Happy New Year

I guess our esteemed Matron may be placing an official message but I want to wish you all a Happy New Year. Last year was a difficult, really difficult year, for all of us at times. I ended up getting depressed and have been on Fluoxetine for nearly three months. I am now feeling a lot better. You are all precious to me and I hope with God's help that the new year will bring better things. God bless you all. Peter

Christmas Question 6

When was your most memorable Christmas?

I think mine is the year Ben was born. He was born on the 23rd and we went to stay on Christmas Eve so we got to see him at only 1 day old. It was a memorable time and he was so adorable (he's not quite so adorable now he is 8!).

Christmas Question 5

What games have you been playing this Christmas?

We have had the PS2 out, the parents aren't too keen on SingStar, but even Dad will play the Buzz general knowledge quiz. We also like to play traditional board and card games and two favourites are Flux and Carcassonne. This year we have discovered Apples to Apples which is good fun and the parents like it because they each won a game!

Christmas Question 4

Thanks to everyone for joining in!

What is your favourite Christmas song?

I like a lot of the christmas hits because of the memories they bring back, but one of my favourites is "Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas". I also love the Pogues and Kirsty MacColl - "Fairytale of New York", though the words aren't too festive!

Christmas Question 3

What is your favourite carol?

I love "See Amid", but I think its not so much about the carol itself but the memories associated with it. Its the one which, when we sing it, my family always look at each other and smile.

Christmas Question 2

What was your best Christmas present?

I didn't get many real presents this year but have given school books, school uniform and school grant to Africa! The best present was one I bought for myself, a David Tennant Calendar to keep me happy all year round :>

Christmas Question 1

I thought 12 questions for the 12 days of Christmas, please all join in!

What has been the best Christmas TV this year?

I'm going for Doctor Who and the Vicar of Dibley. Doctor Who was as spectacular as ever and the Vicar of Dibley had me crying with laughter.

Wishing everyone ...

Plastered!

A damp day away on Tuesday - Wet decking - Feet slipping - Sudden falling - Result - Broken left wrist

Happy Birthday Gisella!

"Birthdays are good for you.
The more you have, the longer you live."

~ Unknown

Happy Christmas!

I found this on Lisa's blog. If you really want to get into the the christmas spirit listen to this version of "O Holy Night", I guarantee you'll be feeling good afterwards! (Keep listening to the end, that's the best bit!)

Remember you read it here first!!

You Are an Angel

A truly giving soul, you understand the spirit of Christmas.

What Christmas Ornament Are You?

What Christmas Ornament Are You?

You Are a Snowman

Friendly and fun, you enjoy bringing holiday cheer to everyone you know!

What Christmas Ornament Are You?

Which of Santa's Reindeer are you?

Donder Like Donder you are sensible and a good leader. You know the right things to do at the right time and have people's respect Find out which of Santa's Reindeer you are at Quizopolis.com

Happy Birthday Bev!

"The fiftieth year shall be a jubilee for you"
Leviticus 25 v11

Ebay!

Happy Birthday Sarah!

"Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth; all the stages of my life were spread out before you, the days of my life all prepared before I'd even lived one day. "
Psalm 139 v 16

Four things you didn’t necessarily know about Peter…

I enjoyed doing this but struggled to answer some of the questions. That comes from being an Enneagram 9!

Four jobs I have had in my life
Clerical Assistant Chippenham Tax Office 1973
Packer in Wondermash factory 1975
Crate maker in Frozen Pea factory 1976
Minister in Enfield north east London 1978 - 83

Four movies I would watch over and over
Sons of the Desert (Laurel and Hardy)
Brief Encounter
This Happy Breed
The Ladykillers (original version with Alec Guinness, Herbert Lom, Peter Sellers et al)

Four places I have lived:
Chippenham, Wilts
South Norwood, London SE25
Weston by Weedon, Northants
Dawley, Telford, Shropshire

Four TV shows I love to watch
Planet Earth, (almost anything with David Attenborough)
Frost (the early ones were better)
Foyle’s War
Monarchy

Four places I have been on holiday
Canada
Lamacraft Farm, Devon, with the Community of the Glorious Ascension
Woolacombe
Isle of Mull

Four of my favourite foods
Marmite and Lettuce sandwiches
New wholemeal bread
Roast Pork
Apple crumble and custard

Four places I would rather be right now
Heaven
Chippenham
In a country cottage in front of an open fire
Goran Haven

Four friends I think will respond
What makes you think I have friends?? OK I admit it I DO have friends…
Perhaps Margaret, Bob, and…..um….oh and all of you guys of course!

Four Things about ... Sarah

Things you may not have known about me.....

Four jobs I have had in my life:
1. Filing
2. Data Entry
3. Teaching at boarding school
4. Teaching at day school

Four movies I would watch over and over:
1. Pretty Woman
2. Pride and Prejudice
3. Moulin Rouge
4. Dirty Dancing

Four places I have lived:
1. Bristol
2. Oxford
3. Bath
4. Bognor Regis

Four TV shows I love to watch
1. Doctor Who
2. Torchwood
3. Lost
4. Robin Hood

Four places I have been on vacation:
1. Italy
2. Isle of Wight
3. France
4. Pembrokeshire

Four of my favourite foods:
1. Lasagne
2. Pizza
3. Pork
4. Any school dinners

Four places I would rather be right now:
1. At the theatre
2. At my sisters
3. At my parents
4. In my bed

Four friends I think will respond:
Hopefully all the other Snog Bloggers will copy this and post their own list!

Things I Learnt on the SNOG Weekend 3

Some people have hidden talents.

Who knew that Peter had an unsung fire-lighting talent? He certainly takes the art of laying a fire very seriously, the wood has to be just the right size and arranged perfectly!

Wait

Desperately, helplessly, longingly, I cried;

Quietly, patiently, lovingly, God replied.

I pled and I wept for a clue to my fate...and

the Master so gently said,"Wait.""

Wait? you say wait?" my indignant reply.

"Lord, I need answers, I need to know why!

Is your hand shortened? Or have you not heard?

By faith I have asked, and I'm claiming your Word.

My future and all to which I relate

hangs in the balance and you tell me to Wait?

I'm needing a 'yes', a go-ahead sign.

Or even a 'no,' to which I'll resign.

You promised, dear Lord, that if we believe,

We need but to ask, and we shall receive.

Lord, I've been asking, and this is my cry:

I'm weary of asking! I need a reply."

Then quietly, softly, I learned of my fate

as my Master replied again, "Wait."

So I slumped in my chair, defeated and taut,

and grumbled to God, "So, I'm waiting...for what?"

He seemed then to kneel,

and His eyes met with mine...and He tenderly said,

"I could give you a sign.

I could shake the heavens and darken the sun.

I could raise the dead and cause mountains to run.

I could give all you seek and pleased you would be.

You'd have what you want, but you wouldn't know Me.

You'd not know the depth of My love for each saint.

You'd not know the power that I give to the faint.

You'd not learn to see through clouds of despair;

you'd not learn to trust just by knowing I'm there.

You'd not know the joy of resting in Me

when darkness and silence are all you can see.

You'd never experience the fullness of love

when the peace of My spirit descends like a dove.

You would know that I give, and I save, for a start,

But you'd not know the depth of the beat of My heart.

The glow of My comfort late into the night,

the faith that I give when you walk without sight.

The depth that's beyond getting just what you ask

From an infinite God who makes what you have last.

You'd never know should your pain quickly flee,

what it means that My grace is sufficient for thee.

Yes, your dearest dreams overnight would come true,

but oh, the loss if I lost what I'm doing in you.

So, be silent, my child, and in time you will see

that the greatest of gifts is to truly know me.

And though oft My answers seem terribly late,

My most precious answer of all is still

"WAIT".

by Russell Kelfer. (Thanks to Bug at IN not OF)

Free Hugs

Have a look at this cool link. Thanks to Sally at Eternal Echoes.

See this video for the story behind it.

Things I Learnt on the SNOG Weekend 2

Even those people who say they can't sing love karaoke!

I think that we all had fun, even though not everyone knew all the songs. Of course there are exceptions to every rule, Andrew and Martin weren't impressed by our efforts!

Things I Learnt on the SNOG Weekend 1

Navigating in the fog is not easy and can induce panic.

Although I enjoyed the walk, I confess I was sure we were lost! After a few quick prayers, I was so thankful when the cars appeared through a gap in the mist.

Thanks Lyn!

A big "Thank you" to Lyn for organising our first SNOG weekend away, great fun was had by all. Where are we going next time?!?!

I'm looking forward to reading all your posts and comments. Remember I have all the embarassing photos, so if you don't fill up the blog I might find myself posting a few! But remember we're good christians so no mention of pants!

Happy Birthday Ali!

"It is good to praise the LORD and make music to your name, O Most High,
to proclaim your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night,
to the music of the ten-stringed lyre and the melody of the harp."
Psalm 92 v 1-3

Happy Birthday Andy!

"Be happy, young man, while you are young,

and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth."
Ecclesiastes 11 v 9

News from Lydia

I am flying this Sunday at 13:55 to Mexico and God willing, my ticket is to return November the 17th, arriving here Nov the 18th 13:00, so please pray with me for: a) God be with me whilst traveling b) for the work permit and the visa to be sorted out c) lots of patience with my family d) not to be anxious about what the future has for me.

News from Helen

I have had an email from Helen:

"I am really busy, my main role here is cleaning the flats that people like me come to and making people feel welcome, putting things in the fridge for them. I also help with others in simulation games which businesses, schools and organizations come to, to learn and have a glimpse into what it is like to live in poverty. When I first arrived I had the great chance to check goods that were going to Israel in a container that day, it was great to see it go. I have joined a club on a Sunday, that's what they're called, it is like Sansome Walk. Hope you are ok, send my regards to all that know me, love Helen X This is a great humanitarian organization."

Happy Birthday Peter!

"However many years a man may live, let him enjoy them all." Ecclesiastes 11 v8

i count

What are you doing Saturday November 4th? How about us taking an environmentally friendly trip to London to support the i count event to stop climate chaos? All the info is on their website www.icount.org.uk where you can sign up etc. This has the full support of BMS World Mission.

Gareth Wilde, BMS mission education co-ordinator, says, as Christians its our responsibility to join the campaign to stop climate chaos.

"BMS calls on its supporters to stand alongside other Christian charities, as well as environmental and political groups who are part of Stop Climate Chaos, in campaigning for international action. Come and be counted on 4 November with thousands of people who want to make their voices heard".

Links from i count to Stop Climate Chaos and The Big Ask, Friends of the Earth etc.

You can download a flyer from www.bmsworldmission.org/temp/ispcountspflyer.pdf.

Happy Anniversary Lyn and Andy!

SNOG Autumn Programme

3rd Sept Programme / Weekend planning at Sarah L's

10th Sept Prayer at Gisella's

17th Sept DVD issue / Privacy (Sarah L) at Lyn and Andy's

24th Sept SOCIAL(for Peter and Andy’s birthday) at Peter's

1st Oct Rev Duncan Ballard (from St Marks) at Gisella's

8th Oct SOCIAL(for Ali’s birthday) and planning at Lyn and Andy's

13-15 Oct SNOG Weekend Away(no SNOG on 15th Oct)

22nd Oct Hot Potatoes (Sarah D) at Martin's

29th Oct Music Evening at Andrew's

5th Nov Worship (Ali) at Sarah L's

12th Nov Bible Study (Martin) at Ali's

19th Nov SOCIAL (for Sarah D’s birthday) at Pub (meet at church 8pm)

26th Nov DEBATE (Andy) at Martin's

3rd Dec Communion (Martin) at Sarah L's

10th Dec Worship (Sarah L) at Sarah D's

17th Dec SOCIAL (Gisella’s birthday & Christmas) at Pub

SOLD OUT!

I went to Huntingdon Hall Box Office today. I'm afraid there was only one ticket left for Martyn Joseph and Show of Hands, so it looks like I'll be going on my own! Hope you all have a good music evening on Oct 29th, I will!

Weekend with Lydia

Lydia and I had a great weekend together. I got the chance to check Mark out, he seems like a nice chap! By the way, he's into motorbikes and Lydia is becoming a "biker chick" with the leathers and everything! We did some touristy things, like Portchester Castle and the Spinnaker Tower, and also did some shopping (we all know Lydia loves to shop!). She still misses us and hopefully she'll be up to visit us all soon, but its good to see that she's happy down south. Bizarrely when we went to church on Sunday evening we bumped into Jo, who was visiting that church with friends for the first time! Jo needs our prayers right now as she is struggling with her future plans.

Greenbelt 2006 / 7?

Hi. folks. I went to Greenbelt at Cheltenham Racecourse yesterday to help with the Quiet Garden Stand. Greenbelt is such an amazing festival and right on our doorstep. I love just wandering around and seeing what is happening. Of course there is the music, but lots of art, spiritual space, talks, great food, (really good veggie food as well) and great people. Always challenging always unnnerving but always worth going to. How about a SNOG camp or stay in halls of residence (which I think is possible) next year? You cant really do it in a day. See http://www.greenbelt.org.uk/ where you can download MP3 files of the talks for a small fee. Dates for 2007 24 to 27 August, already advertised as featuring Ched Myers and NT Wright.

Got Nothing Planned This Evening?

Special bible study tonight at church about the Da Vinci Code. We have a guest speaker, Revd Duncan Ballard of St Mark's. It should be interesting whether or not you have read the book. The topic is "Was Jesus ever married?" and it would be great if we could get lots of people to attend. It's at 7:30pm in the hall. Look forward to seeing you there!

Important News!

Martyn Joseph is coming to the Swan on Sunday October 29th. He is the special guest of Show of Hands; we saw him with one of the members, Steve Knightley, last year. Tickets are £15, book it in your diaries now!

Welcome

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If you don't know what SNOG is all about then this isn't for you, membership by invitation only!