Other people's blogs

Well, I'm in my office -between grading, and have given myself a break to watch the pink streaky sunset, and write a little. The last little while has been/felt fairly insane. Last week flew by, and was consumed with people-ness. It was an interesting counterpoint to reading essays on 'Out of Solitude,' 'Encountering the Other' and 'In the Name of Jesus' (Nouwen, Vanier, and Nouwen again). The importance of solitude is underestimated I think - and this time of year always makes the issue arise in my mind: the need for solitude, and the difference between that and loneliness. It is quite a struggle for so many just now - who are alone

Today, I've spoken to "Rainbow Haven" a lot about destitute asylum seekers - it is hard to think of all the reasons they have heard over the last couple of days about why there is "no room for them" - and the need to open-heartedly offer hospitality - even at risk. I was put in mind of Victor Hugo's Les Mis, and the Bishop (or was he a priest) who offers the silver plates to Jean Val Jean as well as the candlesticks. It is hard to hold lightly onto things. It is hard to open your house to strangers. And yet, I suppose I've also been thinking about the "entertaining angels unaware" type of things - and serendipity (prevenient grace?!). And, the faith-imperative (or is it a gift?) to be welcoming.

So, apart from those kind of internal struggles, things are moving along... No new job for Andrew, but last night he came in and said that "Joe" had spoken to him for a while, and Andrew had lent him Avro Part's Te Deum (Andrew's favourite music just now - he listens to it all the time). I think that Andrew saw that as a really positive conversation. I'll be really interested to know Joe's response, since his favourite album is The White Album!

Random features of life

Hmm. Let's see, what else? I hit a post in the car today. Grrr. And have read a lot of interesting thoughts about the emergent church. For those of you who faithfully ask if I've written anything (yet)... the answer is a resounding No. Sometimes I feel sabotaged... But probably the saboteur is a strange combination of myself and that old tyrant, the urgent. However, I have high hopes for the next few weeks. I've also been reading the Genesis Trilogy by Madelaine L'Engle. Oh my, she makes me think so much. I've had a lot of arguments/debates with people about evangelism and the wrath of God. And have found myself asking all kinds of questions about my own assumptions relating to The Evangel. Also, finally got around to watching Garden State. Really enjoyed it.

And, between all of these things have been experiencing the subtle pressures of blog-world. Some blogs are so wonderful they make me think for ages... some are so good at regularly updating, it's great! Some are so full of good conversation it's amazing... . For those friends who do the daily-blog- thanks! You give me something to aspire to! For those of you who don't, thanks!! You don't make me feel so bad!

Meanwhile - may this week be one of blessed encounters for us all.

A collectivist

well, I'm now a signed-up member of a collective - which basically is me, and a lot of (mostly) older men, and one feminist. It's called the Urban Theology Collective and meets annually at St. Deiniol's Library. Between times the collective shares, connects and supports each other. I joined by accident really, but am glad I have.

One of the beauties of the conference was that it has a leisurely schedule - and the base of St. Deiniol's makes it a truly inspiring time/place/space - very conducive to study... and the conversations and discussions of the collective were wonderful, eclectic and occasionally truly hilarious.

My room at the library was Lindisfarne Basically decorated around the theme of the Holy Place, with carefully selected books/decor to evoke the sights of the community. It looked out over a graveyard, where I went walking. The graveyard was really sad - mostly 17th and 18th century graves. One of them had a list of the children of "Mary and Thomas"... who had died between a day and 13 years old. It was heart-breaking. There was also "drowned at sea" and of course, the World Wars. Incidentally, the previous occupant of Lindisfarne was the Canon of Winchester Cathedral - which made for interesting thoughts (did that put me in bed with the Church of England??).

I also learned a lot - and had my thinking provoked - most particularly by a Transactional Therapist, Brian Tebbutt, and (one of my heroes) John Vincent. What interesting people. John Vincent is just old enough to get away with shamelessly flogging his own books on every occasion possible, astutely (but disconcertingly) interrupting every paper with questions (usually good ones), and being confident enough to be very generous to people in engaging them in conversation. He has written a book called Radical Jesus which I really like - and gave me a guide to go with it... He also has helped develop an Ashram community based in Sheffield, which sounds quite unique - it has a fair trade/ vegan shop (though he tucked into sausages this morning!), a place for people to live, and generally seems seriously alternative.

Now it's back to reality. The water is off in our house altogether, since the leaking is now pretty bad. The plasterer is finished though - and it is smooth in there. The first pile of essays arrived on my desk (happy advent!), and the first requests for extensions are creeping in. (no!) Ahhh well - it is nice to have rhythm.

We're cooking a meal and going out to The Messiah tonight, which I love. (I am already trying to discipline myself not to sing/hum along!)... and tomorrow we're heading over to our "Padrino's" Jan and Sharon's for the day. They are really good at asking us questions, Jan always begins by asking us how our marriage is going... He has a knack of being deeply blunt (afrikaans-style) and deeply caring all at the same time.

I also just finished Pilger. What a read. I probably need to go back and re-read it to absorb the threads of his arguments. It did provoke me to think, more and more, about how much more I need to think about being an activist/protester/alternative community dweller. I also read Pinter's speech/rant... again, thought provoking. What does it mean to be a peace-maker?

Right, off for coffee...