Online Christian community… an exploration

If you live in the Milton Keynes area you are invited to join in an online Christian book discussion about the book  Blood Brothers: The Unforgettable Story of a Palestinian Working for Peace in Israel by Elias Chacour. (If you follow the link above it takes to to a pdf file where you can read the first bit of the book online.)  Elias Chacour, a Palastinian Christian, is now Archbishop in the Melkite Greek Catholic Church and tells his own life story in a very powerful way.

On the Biblelands trip to the Holyland last October, our group had the privilege of meeting with Elias Chacour, hearing him tell his story and answer our questions.  It was a highlight of the trip.

Peter B. & I had were inspired by Elias’ powerful vision for peace in the region.  We thought his book would make good material for an online Christian book study.  In this study we look forward to reflecting on this powerful book and sharing some of our experiences from our recent Holy land trip.

The online format allows you to read the book in your own time & not have to travel to weekly meetings.  However, we will meet in person  for the introductory and concluding sessions on:

Sunday the 17^th of May at 3:30 pm

Sunday the 12^th of July at 3:30 pm

In between these meetings, our discussions will take place on a private blog.

To reserve your place (and find out the location of the meetings) or for more information please comment here (and leave your email address) or contact me, Rev. Mindy, at revmindyatgmaildotcom.  Please help us spread the word by telling your friends & others who might be interested.

We will have the book available for purchase at the introductory meeting.

Change of scenery

In honor of the Online Book Study which is starting this Sunday I have changed the picture in the header.  In the study we will be reading the autobiography of Archbishop Elias Chacour, Blood Brothers.   The above picture is of me with Elias as he was autographing my copy of Blood Brothers. The photo was taken in October 2009 at his office in Haifa after he generously spent much of his morning meeting with our Biblelands group.  It was a very inspirational morning.

Blogging as a Lenten Discipline?

Hello ya’ll!  That is if there is anyone out there… I hope I still have a few readers.  Sorry, I have been such a bad blogger.  I know I really have been terrible!  I haven’t posted anything since August when I had once again recommitted myself to posting.  So here I go at another try… I am trying to think of blogging as a Lenten Discipline I am taking up in order to reflect on life, in this season of preparation for Easter.  After all isn’t Lent about facing our brokenness (my inability to keep promises I make to myself), changing our ways (repentance), and trying again confident that God journeys with us.

On a recent Wednesday evening, I traveled to The University of Northampton to hear John Bell, of the Iona community, at a lecture entitled “Incarnating Mystery… The Power of Words and Music in Worship.”  It was a great lecture and I was very glad I had made the journey to Northampton.  John started out his lecture by sharing a story.  He said when he was young and first thinking about a life working in the ministry of the church he was given some good advice by a local minister who was wise with experience.  The advice was, “You have to have three loves if you are going into some form of the ministry.  These are a love of God, a love for people, and a love for words/language.”

It was the third of category I was surprised by.  I didn’t think it was wrong, I just didn’t expect its inclusion in such a list.  John went on to explain that we primarily convey truth about God through words and thus a love of language is important.  His sharing prompted me to see this experience in my own preparations for Sunday worship and more fully in John’s work as a writer of poetry, prayers, & hymns.  There is also something deeper to it too because we Christians call Jesus Christ, the Word of God.  As people of faith we use humble words to explore the mystery of the Word who called all creation into being. (John 1:1-5)

So it is back to blogging for me as I seek to explore with you the world of words and language.  Until next time…

Catching up…

Sorry, for the dearth of blog posts. I am terribly sorry for the much delayed posting! Lots has been going on and I guess I have been busy enough living life that I haven’t had any time to write. Some of the things that have occupied me, besides normal work, include: ordination, visitors from the States (4 sets of folks already this summer), holidays/vacations, and saying goodbye to a congregation which will be in pastoral charge of another minister beginning in Sept. There is much to say and I thus recommit myself to posting (both on the events of this summer, but also about things as they happen) to share with you my meanderings.

Blessings,

Mindy

Hello world!

It is with trepidation I start this blog as I am unsure what I can and want to say.    However, I enjoy reading other’s blogs.  I find them a good way to keep in touch with friends and family, especially since most of us are separated by many many miles.   So I am going to give it a go in the hopes that my blog enables others to better keep in touch with me. 

I don’t know how profound my blogging will be but I regularly find myself thinking ”that would be a good blog entry.”  So I begin with the twin hopes of using this blog for theological reflection and for sharing stories which remind me that life in the UK is still a mystery to me.  

Welcome to those who have found this and hope you enjoy meandering with me!