Jane Robson, previously a member of our church, is currently training for the ministry at Regent's Park College, Oxford, and is working with Kingswood Baptist Church, Watford. Keep up with Jane's news here.

Click on pictures to see larger versions.

Wednesday 30th November 2011

Another term bites the dust. Amazingly Michaelmas Term 2011 is over and with it a certain amount of challenge to us as a second year group. (Evidently, the second year is always the hardest). All good for our formation I am told! Monday evening proved to be an excellent, if somewhat early, celebration of all things Christmas – an inspiring Christingle service (see the human Christingle in the picture); a sumptuous advent meal and the college pantomime (complete with the required “he’s behind you” chants).

This followed on from the annual visit on Sunday by my college tutor, Nick Wood, who preached at Kingswood’s advent service and then took me out for lunch. He had the opportunity to chat to the folk at church and have a meeting with the deacons...to check up on me (and the church); in a good way, of course. It was a very productive time. The picture shows Nick with the church secretary and myself – trying not to hide the Advent crown!

I haven’t had a day off for a couple of weeks due to events happening at church on the last two Saturdays, but tonight I’m off to Milton Keynes to see Adrian Plass and Jeff Lucas on their “Seriously Funny” tour and I shall be able to come up to Rugby on Saturday...I need to buy a tree for the church! I’m looking forward to the time off...and then, on with Christmas!

Wednesday 23rd November 2011

Last week brought no surprises in that it was as full a week as the diary had indicated it would be. At our church meeting, after just over 4 months of praying and thinking and talking we decided on a vision statement for the church... “Our vision is to be a church which offers the love of Jesus Christ relevantly to all”. Although that took some working through, the hard work really does now begin as we consider how we will put that into practice.

The course on Saturday, “Baptists Exploring Issues of Homosexuality”, proved to be a very helpful time looking at what the Bible has to say (and not say) and looking at actual pastoral situations. This was not a day to bring us all to the same conclusion, but a day for five of us (with two leaders) to listen to what God might be saying to each of us, through his word and through one another. Run by the BU, I can certainly recommend this for ministers and churches.

No-one got food poisoning on Sunday – in fact the roast beef dinner and apple crumble went down very well! It was good to have mum and dad and Brenda here joining with us in worship and to be able to share a Sunday dinner together. Next time, they will have to come when the days are longer and warmer and we can visit one of the local parks.

And now it’s time to get some essay reading done...I can put it off no longer!

Wednesday 16th November 2011

Well, as I haven’t found time to write this until today, you’ll know that I continued to struggle right up to the eleventh hour with my assessed service preparation. An hour before the service I was still writing the prayers of intercession – gulp. However, the delivery was definitely blessed and I received many compliments on the service. Although there were aspects that I felt I hadn’t developed as well as I might have, it was very well received and I had enjoyed leading my fellow ministerial students and tutors in worship. I had been ‘brave’ enough to give the call to worship and the three verse OT reading from memory and also acted out the Bible reading. Although I did have a couple of moments when my mind went blank, it worked well.

I’m now just feeling a tiny bit worried about not having done any essay reading yet – and the end of term approaches rapidly. And, of course, I have another Sunday service to prepare for – they do come round so quickly. I shall have an extra three adults in the congregation this week to boost the numbers as mum and dad and Brenda are coming down for the day. It also means I will need to try and remember how to cook – the joint of beef is ready in the freezer... As I will be staying in Watford this Saturday for a Central Baptist Association course, I think I might cycle into town on Friday and get an M&S pudding. (Depends on the weather!)

Last week I also went to the Jubilee Celebration meeting with the Residents’ Association and the Head Teachers from the local schools – it was good to be involved in something “non-churchy”- but I shall have to be careful in my enthusiasm not to take on doing too much! No pictures again this week, I’m afraid...I shall have to try and do something about that.

Sunday 6th November 2011

On paper it looked like last week was going to be a quiet week, relatively speaking. Nevertheless, the work continues to be a challenge in terms of time management and ability. Which is probably why I sit here thinking, “Where has that week gone to?” I’m sure the weeks are getting shorter!

On Tuesday evening, Brian Sears, who writes children’s books about a bear called “Timothy Bear” came and shared some of his bear tales with the evening group. And then, as he’s a lay preacher, he came today and led worship, complete with Timothy, and another story. I now have two books signed by the author!

We’re continuing to work our way through the “Christianity Explored” course – and are now over half-way, completing week 5 this week. Just 3 more evenings and one day to go. It will be good to run it again next year when we will be inviting others from outside the church to come and share with us. And as Christmas is just round the corner, I have spent part of this week putting together a Nativity Event for our Toddler Group – I’ve given my suggestions to our Toddler Group leader for her approval...or otherwise!

On Saturday I was able to have lunch with a friend from my M&S days – we went to Table Table down Butlers Leap and had an excellent meal – I can certainly recommend it. So it was a great 24 hours for food as I had been invited to Nancy Cervantes’ on Friday evening along with a number of others for a “Girlie” night...I’m saying no more...

On a less happy note, I’m still struggling to put my assessed service together for a week on Monday...help, Lord! If I don’t write this time next week, you’ll know I’m still struggling!