GCSE results in Oadby

One week after A Level results were announced, congratulations to all who were rewarded for hard work with GCSE results this morning. Beauchamp College was busy this morning but we should remember that most aspects of human worth cannot be measured in grades. While we rejoice with those who are delighted by their results, let's also affirm those who find it hard to get opportunities for rewarding work in a post-industrial age. Connexions in Leicester have advice for youngsters and parents looking for ways forward.

Guillain Performing Arts Drama Classes

Following two successful taster sessions, Guillain Performing Arts are about to begin weekly children's drama classes in the Barnabas Centre. Rebecca Guillain writes that the classes are varied and fun and a superb way to build confidence and a love of performing.

The classes are on Thursdays in term time, from 6:00 to 8.00pm.

More information: rebeccaguillain@ntlworld.com 0780 936 4372

Breakfast at Barney's - 9 September 2007

On the day we commission the leaders and helpers of our young people's work and celebrate Harvest, come along early for a filling cooked English or lighter continental breakfast.

Breakfast at Barney's is getting more and more popular. You can't beat worship on a full stomach!

Breakfast is served from 8.30 to 9.30am. Book a place, or get more details from Anita.

Photo by r3wind at Flickr

The Hill Top Towns of Tuscany - 1 September 2007

David Foulds will give an illustrated talk on "the hilltop towns of Tuscany" on Saturday 1 September 2007 at 7.45pm in the Barnabas Centre. The evening will include light refreshments and there will be an opportunity to give donations to Christian Aid.

Principal services at St Paul's - September to November 2007

This autumn promises to be a very significant time in our journey as a church. We’ll celebrate 25 years of St Paul’s Church at Hamble Road in September with as much gratitude for the opportunities of the future as for the blessings of the past.

2 September 2007
10.00am Holy Communion
The parting of friends
1 Peter 2.4-10; Matt 5.17-20


9 September 2007
10.00am Family/Parade Service
Harvest Thanksgiving
Psalm 146.5-9

16 September 2007
10.00am 25th Anniversary Celebration Service, followed by lunch.
God’s Opportunity People
Galatians 6.7-10; John 4.7-29

23 September 2007
10.00am Holy Communion and baptism of Phoebe Ellis
A surprising story of dishonesty
Amos 8.4-7; Luke 16.1-13

30 September 2007
10.00am Service of the Word
Listen very carefully…
Amos 6.1a, 4-7; Luke 16.19-end

7 October 2007
10.00am Holy Communion
Increasing faith
Habakkuk 1.1-4, 2.1-4; Luke 17.5-10

7 October 2007
8.00pm Holy Space – Details to follow.

14 October 2007
10.00am Family Parade service
Being thankful friends of Jesus
Luke 17.11-19

21 October 2007
10.00am Holy Communion
Praying when nothing seems to happen
Genesis 32.22-31; Luke 18.1-8

28 October 2007
10.00am Service of the Word
Bible Sunday
Isaiah 45.22-end; Luke 4.16-24

28 October 2007
Evening (time to be confirmed). The Church of the Immaculate Conception, New St
Bible Society Service

4 November 2007
10.00am Holy Communion
The Kingdom of God’s sovereignty
Isaiah 40.9-15; Matthew 12.22-32

11 November 2007
10.00am Family/Parade service
The Kingdom of God’s renewed creation
Revelation 21.1-4

18 November 2007
10.00am Holy Communion
The Kingdom of God’s healed people and communities
Amos 5.14-24; Luke 7.18-23

25 November 2007
10.00am Service of the Word
The Kingdom of God’s priorities
James 2.1426; Luke 4.16-30

Publicity Flyer for the 25th anniversary fete and service - 15 and 16 September 2007

Anona's done some great publicity - click the picture for a larger view.

The Future of Uplands Park - Public Consultation

Oadby and Wigston Borough Council are to hold a public consultation on the future of Uplands Par. The event will take place on Tuesday 4 September 2007, between 3pm and 7.30pm in the Pavilion within the park on Uplands Road. The public are invited to give their thoughts and comments on improvemets such as additional tree planting, flower beds, paths, security and play facilities.

I welcome this. Parks are amenities for the whole population - not just for dog walkers and footballers. On the continent people place a much greater value on civic space. In the UK, we sometimes tend to treat public space as simply for moving around in. Hence our rather dismal precincts and pavements. The only people who linger, talk and enjoy them are the young. As they have the place to themselves, what is really a wonderful sharing of social space is sadly seen as loitering and potentially anti-social.

In reality, it's the denial of places to associate, mingle, relax and encounter each other that is precisely anti-social.

While doing a little more mid-evening strolling around the neighbourhood in the past couple of weeks I've been struck by how quiet the streets are. On lovely summer evenings, the only people out and about are adolescents or young adults. Everyone else, it seems, is tucked up in front of the TV or travelling by car.

Neighbours and residents who live near Uplands Park will understandably want to be assured that the activities that take place there will not spoil their lives. But I think we can do a lot more to encourage young people and older people to enjoy our parks and green spaces. Do get along to the consultation if you can.

A Level results day in Oadby

It's A-level results day and a number of our church members will have made the anxious trip to Beauchamp College to find out their grades. All the very best to them and every credit for their hard work and commitment. This day is usually marked by complaints in the media that the exams are getting easier. Far from it, through a combination of better teaching and harder work, the current generation of young people deserve full recognition for their knowledge, skill and application. Well done!

Dioceses unite to share retreat house

The Diocesan website announces that Launde Abbey is to be shared as the retreat house of both the of the Dioceses of Leicester and Peterborough.

This kind of partnership working is growing in the church and seems like a good use of resources.

St Paul's Group on Facebook

For those of you who are on Facebook, there's a new group "I've worshipped at St Paul's, Oadby". There are already ten members, which is heartening to see.

I'm struck by what an overwhelmingly positive place Facebook is. It may be that most members are part of a younger generation, or it may be due to the medium itself. Whatever, it's good to see so many affirming and encouraging people around.

Ride and Stride - 8 September 2007

The annual sponsored bike ride (or walk) in aid of the Leicestershire Historic Churches Trust is on 8 September 2007. More details are here. St Paul's is one of the stops that people visit.

Grounds clearing day - 1 September 2007

There will be a grounds clearing day on the morning of Saturday 1 September, to trim back some foliage and make things neat and tidy in advance of the 25th anniversary celebrations on 15 and 16 September. Bring your tools and come and help.

Lilies, cross and candle

Student Placement

Yesterday we said goodbye to Jane Wood, a student training for ordained ministry at Ripon College, Cuddesdon, near Oxford. Jane spent four weeks working alongside me over this summer and it was a pleasure to have her with us.

Jane has told me how helpful she found it to enter into the life of St Paul's and to experience the regular - and unpredictable - aspects of ministry.

I found it really good to have someone to talk with in reflection on the events of each day and Jane has a real gifts of perception and insight.

Clergy and active lay ministers in the church have to juggle a growing list of tasks and calls on their time and it's absolutely vital to find space for reflection, careful thought and prayer. Too often we rush from one thing to another, with the result that we're hurried, anxious and distracted. It's good to see that at Cuddesdon and elsewhere in theological education, habits of intentional theological reflection are encouraged.

Planning and dreaming

The summer month's may be quieter than most but they give a valuable opportunity to think ahead, to get beyond the rush of the day to day and to prepare and plan for the autumn.

At the moment I'm busy planning, with Hugh, our services for the coming months and there are more plans to be developed for the 25th anniversary celebrations on the 15 and 16 September. I can feel the interest and excitement rise as we think about where we might be as a church in the future.

Planning, thinking ahead and strategising are important but there must also be space and time for allowing creative opportunities to surface. Anatole France said,"To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe."

So I'm also looking for space and time with God over these quieter weeks to allow his vision and intention for our community to seep into our thoughts and dreams.