Hi,

If you are a regular blog follower please accept my apologies that there has been nothing new for a couple of weeks - but here goes

Today is Ash Wednesday and I was reminded today that the only way we can get ash is to have fire. Fire can be seen, and often is, a destructive force but I was contemplating this when I remembered the true story of the giant redwoods in California.

Hi,

A Happy New Year to you all.

My apologies that I haven’t been on the blog or discussion forums for a while but I have had some essays which need to be handed in on Monday! I have still to finish them but need a mental break so thought I would log on.

Hello,

I admit that this might be a shorter blog than usual as I am up earlier (it's currently 6.50) than the rest of the house after attending Midnight Mass at the Parish church last night and getting to bed at about 1.15!

I therefore have until they all get up to write the blog and then there is bound to be pandemonium as we try and squeeze breakfast and presents and everything else that goes into getting ready for church before the service at 10 a.m.

Hi All,

Today we went carol singing with churches together in Upton and we were well received not only on the streets but also in the memorial hall and later at Berrow Court. As many of you know I have been suffering with a cold most of the week and before we set of today I promised myself that since my main job was handing out sweets and invitation to the church services in Upton over the next week or so that I would not sing!

Hi,

First I must admit I did not know how to spell Christmassy (or should it be Christmasy or Christmasie?) but I hope you know what I mean.

I admit that I have not even bought a present yet and am not sure how much preparation there still is to do but despite this on Sunday evening I found myself becoming Christmassy. Not because I suddenly realised how I could get everything done or that there was less to do as I thought or that I had magically managed to get another couple of days more than anyone else to get myself ready.

Hi

Did you manage to get to the Victorian Christmas Market on Saturday? If you did you may have seen me dressed up as a King and Lorraine dressed as Mary as we had our photo taken as part of the ‘Get in the Picture’ nativity scene. It was really good fun and I thought I made a really good King.

Hi All,

A couple of weeks ago I was privileged to be at the church whilst we were wrapping filling Christmas present boxes for Operation Christmas child.

Indeed I was doing some running around the town thanking all those from the community who had generously given to help make it all possible. We filled over 200 boxes and indeed even then have some boxes over to start next year but the marvellous thing was that everyone was involved in doing something that will bring a smile to a child.

Hi,

I think I have discovered that God has definitely got it wrong!

In the last week or 2 with all the essays, church activities ( and some amazing blessings), with home life, with the impending Christmas services and all the planning let alone, eating, sleeping and simply relaxing (when do we really do this?) or even writing regular blogs - there simply doesn't feel like there is enough time.

Hi

I realise for those that follow these things that I have not submitted a blog for a couple of weeks.

This is because I have been really busy with some wonderful stuff related to church and indeed although it is technically half term this week is no exception.

I am in the middle of an essay for a Biblical Interpretation module on Jonah and how the 'Psalm' in Jonah 2:1-10 is viewed in the context of the book as a whole and indeed how this might be used in a sensitive way to aid our understanding today.

Hello again,

I just wanted to start by saying thanks for the encouragement many of you have given me over the blog and over the fact that you enjoy the contents - it is really appreciated.