sofachurch

Greenbelt freshers

2009-07-17T19:21:00.003+01:00

This is a post for people who've been to Greenbelt or have camping experience (you don't have to be a SofaChurcher, btw) to post their tips to help everyone else. I'll get the ball rolling...

Positive uses of technology

2009-07-16T16:54:00.002+01:00

A slight change to the published schedule; we should be finishing off the current series with a celebration meal this evening, but we're not organised enough for it this week and haven't given anyone warning. So that will have to be in two weeks' time.

So this evening we'll have a look at the topic we tried to do last time - how technology can be used to enhance our lives as followers of Jesus. Come along and pick up some new ideas and share your own. The meeting will be led by Susie.

Sounds like us, Mr Bell

2009-07-11T20:27:00.003+01:00

I was just listening to a talk by Rob Bell* (how holy for a Saturday night?) on the Mars Hill podcast and this section jumped out at me. I instantly nabbed the Mac from a bemused Andy (who was only trying to find a new house for us) to tap it out for you to read.

This could certainly be written about me: how about you?

"For parents, sometimes you'll hear the story: "I'm so concerned about my child, they've gone off on a search; they've left the church; they've gone off and they're reading this speaker or this one," and there's a tear in the parents' eyes. "We raised them, they went to church, they went to Sunday School, they heard all the stories: what's happened?"

I would argue that what happens naturally, developmentally, when you've grown up around a particular faith tradition, is that you've grown up knowing, which is different from knowing.

And so oftentimes, what the search is and what looks like a departure, may actually be the most healthy thing imaginable, because this kid - this adult - may have come to a point of realising that, "I know, but I don't know; and it's not enough for me to just know about, I want to know."

And so sometimes what happens is that the Christian community freaks: "They're reading this, they're exploring this, they're talking about this!" When the Christian tradition should celebrate that this person is not satisfied just to 'know about', they want the full epigonosis** enchillada!

And at the very moment when as Christians, we should celebrate someone who says, "I actually want to know what it is that I believe and I want to live it. And I want to sift and sort and I want to know what's out there, because I want to have an authentic understanding of my own journey and what it means to believe and live in the world." At that moment, the church should be cheering the way because there's no fear.

Instead the church freaks, shuts down and reinforces all of the closed, narrow-minded stereotypes this person has in the first place. Because perhaps what's happening - perhaps - this person has realised that I don't just want to know, I want to know. And we should celebrate that impluse wherever we find it."

* Main speaker at Greenbelt this year - yay!

** Greek term meaning something along the lines of 'super-knowledge' (makes more sense in the context of the rest of the sermon)

Because I'm worth it...

2009-07-08T23:20:00.003+01:00

Pick up any magazine at this time of the year and you'll be sure to find at least one article telling you how you can lose those surplus pounds to look great in your bikini on the beach.*

If, like me, you've had just about enough of feeling crap about your body and eating in crazy, unhealthy ways in order to try and look like a 12 year old, come along to this weeks' Cafe Church where we'll be looking at the whole area of body image and self-esteem.

Highlights include a 'his and hers' interview featuring our very own Rev. Austin for the boys' view, and yours truly giving the no-holds-barred experience of being a girl of the Kate Moss generation.

Why do we spend so long worrying about our appearances? Who gains from our preoccupation with image? Why is beauty considered so much more desirable than other traits? Why can we only start to feel good about ourselves when we look a certain way? And how might God prefer us to think about our self-worth?

Hope to see you all there for more question (and tiffin square**) chewing over.

* Er, what bikini? And what beach?

** Unless you're on said bikini diet, that is.

Sunday rest

2009-07-05T10:30:00.000+01:00

Anyone around this Sunday afternoon for some Sunday afternoon fun?

Thought I'd check who's around before planning the activity. And the picture? Oh, any excuse to show off my beautiful boy.

Engaging with technology

2009-07-01T12:26:00.003+01:00

This weeks' SofaChurch will continue our look at technology and the effects of communications technologies in particular on our lives.

This week we'll be thinking about the more positive sides of new technologies, focussing especially on how, as Christians, we can keep up to date with and exploit newer methods of communication to get some positivity out there.

Hope to see you there.

Dogma

2009-06-22T20:02:00.002+01:00

This weeks' film is Dogma, produced by controversial Catholic producer and film star, Kevin Smith.

(I'll ask Andy what to write about it as my recommendation would be along the lines of: "Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Salma Hayek and Alan Rickman - something for everyone there.")

So, to quote Andy:

"The film is a very irreverant and crude comedy that explores how God and humans relate to each other. It caused an outcry in Christian circles when it was released. It's certainly not for you if you can't tolerate bad language (it's an 18 because of the copious amounts of swearing - sex and violence is fairly minimal)."

Portrait

2009-06-18T17:57:00.001+01:00

Couldn't resist showing you this caricature done of me at a family party the other night - genius, huh?

I'll get a picture of Andy's up here soon too (though he's less than keen: you'll soon see why...)

Railway walk

2009-06-16T10:35:00.004+01:00

This Sunday we'll be wandering along Alsager's beautiful Salt Line railway.

Bring waterproofs, comfy shoes and a picnic tea. We'll meet in the SC room as normal, between 2 and 2.15pm.

(Sorry about this next bit, but you have to do this sort of thing when you're doing a Christian blog post:)

There'll be no sleepers on Sunday afternoon, as we're on track for a sunny weekend. We'll be chuffed to see you all there, but don't forget your snack to chew chew (etc).

cafechurch :: Street Doctor

2009-06-08T20:10:00.000+01:00

On Thursday 11th June we are holding our next cafechurch event at Tesco's Costa Coffee in Crewe. This month our theme is Street Doctor; come and discuss ways of staying healthy and how to lead a balanced life.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

SC:Sunday gets Messy

2009-06-08T20:03:00.003+01:00

On Sunday 14^th (this Sunday) we will be having Messy Church for all ages at St Andrew’s Church Hall on Bedford Street in Crewe* 4.00-6.00.

At Messy Church there are craft activities, games, refreshments, worship and a meal together. Great for families to come together with ready made fun!

This time the title is ‘1+1+1=1?’. How can this be right?!? Come along and find out.

Book your tickets in advance – Children 4 years old and over 75p, all 16 and over £1.25. Contact Revd Austin on 01270 215866.

*Instead of meeting in the SC room as we usually do, we'll head directly to St. Andrews Church Hall.

SC:Sunday is a load of rubbish

2009-06-06T13:18:00.006+01:00

Hi all! Just so you know, this Sunday is guaranteed to be a load of rubbish...

The plan is to turn cardboard boxes into something else - literally whatever you fancy. Boxes and a variety of crafty bits will be provided, but if you have any unwanted bits kicking around at home, please do bring them (cans of paint/tester pots/tissue paper/wallpaper/buttons/wrapping paper etc).

If the weather's as bad as it is today, we'll stay in the SC room; if it's too nice to be indoors, we'll head either over to the church field or to our back garden and get creative (and messy - hoorah) there.

Hope you can all come!

Pie Rolling 2009

2009-06-03T21:24:00.002+01:00

The pinnacle of the Cheshire sporting calendar takes place this Saturday - the annual Wybunbury Fig Pie Wakes. Please come! if you haven't been before, its a great little village event with Morris Dancers and the like, culminating in a competition where you have to roll a pie the furthest distance down the hill.

Festivities begin at 1pm, first pie rolled by the Mayor at 3pm.

I haven't entered for the last two years but am making a comeback this year. If you would like to enter you need to buy a ticket from the Post office or either pub in Wybunbury. Next step for me is to dust off my wooden practice pie and get to work on my rolling technique...

Is SC like patchwork?

2009-06-03T17:57:00.004+01:00

A piece of patchwork is made from many fabrics that used to be part of bigger pieces of fabric - some sheets, some shirts, others dresses. The best patchworks are made of many different patterns, colours and textures. Although most of the squares are completely different in appearance, in a conventional patchwork each square needs to be exactly the same size.

Patchworking starts small. You kick off by gathering loads of different fabrics that you like and think would work well together.

You cut them into squares, then sew a few of them together to make a long row. Then you do another long row. You sew those two rows together along the long edge. As the rows are sewn together, the patchwork becomes stronger.

As you work, the squares that used to be on the edge of the patchwork gradually move into the centre of the new whole. But that doesn't make them any more important than the new squares arriving on the edges.

One patch on its own is no use at all. It's only when the patches are attached to each other that they complement each other, become beautiful and have the potential to be useful again.

A small patchwork can look lovely as a placemat. A bit more work and it can become a nice tablecloth. A lot of time and effort later you've got a quilt to cover a double bed. All lovely items and very pretty, but each completely different in its appearance and uses.

Some people don't go much for patchwork. Others think it's stunning and spend a fortune buying quilts and cushion covers. Perhaps part of the appeal of patchwork is the sense of history and work behind the finished piece and the stories behind each square - what they used to belong to and how they came to be part of the new whole.

Nantwich pond

2009-05-29T11:33:00.000+01:00

Here's the plan for this Sunday's jaunt: we'll meet at the SC room as normal (between 2 and 2.15pm), then we'll make our way to Nantwich for a ramble along the river and around the pond, ending up at Shrewbridge Road park. There's a good playground for the kids and some lovely willow trees for us to sit under and have a drink and a chat. (Don't forget to bring a drink and snack for you and your family.)

Looking forward to seeing you all then.

Community thoughts

2009-05-29T11:04:00.003+01:00

Hi all. This post may sound incredibly scary, but please read on and don't be too frightened (yet!) These are nothing but very early tentative musings...

I was just listening to Kitty's Disney album, and on it is a song I think from the Piglet's Big Movie, called A Few Good Friends. The lyrics keep 'nudging' at me in a way that sometimes things can do. This is making no sense at all, so I'll explain...

A few years back, Andy and I heard a guy at Greenbelt (I know, I know - enough with Greenbelt) called Tom Sine. He talked about ideas of Christians living in community. To sumarise his ideas (and completely butcher his book, Mustard Seed Versus McWorld) his thinking is that by sharing resources, people stand a better chance of affording housing, having more disposable income to be generous with and don't have to work every hour under the sun to pay huge mortgages leaving no time for voluntary work or fun. The other bonuses of the idea included shared childcare for families and more of a sense of family for singles.

I think the idea is that everyone sells their homes (if they have them), clubs together and buys either the land to build on, or an existing suitable building. Then each family/couple/individual has their own private flat with all the normal rooms in it, but there are areas for the group to share: a common room/lounge, laundry room, garden, veg plot, dining room etc. They might then decide to share use of cars/computers/garden equipment/babysitting services, have a rota for once a week communal meals or whatever they wanted.

I just wondered what everyone's initial reactions were. I'm not suggesting we do this (at least not formally - tee hee). Just putting the idea out there to see what your immediate reactions are.

Go on then - let's be having it. I tend to be quite an idealist, so do be honest and tell me if you think this is plain crazy, stupidly risky and would never, ever work in a million years...

Church sign fail

2009-05-27T19:15:00.001+01:00

Both of these are from failblog.

Television, drug of the nation?

2009-05-27T19:04:00.002+01:00

The week after Atonement we'll discuss television as part of our ongoing reflection on communications technology. Is is a harmless way of relaxing and sharing in a culture, or is it a pernicious way of controlling our minds?

Atonement

2009-05-27T18:43:00.000+01:00

This month's film is Atonement - rating 15. Thursday 28th May, 7.30. As usual, after the film we'll discuss how it can inform our faith.

Canal walk

2009-05-21T13:33:00.002+01:00

This Sunday we're planning to go for a wander along Nantwich canal if the weather's not too bad. We'll gather at the SofaChurch room at 2'ish, then make our way there at about 2.15pm. After the walk, we'll head back to the room for a cuppa until 4.30/5pm. Hopefully the weather will be a bit brighter than it was last Sunday!

BTW, if the weather is terrible on any of the Sundays, we'll stay in the SofaChurch room and either play board games together or Andy will organise some fun running-about type games in the hall for the kids (and big kids) while we natter.

Going Public in Private

2009-05-18T18:55:00.004+01:00

This week as part of our communications technology theme we'll listen to a really interesting Greenbelt talk by John Bell of the Iona Community. He goes into various issues of relevance to us in our journey, it is highly recommended listening. Please join us if you can. If you cannot I can lend you a CD, or you can buy an MP3 recording of the talk here for £2.

As manifest in me-centred worship and the mobile phone, our inner selves are now fodder for public consumption. What are the pros and cons of psychological and spiritual nudity?

Communications technology discipleship tasks

2009-05-16T19:17:00.000+01:00

Here are the challenges for out new theme - how communications technologies can enhance and detract from our journey of faith. I hope that there is something here to grab you all. No obligation, of course, but it would be great if as many people as possible have a go.

1. Have a technology fast. Give up some form of technology that you might be a little bit addicted to, and see if God talks to you in the gap. What that means will vary from person to person. It could mean no TV for three months. It could mean no email after 6pm. It could mean no mobile phone for weekend. It would be great to hear how you found it.

2. Create some silent time and space to meditate on these Bible verses:
1 Kings 19:11-14
Luke 5:15
Psalm 4:4

3. Try out a new form of communication technology in worship. Make a Nooma video. Make a video-link with another church. Podcast SofaChurch. Start twittering.

4. Write down your reflections and make a pledge to do something differently with regards to your use of communications technology.

With all of this, again we aim to publish the responses as a way of marking the progress we've made.

In the mean time, please post your thoughts, ideas, tips, resources on the blog so that we can share our ideas.

All that Jazz!!

2009-05-13T19:21:00.000+01:00

On Thursday 14 May we are holding our next cafechurch event at Tesco's Costa Coffee in Crewe. This month we are having a Jazz evening, with a live performance from our very own Geoff Etherton. There will of course be the usual table quiz and interviews, but also plenty of opportunity to simply chat over your favourite Costa beverage with friends and maybe even sample a slice of cake (Jo and Chocs heartily recommend the Coffee and Walnut!)

Looking forward to seeing you there!

SofaChurch:Sundays

2009-05-13T19:11:00.003+01:00

Hi all

Our SofaChurch:Sundays plans kick off this Sunday for anyone who's free.

We're awaiting permission to meet up in the SofaChurch room for future outings, so for this time we'll meet up at our house (email us if you don't have the address) between 2 and 2.15pm. We'll decide on the day what we fancy doing, as the weather might influence our plans.

Spread the word, and hope to see you all then for a companionable and joyful (if not terribly peaceful) Sunday afternoon.

SofaChurch:Sundays

2009-05-05T20:33:00.002+01:00

Farm vists. Canal walks. Museums. Rounders. Barbecues. Decorating. Hill walks. Messy church. Gardening.

An idea I would like to run by everyone is having a weekly mid-afternoon get together on Sunday afternoons, suitable for all ages.

What do you think?