tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025477993713457655.comments2012-06-05T09:46:45.456+01:00DancingScarecrowTimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02602558784211031161noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025477993713457655.post-3329646852788472892012-06-05T09:46:45.456+01:002012-06-05T09:46:45.456+01:00Hellooooo!
Good timing... it's high time I se...Hellooooo!<br /><br />Good timing... it's high time I sent my annual "Home Mission" donation to you. And still hoping to travel you to Bonny Scotland at some point...<br /><br />Can you email me the bank details (yet again!) and I'll do an e-transfer or send you a cheque, whichever is easier.Catrionahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00468626701017307017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025477993713457655.post-73192016592993306582010-12-06T20:02:46.560+00:002010-12-06T20:02:46.560+00:00You're right, of course, the continuity is in ...You're right, of course, the continuity is in the journey. A couple of years ago, we celebrated Posada, carrying Mary and Joseph around a variety of churches throughout Advent. We were talking yesterday about how appropriate that would be next year.Timhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02602558784211031161noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025477993713457655.post-59388111016178333232010-12-06T16:05:30.120+00:002010-12-06T16:05:30.120+00:00Sounds great to me. An idea to lodge in my mind f...Sounds great to me. An idea to lodge in my mind for future use.<br /><br />I wonder if your continuity actually lies in your journeying from place to place with the incertainty that brings?<br /><br />Thinking of you all as ever.Catrionahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00468626701017307017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025477993713457655.post-7831858692319975922010-10-10T14:01:01.184+01:002010-10-10T14:01:01.184+01:00Hmm. You do wonder sometimes don't you.
Lots...Hmm. You do wonder sometimes don't you.<br /><br />Lots of odd thoughts...<br /><br />Do our colleges all still teach ministers how toconstruct acts of worship that are coherent? And do many/any ministers train the worhsip gorups/leaders in any of this/ Does anyone actually read things such as Chris Ellis' excellent little book or bother with 'Gathering' or 'Patterns & Prayers' or even, if they are soo old-fangled Payne and Winward?<br /><br />Now I am pretty sure that whatever OBT did today you gathered, shared and scattered which are basics of authentic Christian worship. Whilst I'd always want to read a reasonable amount of scripture in any service, I wouldn't need it to be exposited, and for me worship is wider than the service anyway, hence why I used the word ibn this sentence.<br /><br />If worship is saying to God 'you matter' then it has to be as much about the 'how' as the 'what.' Beautifully decorated tiles are therefore worship (nb beauty not measured as perfection or worldly standards). Half-hearted singing sounds like it isn't. but hey, I'm a heretic - last week we made smoothies to ther glory of God!Catrionahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00468626701017307017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025477993713457655.post-43070343915238646842010-09-12T13:20:04.750+01:002010-09-12T13:20:04.750+01:00This is great except now i want a Mars Bar tooThis is great except now i want a Mars Bar tooCraig Gardinerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15604308975047584143noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025477993713457655.post-79314866592468627432010-08-17T16:11:12.658+01:002010-08-17T16:11:12.658+01:00I was away on holiday for two weeks and just catch...I was away on holiday for two weeks and just catching up on BT artilces ... I had an extemporary response to this letter and I even prepared a written one ... but then I thought that neither would be edifying.Craig Gardinerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15604308975047584143noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025477993713457655.post-1954420748942953682010-08-11T08:05:35.259+01:002010-08-11T08:05:35.259+01:00Way, way back many centuries ago, or so it sometim...Way, way back many centuries ago, or so it sometimes feels, when I was learning how to lead worship, I came across the phrase 'prepared extempore' which is, I think, what you do and what I also do for the most part. This kind of prayer is prepared and written, maybe with pauses for private prayer, maybe not, maybe with gaps for spoken bits, maybe not, but the defining qulaity is that it is prepared for a specific act of worship, not as a generic 'pattern prayer' (as the letter to the BT terms what Jesus did) nor a 'legal prayer' a la C of E etc.<br /><br />I mostly use Prepared Extempore prayer and some of it I am arrogant enough to share online for others to adpat/adopt if it works for them. Likewise I often use books and webpages as 'jumping off points'. I think the BT letter writer is wrong in dismissing books or published prayers as unspiritual. But then I really just, er, Lord, really, yeah, Jesus, yes 'n' Lord, would, wouldn't I?<br /><br />Good extempore prayer is great but I susepct it comes from a good grounding in prepared extempore. My guess is that if you lost your script or were prevailed upon to 'lead in prayer' you could do so with depth and sincerity because of, not despite, your practice of writing prayers.Catrionahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00468626701017307017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025477993713457655.post-19309035284745383672010-08-10T19:31:10.101+01:002010-08-10T19:31:10.101+01:00Hi Mike
Thanks for your comment. You've got me...Hi Mike<br />Thanks for your comment. You've got me wondering who you are now! I too was baptised at Poynton Baptist Church, indeed, I'm a Poynton lad.<br />Although I rarely find extempore prayer helpful or uplifting, I would certainly not deny its validity - or that the Spirit can move through extempore prayer. I do, however, find myself moved, challenged and inspired by much of the thoughtful, pre-prepared prayer I experience in written form. My post is a response to a very particular letter in the Baptist Times which, in my view, seeks to 'impose' a particular style of prayer on others.Timhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02602558784211031161noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025477993713457655.post-4838678030905453862010-08-10T15:42:08.346+01:002010-08-10T15:42:08.346+01:00I have no claim to being a Baptist (apart from bei...I have no claim to being a Baptist (apart from being baptised at Poynton Baptist Church) indeed if anything I come from an independent pentecostal background where extempore prayer was de rigeur.<br />I can remember that in exceptional circumstances this form of praying has both lifted both heart and spirit, usually voiced by those with a God given eloquence at one extreme or by the innocent simple sweetness of those who struggle to express themselves at the other. The spectrum in between is however littered with instances of those for whom prayer usually delivered in a pseudo AV voice leaving the ordinary man in the street with a severe sense of inadequacy . <br />I have come to appreciate the beauty and skill in those written prayers that have been birthed in the heart of a spirit-inspired believer, both contemporaneous and from other generations .<br />There is something uniquely special about having these insights available, to take personal time over as well as to participate in using in corporate worship.<br />I am not (nor ever would) place such writings/musings on a par with the received word of God, but to suggest that they would 'crush 'the work of the Spirit is utterly ridiculous! Surely the Spirit encourages us through the shared experience of our human condition and our sometimes faltering relationship with God expressed in the words of those who have 'been there'?.<br />Rather than trying to elevate one form of prayerful expression over another surely we should be seeking to build each other up by a sensitive and appropriate use of both?<br />Written prayer may be 'un-Baptist' but I suspect it sits very well with a God who chose to reveal himself through His Word both living and written!Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13028487286881473533noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025477993713457655.post-78508352732462224792010-07-19T08:19:45.231+01:002010-07-19T08:19:45.231+01:00I realise I posted this comment to the wrong blog!...I realise I posted this comment to the wrong blog!<br /><br />So I'm copying Catriona's comment across from Jericho's Backyard and reproduce it here!<br /><br />Catriona said...<br />Of course you could have Baptist-origins Chivers marmalade as a sign of interconnectedness with other Bappies, or be ecumenical and have some Methodist Hartley jam..Timhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02602558784211031161noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025477993713457655.post-63695853356919806712010-07-18T16:27:50.064+01:002010-07-18T16:27:50.064+01:00Amen! Out of the mouths of babes and innocents as...Amen! Out of the mouths of babes and innocents as the saying goes.<br /><br />Like Mum, Like daughter, another great liturgist another making.<br /><br />Can she really be eight though? That makes me feel VERY old!Catrionahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00468626701017307017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025477993713457655.post-71748067407464678952010-06-13T16:29:15.472+01:002010-06-13T16:29:15.472+01:00Phew! Glad it went well.Phew! Glad it went well.Catrionahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00468626701017307017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025477993713457655.post-40051362188655644862010-06-13T13:22:22.325+01:002010-06-13T13:22:22.325+01:00Catriona - you will be delighted to learn that no ...Catriona - you will be delighted to learn that no teddy bears were harmed in the making of this service. Presumably the congregation listened to the Word of God through Elijah - or Clare?Timhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02602558784211031161noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025477993713457655.post-78714784800946095552010-06-13T07:16:22.059+01:002010-06-13T07:16:22.059+01:00I have a virtual Steiff - downloaded from their we...I have a virtual Steiff - downloaded from their website. We know the congregation very well. The only person who might have been tempted to accept the offer is Clare's son, Joel - and he's on Scout Camp this weekend!Timhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02602558784211031161noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025477993713457655.post-84414347043643153902010-06-12T22:51:11.974+01:002010-06-12T22:51:11.974+01:00Do you actually have the Steiff?
Love the idea th...Do you actually have the Steiff?<br /><br />Love the idea though (as long as it works!)<br /> <br />we doing the lectionary in the evening at the moment so no children, but i might still ask the adults to bring their teddy tomorrow evening.Craig Gardinerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15604308975047584143noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025477993713457655.post-9198270051948782142010-06-12T20:15:51.508+01:002010-06-12T20:15:51.508+01:00Don't you dare murder any teddy bears - even i...Don't you dare murder any teddy bears - even if their owners are traitors!Catrionahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00468626701017307017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025477993713457655.post-43607488467615909152010-05-07T15:03:44.836+01:002010-05-07T15:03:44.836+01:00On reflection, and following comments from respect...On reflection, and following comments from respected friends, I have removed certain comments from this post, along with the comments and my response.<br /><br />I apologise for any offence caused.Timhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02602558784211031161noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025477993713457655.post-64286183442914706192010-05-07T12:49:31.201+01:002010-05-07T12:49:31.201+01:00Hee hee, he really has gone mainstream (small '...Hee hee, he really has gone mainstream (small 'm')now!Catrionahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00468626701017307017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025477993713457655.post-8056258891243235162010-05-07T09:57:15.555+01:002010-05-07T09:57:15.555+01:00hey never mind the photos of demolition who is tha...hey never mind the photos of demolition who is that handsome bloke @ Prism pictured on p5 of the BTCraig Gardinerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15604308975047584143noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025477993713457655.post-45172699243098124662010-05-05T10:57:28.231+01:002010-05-05T10:57:28.231+01:00Great idea. I have hundreds of photos marking the...Great idea. I have hundreds of photos marking the demise of Dibley Baptist Church (the Google Street View phot can be dated quite accurately from my records!).<br /><br />It's bizarre isn't it, watching demolition: seeing someone's carefully selected wallpaper torn asunder, seeing the forgotten object defiantly refuse to budge until the final moment, hearing that incessant 'beep' of the abandoned smoke alarm and the reversing horn of cranes and lorries.<br /><br />Bittersweet somehow. Precious memories and a reminder of our own transcience.Catrionahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00468626701017307017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025477993713457655.post-81112655818465813402010-05-05T08:41:50.464+01:002010-05-05T08:41:50.464+01:00More to the point is that I come from tomorrow. To...More to the point is that I come from tomorrow. Tomorrow's Child: Rubem Alves!Timhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02602558784211031161noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025477993713457655.post-65051436129485761422010-05-04T16:31:00.830+01:002010-05-04T16:31:00.830+01:00Never mind that ... where is tomorrow coming from?...Never mind that ... where is tomorrow coming from?Craig Gardinerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15604308975047584143noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025477993713457655.post-5849881093962326412010-04-24T16:49:38.890+01:002010-04-24T16:49:38.890+01:00Sounds good - might not make ANY seminars at this ...Sounds good - might not make ANY seminars at this rate!! If nothing else, see you at the NBLC lunchCatrionahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00468626701017307017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025477993713457655.post-11269707774271565722010-04-24T08:29:09.730+01:002010-04-24T08:29:09.730+01:00Our paper has now been posted on the Real Life Wor...Our paper has now been posted on the Real Life Worship blog which you can find by clicking the links to the right. I really hope it stimulates some debate because this initiative is too important to die.Timhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02602558784211031161noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025477993713457655.post-65250216367242721112010-04-23T15:59:25.375+01:002010-04-23T15:59:25.375+01:00While dosh is always nice, I think a coffee or gla...While dosh is always nice, I think a coffee or glass of wine is more important.<br /><br />Yes, we'll be there. Let's meet up.Timhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02602558784211031161noreply@blogger.com