Friday, August 19, 2005
what famous leader are you?
Which is nice for me. Obviously a personality test comprising just nine questions is not the most accurate thing in the world. But interestingly, I do share the same Myers-Briggs personality type as Gandhi. Maybe the test is accurate after all.....
Thursday, August 18, 2005
endings and beginnings
I wasn't really sure what to post when I heard the sad news about Brother Roger, so as you will notice, I just posted a couple of news reports.
Having had some time to reflect on what happened, I find myself experienceing a mix of emotions. Obviously there was a certain amount of shock and sadness on hearing of the way in which Brother Roger died, and the very fact that he had died. But in all honesty, I think people, including Brother Roger, were prepared for him to die. He was ninety, and although he was continuing to play his role within the Taize community, he was a frail man, who knew that his time on earth was coming to an end.
This year was my first at Taize, and what I witnessed this year was incredible. People come together at Taize, from all over the world, representing different denominations, different faiths, or even no faith at all. And in spite of all these differences, people live, work and reflect together as a community, serving one another, and serving God.
Brother Roger no longer heads up that community here on earth, but the spirit in which he founded and led the community lives on, a spirit of peace, harmony and simplicity. There is much to be learnt from the way Taize operates, much that we as individuals, communities and societies as a whole could learn. I for one am very glad, that this example of living together as a peaceful and simple community will carry on under the leadership of Brother Alois, Brother Roger's appointed successor. My prayers are with him, and with all the members of the Taize community.
Having had some time to reflect on what happened, I find myself experienceing a mix of emotions. Obviously there was a certain amount of shock and sadness on hearing of the way in which Brother Roger died, and the very fact that he had died. But in all honesty, I think people, including Brother Roger, were prepared for him to die. He was ninety, and although he was continuing to play his role within the Taize community, he was a frail man, who knew that his time on earth was coming to an end.
This year was my first at Taize, and what I witnessed this year was incredible. People come together at Taize, from all over the world, representing different denominations, different faiths, or even no faith at all. And in spite of all these differences, people live, work and reflect together as a community, serving one another, and serving God.
Brother Roger no longer heads up that community here on earth, but the spirit in which he founded and led the community lives on, a spirit of peace, harmony and simplicity. There is much to be learnt from the way Taize operates, much that we as individuals, communities and societies as a whole could learn. I for one am very glad, that this example of living together as a peaceful and simple community will carry on under the leadership of Brother Alois, Brother Roger's appointed successor. My prayers are with him, and with all the members of the Taize community.
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
a peculiar species
This evening I have once more been reminded of the peculiarities of the human race.
Now some people will now that I have a fondness for supermarkets. I know that I shouldn't. But I do. This evening I popped down to Tesco to buy some dates and some chocolate. Originally I had wanted bananas, but they'd sold out. Anyway. I was in the queue waiting to pay, when I noticed something of a disagreement in the queue ahead of me. Withing seconds, two fifty something year-old men were threatening to knock each other out. As the men came in my direction, I instinctively tried to restrain one of the men, while thankfully, another passer-by restrained the other guy.
Now I'm not trying to make myself out to be some sort of a hero - I just followed my instincts. I've broken up a few fights in my time, thats to be expected as a youth worker. But I have to admit I've never stood between two feuding fifty year olds. It really was rather strange.
I later found out that this whole fiasco had been caused by one of the men passing comment on how long the other was taking to pack and pay for his and his wife's shopping. I mean really, come on. Does it matter? Your fifty, but you're acting like you're fifteen.
On arriving home, I found myself watching a rather bizarre programme called A Week of Dressing Dangerously. Basically, some fashion expert, forced a housewife and mother of two, to parade around her local community in a range of ridiculous fashion disasters, culminating in a bunny girl outfit.
The point of this programme, as far as I could tell, was to help this poor woman learn something about herself and who she is, by reflecting on the fact that wearing different clothes caused her to act differently in a range of everyday situations. Wearing these different clothes 'liberated' her and helped her explore certain hidden aspects of her personality.
I don't want to go into the pschology of the programme, because I don't know an awful lot about psychology. But this programme intrigued me. Not only did it make me cringe every other minute, it also got me wondering about where people find there identity. It showed just how much this woman's behaviour changed depending on what she was wearing. It was almost as though the clothes she wore defined who she was and how she behaved.
Now I know that many people like to express their identity in the clothes they choose to wear, but I have a confession to make. I found it more than a little disturbing that this programme seemed to preach so blatently that your identity is defined solely by what you wear.
As I reflect on the events of this evening, I realise once again, that us humans are a funny lot.
Now some people will now that I have a fondness for supermarkets. I know that I shouldn't. But I do. This evening I popped down to Tesco to buy some dates and some chocolate. Originally I had wanted bananas, but they'd sold out. Anyway. I was in the queue waiting to pay, when I noticed something of a disagreement in the queue ahead of me. Withing seconds, two fifty something year-old men were threatening to knock each other out. As the men came in my direction, I instinctively tried to restrain one of the men, while thankfully, another passer-by restrained the other guy. Now I'm not trying to make myself out to be some sort of a hero - I just followed my instincts. I've broken up a few fights in my time, thats to be expected as a youth worker. But I have to admit I've never stood between two feuding fifty year olds. It really was rather strange.
I later found out that this whole fiasco had been caused by one of the men passing comment on how long the other was taking to pack and pay for his and his wife's shopping. I mean really, come on. Does it matter? Your fifty, but you're acting like you're fifteen.
On arriving home, I found myself watching a rather bizarre programme called A Week of Dressing Dangerously. Basically, some fashion expert, forced a housewife and mother of two, to parade around her local community in a range of ridiculous fashion disasters, culminating in a bunny girl outfit.
The point of this programme, as far as I could tell, was to help this poor woman learn something about herself and who she is, by reflecting on the fact that wearing different clothes caused her to act differently in a range of everyday situations. Wearing these different clothes 'liberated' her and helped her explore certain hidden aspects of her personality.
I don't want to go into the pschology of the programme, because I don't know an awful lot about psychology. But this programme intrigued me. Not only did it make me cringe every other minute, it also got me wondering about where people find there identity. It showed just how much this woman's behaviour changed depending on what she was wearing. It was almost as though the clothes she wore defined who she was and how she behaved.
Now I know that many people like to express their identity in the clothes they choose to wear, but I have a confession to make. I found it more than a little disturbing that this programme seemed to preach so blatently that your identity is defined solely by what you wear.
As I reflect on the events of this evening, I realise once again, that us humans are a funny lot.
a statement from taize
Frère Roger has entered the life of eternity
During the evening prayer on Tuesday 16 August, in the midst of the crowd surrounding the Community in the Church of Reconciliation, a woman - probably mentally disturbed - struck Brother Roger violently with knife blows. He died a few moments later.
In its sorrow, the Taizé Community thanks all those who are supporting it by their affection and their prayer. On the morning of 17 August, after Brother Roger’s death, the following prayer was read in the church:
“Christ of compassion, you enable us to be in communion with those who have gone before us, and who can remain so close to us. We confide into your hands our Brother Roger. He already contemplates the invisible. In his footsteps, you are preparing us to welcome a radiance of your brightness.”
The funeral of Brother Roger will take place on Tuesday 23 August at 14.00.
Each afternoon, from 15.00 to 19.00, his body is placed in the church of Taizé, so that all who wish may go and meditate close by him.
Eight years ago, Brother Roger designated Brother Alois to succeed him, as the person in charge of the community. Brother Alois has entered straightaway into his ministry as servant of communion at the heart of the community.
from the Taize website
taize founder dies after stabbing
The Taize religious community in eastern France, says its 90-year-old founder has died after a knife attack during a prayer service. Police detained a Romanian woman after the attack on Swiss-born Roger Schutz, who was known as Brother Roger.
Around 2,500 young people were at the Reconciliation church in Burgundy at the time of the attack.
Brother Roger founded the community during World War II when he provided refuge to people of all religions.
Brother Alois, 51, who Brother Roger had nominated to be his successor, was returning from the World Youth Day jamboree in Cologne to take his place, a community spokesman said.
The Taize community unites members of several Christian denominations from some 30 countries and attracts tens of thousands of young people each year for prayers and meditation.
Some of those at evening prayers on Tuesday are reported to have overpowered the woman after she stabbed Brother Roger.
"We are in shock; there is a lot of confusion here; nobody understands what happened," a nun told AFP.
Church leaders have paid tribute to Brother Roger.
German Prelate Heiner Koch said in a statement: "All the participants in World Youth Day are praying for this great figure. We express our deep compassion to the Taize community."
President of the French Bishops' Conference, Archbishop of Bordeaux Jean-Pierre Ricard, has written to the Taize community expressing his "deep grief" after the murder of "this great figure of a researcher and witness of God, impassioned by unity among Christians and reconciliation".
from BBC News
Around 2,500 young people were at the Reconciliation church in Burgundy at the time of the attack.
Brother Roger founded the community during World War II when he provided refuge to people of all religions.
Brother Alois, 51, who Brother Roger had nominated to be his successor, was returning from the World Youth Day jamboree in Cologne to take his place, a community spokesman said.
The Taize community unites members of several Christian denominations from some 30 countries and attracts tens of thousands of young people each year for prayers and meditation.
Some of those at evening prayers on Tuesday are reported to have overpowered the woman after she stabbed Brother Roger.
"We are in shock; there is a lot of confusion here; nobody understands what happened," a nun told AFP.
Church leaders have paid tribute to Brother Roger.
German Prelate Heiner Koch said in a statement: "All the participants in World Youth Day are praying for this great figure. We express our deep compassion to the Taize community."
President of the French Bishops' Conference, Archbishop of Bordeaux Jean-Pierre Ricard, has written to the Taize community expressing his "deep grief" after the murder of "this great figure of a researcher and witness of God, impassioned by unity among Christians and reconciliation".
from BBC News
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
church, pressure, time, worry....peace?
Speaking of which...on Sunday evening I was faced with the dilemma of where to go to church? Normally Sunday evenings are work time, but being the summer holidays the youth group is taking a break (even though young people are now even more bored thatn ever). I couldn't decide between somewhere that would be socially easy yet spiritually not where I'm at, or somewhere socailly difficult but more reflective, Taize-esque, a bit more where I'm at. I was sharing this 'dilemma' with a friend on MSN (philipjamesgoodacreAThotmailDOTcom - should you wish to add me). They pointed out that there is no way that I could recreate my time at Taize by going to a reflective, Taize-esque service, and that if I wanted some time to reflect, or to use their words, "spend some quality time with the Almighty", I don't need to go to church to do that.
It seemed like the most obvious thing in the world. I knew (somewhere in my head) that this was the case, but for some reason I felt that I ought to go to church. Scary.
Anyway, I went to possibly my favourite place to sit and 'be' for a while. It was great. As I walked up there, I was amazed by the colours around me.
The heather was so purple, and the clouds were kind of purpley-grey. As I sat for a while, I was reminded of Matthew 25-34, especially when Jesus talks about the lilies (He'd have spoke about the heather had He been doing His thing in the Peak District). I've had this bit of the Bible quoted at me so many times, but it still doesn't fully sink in, or rather, I need to be reminded of it time and time again. Perhaps we all do.
It seemed like the most obvious thing in the world. I knew (somewhere in my head) that this was the case, but for some reason I felt that I ought to go to church. Scary.
Anyway, I went to possibly my favourite place to sit and 'be' for a while. It was great. As I walked up there, I was amazed by the colours around me.
The heather was so purple, and the clouds were kind of purpley-grey. As I sat for a while, I was reminded of Matthew 25-34, especially when Jesus talks about the lilies (He'd have spoke about the heather had He been doing His thing in the Peak District). I've had this bit of the Bible quoted at me so many times, but it still doesn't fully sink in, or rather, I need to be reminded of it time and time again. Perhaps we all do.
taize, one week on
Well it's just over a week since I got back from Taize. It was never going to be a normal week, coming back from an experience like Taize is always going to give you things to think about and reflect on. Spending some time reflecting on where I'm going in life, about work and relationships, has been pretty tiring, and kind of stressful. I've struggled to concentrate on work (not much new there then), but it can be hard to focus on the short term things when you're considering some longer term things.
Perhaps I needed a bit of a kick up the back side. Maybe I was/am feeling too comfortable at the moment. A little bit of disruption cause you to reassess where things are going, whats important etc.
I know Taize gave me plenty of space to think and reflect. But it almost seems like all my questions about where my life is going, have come to a head after I get back. My initial thought was that this seems to be the wrong way round. It would have been great to reflect on some of these questions while away. But perhaps my time at Taize has shown me how much I need some structured reflective time (as against time when I just sit around and think about stuff as and when) in my daily life. It has shown me that I am able to be that disciplined.
Perhaps I needed a bit of a kick up the back side. Maybe I was/am feeling too comfortable at the moment. A little bit of disruption cause you to reassess where things are going, whats important etc.
I know Taize gave me plenty of space to think and reflect. But it almost seems like all my questions about where my life is going, have come to a head after I get back. My initial thought was that this seems to be the wrong way round. It would have been great to reflect on some of these questions while away. But perhaps my time at Taize has shown me how much I need some structured reflective time (as against time when I just sit around and think about stuff as and when) in my daily life. It has shown me that I am able to be that disciplined.
Saturday, August 13, 2005
this evening i found...
This evening I found two blogs belonging to people that I actually know. Which was nice. I first met Richard Passmore a few years ago when he was leading some training in detached youth work.
Amanda Roper is the wife of Neil, who was youth and children's worker at St. Thomas', Brampton. I used to go to St. Thomas' as a teenager, and my parents are still involved there.
Amanda Roper is the wife of Neil, who was youth and children's worker at St. Thomas', Brampton. I used to go to St. Thomas' as a teenager, and my parents are still involved there.
first 'proper' game
Today was my first 'proper' game of the season. Although I'd been to watch Chesterfield v Scarborough a couple of weeks back, pre-season friendlies don't count.
Disappointingly, and possibly rather unsurpisingly, Chesterfield played in a somewhat mediocre fashion this afternoon, which, predictably, led to a miserable 1-0 defeat at the hands of Rotherham. The weather was horrible. It had been raining for a good part of the day, and only stopped raining with about 5 minutes of the match to go.
Disappointingly, and possibly rather unsurpisingly, Chesterfield played in a somewhat mediocre fashion this afternoon, which, predictably, led to a miserable 1-0 defeat at the hands of Rotherham. The weather was horrible. It had been raining for a good part of the day, and only stopped raining with about 5 minutes of the match to go.
Friday, August 12, 2005
thoughts on life, dreams for the future.....
Some time ago I blogged about a couple of books, one called Sleeping with Bread: Holding What Gives You Life, the other called Healing the Purpose of Your Life. Both these books are written by the Linns - Dennis and Matthew (brothers) and Dennis' wife Sheila. The books are great. They're really easy to read with lots of pictures. They almost look like kids books, but they're not.
Anyway, why am I revisiting these books on my blog? Well. Both books are to do with the purpose of your life, trying to help you work out what it is that 'Gives You Life', what motivates you, what makes you tick, etc. Now I'm not saying that I've worked out what the purpose of my life is, but, as I reflect on my experiences at Taize there are a couple of things I've picked up on.
One of the things that moved me most during my week away was seeing the smiles on the faces of all the Brothers as they welcomed a new Brother into their community. It's moments like this in films that always get me emotional as well - seeing people having right relationships with one another, loving each other, caring for one another, accepting each other no matter what.
The second thing, which is kind of similar, is just the whole Taize experience itself. Seeing people come together, living as community together, accepting people no matter who they are or what they believe. It's how I think church ought to be. It's how I think society ought to be.
Some people reading this might think I'm getting a bit too idealistic, maybe even naive. I hope not. I think we need to dream big dreams, dreams that are unachieveble on our own, but not with God.
Anyway, why am I revisiting these books on my blog? Well. Both books are to do with the purpose of your life, trying to help you work out what it is that 'Gives You Life', what motivates you, what makes you tick, etc. Now I'm not saying that I've worked out what the purpose of my life is, but, as I reflect on my experiences at Taize there are a couple of things I've picked up on.
One of the things that moved me most during my week away was seeing the smiles on the faces of all the Brothers as they welcomed a new Brother into their community. It's moments like this in films that always get me emotional as well - seeing people having right relationships with one another, loving each other, caring for one another, accepting each other no matter what.
The second thing, which is kind of similar, is just the whole Taize experience itself. Seeing people come together, living as community together, accepting people no matter who they are or what they believe. It's how I think church ought to be. It's how I think society ought to be.
Some people reading this might think I'm getting a bit too idealistic, maybe even naive. I hope not. I think we need to dream big dreams, dreams that are unachieveble on our own, but not with God.
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