February 6th

We can't believe we are in week 5 already - time is racing by so quickly! Jon went on a walk with some people from the church on Saturday in Adlestrop - great weather and good fellowship.

Ali did the children's talk in the morning service on Sunday. She blew a balloon up, let it go and then hung grapes on a piece of string! And all to illustrate John 15:1-17.

Jon led communion in the evening - but without the balloons, string and the only grapes were in the wine!

Ali went along to the lunch today and then shared some of her personal story at the Ladies Fellowship. Jon is busy planning the Home Group material for tomorrow evening.

January 24th

First up - Ali passed her driving test on Monday after the blog was published - She is still in shock!

Second, we were at another pastors' meeting yesterday morning, followed by Jon going to the lunch club and Ali going to the Ladies Fellowship. There was lots of postive feedback about Jon leading the evening service on Sunday, but he was accused of being a Pentecostal by one lady! (This was a positive comment...!)

Jon went to the Christianity Explored course that began at Cambray on Monday night. It was a generally good experience but it was the introductory session. Hopefully he will be able to continue going along and see some more of the course. Seeing as it is based on Mark - the Mark course we did in the autumn term will be coming in useful!

January 17th

Sunday last started early with Ali going along to the Gateway Fellowship at 9.15am which is a service for adults with learning difficulties. One lovely chap had seen Ali with her usual hat on around Cheltenham and told everyone there she had a hat. This was funny, but only because she wasn't wearing it! It was good to use Makaton to sign the songs - one lady thought Ali had picked up the signs very quickly, but Ali told her it was because she'd been using sign for a number of years and wasn't to do with some sudden ability! The people there were really friendly and welcoming.
Following straight on was the morning service where we were interviewed by the associate pastor, Fred and given an opportunity to share a bit about ourselves, what we hope to get out of the placement and what our plans for the future are. The music for the service was provided by a piano accompanied by three violins, a cello and a guitar! Jon read the morning's reading, our first 'proper' involvement in a Cambray service.
Evening saw Ali at church again, as it was her turn to read the reading. Music this time provided by the organ and a trumpet.
Tuesday this week was a review meeting with John, Fred and Don again. Good to spend some time with them sharing about what we had been involved in. Then Jon went with John to Oxford where John is teaching a five-week course on Christ in the Psalms, once a week. This course is a one- or two-year course run by several different churches to support people interested in ministry, building upon a course already in place in one of the anglican churches in Oxford. There is one full day per week of both lectures and practical teaching and is attended by about 40 people. It was really encouaging to see not just this number of people attending, but also the commitment from various churches to work together to train possible future leaders.
Ali, meanwhile, went to the lunch club again - really nice to chat with the folks there and find out a bit more about what they get up to.

January 9th

Yesterday evening Ali was invited to a meeting that was discussing arrangements and plans for a women's away day. It was very interesting to see how they view the importance of women in pastoral care within Cambray.
Today we began by meeting with John, Fred and Don to talk over what we'll be doing during the week. We then went along to the lunch club and got to know a few of the more mature members of the congregation. The food was great, and the club seemed well attended.
After lunch we went in two different directions; Jon went to the men's prayer meeting and Ali to the ladies fellowship meeting.
The prayer meeting consisted of about half a dozen older men, although some people were away today. Jon was asked if he would mind opening with a brief moment of devotions - five minutes before the start! It seemed to go OK, and it was good to spend time in prayer with these men.
The ladies fellowship was a well attended group. Two ladies shared their personal verse for the year and Ali was interviewed (but at least had had prior warning and was ready to be questioned.) Fred spoke about Psalm 138 and afterwards there was a welcome cup of tea!
This evening Jon has gone along to sit in on a deacons' meeting.

In the next couple of days we will be attending home groups, a bible study and the toddler group, so will be quite busy dashing back and forth to Cheltenham.