Choirs, worship songs, after service coffee - the all new religion chat thread

[niminypiminy]

A new place for us to share the lovely, silly and annoying things that happen in church life and share our great love of Graham Kendrick.

Nickel that's really rough. Poor dh too. I can only think they're just not thinking and unaware of everything going on but that's no excuse :(

Will look forward to a report from oasis Edd!

How is everyone? Hope Mother's Day was good / not too painful / whatever you were hoping for. My relationship with DM is tricky, but we survived. And church was, well, tearful, but it's all cathartic in the end I suppose.

It looks like I'm going to be on Deanery Synod. Does anyone have experience of that?

Hi folks. Have been reading but not posting as DF been in hospital and now moved to hospice. It's supposed to be for a couple of weeks' respite but I think the nurses think he might not come back home . Might just head over to the prayer thread now...

Glad you survived mothers' day, Edd. Dh bought me a pretty journal from toddler dd. It's lovely, but it's one of those guilt inducing 'when on earth am I going to find the time to use that' presents, so bit annoying!

to all of you who need them.

I have an Internet friend who's about to be a Deanery Synod person. But she'd be new, too, and not in your area.

I will probably be being baptised and cnfirmed at the end of May, if the bishop can fit us in then. And I have a horrible suspicion that I'm being lined up to eventually take over from the elderly sacristan, which I really ought to make clear is not something I'd be terribly keen on doing long term, as I am naturally slapdash and slovenly.

I have been thinking that it would be nice to have a get together for all people on this and the twin prayer thread.
All welcome, old , new and lurkers.

I have thought about this place.

The dates I thought about would be the 17th or the 24th June.
If you could pm me and let me know which date would suit you best we can choose one of the two after Easter. I realise that it will not be possible to accommodate everyone
There would not be a great need to book, the museum would do the catering (they are very good), but if there was going to be a large group it might be good to let them know.

That's a lovely idea, Oma. I'm not sure if I can afford the travel costs, but I'll look into it and see if I can go.

Ace about synod, Edd! Haven't done it myself but dh and a lot of friends have. Niminy might be able to tell you more.

Broomstick good news on the baptism and confirmation!

That's a lovely idea Oma, I'm getting ordained on the 24th June so wouldn't be able to come this year (panicking already at the thought of moving house and how I'm going to fit it in) but if there was another meet up in the future...

Oh Tiggles, that's a shame but I pray a great blessing on your ordination and your house move.

Birmingham Art Gallery is a lovely place - I spent many happy hours there when I used to live in Birmingham.

So, Deanery Synod. Normally when I go I end up thinking in Groucho Marx's words 'I've had a great evening but this wasn't it.' It has the capacity to be incredibly boring and often the people who are on it are the type who loves going to meetings. But on the other hand some important things happen there, not least financial stuff to do with parish share. Much depends on the Deanery you're in - my current one is very split with some painful issues below the surface which makes discussions about money very tricky. On the other hand it can be very good to get to know people from other churches in your area, and there is some more interesting stuff than finance that goes on. In general going on Deanery Synod comes under the heading of ' 'Tis a far, far better thing I do...'

Broomstick how lovely to hear about your baptism and confirmation! That is great news.

Edd and Double Gloucester you are dealing with such hard stuff. Prayers and

When did you live in Brum, niminy? (I did too).
Dh says much the same about seanery synod or deanery snog as it gets irreverently called in this house...

We had a surprisingly interesting and productive meeting last night about putting together our parish profile. And so the process begins...

Glad you survived Mothering Sunday, Edd, it can be a tough day for all sorts of reasons. I won't get together, but hope those that do have a great time. There is another event I've signed up for round about then, and I'm tight for free time these days.

Exactly how it was painted to me by the vicar too. But she needs allies and I'm a mug. So.

oma I would love to come to a meet-up but I definitely can't get away in April. OTOH later in the year my Dbro will be back in the UK, so I'll be able to get him to do his share with the parents and DP is talking about taking the DC away.... so I may be buzzing round all over on me tod....

The suggested dates are 17 and 24th June EDD. At the moment I am trying to work out what the preferred date is. After Easter I will then pick one of the two and hope for the best. In a way it doesn't matter too much as the catering will be done by the museum, so people can decide quite late on whether they can make it or not.

I'm.sorry double

I can do either but poss best for 17th as DD finishing GCSEs on 23rd so may want to celebrate... 🍰🍦🍺🍷

Sorry. Duh. In that case, no idea but I'll try :)

Thanks folks. Dad still here so making the most of every minute. The hospice is lovely, which helps.
I would love to come to a meet up :-)

Double

The hospice are lovely with my parents, but my parents are a bit of a handful and don't really appreciate what is on offer. My mum was born awkward and makes everything harder than it needs to be. The hospice folk are very patient, but starting to get concerned now.

Aww sorry to hear that, Pickle. My mum is a bit like that too, though she's been behaving herself a bit better since she's had the realisation that her time with dad is really limited.

Wise lady at church did her best to remind me death is not the end. Lovely but 😢

Pickle, double

My Dparents are driving us all nuts. DM thinks she's either in a hotel, or a maid in someone else's house... and both of them complain all the time. I have never been clearer about my faults and failings than I am every day with DM. Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me, a sinner.

Church is like an oasis of calm, even though it is hectic and a bit crazy - such a lovely service today for our local festival. 110+ there, which is huge for us, and I even got to take DS which was completely lovely.

You have come a long way as far as church is concerned Edd. What is going to happen with your parents long term? I doubt whether you can keep this battering from them up forever.

That is very true oma.
They are buying a house about 5 mins walk from my house. Crazy, but their decision. I hope I'll be better at dealing with them when it's popping in for half an hour each day and having them over for supper a few times a week than I am when it's 24/7. Once the shock of the move is done, they should be ok for a while so long as DDad is there.
Then when DP and I eventually split I'll have to try and find a flat v nearby since they've moved all this way to be near me.

I'm sorry Edd. Do they realise a split is on the cards? It will be easier to manage when they are not with you all the time.

I had so hoped t hat a split between you and DP might be avoided EDD