Weekend away photos
Here are some images from the Sanctus1 weekend away. We had a great time at St. Deiniols, thanks to Eva, Lev and Ruthieee for organizing everything. If people want to get hold of the book that we used you can get it here. But I'm gonna get a couple for the sanctus1 library...
Memorial Day
"Send a card for Memorial Day and help saves lives" proclaims one of the "many" emails facing me this morning. I can't help but think that if we save lives, then there will be nobody left for whom to have a memorial day. Or am I going about this the wrong way? Maybe I should have had breakfast this morning.
Blah...Manchester. Faithful Betrayals with Pete Rollins
Faithful Betrayals: the ir/religious nature of Christianity
What if one of the core elements of Christianity lay in a demand that we betray it, while the ultimate act of affirming God required the forsaking of God? And what if fidelity to the Judeo-Christian scriptures demanded their renunciation? In short, what if the only way of finding faith involves betraying it with a kiss?
By employing the insights of apophatic theology and deconstructive theory this seminar seeks to explore the subversive and clandestine nature of a Christianity that dwells within religious institutions while simultaneously undermining them. Here we will explore the Promethean nature of a faith which attempts to live up to the name bestowed upon it by the divine: Israel, one who wrestles with God.
Peter Rollins is the founding member of Ikon and a freelance lecturer in philosophy. He is the author of the recently published How (Not) to Speak of God (SPCK/Paraclete) acclaimed by Brian McLaren as ‘one of the most rewarding books of theology he has read in ten years.’
blah...manchester is a series of conversations hosted by CMS in partnership with The Church Army on mission, worship, church and Christianity in today’s rapidly changing culture. It’s a time to keep listening, chatting and reflecting as God beckons us into the future.
Monday 12th June
6:30-8:30pm
Drinks and refreshments provided
Admission free
Venue: Nexus. For directions see: http://www.nexusonline.org.uk/contactus.htm
Drinks served from 6:30
Input begins at 7:00
Let Ben know if you're coming - blah@sanctus1.co.uk
Great Manchester Run
Neither rain, nor snow, nor heat, nor gloom of night stopped me (and one or two others) from completing the ten km pounding of the mean streets ofManchester (mostly Trafford, but that's being pedantic) that is the Great Manchester Run. I am happy to report that I was able to improve on last year's time and complete the course in 55 minutes 12 seconds coming in 8178th out of a field of 30,000 odd runners - some of them very odd.
When battling my way through the massed ranks of charity runners, I met up with some of the good folk from The Message. About ten seconds after starting I lost them but by then, only the run matters. However, this tired body was encouraged at the 7km mark when a friendly voice at my side yelled "Come on Rob!" and there were Andy and Dan. And I should also say that when I popped round to their marquee afterwards to see how they all did, I was given a rousing round of applause, despite not even running fort them. Traidcraft were my charity of choice this year.
Church on the Edge
Sanctus1 is featured in this new book. I've skimmed the book and it's a good basic introduction to 21st century mission and church. It's from an evangelical perspective and so has that slant on it. One thing that I like is the stories that it contains at the end (which is where Sanctus1 is featured) - We're sandwiched between and independent church in Madrid and an Elim Church in Tamworth...a rather unlikely mix!
Davinci Mass
Robin Gamble, the canon evangelist at Manchester Cathedral, is a great opportunist and with the release of the film of The Davinci code he decided that Manchester Cathedral would run a Davinci Mass - It's on Tuesday 30th May at 8pm in Manchester.
Robin said, "People have read the book and will see the film. The Mass is a chance to enter the mystery. Expect the unexpected at this unique event, which will culminate in the opportunity to share in the mystical and spiritual experience of the true bloodline of Jesus. All will be revealed at Manchester Cathedral at 8pm on 30 May."
Here's the poster, which is rather amusing...
Robin said, "People have read the book and will see the film. The Mass is a chance to enter the mystery. Expect the unexpected at this unique event, which will culminate in the opportunity to share in the mystical and spiritual experience of the true bloodline of Jesus. All will be revealed at Manchester Cathedral at 8pm on 30 May."
Here's the poster, which is rather amusing...
Technorati Tags: Manchester, mission
The day of Rockoning is here
God has won the Eurovision Song Contest.
I plugged the Finnish entry back in April. Their holy rockfest, bad puns and spectacular pyrotechnics saw them run away with the cheesiest music prize tonight.
So respect to Lordi and Hard Rock Hallelujah. See the video here (yes, they looked like that on the night). And check out these beautiful lyrics - spot the rock puns:
Hard Rock Hallelujah!
Hard Rock Hallelujah!
The saints are crippled
On this sinners’ night
Lost are the lambs with no guiding light
The walls come down like thunder
The rocks about to roll
It’s the Arockalypse
Now bare your soul
All we need is lightning
With power and might
Striking down the prophets of false
As the moon is rising
Give us the sign
Now let us rise up in awe
CHORUS:
Rock ’n roll angels bring thyn hard rock hallelujah
Demons and angels all in one have arrived
Rock ’n roll angels bring thyn hard rock hallelujah
In God’s creation supernatural high
The true believers
Thou shall be saved
Brothers and sisters keep strong in the faith
On the day of Rockoning
It’s who dares, wins
You will see the jokers soon’ll be the new kings
All we need is lightning
With power and might
Striking down the prophets of false
As the moon is rising
Give us the sign
Now let us rise up in awe
CHORUS:
Rock ’n roll angels bring thyn hard rock hallelujah
Demons and angels all in one have arrived
Rock ’n roll angels bring thyn hard rock hallelujah
In God’s creation supernatural high
Wings on my back
I got horns on my head
My fangs are sharp
And my eyes are red
Not quite an angel
Or the one that fell
Now choose to join us or go straight to Hell
Hard Rock Hallelujah!
Hard Rock Hallelujah!
Hard Rock Hallelujah!
Hard Rock Hallelujah!
CHORUS:
Rock ’n roll angels bring thyn hard rock hallelujah
Demons and angels all in one have arrived
Rock ’n roll angels bring thyn hard rock hallelujah
In God’s creation supernatural high
Hard Rock Hallelujah!
It's 3.30am and this is what I think of Da Vinci
Prompted by the crazy Reverend Cris, I have just been to the midnight showing of The DaVinci Code at Manchester's AMC.
My full thoughts on this, um, fascinating film can be seen on my blog here.
I'm going to bed now. Mustn't forget to say my prayers...
My full thoughts on this, um, fascinating film can be seen on my blog here.
I'm going to bed now. Mustn't forget to say my prayers...
Sweet Sixteen
A Ken Loach classic that we never got round to seeing at the cinema, and plonked ourselves down in front of last night, with chilli con carne and a bottle of red.
A beautiful compelling film addressing most of Loach’s main concerns – daily life, ordinary folk, life’s obstacles, the mundane streaked with black humour… Liam is 15, his mum’s in prison, he’s not in school, his Dad’s not around anymore, life seems to be plotting a path for him into petty crime in his home town, but Liam wants so much more…
The opening shots really framed the whole thing for me – small children looking through a telescope at the stars and Saturn. Turns out they’re being charged a fee per look in the back garden of a council house in Greenock but nonetheless the imagery is strong – aiming high, getting out of here, looking beyond life as we know it. And there are so many shots of viewing life at a distance and/ or through a lens – from a tower block, with binoculars, across the Clyde.
Two quotes sprung to mind again and again. The unattributable but popular, "Aim for the moon, because even if you miss it you'll end up amongst the stars." And Oscar Wilde’s classic ““We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.”
Well worth watching - as long as you aren’t a social worker, teacher, parent, youth worker, play therapist, fifteen year old, etc etc.
The wrong 'Guy'
You're an economics and business studies graduate seeking work at one of Britain's best known corporations, the BBC. You put in an application for Data Support Cleanser and you get an interview. The big day arrives, and donning a smart suit, you turn up at the BBC and wait in reception.A man appears and quickly escorts you to the interview which is being held, rather suprisingly, in a studio. Not quite sure why they're interviewing you here, rather than an office, you play along - perhaps this is the BBC way? And just as a presenter introduces you as an editor of an IT magazine, it hits you.... all too late.
To check out the EXACT moment (around 40 seconds in) when he realises what's happened, click here - priceless!
To check out the EXACT moment (around 40 seconds in) when he realises what's happened, click here - priceless!
save me
I've accidentally overwritten my rather cool "save me"/ floating crosses screensaver by mistake (it came from a website of a church in Devon a couple of years back?). I was fiddling round on the BBC's The Street website at the time, trying to see if their screensaver had the brilliant cut-out, overlay animated titles... Compelling episode again last night - Timothy Spall's cabbie befriending an African asylum seeker. Sad, terrifying, frustrating, hopeful...
Anyhoo... any recommendations on where to get a good new one?
I tried Googling emerging church screensaver and got TSK and Mark Berry amonsgt other things...
Anyhoo... any recommendations on where to get a good new one?
I tried Googling emerging church screensaver and got TSK and Mark Berry amonsgt other things...
We're a proper church now
At last night's shared meal and service, Stephen had ordered this for us to eat...
Oh yes, we're a proper church now.
Walk this way
A while ago at the 40 service, we made prayer bracelets during the service as part of our worship. It’s a cord of forty knots, with three beads on it and tied together at the end. I’ve worn it on my left wrist almost every day since I made it. I think that someone did something similar at Greenbelt one year – Ikon? Echo?
Anyway, some of you might remember that I have been lamenting the loss of my old walk to work since we moved flats and offices. It was previously one of the most spiritually loaded times of my day (the places I passed, the route I walked, the time it gave me to reflect).
So this morning I finally made the connection (I am slow!) between wearing my prayer bracelet and my new walk to work. I don’t have to wait for the significance to come to me, I can make it happen, in fact I have it with me almost every day…
This morning then, I walked from close to Deansgate station and started to use the bracelet to pray the Jesus prayer at each knot. At each bead, I reflected on three different things that I wanted to pray about – my life and relationship with God, my relationship with others, and the wider world. On the final knot that joins the two ends of the bracelet, I prayed the Lord’s prayer, and ended up at that moment, just at the corner near 8th Day/ Oxford Road - perfect timing for me being 100m from the office front door.
I’m so pleased to say it worked! Guess what? I’ve got a new walk to work ritual.
Anyway, some of you might remember that I have been lamenting the loss of my old walk to work since we moved flats and offices. It was previously one of the most spiritually loaded times of my day (the places I passed, the route I walked, the time it gave me to reflect).
So this morning I finally made the connection (I am slow!) between wearing my prayer bracelet and my new walk to work. I don’t have to wait for the significance to come to me, I can make it happen, in fact I have it with me almost every day…
This morning then, I walked from close to Deansgate station and started to use the bracelet to pray the Jesus prayer at each knot. At each bead, I reflected on three different things that I wanted to pray about – my life and relationship with God, my relationship with others, and the wider world. On the final knot that joins the two ends of the bracelet, I prayed the Lord’s prayer, and ended up at that moment, just at the corner near 8th Day/ Oxford Road - perfect timing for me being 100m from the office front door.
I’m so pleased to say it worked! Guess what? I’ve got a new walk to work ritual.
Sanctus2nds - Ice Cream Sundae
Ice Cream Sundae
a service in celebration of sweetness, goodness, the changing seasons...
Sunday 14th May: 4 - 5 p.m.
Sacred Trinity Church, Chapel Street, Salford.
Open to people of all ages, Sanctus2nds is a sanctuary for creativity, reflection and socialising.
Sanctus2nds will feature a cafe space to refresh your body, a creative space to inspire your mind, and a prayer space to nurture your soul; building an environment to encounter Christ.
Sanctus2nds will also feature an under 5’s play space.
Vote for Nickname Vitaliser!
I know we have about twelvety Sanctus people standing in the local elections (with Sarah trouncing my least favourite party in Withington), but a shout out has to go to Lev for a strong second in Northenden, nicely bucking a negative trend for his party in Manchester.
By the way, he didn't stand under his much-used nickname of Lev. If you don't know his real name, he's the one in this table whose moniker is an anagram of "nickname vitaliser".
Hmmm... What Would Laura Think?
By the way, he didn't stand under his much-used nickname of Lev. If you don't know his real name, he's the one in this table whose moniker is an anagram of "nickname vitaliser".
Hmmm... What Would Laura Think?
Tomorrow of all days...
Use your vote.
Stop the BNP.
Mini-rant over. Promise.
Have a sunny rest of Wednesday.
Update:
Sitting in the park across the road, eating chips and beans and chatting, we were approached by a nice looking, polite, young man, who was waving some green photocopied leaflets that bore the words "go green" on them. After a not-too-pressing question or three later, we worked out he was a Tory, to which he admitted once it became obvious we'd seen through his ruse... I told him I'd already voted by post, and I refused to tell him how since I was a believer in the magic words "secret ballot". S told him that she'd only vote blue when "hell froze over". After he'd sauntered off with his tale between his legs, we started coming up with other ways to end the conversation, some of the best of which are listed below:
stuffing him in a recycling bin
telling him we'd had a change of heart and thought that Dave that Chameleon was the saviour of modern Britain after all
praying for the release of his demons
pulling his pants down and running away
All very grown up... And now S thinks I'm a closet Tory, simply cos I won't tell her how I vote. You really can't win. I just wanted to eat me chips and beans.
Stop the BNP.
Mini-rant over. Promise.
Have a sunny rest of Wednesday.
Update:
Sitting in the park across the road, eating chips and beans and chatting, we were approached by a nice looking, polite, young man, who was waving some green photocopied leaflets that bore the words "go green" on them. After a not-too-pressing question or three later, we worked out he was a Tory, to which he admitted once it became obvious we'd seen through his ruse... I told him I'd already voted by post, and I refused to tell him how since I was a believer in the magic words "secret ballot". S told him that she'd only vote blue when "hell froze over". After he'd sauntered off with his tale between his legs, we started coming up with other ways to end the conversation, some of the best of which are listed below:
stuffing him in a recycling bin
telling him we'd had a change of heart and thought that Dave that Chameleon was the saviour of modern Britain after all
praying for the release of his demons
pulling his pants down and running away
All very grown up... And now S thinks I'm a closet Tory, simply cos I won't tell her how I vote. You really can't win. I just wanted to eat me chips and beans.
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