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Original poster

Graham, Gloria and Gossip! Religion Chat thread (part 4)

991 replies

nickelbabe · 06/08/2011 11:52

I know we've not officially finished the last one, but I wanted to get the link in before we ran out of room!

Everyone welcome - the aim of this thread is to generally chat about church life, or just gossip in general!
You don't have to be a regular church-goer, nor do you have to know what we're going on about!
It's not about debate, it's just about chatting
:)

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madhairday · 07/09/2011 15:27

It was amazing, Mary, such a special evening :) Still buzzing, though feel poorly today. Bishop was brilliant, he just brought the lighthearted touch it needed and the diocesan missioner did a fab talk. We were also commissioned as a family together, the children were made much of and told they were really the ones on the ground leading the way in pioneer ministry, the archdeacon told them he had some tins of rice pudding in his bag for them to make them strong for the task Grin and invited them to come and get them out of his bag, they went up and it was huge bags of maltesers, thought it was so nice and the whole thing engaged them so much as well as us. It definitely wasn't just about dh, it was a real sense of us being sent out together as a family with God's call on all of us.

So many people turned up, friends family and lots of local people, so it was fab. Feel like such a positive start. Felt great to be worshipping in the school hall too. We had some ace songs :) And a lovely worship band. Did not look much like an anglican licensing apart from the bit where the bishop had to do the wordy bit, but even that he made everyone laugh.

I loved the bit that dh did for the prayer activity, we gave everyone a tent peg to take home, he talked about how pioneers would always stake their claim, about how the tent was the place of God?s presence, and about how the tent would be extended. So the tent pegs were to help people remember to pray for the church plant. Powerful and exciting stuff.

So anyway - have waffled enough for now. You may see I am happy!!

Original poster
nickelbabe · 07/09/2011 15:28

aw, that's lovely.
I'm really glad it was done as a fmily welcoming/licensing rather than just DH - it really makes it a community thing, as you say.
Grin

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DutchOma · 07/09/2011 20:31

So pleased it went well MHD

Bluetinkerbell · 07/09/2011 21:55

hello everyone

MHD that sounds like an absolutely amazing service! Very exciting stuff
Is it a nice bishop you have? we've got different ones, I met ours beginning of June, and he was really nice, had a good chat with him.

Going to our Deanery Synod tomorrow, where they will be voting about the Women Bishops business. Going to be interesting! As our vicar hasn't had the guts to discuss it at PCC...

MaryBS · 08/09/2011 07:14

Sounds fab MHD :) Are you feeling better now?

Let us know how it goes, bluetinkerbell. Our last vicar wrote to the entire parish, explaining it all. Plus there have been diocesan presentations to explain it and answer questions.

madhairday · 08/09/2011 11:43

Oh hope it goes ok blue....dh had to go to one like that back in stoke - in fact he's going to a deanery synod tonight here - could it be the same one? (haven't got my geog sorted as yet and couldn't remember exactly where you are?)

We have Bishop Mark, he's absolutely lovely.

Thanks Mary. Not really better today. On more anti biotics. Seen new gp and he was brilliant. Everything is coming together so well. He is referring me to Heartlands CF unit in Birmingham so really will get the most up to date and best treatment there :)

Bluetinkerbell · 08/09/2011 12:16

we're in Penkridge deanery I think...
We've got Bishop Clive.

My formal talk with my vicar about training for ordination, which was scheduled for today got postponed, so I've got a little bit more time to finish my essay about vocation.

Original poster
nickelbabe · 08/09/2011 12:25

welcome to the thread Bluetinkerbell
:)

(i don't think i've seen you around on here before)

I haven't heard the latest on the Women Bishops - i think we have 1 member of our PCC on synod, but she's away at the moment.
there's nothing on the agenda on our next PCC meeting about it either.

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Original poster
nickelbabe · 08/09/2011 12:26

hope you get the right treatment soon mhd

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Bluetinkerbell · 08/09/2011 12:47

Hi nickel I'm active on the prayer thread! But MHD mentioned this thread yesterday, so I wandered over Wink

thejaffacakesareonme · 08/09/2011 13:13

MHD - so glad that everything is falling into place. The service sounds wonderful and it is great that the kids are settling into school. It all sounds very exciting!

madhairday · 09/09/2011 10:02

Morning everyone :)

We need a discussion, or something....I am stuck on sofa but not poorly enough to be not bored. It is our day off so I cannot do anything work related. Pleased actually because we are setting up loads of meetings and stuff but it is with both of us, not just dh, he has the official title but I'm the other half of the job as it were, feels so great...diary is filling up scarily quickly.

Bluetinkerbell · 09/09/2011 10:16

Right, so I went to the Deanery Synod last night, just as an observer.
It was extremely interesting, that's to say the least Wink
So they had to vote on the motion about the Women Bishops Measure. First some people were allowed to speak and put their opinion forward and then there was the vote. Most people spoke against the Measure. The Motion was then passed. Then there was put forward a following Motion by the CEEC, which asks to put forward amendments to the Women Bishops Measure... and this following Motion was passed as well!
I really don't understand. So the majority agrees with the Measure and then in the following motion disagrees with it? Very strange!

Will have to ask my vicar for some clarification on the matter.
We have a benefice of 2 churches, and the other church has got resolution A and B in place, the only church in our deanery... it makes it very difficult for our church to appoint someone in a few years when our vicar will retire.

Original poster
nickelbabe · 09/09/2011 10:51

You'll probably find yourselves in the same position as us - where yo uhave to make a Team Ministry with other churches in your area.
It's going that way a lot these days because there just isn't the money coming in.

I don't understand passing the motion for amendments as well as passing the motion for the measure either! Confused
It might just be that they're FOR in principle, but some of the finer points need clearing up.

As a woman, I can't understand why the hell it's such a big issue having women leading the church - fgs, they've led the family since the beginning of time, and have done a much better job than the men can! And they're (in general) less judgemental too.
Of course, most of the women priests I've come across are far too progressional especially in regard to music and method of worship.

My feelings are: if it works, then leave it be! (you can always add services if you really want something HC.... Grin )

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madhairday · 09/09/2011 11:50

Grin nickel

Can understand the if it works leave it be thing, but what if it doesn't work? Sometimes you have to be harsh to progress....

Anyway, I too don't get the whole double contrary motion thingy either. Daft. And I'm firmly with you nickel on women leading. I know many outstanding women vicars/curates, and they'd make excellent bishops too :) Grin

Original poster
nickelbabe · 09/09/2011 11:58
Grin it has been shown by surveys etc, that churches that have good organists, and good choirs are more successful in music terms than those who don't - it's basically, if the effort is there, then the church becomes a destination for those who want to be part of that scene. (okay, ours falls down somewhat on not having the facilities to train new singers, which becomes a fast downward spiral)

but yes, if it doesn't work, then be harsh. My main concern is getting the wrong person in to "improve" stuff, then finding it makes it very very worse.
The main quality of a good Priest-in-charge or Vicar is to be able to pick up on the strengths of their parish and work on those.
and the best Bishops are those that recognise that there should be something for everyone - like our current Bishop, who is totally lovely on that - he believes that there should be choice, and that all progression is not necessarily a good thing.
Grin

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madhairday · 09/09/2011 12:34

Agreed, in the main! Grin

So weird to be in such a different post now - nothing to 'change' or 'improve' or even keep the same!

Original poster
nickelbabe · 09/09/2011 12:44

you're very lucky there Grin
it would be so much more tricky to have to "please all of the people all of the time" Grin

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madhairday · 14/09/2011 12:26

Where is everyone then?

Things going so well here. DC loving their new school. I am meeting up with a school mum later, will be nice to have a familiar face at the school gates, she seems lovely.

Dh is down to preach in oct at a big local church and has asked me to preach with him as it is on sickness and healing. aaaaaaaggggghhhhhhh

Original poster
nickelbabe · 14/09/2011 12:47

afternoon!
Grin

I've been working hard trying to find a solution to my computer problem.
I don't think I ever will.
It's a sad day, because all of my POS (posters, leaflets, flyers, info to schools, business cards, etc) is done through that programme, and nothing else can readit.

Gladyour DCs are enjoying their new school :)

ooh, scary!

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Bluetinkerbell · 15/09/2011 17:11

Just a question, as I'm thinking ahead a bit. Are you doing an Alternative Halloween celebration in your parish?
i'm thinking of organising some lantern making and cards for the children to hand out when they go round the village. I would set up a trail for them to follow and possibly do some stops at certain places where they can do a task and get some sweets.

Original poster
nickelbabe · 15/09/2011 17:15

We do - we have a party in St Mary's called "the Alternative" - it's basically for younger children, they play games and do bible stuff and learn about God - it's just like a club for the day.

They don't focus on hallowe'en at all - just Jesus stuff.

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madhairday · 15/09/2011 19:31

We will probably do something here, not sure yet.

ds' cubs are having a 'spooky sleepover' weekend but I hate it all, it's all 'going to see the Poltergeist in the forest' and 'sleeping in coffins after ghost stories', poor ds will be traumatised, so we will say no to that. I know it is all done in harmless fun and all that but I find the darkness behind it all heavy and oppressive. So hard though when you're trying to be counter cultural ...

Original poster
nickelbabe · 16/09/2011 16:08

'tis a bit overbearign for the littlies.
It would be nice if they could ignore it.

having said that, I had a lovely Hallowe'en thing in my shop lsat year - I decorated the shop with spooky stuff and had a lucky dip (it was free, and was mostly sweets as prizes!)
will probably do the same this year.

I'm struggling with Communications atthe moment - we've produced a calendar, and noone is willing to set a price for it! I've got a box full here, and I can't putthem on sale until we have a price! We got htem through teamcalendars website, and they cost £3.99 each copy - I put forward a suggested price of £6.99, based on the fact that a) it's a fundraiser for the church and b) if we don't sell them all, I've got to foot the bill anyway, so we might as well get the money back (i've paid for them up-front and have agreed only to take the money back on those that sell - if they don't all sell, I'll have paid for them)
The PCC has decreed that £6.99 is too steep, but, as usual, it's been deferred to the Comms Group to discuss, which means that noone has a better suggestion for price!

What does everyone else think?
£6.99 would give us £3 for funds, £5.99 (or £6) would give us £2 for funds.

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DutchOma · 16/09/2011 18:18

Do £4.99 and only have a £1 for funds. At least you have a chance to get (some) of your money back.

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