration are most welcome if you have any you would like to share!
Monday, 16 January 2012
Are you sitting comfortably ...
... then I'll begin!
Comfort and listening so often go hand in hand. Story telling in all its forms is best done with audience that is physically at ease - whether the medium for the story telling is film, television or the spoken word.
Most of us make a cup of tea (or similar) before watching a favourite television programme. When we go to the cinema we always ask those we go with "where do you want to sit?". When we meet up with friends we always ensure that they are comfortable before we start talking and sharing our stories - "would you like a drink?", "shall I take your coat?", "you look cold, sit near the fire", "have you eaten or would you like something?". Hospitality and story telling, in all its forms, go hand in hand.
When we are learning the physical comfort of our environment is a key factor in the learning experience. The right temperature, sufficient light, comfortable chair, a table or desk, a good view of the screen or speaker, adequate comfort breaks with access to refreshments all aid our ability to learn and take on board information. The way we engage with new information and our attitude to that is very often shaped by the environment we are in when we are learning that information.
I am currently on an course called Mission Shaped Ministry which is essentially about Fresh Expressions of Church. The course is interesting and the materials and speakers have been excellent. The course is being held primarily in the basement bar of a local pub. The venue is dark, cold, the chairs are not comfortable and the tables are not big enough to easily use the course materials, not every seat enables the learner to see the speaker or the screen. Some are excited that a course about being Church in a culturally relevant way is being held in a pub. I would prefer to be more comfortable so that I can fully engage with the materials, the speakers, the discussions and group work.
People are all different and ideas about comfort and venues which are fit for purpose will vary. I wonder whether common ground about hospitality and welcome are more easily established . I would think that any "Church" whether a fresh expression or otherwise would want to model hospitality and welcome to everyone as a core value. Surely how we respond to the wellbeing of those around us says alot about who we are and what motivates us?
Comfort and listening so often go hand in hand. Story telling in all its forms is best done with audience that is physically at ease - whether the medium for the story telling is film, television or the spoken word.
Most of us make a cup of tea (or similar) before watching a favourite television programme. When we go to the cinema we always ask those we go with "where do you want to sit?". When we meet up with friends we always ensure that they are comfortable before we start talking and sharing our stories - "would you like a drink?", "shall I take your coat?", "you look cold, sit near the fire", "have you eaten or would you like something?". Hospitality and story telling, in all its forms, go hand in hand.
When we are learning the physical comfort of our environment is a key factor in the learning experience. The right temperature, sufficient light, comfortable chair, a table or desk, a good view of the screen or speaker, adequate comfort breaks with access to refreshments all aid our ability to learn and take on board information. The way we engage with new information and our attitude to that is very often shaped by the environment we are in when we are learning that information.
I am currently on an course called Mission Shaped Ministry which is essentially about Fresh Expressions of Church. The course is interesting and the materials and speakers have been excellent. The course is being held primarily in the basement bar of a local pub. The venue is dark, cold, the chairs are not comfortable and the tables are not big enough to easily use the course materials, not every seat enables the learner to see the speaker or the screen. Some are excited that a course about being Church in a culturally relevant way is being held in a pub. I would prefer to be more comfortable so that I can fully engage with the materials, the speakers, the discussions and group work.
People are all different and ideas about comfort and venues which are fit for purpose will vary. I wonder whether common ground about hospitality and welcome are more easily established . I would think that any "Church" whether a fresh expression or otherwise would want to model hospitality and welcome to everyone as a core value. Surely how we respond to the wellbeing of those around us says alot about who we are and what motivates us?
Thursday, 12 January 2012
Hidden in plain sight
The boy (my son) was very entertained that he didn't need to hide the gifts that he had bought my husband for Christmas. He simply left them on his desk in his bedroom and in all the muddle that is a 13 year old boy's bedroom the gifts were not obvious nor were they spotted by the intended recipient. Much more care was apparantly taken in hiding the gifts intended for me!
How often do we not see things which are obvious and visible either because we are not looking for those things specifically or because we get distracted by the general busyness or muddle of the circumstances in which we find ourselves.
I have been thinking how relevant this is to the spiritual life - God is hidden in plain sight. So often we are not looking for Him or when we are looking for him we become too caught up in the circumstances and the other things which we can see.
It is interesting to reflect on the Christmas story in this context. The shepherds and wisemen had to be directed to the Christ-child. Whereas Anna and Simeon recognised for themselves that which was hidden in plain sight. Did they recognise the Christ-child because they had spent so long listening to and looking for God. Were they able to "zone out" of the noise and distractions around them to see those hidden things.
I am wondering how very often I miss out on the things that are hidden in plain sight. If I lived a bit more slowly and watchfully I would spot them!
How often do we not see things which are obvious and visible either because we are not looking for those things specifically or because we get distracted by the general busyness or muddle of the circumstances in which we find ourselves.
I have been thinking how relevant this is to the spiritual life - God is hidden in plain sight. So often we are not looking for Him or when we are looking for him we become too caught up in the circumstances and the other things which we can see.
It is interesting to reflect on the Christmas story in this context. The shepherds and wisemen had to be directed to the Christ-child. Whereas Anna and Simeon recognised for themselves that which was hidden in plain sight. Did they recognise the Christ-child because they had spent so long listening to and looking for God. Were they able to "zone out" of the noise and distractions around them to see those hidden things.
I am wondering how very often I miss out on the things that are hidden in plain sight. If I lived a bit more slowly and watchfully I would spot them!
Saturday, 7 January 2012
Marks and Spencer Dreamland
I must confess that I am a huge fan of M&S. I think that for clothing basics M&S are hard to beat. I am particularly pleased with a couple of pairs of "cigarette pants" that I purchased in the autumn, one in black and one in charcoal. Strangely the charcoal pair are a slightly snugger fit which is because (and yes I did ask!) they are made in different factories, possibly even in different parts of the world. So be warned that just because an item fits you in one colour it may not in another - strange but true!
I discovered shock news earlier this week they have stopped producing white chocolate covered strawberries, in fact they have been out of production for over a year. In the face of this bad news I have commended myself on clearly not overindulging on these too often. I really do love their Belgian chocolate covered popcorn and so am considering stockpiling a few bags just in case the unthinkable happens.
I am a devotee of their bodyshaper underwear which is very kind to those of us with a tendency to under exercise and over eat. Since M&S are so easily able to produce value for money and products that actually do what they say, in my dream world they would branch out into beauty and haircare - imagine how good their anti-ageing products might be!
Imagine, if you dare, what a wonderful place the world would be if M&S also offered IT support services -technicians who understand the true meaning of support and where and when you actually need that support.
I am less impressed by the recent refurbishment of my local M&S which has more of a T K Maxx feel about it but then we did go just after Christmas when the sale was in its second day which might not be the best time to judge anything. We failed to find many bargains but we did recognise the cashier although we struggled to place her. She greeted us like old friends then loudly announced that she knew us from her time working at the local pharmacy and proceeded to tell us that she remembered all my husband's details - he hurried away at great speed fearing that she might reveal his repeat prescription details!
Happy shopping those of you will be doing some today!
I discovered shock news earlier this week they have stopped producing white chocolate covered strawberries, in fact they have been out of production for over a year. In the face of this bad news I have commended myself on clearly not overindulging on these too often. I really do love their Belgian chocolate covered popcorn and so am considering stockpiling a few bags just in case the unthinkable happens.
I am a devotee of their bodyshaper underwear which is very kind to those of us with a tendency to under exercise and over eat. Since M&S are so easily able to produce value for money and products that actually do what they say, in my dream world they would branch out into beauty and haircare - imagine how good their anti-ageing products might be!
Imagine, if you dare, what a wonderful place the world would be if M&S also offered IT support services -technicians who understand the true meaning of support and where and when you actually need that support.
I am less impressed by the recent refurbishment of my local M&S which has more of a T K Maxx feel about it but then we did go just after Christmas when the sale was in its second day which might not be the best time to judge anything. We failed to find many bargains but we did recognise the cashier although we struggled to place her. She greeted us like old friends then loudly announced that she knew us from her time working at the local pharmacy and proceeded to tell us that she remembered all my husband's details - he hurried away at great speed fearing that she might reveal his repeat prescription details!
Happy shopping those of you will be doing some today!
Wednesday, 4 January 2012
A Handful of Light
This Advent and Christmas I have been reading "A Handful of Light" by Michael Mitton. It is a book of daily Bible readings which includes both the Bible passage and a prayer as well as some thoughts and reflections on the Bible readings.
Michael Mitton is one of my favourite Christian authors. I first came across him a number of years ago when a friend recommended that I read "A Heart to Listen" which is a brilliant book all about listening to God, people and places beyond just what you see and hear. My favourite book by Michael is "Wild Beasts and Angels" which is all about Christian Healing ministry within the context of the wilderness experiences of life.
Anyway, back to "A Handful of Light", the theme of the book is hope within the context of themes of light and darkness as found in the Bible. During the last week I have appreciated how Michael has dealt with the more sinister issues which surround the arrival of the Magi and in particular the slaughter of the innocents. The news of so many murders since Christmas day has been disturbing and it is good to be reminded that "we live in a world where dark things happen too often to too many people.... Go back to the words of that man by the river all those years ago. He spoke about a light that enlightens everyone, even the one who is experiencing the deepest darkness. Go back and listen to that message again. Listen to it again and again, day after day. There is enough for every darkess that afflicts this world. Let this light sink into you and learn how to drink regularly from that light, which will be living water for you. Then, when darkness engulfs you, you'll be prepared. You'll have a reserve of the light of Christ who has come into your world, and no darkness will overcome that."
Michael also talks about the Magi bringing with them a thesaurus, gifts which are full of meaning. Gold for kingship, frankincense for priesthood and myrrh for death. Their gifts brought meaning to Mary and Joseph and Michael suggests that we reflect on the "gifts" which people bring to us which bring meaning and understanding to the complexities of our lives.
Michael Mitton is one of my favourite Christian authors. I first came across him a number of years ago when a friend recommended that I read "A Heart to Listen" which is a brilliant book all about listening to God, people and places beyond just what you see and hear. My favourite book by Michael is "Wild Beasts and Angels" which is all about Christian Healing ministry within the context of the wilderness experiences of life.
Anyway, back to "A Handful of Light", the theme of the book is hope within the context of themes of light and darkness as found in the Bible. During the last week I have appreciated how Michael has dealt with the more sinister issues which surround the arrival of the Magi and in particular the slaughter of the innocents. The news of so many murders since Christmas day has been disturbing and it is good to be reminded that "we live in a world where dark things happen too often to too many people.... Go back to the words of that man by the river all those years ago. He spoke about a light that enlightens everyone, even the one who is experiencing the deepest darkness. Go back and listen to that message again. Listen to it again and again, day after day. There is enough for every darkess that afflicts this world. Let this light sink into you and learn how to drink regularly from that light, which will be living water for you. Then, when darkness engulfs you, you'll be prepared. You'll have a reserve of the light of Christ who has come into your world, and no darkness will overcome that."
Michael also talks about the Magi bringing with them a thesaurus, gifts which are full of meaning. Gold for kingship, frankincense for priesthood and myrrh for death. Their gifts brought meaning to Mary and Joseph and Michael suggests that we reflect on the "gifts" which people bring to us which bring meaning and understanding to the complexities of our lives.
Monday, 2 January 2012
2012 the Year to Celebrate Friendship
I have been inspired by the idea of setting 30 day challenges rather than making New Year Resolutions (which so rarely last until the end of January). I am therefore in the process of working out what my challenges will be each month taking into account the other commitments and activities that I already know about, for example the likelihood of taking holidays in August and the general Christmas busyness of December etc.
Within this context I have decided to make 2012 the Year to Celebrate Friendship. I have some really lovely friends most of whom are clever, funny, beautiful and strong women and I really don't see enough of them. I am convinced that my own sense of wellbeing will be greatly enhanced by making more of an effort to spend time with friends.
Being realistic many of these friends have busy lives, some do not live that near and family life generally puts pressure on weekend time. My solution is to set myself the challenge of seeing at least one friend that I've not seen in the last year each month of this year - this will mean 12 life giving encounters with people that I really like and with whom I have spent part of my life's journey.
Looking forward to it!
Within this context I have decided to make 2012 the Year to Celebrate Friendship. I have some really lovely friends most of whom are clever, funny, beautiful and strong women and I really don't see enough of them. I am convinced that my own sense of wellbeing will be greatly enhanced by making more of an effort to spend time with friends.
Being realistic many of these friends have busy lives, some do not live that near and family life generally puts pressure on weekend time. My solution is to set myself the challenge of seeing at least one friend that I've not seen in the last year each month of this year - this will mean 12 life giving encounters with people that I really like and with whom I have spent part of my life's journey.
Looking forward to it!
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