Carole's Corner
Going to church doesn't make you a Christian …
any more than standing in a garage makes you a car.
Hi Folks
Well we're coming to the end of July and it's almost the end of my placement with Oldbury and Langley. It's been really special and I've made so many friends. I've thoroughly enjoyed these last few weeks and am very grateful to Revd. Canon John Barnett and his team for all their support. Now it's just the 5000 words of write up to do for Queen's Foundation … ooer!! It almost goes without saying that my bungalow still has that 'fleeing my homeland' look.
The good news is that Queen's Foundation likes what I've done in my first year so I've been recommended for my second year of ordination studies and formation. Hooray and yay St. Paul's where I should be allocated for my Curacy training this time next year! My modules for year two will include feminist theology, interfaith studies and Christian ethics - should be illuminating and perhaps even fun (I think). I'm really looking forward to my holiday week in September before starting year two. Boy do I need the break.
Meantime, I'm delighted to say I'll be back home at St. Paul's for a couple of evening services in August. On the 10th August we'll have a nice meditation (as long as Brenda Hadley promises not to enter a catatonic state and frighten Glennys into thinking she's died).
Then on 24th August there will be a 'Songs of Praise' based on the theme 'Now Thank We All Our God'. I do hope you will want to take part in thanking God for something good in your life by sharing your story and choosing a hymn which best expresses how you feel. I'll be happy to read out your story, or a reading you feel particularly appropriate, if you don't feel able to do it personally. Give me a call to let me have your choice and story or to chat through what you would like for your contribution (0121 561 5761).
Did you know I am SuperMom?
Thanks to all of you who continue to ask about how my daughter, Leonie, is doing. I'm happy to report that she is now 23 and due to start teaching religious education and sociology at a Bromsgrove high school in September. I thought you might like to share her account of how she gets rid of a nuisance insurance salesman. Leonie had set up a savings account and needed to activate an access card, only to be pounced on by the obligatory 'before we activate your card…' and Leonie's text to me says:
'the lady kept asking me about life cover and critical health care, etc. For every question, I kept telling her "my Mom would cover it; yeah, she'd sort that too." The woman finally gave up at "No, I don't want insurance, I have a Mother!".
Leonie says it's her motto for life to be used on all insurance people! What a star! But then, what wouldn't we do for our children … even become a SuperMom?
The following thoughts and prayer are to ponder in a quiet time with God.
Unconditional Love - some thoughts and a prayer
God's Love is unconditional.
There is nothing we can do to earn it.
We receive it - and are accepted by - the Grace of God.
We received our Trinity God's love directly.
There is no intermediary.
We are folded in God's loving arms by
God's infinite compassion.
God allows us to judge ourselves.
We need to have the courage to approach
God's awesome loving forgiveness,
Offering only our sins and repentance.
Lord God, you love me unconditionally,
Help me to love others in the same way.
When things are not easy, when things go wrong,
Help me to love and support others without attaching blame,
And be with me as I seek to forgive and to be forgiven.
Amen.
When times are tough …
Never be afraid to try something new. Remember that a lone amateur built the Ark - a large group of professionals built the Titanic.
Always keep your words soft and sweet - just in case you have to eat them.
Accept that some days you're the pigeon, and some days you're the statue.
And for the 'ripened' …
Women over 60 don't have babies because they would put them down and forget where they had left them.
Just when I was getting used to yesterday, along came today!
One of life's mysteries is how a 2 pounds box of chocolates can make the mature woman gain 5 pounds!
A big 'thank you' to everybody who is praying for me and please do remember to keep me in your prayers: I need the power of your love supporting me for the coming year.
Much love in Christ
Carole.
