Tuesday 30th June

2 days in London. VERY HOT. The Big Conversation - a dialogue on Peace Making and conflict with a panel of experts debated the role of faith in peace making.
Speakers included Lord David Trimble, Canon Andrew White (Vicar of Baghdad) and Paul Boateng. Reception and dinner in the evening in Westminster Central Hall.

Monday 29th June

Stalbridge CC has been served very well in the last 2 years by local preachers - many of whom are accredited Methodist preachers. It was a chance to say thank you to them - with a short service followed by some wonderful refreshments!

Sat June 27th

On a very hot day in Oxford, attending a Commemoration Service at Mansfield College Chapel - celebrating and honouring 123 years of Theological Education and Training for ordained ministry. (Which has now come to an end). Richard Cleaves read the Gospel Reading.

Wednesday June 24th

Way Village, Devon
A meeting of one of our most rural Churches - a little Church reaching out into their community with great vision. (At one time at looked as if this Church might close - please pray for them).

Sunday 21st June

Baptism at Dowlais Congregational Church. The family and friends joined the Church for the happy occasion.





Baby plus headless parents and godfather (Photography is not one of my gifts).

Saturday 20th June

A privilege to chair the induction service for William Gayden as Mission Leader at Kingswood (Bristol) Congregation Church.




William with deacons together with Barbara Bridges who gave the address.

Stalbridge and Longney

31st May - Pentecost. I took the anniversary service at Stalbridge, Dorset which included remembering the year that has gone but also asking the Holy Spirit for the year ahead. (Next year will be the 140th Anniversary of the present building but the church was there at least 150 years before).

On the same day I journeyed on to Longney, Gloucestershire to enjoy another service which included communion.

N.B At Longney 14th June 3pm Martin Evans with the choir from Highbury
21st June the Jigsaw Choir , why not support these occasions if you can if you are in the area?

Friday 5th June

Whit walk at Uppermill - a tremendous experience.







The Chapel gathers

Marching through the town - joining up with all the other churches.

Gathering on the field with over 2000 people for an ecumenical service

Taking part - reading from Corinthians .

A bring and share lunch.
Being with the church in the evening as they open up as an 'alcohol free zone' as the famous brass band competition takes place - a really important outreach activity and hearing about their vision for the future

Sunday 7th June

Taking service with communion at Uppermill.

Sunday afternoon 'dropping' in to a service at Brierley Green, Buxworth taken by Brian Grist

Tea to follow a very warm welcome.

A new disabled toilet (They are very proud of it)









Monday 8th June




A day at Chinley with Edmonde - time to talk and visit the toddler group.








Dorothy is an important part of the group. Hearing about the success of 'Messy Church' and future plans for the hall.


Monday evening

Just being with Charlesworth Church at their Church meeting - again not only hearing about the day to day running of the church but also about hopes and visions.

Tuesday 9th





A day at Golborne with David and Edith Isaacs to see their soft play area.





Lovely to hear it all started when a small church saw that it was something they could do as a outreach activity. A busy happy day with mothers (and grandfather) enjoying the facility.

Church ladies supplying refreshments and lunches!

The day finished with the North West Executive meeting at Walkden.

Wednesday 10th.

After a quick visit to Chinley - made my way back down the M6!

June 13th

Meeting of Congregational Federation Ltd in Nottingham.

June 14th

A chance to travel three miles up the road to North Nibley for their evening service. They took advantage of a visiting minister to lead their communion service!






Paul Stephens who was playing at Harrogate leads with the Congregation.

Dulverton

On 24th May - one of the hottest days of the year I went to the beautiful village of Dulverton on the edge of Exmoor. My service at the Congregational Church included my presidential address with ministers Basil and Elizabeth being very convincing "interrupters".

A very appetising Church lunch followed with a chance to meet a very welcoming and warm fellowship more informally


I just had time for a quick visit so see Elaine Marsh, now 93, and one time minister at Chulmleigh Congregational Church (a friend of Elsie Chamberlain's)

Later in the afternoon we joined the Anglicans for a Rogationtide visit to a local farm, the home of the Thomas-Everard family. We asked God's blessing on the different parts of the farm and on the farming community. We also learned a great deal about all the problems facing farmers at this time.

17th of May Trudoxhill

The Good Companye from Dorset entertains in Trudoxhill, Somerset with a wonderful selection of sacred music. Led by Francesca Murray the group is accompanied by well known pianist Elaine Korman
and includes an opera singer, Pietro, who has sung at Covent Garden.
More about Trudoxhill Congregational church later.