Linkage

So our wee church congregation is now linked to another small congregation in a neighbouring village.

Getting to know each other and identifying ourselves as a joint venture while looking for a new minister is proving a challenge. Are we looking for the same kind of person? How can we be certain that people really want what's best for our communities and aren't jockeying for power? Can we ensure that those who might apply will preach the gospel? Do we trust that God has the venture as part of his plan?

It seems to me that prayer has to take a major role in this. I'm so grateful for the perseverance and encouragement of our prayer group and the possibility of welcoming others to this task.

Procrastination

Our elder son is preparing to leave home and venture into the world of "studentdom" and university. He's taken some time to come to this decision, having been uncertain about his future direction, filling the intervening years since school with 6 months in Cambodia, various jobs and playing in a band.

But now he's decided. He's moving to a university as far away from home as possible, while remaining on the UK mainland. Coming home at the weekend to drop off his washing won't be an option, and neither will forgetting any vital items.

He's all prepared he says, except he hasn't actually packed his bags!

The Census

I find it interesting that my immediate answer to nationality in Sunday's census was "Scottish", while my well-travelled son naturally ticked Scottish and British. Reading and understanding Scots was admitted to by us all. Am I becoming more parochial in my old age or just fighting the under-dog's corner as usual? It's a sair fecht right enough.

Belief Systems

I've just read Phil's blog, in which he comments on the article written by Andrew Copson of the British Humanist Association.

I'm so glad that Phil has pointed out the repeated use of the word "belief". Why is it that so many people who would categorise themselves as intelligent, fail to recognise that everyone, not merely those viewed as "religious" (a term which carries its own baggage), exist within their own belief system? We all have a world view which has been carefully moulded by aspects such as home, family, schooling and our favoured mentors. Add to that our human propensity to think we know best and our "beliefs" become more entrenched.

Surely the intelligent thing to do would be to admit that Christians, Jews, Vegans, Racists, Humanists, Conservatives etc. all have beliefs and to respect their right to hold those beliefs. That doesn't mean to say you agree with, or condone those ideas, but the extent and stature of your intelligence could determine if you might be open to listening to conflicting testimonies.

Copson appears to pooh-pooh testimonies, but Shelley's writing became popular because those who were moved by his works testified to that effect; Dawkin's testimonies are popular with many Humanists; my husband's Great Aunt Margaret's testimony of answered prayer hit home with me. The next step should be acting on testimony and following the truth, but that's another discussion.

Phil's Treehouse: Shelley was wrong: a response to Andrew Copson.

Phil's Treehouse: Shelley was wrong: a response to Andrew Copson.: "Andrew Copson the chief executive of the British Humanist Association has written a piece in The Guardian in praise of Percy Bysshe Shelley...."

Here goes...: Why England lose at Football and win at Cricket

Here goes...: Why England lose at Football and win at Cricket

First thoughts...

I'm not practised at writing blogs, or even writing my views down for others to scrutinise, so I expect this will be a bit haphazard until I can get into the flow! Please bear with me, and I apologise in advance for my lack of technical prowess.

Anyway, nothing ventured, nothing gained so here goes...