St Cuthberts Church

Dance

2008-11-20T09:40:00.002Z

Dance like no-one is watching Sing like no-one is listening and Love like you have never been hurt.

Unique

2008-11-20T09:38:00.001Z

Doctor,
I can’t stop singing ‘The Green, Green Grass of Home.’
“That sounds like Tom Jones Syndrome.”
“Is it common?”
Well,
“It’s Not
Unusual.”

Web Stats 10 - 16 November 2008

2008-11-20T09:37:00.002Z

Grace

2008-11-16T09:53:00.000Z

Justice - when you get what you deserve

Mercy - when you don't get what you deserve

Grace - when you get what you don't deserve

Web Stats 3 - 9 November'09

2008-11-10T16:57:00.002Z

You

2008-11-07T22:13:00.002Z

You are a valuable person

You are a special person

You are a unique person

You are beautiful

You are precious

You are unrepeatable

You are mysterious

You are a beautiful human person

No one will ever exist like You

No one will ever experience the life You have experienced

You are a collection of specialness that has never been put together before

Your life deserves a film premiere at a west end cinema

You are so special and valuable that Jesus died for You

He loves You so much that he has given his life for You

His love is completely and totally 100% for You

His love for You is unconditional

If You became a better person now, today, God couldn't love You anymore tomorrow.

His love for You is total now and he cannot love You anymore.

You are 100% totally and completely loved.

Trying

2008-11-07T22:12:00.002Z

Just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to,doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have.

Opposite

2008-11-07T22:08:00.001Z

I am the opposite to boring
I am the opposite to depressing
I am the opposite to ugly
I am the opposite to stupid
I am the opposite to successful
I am the opposite to smart
I am the opposite to intelligent
I am the opposite to rich
I am the opposite to frozen
I am the opposite to perfect
I am the opposite to complete
I am the opposite to settled
I am the opposite to content
I am the opposite to being
I am the opposite to hard
I am the opposite to silent
I am the opposite to paused
I am the opposite to country
I am the opposite to still
I am the opposite to death
I am the opposite to
I am the opposite to
I am the opposite to
I am the opposite to
I am the opposite to
I have left some blanks for you to complete ....................... ?

Web Stats 27 Oct - 2 Nov 2008

2008-11-07T22:05:00.002Z

Web Stats 20 - 26 October 2008

2008-11-07T22:00:00.001Z

Web Stats 13 - 19 Oct'08

2008-10-20T18:06:00.001+01:00

Web stats update - From 8 Sept - 19 Oct'08

2008-10-20T18:03:00.001+01:00

Web States 25 - 31 August'08

2008-09-05T20:59:00.001+01:00

Web Stats 18 - 24 August '08

2008-08-26T16:56:00.002+01:00

Greenbelt

2008-08-19T17:17:00.003+01:00

@ Greenbelt .......

Help us remember that the idiot who cut us up in trafficis a single Mother who has worked nine hours that day and is rushing to Greenbelt to cook a meal and settle the kids down so they can have a good first day at the festival and spend a few precious moments with her friends who have saved hard to get to Greenbelt.

Help us to remember that the pierced, tattooed, disinterested young man who can't handle his change correctly is a worried YMCA Hostel resident who is behind in his rent and cannot afford the cheapest hotdog on site. At the same time balancing his apprehension over his fear of not getting on well with the group he came with.

Remind us Lord, that the scary looking young woman rolling her eyes and cannot stop moving her body, is a recovering slave to addictions that we can only imagine in our worst nightmares.

Remind us that the scars of the self harming woman, scarred for life, is just like me with my scars that and hinder and equip at the same time. And remember that we, maybe, can just hide ours better.

Help us to remember that the old couple walking annoyingly slow through the festival site and blocking our processare savouring this moment, knowing that, based on the biopsy report she got back last week, this will be the last year that they will be at Greenbelt together.

Creator God, remind us each day that, of all the gifts you give us, the greatest gift is love. That it is not enough to share that love with those we hold dear. But those for who, on first impressions, make us shudder, or sigh or grunt with irritability.

Open our soul and press your finger tip right on that part, the part to raise your love to the surface. So it touches the practical. The proactive. The love department.

www.pipwilson.com

Web Stats 11 - 17 August'08

2008-08-19T17:09:00.002+01:00

Web stats 4 - 10 August 2008

2008-08-11T16:21:00.001+01:00

Web Stats 28 July - 3 August'08

2008-08-04T16:27:00.002+01:00

2008-08-01T18:13:00.000+01:00

2008-08-01T18:08:00.000+01:00

Just becausesomeone doesn't love youthe way you want them to,doesn't meanthey don't love youwith all they have.

Web Stats 21 - 27 July'08

2008-08-01T18:06:00.000+01:00

Web Stats 14 - 21 July '08

2008-08-01T18:03:00.000+01:00

July

2008-07-17T09:07:00.000+01:00

Quotes

2008-07-17T09:05:00.000+01:00

Web stats 7 - 13 July'08

2008-07-15T19:12:00.001+01:00

Web stats 30 June - 6 July 2008

2008-07-07T17:30:00.002+01:00

All St Cuthberts Man

2008-06-30T16:20:00.000+01:00

St Cuthberts Men's forum

http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/stcuthbertsmen/

Web Stats 23 - 29 June 2008

2008-06-30T16:16:00.001+01:00

Web Stats 16 - 22 June 2008

2008-06-23T16:53:00.000+01:00

Web Stats 9 - 15 June 2008

2008-06-16T17:26:00.002+01:00

Web state 26 May - 1 June

2008-06-05T21:54:00.002+01:00

Freedom

2008-05-28T16:53:00.001+01:00

Everybody knows that they're guilty
Everybody knows that they've lied
Everybody knows that they're guilty
Resting on their conscience eating their inside
It's freedom, said it's freedom time now
It's freedom, said it's freedom time now
Time to get free, oh give yourselves up now
It's freedom, said it's freedom time

2008-05-26T10:41:00.002+01:00

..... here you see Albert Einstein .

Step back from your screen and look at it from a distance and tell me who it is??
Come on, get off your chair and walk away to the other side of the room ......

Web stats 19 - 25 May 2008

2008-05-26T10:34:00.002+01:00

Web stats 12 - 18 May'08

2008-05-19T16:16:00.001+01:00

Battle & Buddah

2008-05-18T15:04:00.000+01:00

"In a battle, the winners and the losers lose"
Buddha

Canterbury Cathedral is littered with memories of the dead.
Famous humans of an era long gone.
Tombs of Archbishops of Canterbury's.
Read the memorial on this one.
I love what Buddha says.

And this applies in the office, the factory, the youth club, the pub and street .......
If we want to win, not serve - give, there is a a hole in the soul ........

Web stats 5 - 11 May 2008

2008-05-18T15:03:00.002+01:00

Web Stats 28 April - 4 May

2008-05-05T08:57:00.002+01:00

Dance

2008-05-03T07:12:00.003+01:00

Dance like no one is watching

Sing like no one is listening

And love like you have never been hurt.

Gift From God

2008-04-30T17:27:00.001+01:00

Gifts often come wrapped differently.
Some
BIG
small
delicately wrapped,
in plain brown paper,
glittery
shiny,
tied in ribbons.

You are precious
Valuable
Special - in extreme
A GIFT from God to this World Community

The worst thing anyone can do is to get a gift
and leave it unwrapped –
-not revealing the gift inside.

You are a gift from God and the worst thing is for you to stay
unwrapped.
You have so much to offer –
and that is your
uniqueness –
difference
than every other person
on the planet.

If we unwrap – feel a bit naked,
we grow
If we stay unwrapped,
closed,
unknown,
un - revealed to others
we do not share our uniqueness,
we take no risks.

In a couple of my books I talk about
'Level 5 communication'
and I want to walk you through the levels ::
Level 1
Cliché ::
is when we communicate in cliché –
“lovely weather we are having” -
so natural to say to strangers
but
so boring with intimate friends
and
those we wish to relate too better.

Level 2
Facts ::
This level is when we
communicate facts only.
Retelling what we have done,
What we saw on TV,
viewed at the football match.
Interesting, maybe, but only for a little while.

Level 3
Opinions ::
This level we start to unwrap a little –
it is when we give opinions
we give something of ourselves away
(maybe about the TV programme or football).
Watch out here – others could disagree.

Level 4
Feelings ::
This is the big start of real communication – unwrapping.
Level 4 is all about feelings.
When we are honest to another about our
feelings which are active - here and now - right there in our interior self.
How we are feeling within – emotional stuff.
When, are are willing to take that step, we reveal/unwrap these –
we are taking risks
but wonderfully so.
People begin to understand our human beautifulness.
We become more alive to them.
The relationship becomes alive.

Level 5
Total Openness ::
This is the target.
Maybe never achieved.
It is total openness,
feelings,
honesty –
fully unwrapped.
This, I believe,
is beautiful.
This is how all people best open up,
grow, develop, change.
And I believe that the better we become at this –
the warmer,
the more beautiful
we can become - in our 'becoming'.

We can ‘Level 5’ with our partners.
With our friends.
Work mates.
God too!

It all begins with taking the risk
taking off wrappings
share the gift we are
with others
not waiting for others.

or we can stay
a gift unwrapped
a beautiful human
'being'
not
a beautiful human
'becoming'

You are much more than I can see.
.......... will you take a peek?

© Pip Wilson

Web State 21 - 27 April

2008-04-28T16:38:00.000+01:00

Friends

2008-04-22T17:29:00.002+01:00

Web Stats 14 - 20 April '07

2008-04-22T17:26:00.001+01:00

Not Afraid

2008-04-15T17:20:00.000+01:00

Why am I afraid to tell you who I am?
because if I tell you who I am,
and you don't like who I am,
that is all I have".

This is the 'Not Afraid' Mission for this blog.
I want to bleed openness - reality - the good, the bad, and the beautiful!

Butterfly Effect

2008-04-14T09:00:00.001+01:00

Take a living child and
sew him up in a
dead mans skin.

Grandfather
has come back to life.

I read that recently, about how children become just like their Grandfather, or Grandmother, with values, attitudes, principles and behaviour.

Grandfather has come back to life.

'Each recruit of the human race
is a the instrument for what is called socialisation,
that is, getting each new recruit to the human race
to behave and experience in substantially
the same way as those who are already here.'

As I see it, my Mission
is about facilitating opportunities
for humans to grow and develop
to be
all that they can become.

"A caterpillar looks nothing like a butterfly
but one develops from the other"

I believe that.
I believe that for humans too!

Often beautiful humans are trapped in a dead persons skin.
They don't know any other options - often.
There is a beautiful human in there - trying to get out.
And that is where other humans, like you and me, comes in.
In the process of working at our own stumbling development, we are aiming to be of some support and usefulness to others.

Thirty years ago I was leading a team of forty Youth Worker on the streets/clubs of East London.
Once a month we had a Training evening.
A skilled human from outside came in and I, the Team Leader, became a peer in learning alongside my colleagues.
Having a strategic plan of how to take in - vital!
We all need to take in as well as give out.

I leave you with a quote - so undress your soul - here it comes::

"Everything depends on the lens you use.
Make your gaze beautiful. "

John O'Donohue

Web State 7 - 14 April 2008

2008-04-14T08:55:00.002+01:00

Web Stats - 31 March - 6 April

2008-04-08T17:26:00.002+01:00

I want to be whole?

2008-04-04T15:28:00.001+01:00

I want to be whole
No I don't
To be perfect.........
Is ..........
Not to be
Not to happen.

Reminds me of the story, a man saw the butterfly struggle as it tried to break out of it's chrysalis. So, with small scissors, he cut through the binding, locking, gripping chrysalis and the butterfly struggled free.

Then it flopped fell over could not move it's wings weak, never to fly.

The very act in the struggle it to gain strength.

The worst times in my life I fear them even now yet looking back, they were the greatest in terms of
living,
learning,
strength,
wisdom,
sensitivity,
self awareness,
life .............

I don't want to be whole. I want to journey in that direction
I want to shout
I want to sing
I am free
I am free
I am free indeed.

Join me?
Or do you think that is all talk mad rubbish? and someone else but in to my wisdom with better words - but I can take it - I want it EVEN

"The whole person is on the one side open to God,
and on the other side open to other people.
The isolated individual is not a real person,
for a real person lives in and for others.
This idea...could be summed up under the word love.
We become truly personal by loving God and by loving other humans.
By love,
I don’t mean merely an emotional feeling,
but a fundamental attitude.
In its deepest sense,
love is the life,
the energy,
of the Creator in us.
We are not truly human as long as we are turned in on ourselves.
We become whole only insofar as we face others, and relate to them."

Pip Wilson

SHOW ME !!!!

2008-04-04T15:22:00.002+01:00

Web Stats 24 - 30 March

2008-03-31T17:52:00.002+01:00

Web Stats 17 -0 23 March

2008-03-31T17:51:00.002+01:00

Easter Day

2008-03-23T15:32:00.002Z

It is Easter Day now.....

TodayI must revisit an Easter experience which I have walked to every year - some years. Todaywill always be a special day, not what you think. This is a human thing. The human I am thinking ofwas 21 not 33, when the last breath cameEaster Day - Not Good Friday. This humanI loved worked withLived withinmy soul. A beautiful humanI know - loved - worked with .... and ...... she was 21 ........when ......... she was found dead with a cocktail of drugs .......This day I will always remember. This day I will always remember her .....This day, today, I would love to post a photograph of her hanging around my neck - so close ......But would not be right .........But I will share with you the words I clicked ........ about her.

PIPSPOEM=========
alcoholic at birth
mothers addiction
father loss, disaster
later fateful crack overdose
and years of homes sometimes called 'care'.
Mother herselfall too young
very young
without parental models in adequate sometimes called 'it's the parents fault'
raped and abused
abused and robbed
fragmented like hellsometimes called 'tormented'drugs
and crime
crime and drugs
suck the life
drain the soul
shred the person
sometimes called 'deprivation'

ymca hostel
mission to care
mission to support
mission to develop
sometimes called 'hope'
as thin as a rake
loud and screaming
tearful and down
always a name call
always my name
sometimes called 'erratic'
drugs on off drugs
relationships on
chemical relationship on
struggle to sustain
loved and hated
sometimes called 'dependent'
alone on her own
found on her own
died on her own
lay still on her own
only chemical friends
sometimes called 'overdose'
tears of the crowd
loss in community
death lurks us all
quiet at last
tears run silent
sobs rack deep
world loses a character
sometimes called 'bereavement'
how do I feel
the feelings are deep
she was driving blindfoot on disaster
hard as nails
fragile and bruised
beautifully broken
sometimes called 'love'
creator loved
creator loves
precious child
valuable lifeloss loss loss
sometimes called 'a waste'never lived
only survived
we need to carein life
before death
we need to lovemore-
so the brokenmore-
so the damaged
more-so when it's impossible
more-so before it is too late
sometimes called 'reflective learning
'let these little ones
come to me
of such
is the kingdom of heaven
the master said
the master repeats
nowwhen it matter
she retains the loving
continues the loving
the creator of love
keeps showing us teaching us
demonstrating to us
sometimes called'eternal love ever lasting
love to a person
for a person we will remember eternally and everlasting'

pip wilson 14.04.04

Five Minutes

2008-03-22T16:14:00.004Z

"Life may be brimming over with experiences, but somewhere, deep inside, all of us carry a vast fruitful loneliness wherever we go. And sometimes the most important thing in a whole day is the rest we take between two deep breaths, or the turning inward in prayer for five short minutes."

It is from the book of diaries from Etty Hillesum ...
she
was killed by the Nazis in a concentration camp in
1943.........................

As If

2008-03-21T16:08:00.003Z

True or Not ??

2008-03-18T16:26:00.001Z

This was sent to me via e-mail. I do not know if it is true or not?

A Muslim man in Egypt killed his wife because she was reading the Bible and
then buried her with their infant baby and 8-year old daughter. The girls
were buried alive! He then reported to the police that an uncle killed the
kids. 15 days later, another family member died. When they went to bury him,
they found the 2 little girls under the sand - ALIVE!

The country is outraged over the incident, and the man will be executed. The
older girl was asked how she had survived. "A man wearing shiny white
clothes, with bleeding wounds in his hands, came every day to feed us. He
woke up my mom so she could nurse my sister," she said. She was interviewed
on Egyptian national TV, by availed Muslim woman news anchor. She said on
public TV, "This was none other than Jesus, because nobody else does things
like this!"

Muslims believe Isa (Jesus) would do this, but the wounds mean He really was
crucified, and it's clear also that He is alive! But, it's also clear that
the child could not make up a story like this, and there is no way these
children could have survived without a true miracle. Muslim leaders are
going to have a hard time to figure out what to do with this, and the
popularity of the Passion movie doesn't help! With Egypt at the centre of
the media and education in the Middle East , you can be sure this story will
spread.

Christ is still turning the world upside down! Please let this story be
shared. The Lord says, "I will bless the person who puts his trust in me.
"Jeremiah 17

Web Stats 10 - 16 March 2008

2008-03-18T16:06:00.001Z

Web State 3 - 9 March 2008

2008-03-11T10:23:00.002Z

You

2008-03-06T18:06:00.001Z

You!

	You are a valuable person You are a special person You are a unique person You are beautiful You are precious You are unrepeatable You are mysterious You are a beautiful human person No one will ever exist like You No one will ever experience the life You have experienced You are a collection of specialness that has never been put together before Your life deserves a film premiere at a west end cinema You are so special and valuable that Jesus died for You He loves You so much that he has given his life for You His love is completely and totally 100% for You His love for You is unconditional If You became a better person now, today, God couldn't love You anymore tomorrow. His love for You is total now and he cannot love You anymore. You are 100% totally and completely loved. Pip Wison

To Be a Christian

2008-03-05T17:09:00.002Z

Wed Stats 25 Feb - 2 March

2008-03-03T08:13:00.001Z

Web State 18 - 24 Feb

2008-03-03T08:12:00.004Z

Web State 11 - 17 Feb

2008-03-03T08:12:00.002Z

Web stats 4 - 11 Feb

2008-03-03T08:09:00.002Z

Web Stats 28 January - 3 February

2008-02-12T09:45:00.000Z

2008-02-02T16:03:00.000Z

2008-01-27T13:50:00.001Z

Life

2008-01-27T09:25:00.000Z

2008-01-25T16:40:00.000Z

May God bless you with discomfort

At easy answers, half truths and superficial relationships,

So that you may live deep within your heart

May God bless you with anger

At injustice, oppression and exploitation of people,

So that you may work for justice, freedom and peace.

May God bless you with tears

To shed for those who suffer pain, rejection, hunger and war,

So that you may reach out your hand to comfort and

To turn their pain into joy.

And may God bless you with enough foolishness

To believe that you can make a difference in the world,

So you can do what others claim cannot be done

To bring justice and kindness to all our children and the poor

Web State 14 - 20 January 2008

2008-01-24T17:31:00.001Z

Web State 7 - 13 January 2008

2008-01-16T17:23:00.000Z

Web Stats 31 December - 6 January 2008

2008-01-07T17:28:00.000Z

Web State 24 - 30 December 2007

2008-01-01T18:21:00.000Z

Web Stats 17 - 23 December 2007

2007-12-24T12:24:00.001Z

Web Site State 10 - 16 December '07

2007-12-17T16:46:00.001Z

Web Site Stats 3 - 9 December 2007

2007-12-12T10:39:00.000Z

Web State 26 Nov - 2 Dec 07

2007-12-04T11:05:00.001Z

Darkness to light

2007-12-02T20:52:00.001Z

Some more wonderful people relaxing at home with God

Darkness to light

2007-12-02T20:45:00.001Z

Some beautiful people that I have the honour of knowing.

God is using all these people every day.

2007-11-30T14:55:00.000Z

2007-11-26T09:09:00.001Z

Web Stats 19 - 21 November 2007

2007-11-26T09:05:00.001Z

2007-11-25T16:01:00.000Z

Web Site Stats from 12 - 18 November 2007

2007-11-24T16:03:00.000Z

May God Bless You

2007-11-16T15:10:00.001Z

Web Site Stats 5 - 11 November 2007

2007-11-16T15:08:00.001Z

Web Site Stats 28 Oct - 4 Nov

2007-11-08T17:02:00.000Z

All Teenage Children

2007-11-06T09:20:00.000Z

Can I encourage you to chat to your teenage children about Rich Youngman's Campaigners Group [for Year 10 and above] being held at The Mannamead Centre [Baptist Church former cafe on Burford Street] on Monday 12th November from 7.30 till 9.30 and then every fortnight after that from 8-9.30.

Campaigners is for teenagers who have a little experience and knowledge of the Christian faith but want to explore it in a safe environment with their peers. They can also be mentored by an adult with whom they can form positive relationships - thats Rich, Alfie [co-leader] or Elaine [Rich's wife], or other volunteer leaders coming on stream.

There are about 4 already in the group, and Rich is keen to open it up to others - maybe a small group can agree to come [safety in numbers!!]. If any teenager wants to email Rich and find out more then please do so on rich@younglifehoddesdon.org or phone his office on 01992 509001.

Can I encourage you parents to encourage your children - its a great opportunity for your children to grow their faith safely and with adult mentoring and support, and of course, you are welcome to attend as well [briefly though as it is the teenagers' space and time primarily].

If you are aware of others who may be interested, please copy this email or give them Rich's contact numbers.

Any further help or advice, please feel free to contact Rich or myself.

Thanks
Dave Lee

This is Interesting

2007-11-02T16:25:00.000Z

Since the 13 September 2007; when a web counter was put on to our web site, until now 2 November 2007, 473 people have visited our web site.

Most of them are from the UK but it is great to see the 24 people from Argentina, 6 people from the USA and a visior from Australia.

Web site stats 22 - 28 October 2007

2007-11-01T12:56:00.001Z

Web site stats - 15 - 21 October 2007

2007-10-27T13:43:00.000+01:00

Broxbourne - Street Pastors

2007-10-19T11:14:00.000+01:00

Friday 12th October 2007 Janet, Dave, David and Dan

Well, another evening full of events, for Group 1. We meet at Rosedale Church and as Pam is away on holiday Daniel came out with us.

Hoddesdon - We met up with a group of about 8 boys age between 16yrs, and 17 who attend St Mary’s School in Bishops Stortford and live in the Broxbourne area. They said there was someone famous from Big Brother going to ‘Faces’ (night club) that night. As we stood talking, a stretch limo went round to the club but we don’t know who it was. These boys were on their way home because they were too young for ‘Faces’. We also spoke to a doorman (Pete) outside the Salisbury Arms who was going to be outside till around 12.30am. We spoke to 3 men outside the Swan pub one of whom Dave knew and we stood talking for awhile. We said hi to a lot of people and most said hi back. When we got down the end by Barclays, we found a large group of girls and a few boys. We crossed over and walked through the group. Then Dave and I spoke to a few 15 yr old girls, told them who we were and were volunteers, and they were very surprised that we would be out. A young male about the same age as the girls came over and told us "Hey, I know about Street Pastors and I'm a Christian too". He was quite pleased to tell us this. We said well done, and he walked away. We thought how brave of him in front of all his mates. Again we carried on walking towards the clock tower, met another 3 girls getting into a car. After another short conversation they told us they were not driving but one of their sisters was taking them home. Daniel and David spoke to a few people to, including a lady around 20 yrs old, she was out with her mates, but they were younger than her, and she was going to catch them up, or go home. David found some money laying on they floor but as there was no one around, it was decided that david would put it in the collection box at his church. We walked to Sainsburys but hardly anyone was there so we went back to our car.

Old Pond - We broke again into 2 groups. We are pleased to report there were hardly any boys or girls in the park but when we got out the other side some of the kids came over and told us there had been a fight out side the kebab shop. We saw no evidence of this but we did split into 2 groups again and walked all around the old pond to the Victoria pub. There were a lot of people outside and Daniel and Dave were surrounded by a small group of 2 girls and 2 boys. The boys stood up and chatted with Dan and Dave, but the girls had their photos taken with them instead! They seemed to enjoy the attention!!! David and I went over, had a photo taken as a group, and we went on. Outside the Firkin Pub David and I meet a young man called Dan who told us about one of the pubs that allow underage drinkers in. Also that the bouncers and bar staff were selling drugs and that it was very easy to get hold of drugs. He said that there should be bins outside the pubs, with sand in, for cigarette butts instead of letting people just putting them on the floor. On our way back to the cars we stopped to talk to the driver of a coach outside Wolsey Hall who had brought a party from Stansted.

Waltham Cross - We parked at the back of the Post Office and we met up with a few people. Dave and David were talking to a homeless 15 yr old boy who said he was chucked out of his temporary housing. He had been threatened by the nephew of the family who lives there. We called the police, who took just under the hour to arrive. We brought some chips for every one which helped pass the time, mind you, they were yummy. The police officer said that there weren't a lot that they could do and after sometime the police men left, leaving George with us. We stood back and prayed about the situation we were left in, and 2 mins later 2 girls got off the bus and he went home with them. PRAISE the LORD, AMEN.

We must also thank Alison for her support on the phone and Jo, from Enfield Street Pastors, who kindly came to give us a helping hand on her way home, even though we had the LORDS hand there. Thanks Alison and Jo.

Web Site Updates

2007-10-15T17:11:00.001+01:00

Number of visitors to our web site from 8 - 14 October 2007

Set back

2007-10-13T20:52:00.000+01:00

Its been very frustrating. Last week my computer stopped working. After many attempts to fix it, I finally had to completely wipe the hard drive and reload everything.

The computer is still not back to how I would like it, but at least I can update the Church web site again.

I am sorry to those of you have have been downloading the Sunday newsletter on Thursday evening. I could not upload it until Saturday.

However, all seems to be working now.

Web Site State

2007-10-04T08:21:00.000+01:00

FRom Monday 24 - Sunday 30 September 2007

Web Site Stats

2007-09-27T14:21:00.001+01:00

Number of web site visits from Monday 17 - Sunday 23 September 2007

Music Added to our Web Site

2007-09-22T17:18:00.000+01:00

I have just spent several hours adding a music sound track to the St Cuthberts web site. This music is on the home page and also on the "Sky" page in "What kids do".

So far feed back has been quite positive about the web site, although there are a number of areas where it could be better. So, while positive feed back is very welcome, you are also welcome to make suggestions, re-write some of the pages etc.

Thanks - Ian .A

Web Site Stats

2007-09-21T17:51:00.001+01:00

St Cuthberte updated Web site went live on the very late evening of Wednesday 12 September.

These are the numbers of people that visited our web site from Wednesday 12 - Sunday 16 September '07.

Children's work at St Cuthberts - much to be thankful for

2007-09-19T07:55:00.000+01:00

Last Thursday Diane Healey and I attended the first of a number of meets for children's workers organised by the 2 youth advisers for the dioceses of St Albans and Bedford. This was for our area covering a couple of deaneries (the group structure next up from a parish for those who aren't familiar with the jargon). We heard a catalogue of stories from churches with no proper facilities for running Sunday schools (operating behind a curtain at the back of a church during the service, or in a hall the other side of an A road), shortage of adult leaders, shortage of children -a Sunday school run for 4 children once a month.

Which rather put us on the spot because our children's work (called Special Branch rather than Sunday school) has had a steady supply of children and leaders for the last 15 years. We've rarely had less than 10 children and numbers have gone past 20. Apparently this is out of the ordinary. At least for a congregation with an electoral roll (membership) just over 100. And let's not forget that we have had healthy numbers 10-20 of teenagers during that time as well. Plus a creche team. And Diane and I were surprised - we had no idea that as a church we had been so blessed. We struggle sometimes to find leaders but our regular team comprises 4 leaders and 4 helpers.

We were asked what we attributed this to. And all I could think of was the child friendly attitude of the congregation. We have got used to children (of all ages!) wandering around the church during the services. And we have had frequent reports that one of the reasons families coming to a service at St Cuthberts for the first time like it is that they don't need to worry about controling their childrens' behaviour or risking stares and glares. It also leads to the children feeling relaxed because they aren't being expected to sit in rows and to do as they are told. It doesn't mean that our services are chaotic - relaxed more like.

Some churches are going to struggle with this - feeling that children should be trained to prepare for a lifetime of churchgoing and you don't do this by letting them do their own thing. My counter to this would be that our responsibility to them is to bring them up in the faith and this is very much more than churchgoing. Churchgoing in our lifetime has already changed markedly - with many people not attending twice a Sunday or even once a week. It is likely to change even more in the next 30 years. We cannot make service attendance the goal of Christian education. When they reach adulthood our children will discover that gathering together with other Christians around the Eucharist and the regular teaching programme is essential to keeping their faith on track. But it isn't the point of the exercise. Following Jesus is. And that is what we have to teach our children and young people.

Adulthood isn't the point either. It was Jesus himself who said If you don't accept the kingdom of God like a child - you'll never get in.

Experiment

2007-09-12T09:08:00.000+01:00

This blog is very much an experiment.

I do not even know how many of St Cuthbert’s congregation even visit the Church’s web site.

The updated web site went on line very late on the evening of 11 September 2007. This blog was attached to the web site as a way for church members to communicate in an informal way. It stemmed from a comment made by David Lee at a Church service on Sunday 9 September.

Dave said, “Some of you may be interested in this” and proceeded to give a short message. He then said, “I have left a printed sheet at the back of the Church, but only a few copies”.

I confess, that when Dave started his announcement I got side tracked and missed the whole message. I then thought that it would be great if David could have put this message up for everyone to read. Like a number of people I do not get to Church every Sunday and as such the updated web site and this blog can keep us all up to date.

However, as I have already said, this is an experiment and only the second blog I have created. For people to comment on this blog they need to be registered users; as this is the only way I could see to set the blog up.

All Church members are invited to become registered users. Please contact me at ian@iandrews.plus.com