Word in season

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Two important and substantial aspects of sharing life together as a church community are:

• the centrality of God's word
• sharing times together outside of Sunday

Traditionally these have been met through emphasising personal biblical devotions and through small group ministry. Last year, for instance, we had a number of small groups (men's, women's, young adults') and we promoted the M'Cheyne bible reading program in conjunction with a sermon series on spirituality at the beginning of the year. And while the small groups are currently on hiatus we hope to ramp them up again.

However, quiet times and shared study of the Bible does not require a formalised program. And rather than re-invent the wheel, we thought we'd combine M'Cheyne with a leaf out of the book of New Hope church's Life Journal program.

Every person at Connections got a Christmas present this year - a small notebook and a booklet called "Connections@Home" which contains the M'Cheyne readings and some direction on how to go about journalling (which is what the notebook is for) as part of daily devotions - and how to share that with others.

The journalling method promoted is the "SOAP" method - write down a meaningful Scripture from out of the day's readings, some Observations about it and how it Applies to your life, and a Prayer about that application.

You can share SOAP together by getting together with people for a "20-20-20" time - spending 20 minutes reading the readings, 20 minutes journalling, and 20 minutes sharing and praying together.

A lot of our Connections people are now SOAPing and 20-20-20ing together. Twice a week I do my devotions outside a cafe in the main street of Somerset and it's fantastic to have people join me there.

God's Word is the stuff of life. I'm looking forward to our 2009.

'Twas and 'tis the season

It's now close to mid-summer and an opportune time to look back on the last few weeks - and in particular to the previously mentioned "Kid's Christmas" in the park.

The heart behind this event was very simple: to tell the story of Jesus at Christmas time to those who value some form of spiritual input at Christmas for themselves and their children even if they would not consider themselves to be regular churchgoers.

We held the event in the local park where we are currently meeting (with the surf club as wet weather back-up). We hired a marquee and set up a manger scene. The service revolved around carol-singing and using "pass-the-parcel" and the unwrapping of "gifts" to bring out props and impromptu "actors" to tell the story. It flowed naturally into an opportunity share the heart of the gospel explaining the little fridge-magnet gift - "Jesus is God's gift to us" - that each child could take home.

It was fun. We had advertised widely, in schools and shops - and we weren't sure who or how many would turn up. But a good number (about 60) did of whom many were people who we hadn't seen before or were passers-by that had come to check us out. The feedback was good, relationships were formed.

It was an opportunity to advertise "Connections Summer." The response to the question of "Where do you meet regularly?... In the park" continues to be a question that causes thought about what church is and why that matters.

A few months ago some church-planting friends from Queensland asked the question - "What is the folklore in the community about your church?" The "in the park, enjoying summer" folklore seems to be spreading. As long as it moves people to those substantial questions of what is church, and who is the God who can draw such a diverse bunch of people together and why - then it is a valuable folklore and I am glad.

In the weeks that have followed Christmas engagement amongst our members is high and it is a wonderful thing to see the Holy Spirit stir us.

Photos courtesy of Jonathan Adamczewski.

One of those review of the year thingys

January
Cold wet and boring. Nothing much happened to me

February
Once again my car drains my bank balance, but February marks the first time I visited the Catherine Wheel, and the first time I atempted cybergoth as Pandora at least. I also rediscovered my love of karaoke.

March
Yet more "fun" with my car, a bit of model making and participation in Gillian's Flickr Tranny Day (including some bad 80s fashions!)

April
New hairstyle time! I had five or six inches cut off the end of my hair and started wearing my hair in an off-centre parting with a barrette.

May
A very busy month for me. Several birthday celebrations, including my own (where I revamped my cybergoth outfit), but the big event was going out with the girls on a hen night!

June
After May I needed some time to relax, so again a month with not much going on. Although I did get to see a promotional copy of the sci-fi machinima Clear Skies with one of the voice actors.

July
Also fairly quiet. I saw some live music in my hometown's music festival, and I mused about Tranny Cliches

August
If August was an episode of Friends, it would be called "The one with all the weddings". I went to three separate events and was let down at one, and shocked by sexism at another. I also spent a week housesitting and looking after a cat, which was fun, but reminded me why I don't have pets. It is far too much responsibility.

September
My car let me down again. This time it was the battery finally giving up the ghost. But thanks to supportive and knowledgeable relatives we managed to get the car roadworthy again in time for me to attend another karaoke night at The Wheel with my friends. I also became a god-parent, and had to give a reading in a catholic church.

October
This month I celebrated the end of my first year in my current job (and therefore the one year anniversary of leaving my old hateful job!) I also celebrated Halloween as a voodoo priestess, and did more karaoke.

November
In November I released Kill It With Fire, a little solo dice game. This is my first step on the path as an amateur games designer. I'm currently working on a card game, and I've signed up for an RPG design competition on RPG.net

December
A month for ending and starting. I stated a course in Equality and Diversity for work (quite handy in the Trannisphere too!), and I ended the year with friends once again at The Wheel. Happy New Year girls!

Obviously a lot more than that happened, but that's what I'm willing to share with you lot! I wonder where 2009 will take me?