Re-cap of the Year So Far... (1 of 2)

Good evening all,


The last time I posted was just before I left for New York for a family holiday. I won’t bore you with the details, but I had an amazing time and was suitably impressed with the city (and the phone bill that came with data roaming out there!)

Upon my return (20th December, and by upon my return, I mean literally 2-3 hours after we landed) I rushed to church with my gear and music in tow to play a set for the church’s Christmas Party/Club Night! It was a success as far as I could gather, Claire Foreman provided the UV glow paint to add to the ravey atmosphere and everyone got dancing to the funk, soul, hip-hop and drum & bass, even if it was a bit short lived!

On Christmas Eve, the interns hosted a guest service on the theme of “Gift” with a focus on Jesus being God’s greatest gift to mankind. All in all, the service ran well, but was not without its struggles and challenges for all involved – Emma, another of the interns fell ill during her talk and I had to cover for her.

Given the nature of my course, there is the (ongoing) requirement of journals, directed tasks (etc. for fieldwork) and essays related to my modules. During January, this occupied the majority of my time (as the word limit was 5000) and so a lot of time and effort went into it. Incidentally, it was on the topic of work with 9 – 13s in the church and how it could be developed. I’m still yet to receive a mark for it, so I’m not going to share any details, lest I’ve been royally rebuked by the markers! Towards the end of this time, Ben Poch organised another prayer room in St. Edward’s C of E School, which was yet another amazing time where young people really engaged with prayer and God!

The first weekend in February saw Jamie, Ruth, Mark, Ben Poch, Stephen Poch, Sam Tagg, Richard Shaw, Andy Stannard and the interns head up to Nottingham Center Parcs for Soul Survivor’s Soul Net conference. It was an incredibly powerful time of worship, prayer, teaching and fun (there’s a massive water park – I was never going to pass that up now was I?) The most memorable bit of teaching came from Mike Pillavacci on the nature of the prophet and the need for them to identify and share agony with those who they lead.

In Part 2:

Leadership retreat in Wales, Romania Fundraisers: Bake sales & OTT (RTS dramatic production), Coopers’ School Prayer Week, Worship Central, the Impact Project and the Newcomers’ meal.

Thanks and God bless,

Jason.