Meteor shower over Southwold common

Psalm 8:3, 5 NIV When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, [5] You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor.

What more can I say?

More music!

Today we visited Aldeburgh and The Maltings, Snape.

Renowned for its annual Festival and close association with Benjamin Britten, Snape is probably best known as a a favoured destination for what might be called 'serious concert goers' However it offers much more- riverside walks, crafts and art exhibitions,  food and drink and shopping,  lots of shopping!

The music on offer is also more eclectic than you might think.  In August The Maltings hosts its own Proms season : '30 great nights out in August.  Folk, Roots and World, Popular Classics,  Classics   Jazz,  Poetry and Pop'

We went on Country Music night. Two UK bands played to a packed house -  Raintown and Ward Thomas. They were great,  tight harmonies, plenty of acoustic guitar backing, homely but deep lyrics. Ward Thomas even sang a version of, 'take me to church' (see earlier Blog!) Interesting to contrast it festival experience

# no fancy lighting effects and modest amplification. The music spoke,  or rather played for itself.
# very different audience participation,  polite clapping even some cheering between songs by very little clapping or singing along during songs,  even when encouraged by the band
# altogether a more sedate crowd! There was a prom area but the promenaders sat on cushions,  very disciplined!

I reflected on the place of congregational participation in church 

However the 'stripped down' nature of performances meant we heard more of the singers and appreciated the poetry of words and we're left to ponder to lyrics such as Ward Thomas new single writing on the wall.  More research needed.

Great night and an unexpected opportunity to encounter a different aspect of spirituality in popular culture,  music amid other expression of arts, the natural environment and creativity

Southwold snaps

Crowds flock to hear JC

HT Just read about crowds of young people flocking to hear a message of hope. The one speaking seemed to understand their sense of betrayal by the system, their sense of abandonment by the very people who were supposed to care for them and how they felt besieged by lack of prospects and opportunity.

The meetings were heavily oversubscribed even through attendees reported that they had a sense of the religious. The one they'd cone to hear had to clamber onto an impromptu platform so he could be heard.

The crowds warmed to his message and enthusiastically pledged allegiance, even though the message was radical and considered dynamite by the establishment, they signed up in their droves to show allegiance to this bearded JC

'Islington, London Borough of Labour' on the rise of Jeremy Corbyn Observer 9.8.15

Holiday at last

I know some may think Sabbatical is all holiday and in a sense being free of normal routine is a holiday. Maybe Holy day.

However now we are genuinely holidaying away. Not the Italy trip that had been planned but a week in Sunny Southwold, topped and tailed by visits to the older folk in their respective care homes.

The prospect of sunshine, relaxation and time together within a couple of hours of Southend helps me to be certain that the decision to change our holiday plans was the right one.

And of course, plenty to read.

Diversity in creation

Today Penny and I had another Derbyshire walk, wonderful views of Ladybower and Derwent Dam. As we walked we quietly reflected on the diverse beauty of creation and the participation of humankind in creating a landscape which is both beautiful and so practical.

In the main our fellow travellers were cyclists and it was good to see how the even paths had made it possible for a wheelchair user to enjoy the journey along with fellow cyclists and walkers in a large group.

At various points we encountered different groups enjoying the day in the country. As well as a number of families and individuals we saw families dressed in the traditional clothing of Hassidic Jews, another diverse group that included women wearing hajibs and we noted that a few members of the group had gone to one side to pray on their mats facing the reservoir and Mecca beyond. Then as we returned to the car, the unmistakable joyful sounds of Hispanic music, another family group (possibly Spanish speaking) group enjoying a shore side barbecue .


So we thanked God for diversity in creation and in humanity. We were enriched for having participated in both on a warm but changeable August day.

Fitbit registered 8 miles!

Justice?

Taking a morning off sabbatical to support one of our church family facing a real risk of detention, deportation or worse. With the article mentioned in my last post ringing in my ears and further pictures from Callais.

The court doubted the genuineness of this person's Christian conversion despite my letter stating the situation as honestly as I could. In fact the court had not referred to my letter at all, making a big thing about the church member who spoke up for the individual not being a minister so how could they know what was going on in the soul!! No one had said that the minister must attend to testify to the veracity of conversion.

At the end if the day the only one who can truly testify is the one converted and the Spirit. I feel uncomfortable with this legalistic expectation and don't suppose it would be asked of a minister in other circumstances.