I have so so so much to be thankful for

Sitting here, writing to friends around the world this evening, I've been struck by just how much I have to thank God for. For friends, for the opportunities to have travelled, for somewhere safe to sleep tonight, for loving parents, for the chance to study, for the chance to hang out with some pretty awesome friends, for food, for drink, for a computer to write on, for books to read, games to play, clothes to wear....this is just a start. God is good. Thanks be to God.

the hub

The Hub (Sheffield) Ltd. is a new-ish organisation, based, as the name may suggest, in Sheffield. You can check out the brand new website, which went live yesterday, here. And yes, it does so happen that I am involved in this new venture.

The Hub works through and with the churches of Sheffield to share the good news of Jesus Christ among young people. It is an inter-church organisation committed to supporting Christian youth work, mission and ministry in the Sheffield area.

Its focus is on supporting local churches across the city in their work amongst and alongside young people, and in the sharing of the Christian good news. In essence it is a gathering together of Christian youth workers committed to mission and ministry amongst young people.

Do go check out the new website, which will grow and improve with time as churches and organisations from the Sheffield area upload information about whats going on.

on retreat

I know that no one will probably notice the lack of blogging action which this blog will witness in the next couple of days, but the reason for this will be that I shall be on retreat.

From Wednesday to Sunday I shall not be speaking to people. Which will be rather nice. The retreat is part of this course that I'm doing (that church pay for, as part of my ongoing professional development), which is rather grandly titled 'The Art of Spiritual Accompaniment'. The course is run by Sheffield Diocese, and its really good. I love the regular time out that it provides, a couple of days a month, time to be still, to pray, to just be, time for input, time to be challenged. I really value it, despite the fact that I'm one of two male participants in a group of nearly twenty, and possibly the only participant under forty, more likely under fifty. And I'm twenty-six, just for the record. I hope this means I'm not getting old before my time.

joining stuff up

So I've been doing this course that Sheffield Diocese run, called 'The Art of Spiritual Direction', which follows on from a course I did last year called 'Discipleship and Spiritual Direction: Listening to God, self and others', or something like that anyway. One of the aims of the second course being to equip people with the experience, confidence, and tools to better accompany people in some form of 'spiritual director' type relationship. The course is really good, and over the last 18 months of so it has been very good to have these regular quiet days, where I've been able to spend time praying, reflecting, and learning. But that's not really what I want to write about today.

Each day on the course begins with a prayer exercise, which is then followed by a time sharing in groups of 3 (triads - not the chinese mafia sort however). One of the things that emerged in my sharing was this feeling that parts of my life don't feel particularly joined up at the moment. There are all these thoughts going round my head, questions and doubts about God, about youthwork, about life in general, and then there's this youthwork practice going on in my day to day live, me living out what I believe, and what I believe I am called to do at this time. But these two areas seem quite disjointed. There seems to be no relationship between the two.

I have come to realise that while I was doing CYM, and then when I was doing my Masters degree, I really relied on the structure those two course gave me which provided me with the space and opportunity for my actions and beliefs to interact with one another. For my theology to inform my practice/life, and my life/practice to inform my theology.

In a similar way I fear that when I come to the end of the course I am currently doing, that the joined-up-ness of my spirituality and life may also become a little less joined up.

The day after I had been on my course, last Friday, I went to 'The Youthwork Conference' in Southport. Now truth be told I wasn't much looking forward to the conference bit, more the going away with my friends/other youthworkers from Sheffield. The conference was ok actually. Andy Flannagan was 'leading worship' - I really like Andy, he was with YFC back when I was, and there's something about his music, his sincerity which resonates with me - so that was pretty good. But to be honest none of the talks or seminars really grabbed me. Apart from one on the Sunday morning, which I decided to go to. It was by a guy called Andrew Smith who works for Scripture Union/Youth Encounter. He works for a project bringing together Christian and Muslim young people. It sounds really good.

And as I was sat in this seminar, being challenged about my views, being invited to participate and share my views, I realised how much I had missed this level of stimulation, and this invitation to participate in these kind of discussions. It really energised me. Without doubt it is the one thing from the weekend that has stuck with me.

So all in all, what I'm trying to say is this: that I thrive when I have the space and opportunity to engage my brain in some thinking/academic type stuff, that I've not felt as though I have that opportunity at the moment (maybe something to thing about as I contemplate my future), and that I hope this blog, and interaction with others on blogs, may provide some of that space, opportunity and stimulation that I need.

greenbelt 2007

Yesterday I booked my ticket for Greenbelt 2007. Am looking forward to it.

I've been to Greenbelt for the last two years, though in previous years I've been semi-responsible for young people there, well, at least for their travel arrangements. This year I'm going just for me, though obviously taking advantage of the discount for church leaders :o)

In the past I've tried to do too much whilst at Greenbelt. This year I'm really looking forward to hanging out with various friends, old and newer, who I know are going. If you're gonna be there, or want to come along as well, then feel free to comment....

and once again....

....it's been nearly a month since I last posted on here. This is becoming something of a habit. Sorry.

I'm not tempted to give up this blog altogether, cos although I'm not massively motivated at the moment, I think I could be again in future. I know that in the past the blogosphere has been a source of inspiration, comfort and community to me, and I think it can be again.

Life just seems so manic at the moment, I just feel so busy. Partly cos I am busy. I was doing a prayer exercise on Sunday with some of the older young people I work with, and as I thought about where I'm at, and what I need at the moment, I was aware how much I need time and space to rest, reflect and to be me.

Thankfully, the other week I booked to go to Taize again. I'm not yet sure if I'll go for one week or two. Two would be bliss, and I'd be tempted to do another week in silence. But we'll have to wait and see.

This weekend at church is our 'Arts Festival'. I'm helping lead an all age art workshop kinda thing all day Saturday. This morning, and a v creative lady from church were constructing the basic erm, structure, or a corporate sculpture kind of thing we're gonna do. It's on the theme of letting our light shine out, as the Body of Christ, acknowledging the different people we are, but recognising the beauty that comes in that difference. It's gonna be a big dome shaped lantern kind of thing, (Yes I'm using 'kind of' a lot, but that's cos its all still in the process of coming together.....) to which anyone and everyone can stick different coloured tissue paper. Underneath we'll put some source of light (candles may yet prove too much of a fire risk). I'll try and remember to put some pictures up in due course.

Right, that's about enough for now methinks.

Who knows, I might even blog again soon.......

no promises, but.....

.....I'm gonna try and get back into blogging.

I know, I know, it's been a while, and who's to say I won't get bored and stop again, but I'm gonna give it a try anyhow.

Just in case you were wondering what I've been up to recently, well.....I've just started work again after having been away on the Costa del Skeg (aka going to Spring Harvest). Had a really good time. Have come back feeling refreshed - refreshed due to the having had a break, but also refreshed by some of the things I have heard said at an (evangelical) event such as Spring Harvest.

The theme of the week was one people - one, holy, catholic and apostolic church. There was some really encouraging stuff said, in particular about sensible (imho) attitudes towards agreeing to disagree, as well as about what we can learn from the way other religions practice, and acknowledging that all people are flawed, all people are different, and that all people are made in the image of God. It just felt right to me - it felt as though there was a new level of openess, of honesty of acceptance. It felt good.

A couple of weeks ago I also went to see Faithless at Sheffield Arena. They were excellent.

In less good news, it looks very, very, very much like the mighty Chesterfield F.C. are going to get relegated, thus making them not so mighty.