New Tuesday Group

Six people met for the first Tuesday Group in the Barnabas Centre, which is a really encouraging start. This group is an addition to our regular house-groups, which are already a great way to get to know people better and to learn more about the bible in a friendly, non-threatening way. All are welcome to join the new Tuesday group, which meets between 1.30 and 2.30pm, particularly those not in a home group already. See Jill Williams in church (or call her on 2712337)for more information.

Hooray Day - 28 April 2007

Collect an enrolment form from Derek (or email me) for the next Hooray Day. Hooray Day is a mini holiday club for children in school years 1-5. Youngsters come from all over Oadby and South Leicester to join us for a day of fun and learning about Jesus.

Quiz Evening with Fish and Chip Supper 7.30 Friday 4th May

Bring a bottle. Tea and coffee provided. Cost £6.00 per person teams of 4 max. Please get tickets in advance from Paul. Prizes Galore.

Thanks, Paul!

Small acts of kindness

We got back from our holiday and found that some kind soul had taken the black bags of rubbish from our bins, so that they could be collected. Since we had missed the collection the week before, I was dreading returning in the midst of our unseasonal heatwave to find piles of stinking rubbish. Whoever did this, thank you.

Yesterday a family arrived late for church because they had stopped on their journey to rescue a lost dog. They found a number on its collar and were able to return it safely to its overjoyed owner.

Two small acts of kindness that needn't have been done but which made a difference. May God give me grace to respond generously when I can help someone in a small way, and the grace to be thankful for all small mercies.

What's your bible like?

In church this morning, Rebecca showed me her new bible. It was a rather nifty little number, just the right size for her handbag, and its cover was made of a rather swish suede-type stuff. I was impressed.

I was even more impressed that Rebecca's "favourite bits" were already well thumbed. We chatted about the working life of a bible - is it five years, ten years, or what?

I've got several bibles, as you might imagine. The one I reach for most often lives on the shelf behind me. It's a battered hardback New Revised Standard, about eight years old, the spine of which is sellotaped. I bought it while studying theology and for me it evokes happy thoughts of new discoveries about the wonder of scripture.

I'm not much of a note maker, but there are a number of highlighted and underlined sections. I can't remember exactly why I did this at the time, but the passages are certainly important ones.

Now, what's your bible like?

Hit the comments link under this post and let us know. In particular tell us:

• Roughly how old it is
• Where you keep it
• What version it is (NIV, NRSV, Good News, King James etc.)
• Anything that makes this bible special to you

Go on! Hit that comment link now...

Easter dawn at St Paul's

He is risen! Alleluia! It's going to be a great day!

Picture taken about 25 minutes ago. Click the image for a larger view.

Slow blogging

Holy Week is one of the most intense periods of the Christian year. Blogging has rather dropped down the priorities in an over-busy week.

No time for details, but the highlights (so far):

• The honest and wise sharing of a group beginning to look at Christian Perspectives on Death and Dying.
• The inclusive liturgy at the Diocesan Eucharist, which now affirms the particular ministries of lay people, and the commission to ministry in the general sense that comes to all God's people at baptism.
• The baptism of Sadie, at the Maundy Thursday celebration of the Lord's Supper.
• Sunshine on Good Friday.
• The sharing with a congregation from Churches Together in a service on Good Friday night, especially the videos from IgniterMedia.
• Long hours with the gospels in preparation for several sermons.
• Preparations for a big surprise (wait and see!) on Sunday morning, as we celebrate the resurrection.

Next week I have some time off, so a break from the blog as well, and more time with my much-neglected family. Happy Easter!

Ladies' Sangam Group

This new group is to take over the Monday morning slot once used by Sab-ki-Awaaz.

The Sangam group is for ladies from all cultures and age groups. Children are welcome and refreshments are available.

The launch event of the new group is 30 April. from 11:00 to 13:00. For more information, contact Jacky York on 0116 257 2675.

Wholeness and Healing Conference - 12 May 2007

The fourth diocesan conference on Wholeness and Healing is to take place at Emmanuel Church, Loughborough from 9.30am to 3.30pm on Saturday 12 May 2007.

It's billed as "A day of encouragement, celebration and vision, looking at what a holistic ministry of healing should mean"

The key-note speaker is Bishop John Finney.

Further details from 01455 234241

Churchgoing in the UK

TearFund, a respected charity that I support, has today published a major piece of research on Churchgoing in the UK, available in PDF format here. I've not had chance to read the full report, but the executive summary announces the key findings as:

• Over half the population claims to be Christian, other faiths total 6%
• 7.6 million attend church monthly (including 4.9 million weekly)
• Nearly 3 million likely to go in future
  "There is a clear opportunity for churches to attract new members by tapping into the 2.9 million people (6% of UK adults) who are likely to go to church in future. The personal touch is a major trigger. A personal invite, family or a friend attending or difficult personal circumstances, are most likely to encourage people into church."
• Two thirds are out of touch with church
• Nearly 1 million adults attend ethnic majority churches
• 22% of London goes to church
  
• 45% go to church in Northern Ireland

It looks like a useful document, and the fact that almost three million people declare themselves likely to go to church in the future should encourage us to remember that there is a great opportunity to help others to active faith.