World inside my head

God isn’t a Shopkeeper

2012-01-20T06:51:00.000-08:00

I’ve just been watching Francis Chan’s latest video. Fantastically, it’s available to view for free (yay!) over on the Relevant website. Watch it now!

First off, I want to say that I think it’s really, really good. I love the imagery and Chan is a really excellent communicator. It’s a great production and he has some very important things to say about the way we pray. He talks a lot about how we need to align our will with God’s so that in all our prayers there is an element of ‘thy will be done’. In this way, Chan says, we will be praying genuine, unselfish and godly prayers which the Lord will be delighted to answer.

For example, praying in a way not aligned with God’s will might be compared to going into a chemist with your grocery shopping list – ultimately, both you and the shopkeeper will end up disappointed (my dodgy analogy, not Chan’s).

I think this is something that Christians (or, well, me at least) really need to hear and take on board today.

With all that said, I offer the following as a reflection in the video and our attitudes to prayer, not a criticism of it. (I’m a bit sick of some super-critical elements in the Christian blogosphere that seem intolerant of different views. What a way to glorify God.)

Anyway, one thing I’m not very clear on is whether Chan is talking about ‘prayer’ or about ‘asking God for stuff’ I’m not sure that they are identical - although ‘asking God for stuff’ is part of prayer, I don’t think it’s the whole story. That said, I frequently confuse them, especially when I’m feeling particularly self-absorbed.

And I don’t think Chan is saying that they’re the same thing (the blurb under the video most definitely suggests he isn’t), but it would be really great to see something on basic prayer that doesn’t just consider the shopping-list approach. God isn’t a shopkeeper (again, my analogy – many apologies to Chan).

How do we enthuse and encourage people in the more difficult aspects of prayer? How do we train people to learn to listen to God in their own way? To share their worries with God without rushing straight on to what they want God to do about it? How can we explore what it means to dialogue with God, or to simply rest wordlessly in God’s presence?

I, as someone who struggles massively with prayer, would love to see some creative answers to these questions – and I’m sure there are lots out there already.

Answers on a postcard, please!

Roll on Christmas!

2011-11-21T07:44:00.000-08:00

Roll on Christmas, the wonderfully irreverent new Nativity play on Facebook is now live.

Award-winning comedian Milton Jones, who plays a photographer for the Bethlehem Star in the play, was in London for the launch and told me all about it. You can listen to the interview here.

To find out more, go to www.rollonchristmas.com.

2011-10-05T04:13:00.001-07:00

D:Sign is a three-part resource aimed at helping you and your congregation to think about and be world transforming disciples. There will be monthly podcasts, postcards to stimulate conversation in small groups or with strangers, and a website with resources to support you in your conversations.

This month's podcast features Martyn Atkins talking to me about what it means to be a 'discipleship movement shaped for mission'.

Find out more at www.methodist.org.uk/dsign.

Latest from Team Thailand

2011-08-02T18:54:00.001-07:00

Get the latest update on the blog: www.annadrew.wordpress.com.

Follow?

2011-04-24T03:25:00.000-07:00

For some reason, blogger is squishing this a bit - for the full experience, check out the video on YouTube - Happy Easter all! xxx

What's so good about Good Friday?

2011-04-22T03:51:00.000-07:00

So I wrote a faily standard 'thought of the day' for Good Friday and in all their awesomeness, Ian Turner and the Premier Radio presenters turned it into something really cool.

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Check this out on Chirbit

Thanks guys! xxx

Best song ever written from the best movie ever made?

2011-04-05T01:37:00.000-07:00

Too beautiful to ignore...

2010-11-25T02:17:00.000-08:00

Okay, I know I said I wouldn't just keep posting videos all the time, but this is far to beautiful to ignore...

(Thanks to the wonderful Cindy Kent for drawing my attention to this one)

Does God love you?

2010-11-24T01:31:00.000-08:00

Many thanks to the fantastic @Undercovernun for drawing my attention to this brilliant chart.

Answer the questions to discover whether God loves you...

(Chart courtesy of I Love Charts).

Contraception - The Protestant View

2010-11-22T06:27:00.000-08:00

Okay, I know this blog is getting a bit too video-oriented, but I don't have time for much else at the mo' and sometimes I can't resist.

More in-depth blog posting coming soon, I promise.

But in the meantime, (and in tribute to this week's announcement by the Pope about condoms) it's time for something completely different:

(adult content)

O. Dear. Lord.

2010-10-28T03:01:00.000-07:00

You know what, Christians? If there's a good hollywood formula, don't mess with it just to shoehorn Jesus in. Don't create your own rubbish version. People will only hate you for it.

What would you say if you had just 1 minute with Cameron & Clegg?

2010-10-02T06:16:00.000-07:00

These guys are making some serious decisions that will affect our communities, jobs, economy, healthcare, charities...you name it.

So the Methodist Church, the Baptist Union of Great Britain and the United Reformed Church are asking people what they would say if they had their minute with our leaders in their My Minute campaign. Already we've had videos from award-winning comedian Milton Jones, human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell and our very own Revd John Wesley (aka Mark Topping).

So here's what I'd say...

What would you do with your minute? You can find advice for making your own video here.

This is embarrassingly familiar...

2010-08-11T08:47:00.000-07:00

While it's reassuring to know I'm not the only one that does this, this video makes me realise that I need to take my prayer life much more seriously...

'What scares you, Jon?' 'Authors missing their deadlines.'

2010-07-17T06:36:00.000-07:00

If there's one thing I can blame my big bro Jon for, it's my love of sci-fi. Admittedly, I'm not as fanatical as Jon - he's manged to turn his passion into his career. Not only is he Editor-in-Chief of Abaddon Books and Solaris Books, which publish sci-fi, fantasy and horror novels, last year he also published his first novel - The Call of Kerberos.

All this seems tremendously cool if, like me, you're more than just a little bit geeky.

So, here's in interview with Jon at the 2010 World Horror Convention in Brighton...

The answer to fixing Jewish-Methodist relations...

2010-07-08T00:26:00.000-07:00

...or at least a very nice shot at it.

Having initially thought that coming back to 'normal work' from Methodist Conference (see below) would give me time to take a breather, this week has shown me just how wrong I frequently am. Since returning from the Conference on Thursday, my colleagues and I have essentially been responding to the reactions to the Conference's decision to boycott goods from illegal Israeli settlements.

Many of these have been positive, some have been very negative (but respectful and measured in tone). A few have been downright rude, offensive and inconsiderate. All of the responses I have received have been heartfelt and genuine.

But journalist Marcus Dysch of the Jewish Chronicle wins the prize for the most innovative and positive solution to a decision that has shaken Jewish-Methodist relations - swapping Panini football stickers. Despite Marcus' grave concerns about the decision taken by the Conference, he's determined to keep some perspective on the issue:

"The everyday reality of life for Methodists, Jews, Muslims, Sikhs and people of all religions is not motions and boycotts, protests and complaints, conferences and politics. Rather it is friendly cooperation, a sense of being people of faith in a world where increasingly people are not religious, and small acts of kindness... such as the swapping of football stickers."

Even though it is critical of the decision taken by the Conference, this is simply the nicest, most positive response I've seen so far.

I haven't just been watching telly...promise

2010-07-05T12:15:00.000-07:00

There are lots of reasons for my sporadic postings on this blog... tiredness, laziness, computer fatigue...

But the one I cite most often (usually to myself, when having the 'must keep blogging' internal dialogue) is work. Working for the Methodist Church in Britain is a joy and a delight, but it also keeps me rather darn busy.

So, just to prove I've not just been sitting on my backside in front of Holby City (okay, I have a bit), here's a taster of what I've been up to over the last couple of weeks.

Methodist Conference is the big event of the year in my work calendar, and on Thursday I returned home from 10 days at this year's Conference in Portsmouth. The Conference was interesting, challenging and hard work.

We inducted our new President and Vice President, elected next year's, celebrated 150 years of Methodist Chaplaincy to the armed forces, talked about reducing the Church's carbon footprint, were blessed by a visit from the Archbishop of Canterbury, discussed whether to boycott goods from illegal Israeli settlements, confirmed plans for a new Methodist hymn collection and agreed to produce advice on cohabitation. (Most of these news releases were written by my brilliant colleague Karen).

Karen also wrote this excellent piece for the Guardian on the Israel Palestine debate.

I offered some reflections on Psalm 131 on the last day of Conference, which you can watch here.

The wonderful Church Mouse invited me to offer a round-up of Conference on his blog, which I rustled up on the way home, and you can read it here.

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The dark side of freedom of speech

2010-04-12T01:59:00.000-07:00

The other day I was discussing the blog post below (30 March) with a friend. I was saying how right I thought Pullman was on the issue of freedom of speech, and was a little surprised when my friend responded that he was against the principle of freedom of speech and thinks there should be legislation against it.

His argument went along these lines...

"Freedom of speech may well not be of particular concern when you're criticising groups that can easily defend themselves, but what about groups who don't have that ability? What about those who have neither the mental nor physical capacity to stick up for themselves?"

What about, for example, those who suffer from Downs' Syndrome? Last week, as part of his stand-up routine, 'comedian' Frankie Boyle apparently devoted five minutes to mocking Down's Syndrome sufferers, picking on their speech, clothing and hairstyles. He was subsequently challenged by Sharon and Keiron Smith, a couple in the audience who are the parents of a daughter who suffers from Down's Syndrome. Sharon speaks about how it offended her on her blog, in a post entitled 'Punching me in the face would have been preferable'.

She says, "I wish that I had managed to explain to them all why i was upset, to tell them how wrong the stereotypes about Down syndrome are. I wanted to show them how proud i am of my daughter, to tell them about how well she is doing at mainstream school. To show them the hundreds of pictures I have of her, so that they can see how pretty she is, that she wears pretty clothes and that she does not have bad hair... I wanted to break through their prejudices and to show how wrong the stereotypes are."

Fair point - so why do people like Boyle and those who laugh at jokes about vulnerable people think it's okay to do so? And, perhaps more importantly, why do we as audiences allow them to get away with it, rather than challenging them, as the Smiths did at the time?

As an aside, I do wonder why Sharon Smith was so shocked by Boyle's comments, when he's well known for bad-taste jokes on subjects ranging from paedophilia to mental illness. She comments, "I know talentless comedians like Jimmy Carr have a history and reputation of poking fun at people with disabilities, but I never expected it from Frankie Boyle."

Unfortunately, this seems a little naive - Boyle is notorious for his bad-taste jokes. But I really admire Smith for responding to him at the time and for her openness about the issue on her blog - not everyone is will risk embarrassment to stand up for what they believe in.

So, having considered the matter in greater depth, I have become a little more convinced by my friend's argument. In a sense, it's not really Pullman's point he's contending with. Pullman is right that Christians who are offended by his book are mostly able to respond and can take up the right of reply by way of protest. But not everyone has that ability, as Boyle's comments demonstrate. If the Smiths had not challenged him, no one would have done so on behalf of those suffering from Down's Syndrome.

I'm not necessarily in favour of censorship, and to be honest, I just don't know what the answer to this problem may be. But as I sit here on the fence, I wonder if perhaps it's long overdue that those who do have the capacity to stand up for people who are vulnerable make a stronger commitment to do so.

My friend’s point is that people simply won’t take that responsibility, and that therefore we actually need legislation against freedom of speech. I wouldn’t go that far, but it’s certainly given me food for thought.

It just seems far too easy to claim that freedom of speech is a good in and of itself - as someone who works in the media world, I'm certainly sympathetic to this view, but I'm not sure it's true. Surely it's what we choose to that freedom for that counts? Perhaps it's time for people to start taking more responsibility for the things they say, rather than defending their prejudices by claiming the protection of free speech.

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The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ

2010-03-30T01:00:00.001-07:00

Well, I appear to have monumentally failed on the new year's resolution to blog more. There are quite a few blog posts swimming around in my head that haven't yet made it onto the computer, but hopefully I will have more time soon (ha ha ha). In the meantime (thanks to the Ship of Fools - @shipoffoolscom on Twitter) I stumbled across this video of Philip Pullman talking about free speech in the context of his latest book - 'The good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ'.

I doubt I shall agree with what Mr Pullman has to say in his new book (though I shouldn't judge too hastily and I hope I'll get chance to read it), but on this issue I think he hits the nail right on the head.

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#PatRobertsonDoesn'tSpeakForMe

2010-01-15T12:19:00.000-08:00

This is my first blog post in ages and the first of the new year, and I was wondering how best to kick off my new year's resolution to blog more frequently.

Thanks then to the lovely @WaltonAndy for suggesting that my first blog post of the year be concerning Pat Robertson's appalling comments about the tradgedy that struck Haiti on Tuesday.

Christian Today reports that during a broadcast of 'The 700 Club' on the Christian Broadcasting Network on Wednesday Robertson said that the enormous earthquake was the consequence of a curse on Haiti after its founding fathers made a 'pact to the Devil' in exchange for the country's independence from France.

I wish I were surprised. I wish we lived in a world where Christians didn't say this kind of thing after epic natural disasters. Obviously, the vast majority of Christians do not agree with Robertson and find his views not only offensive but entirely misrepresentative of the God of love and compassion.

But, loathsome as his views are, Pat Robertson is not the real problem here. I am certain that, had Robertson not come forward with this predictable rubbish, some other crazy Christian would have.

And in order to challenge views like those of Robertson, it takes more than an appeal to common sense. To simply dismiss Robertson's views is the easy way out, and in a way it treats them with the contempt they deserve. But I think there's a deeper issue that needs attention here. We cannot appeal to the standards of society to challenge those of Robertson's ilk, as these are not the terms on which they operate. Instead we must turn to serious theological engagement.

If, as Christians, we want to take the Bible seriously (and even a liberal like me hopes that we do) we have to deal with the less palatable images of God we find there. This particularly means that we need to engage with Old Testament texts like the Book of Judges in an open-minded way. If we fail to do so, we will never be able to challenge super-literalistic views of Robertson et al in a constructive way.

So, how do we marry the apparently vengeful, jealous God of the Old Testament with the loving Christ? And how do people of faith whose interpretations of the Bible are so far apart ever find a way to learn and grow together?

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Failing the feminism test?

2009-11-17T04:37:00.000-08:00

Now, I consider myself a feminist inasmuch as I believe that men and women deserve equal rights, respect and legal protection (not to mention paypackets for doing the same job).

But I still want to look good from time to time. One day, I'd like to lose a few pounds, get a hairstyle that actually works and learn to dress to suit my shape. Being an ugly duck teenager didn't really do me any favours. I'd quite like to be a swan now, please.

But am I undermining my feminist values in the pursuit of a more conventionally attractive me?

Well, browsing through the daily papers this morning, I came across this....

'You can be beautiful and still be a feminist'
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/you-can-be-beautiful--and-still-be--a-feminist-1821741.html

Here's an extract:

Jill Berry, president of the Girls' School Association, which represents nearly 200 independent schools, told its annual conference in Harrogate: "Girls can be highly intelligent and interested in being seen to be attractive – the two aren't mutually exclusive. Caring about physical appearance and fashion and wanting to feel good about how you look doesn't have to be a betrayal of some feminist ideal. I love new shoes but it doesn't make me shallow. Girls can have fun and be taken seriously at the same time."

My first response was, "Well, duh!". But this does highlight an important issue for me. In my experience, female friends will espouse exactly the same views that I feel define me as a feminist, but preface them with 'I'm not a feminist but...', as if being a feminist is THE most unattractive trait possible in a woman. How can we challenge that myth of hairy, unwashed, (manly?) feminism without being accused of selling-out? (I realise there are many male feminists too, and that they're probably perfectly happy to be manly...this is really about the female face of feminism).

I am not solely defined by my looks, nor should anyone be. But I do have a body of which I am not entirely ashamed. A body I would like to improve, for fitness as well as appearance. The way I physically appear is one way I present myself to the world and, feminist or not, I want that world to view me favourably. This is partly from insecurity, no doubt, and the desire to 'measure up' to societal norms.

But there can be a more positive side to this - about owning my physical presence as much as my spiritual and intellectual presence. About being comfortable in my own skin and honouring what God's given me by looking after it.

This shouldn't be an excuse for self-obsessive preening, for damaging and unachievable goal-setting, for judging people solely on appearance. And no one should EVER be made to feel that they are not good enough because of the way they look. Thin should not be king. Self respect, confidence and an ease with who and what you are is the goal.

Ummm.... did I just fail my GCSE in feminism?

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Modern parables for a church tucked up in bed

2009-11-04T00:52:00.000-08:00

I love elvis from KORE uk on Vimeo.

As a youth worker, I'm always looking for something a bit different - cool resources that might connect with our youth group on certain issues, inspiring them or encouraging them to think more deeply about something. So, I was chuffed to bits when I received the Kore press release last week.

This is what the Kore crew say about themselves:

In 2006, KORE was founded with a passion for the core of the gospel and the core of who Jesus calls us to be. The vision is to explore the heart and roots of our faith and to discover what the Kingdom of God looks like in our world.

KORE is a place for fresh ideas, new ways to engage and opportunities to join the discussion. Our website provides you with resources to download and use, inviting you to be challenged and inspired. We provide consultation to provoke thought and discussion, helping others to form and develop their own ideas.

KORE is an ever-growing community of people whose conversation and collaborative creativity shape and form what you see here. At our heart you will find a desire to engage with the world around us and a confession to not having all the answers. The journey of KORE is packed full of partnerships with others, both inside and outside the church.

I especially love their video content, which comes from a range of different filmakers around the world. Take some time to check out their Flicks section.

I Love Elvis is produced by the Kore team and can be found in the Shibboleth section - modern parables for a church tucked up in bed.

I'm also excited about what might come out of their new Voices concept. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

My kinda atheist

2009-11-02T05:32:00.000-08:00

Thank you, thank you, thank you to Michael Ruse, professor of philosophy and zoology at Florida State University, for his excellent piece on new atheism on Comment is Free, entitled Dawkins et al bring us into disrepute.

Here's a little taster:

"I don't have faith. I really don't. Rowan Williams does as do many of my fellow philosophers like Alvin Plantinga (a Protestant) and Ernan McMullin (a Catholic). I think they are wrong; they think I am wrong. But they are not stupid or bad or whatever. If I needed advice about everyday matters, I would turn without hesitation to these men."

I am so grateful for such an insightful piece, that challenges this ridiculous (and false) polarisation of atheist and religious world-views. Such a deliberately divisive world-view as that espoused by Dawkins et al can never be a route to better understanding and human growth.

So, more please, Professor Ruse!

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It's National Poetry Day!

2009-10-08T04:59:00.001-07:00

Hurrah for poetry! Check out the National Poetry Day website here.

Here's a poem from my favourite poet (and good buddy) Paul Barrett.

During dinner break at work
I took a quiet and pleasant stroll
Into Sixteen sixty-eight.

The smell of timber still in air
I walked around an antiques fair
Along Westminster Bridge.

And shuffling in among the crowd
I bought a few old bits and things
From the Fifteenth Century.

I walked back to work,
Yesterday,
And sold them (promptly)
By auction (of course)
For a good few thousand pounds.

How very strange! (I now reflect)
That people don’t do things
Like this more often.

Why
Does
Everyone
Feel
So
Trapped?

Paul is an expert in Microsoft SharePoint, daddy to Zac, Luca & Lily-Rose and hubby to the fabulously gorgeous Katie. He is also author of the awesome and highly recommended book Time Ninety-Seven.

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nap tyme wiv jeesus

2009-09-29T00:11:00.000-07:00

In tribute to Cookie, who had an operation on Friday and is feeling totally sorry for herself...

see more Lolcats and funny pictures

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The Friday Feelgood Playlist

2009-09-25T03:39:00.000-07:00

Well, it's Friday, it's sunny, I've done a buttload of work this week and I'm feeling good! Bring on the weekend!

So here's my feelgood playlist - for the last 2 1/2 years, popping this on the iPod and pressing 'Shuffle' has been guaranteed to lift my day...

Dragostea Din Tei
O-Zone

Safety Dance
Men Without Hats

5 Minutes of Fame
BarlowGirl

Sing, Sing, Sing (With a Swing)
Benny Goodman

Loosing Grip
Avril Lavigne

Slide
Goo Goo Dolls

Under Construction
Drew Copeland

Here it Goes Again
OK Go

Buck Rogers
Feeder

Opening Night
The Producers Soundtrack

Golden Touch
Razorlight

Hey Ya - a fine polemic on the breakdown of modern relationships and family values ;o)
OutKast

Hindi Sad Diamonds
Moulin Rouge Soundtrack

Hips Don't Lie
Shakira

Mandolin Mood
Sister Hazel

Too Many Miles
The Waiting

I Wanna Be a Producer
The Producers Soundtrack

Good Riddance
Green Day

Everything
Michael Buble

Interestingly, it's more the music and sing-a-bility that makes these tracks uplifting than the actual lyrics. hmmm....

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Greenbelt 2009 - highs and lows

2009-09-08T04:36:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I'm a little behind the rest of the world in getting my thoughts on this year's Greenbelt into words, and for my official review of the festival you'll have to read this week's Methodist Recorder.

So I thought instead I'd just offer my highlights and lowlights and let my hubby's pictures tell the story.

Highlights

* Lounging in the sunshine

* Visiting the smiling faces on the Methodist Church stand in G-Source

* Maggie Dawn's challenge to give up our false impressions of God

* My big bro Jon waxing lyrical about comic books and Dr Who (below)

* Beer n hymns

* Sixpence None the Richer performing their new material

Sixpence None the Richer lead singer Leigh Nash

* The launch of TheMediaNet - a network for Christians working in the media (check it out!)

* Spending time with lovely hubby Jim Drew (who took all these photos)

Lowlights

* Sunday morning worship (politically charged and positively dire - check out the Greenbelt blog for the criticisms)

* Freezing my butt off in the tent on Friday night

* Missing all the cool stuff scheduled for Monday (especially awesome fantasy author Jasper Fford)

* Sixpence None the Richer performing their old material. Some things are best left in the past.

___

All in all, though, I had a ruddy good time.
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PS. Apologies to all for being a terribly sporadic blogger.

The $64 million dollar question

2009-08-05T03:48:00.000-07:00

Following my post last week, readers probably wouldn't think twice about firmly placing me in the 'Liberal Anglican' camp, and indeed that's the way I have often defined my religious leanings. But Ruth Gledhill's article in Tuesday's Times has given me food for thought...

The article states that groups of liberal anglicans are planning some kind of takeover of General Synod at the quinquennial elections next year, in order to the steer the church into some kind of bright new liberal future...hmmm....

The statement from the groups is worth a read, and rather than focusing on liberal dominance at General Synod, it speaks of seeking to forge links between local churches that that are like minded. But for me it raises that enduring Christian problem ... the question of unity between people of radically different perspectives (and I'm certain it's not exclusively an Anglican issue).

So, here comes the $64 million dollar question - how do we - as a people of different theologies, beliefs and concerns - live, worship learn and grow together? Can we?

And a supplementary question for the bonus prize...

If we prize unity as highly as we seem to be claiming in the hallowed CofE, why does no one really seem to know what Anglican unity might look like?

Answers on a postcard please...

These are really difficult questions for me, especially in light of last week's Blackburn Cathedral story. It is painful to me that there are members of the Church who do not share my joy over the recognition of women's ministry (among other theological, scriptural and moral issues). I feel that I have a duty to actively seek out common ground with such people, even though I may sometimes find their views personally offensive, and I would hope they feel some duty to seek common ground with me. And it strikes me that the motivation for such pursuits must never primarily be so that I can 'win them over' to my perspective or vice versa.

Croatian theologian Mirsolav Volf has some very important things to say about identity and engagement with the 'other' that I feel are relevant here, but rather than try to do him justice I shall simply recommend his excellent book Exclusion & Embrace. One of his key points is that in engaging with the 'other', the move to shape them in your own likeness (rather than in the shared pursuit of learning from one another) is essentially an act of violence. It violates the integrity of the human person. How can I constructively communicate with those with whom I disagree in that kind of context?

Another question on this imaginary dialogue... how (for example) might I recognise their pain over the ordination of women, whilst remaining true to my own interpretation of the gospel? How can we balance our own integrity on key issues against the call to recognise, affirm and rejoice in others?

Many, many questions...

I might claim to value unity, but more often than not I feel that it would be great if everyone agreed with me... no arguments, no discussions, just perfect harmony.... or perhaps not. My theology says 'yes' to unity, but so often my heart says 'no'.

It is abundantly clear that in the formulation of Church law, policy and practice we will never be able to please everyone. In fact, in a sense it's not about pleasing anyone at all - it is about pursuing holiness and scriptural integrity whilst also seeking to honour our corporate identity as the body of Christ.

And it's not just Rowan Williams' job to hold the Anglican church together. We all have responsibilities in whatever capacity we hold - worshipper, priest, dissenting voice.

This will certainly be playing on my mind in the coming weeks...

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The Plinth Priest Cometh!

2009-07-29T02:38:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I was privileged enough to be present in Trafalgar Square for Revd Ken Chalmers' star turn on the fourth plinth.

Strangely, Ken was sandwiched between a dancing cow ("Meat is Murder!") and a stripping transvestite (HIV awareness, apparently).

Ken led a worship service that reflected on the sharing of meals in three parts. From the base of the plinth we heard Bible readings telling three different stories of Jesus sharing food with friends and followers:

The feeding of the five thousand (John 6:1-14)
The last supper (Matthew 26:26-30), and
Breakfast on the beach (John 21:9-14).

The last of these was read by the fabulous Angela Shier-Jones.

Ken reflected on these readings and after each reflection visitors and passers-by were invited to share in Holy Communion, presided over by Revd Martin Turner, of Westminster Central Hall fame.

For me it was about challenging perceptions of what church, what worship is and who worship is for. For thousands of years, art has been central to much of how Christians express and explore our faith and, in my opinion, Ken's appearance on the fourth plinth should be counted among such works of art.

It was a wonderful act of worship and I'm grateful to Ken for all his hard work in getting it off the ground (literally). But he was also supported by a fantastic crew from his own church and around Methodism.

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PS. As a strange side-story, whilst waiting for the action to begin, I was chatted-up by a chap who appeared to be a Romanian gigolo....a most strange experience...

All photos are taken by me, copyright Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes.

The coolest arts project ever!

2009-06-22T01:40:00.001-07:00

My friend and colleague Dave Webster has alerted me to the most fantastic community arts project ever.

You may know Dave from such hits as the Methodist Church website, the President and Vice President's Blog and the online Methodist art collection gallery. But on top of all the spectacular webby things he does for the Methodist Church, he really is a very creative soul. He was telling me the other day about Make a Scene, a project he and his partner Kate are running at the Camberwell Arts festival all this week.

From 20 - 28 June, Kate & Dave are inviting people to come and make a scene somewhere in Camberwell using nothing but items purchased from pound shops. And if you really can't spare the pound, they're giving stuff away free. People are encouraged to photograph their creations and email the pics to info@camberwellarts.org.uk with a story or caption, to be featured on the website.

The pics here are their own creations, but there are already some others online. I'm hoping Dave will do a little guest post here after the festival, telling us more about it.

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A lovely long weekend in Guernsey

2009-06-18T00:45:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago myself, hubby and some mates skived off work early and flew over to the beautiful Island of Guernsey for the wedding of Claire and Jim (below). It was fab to be with my uni mates again to do a spot of reminiscing and catch up on the latest.

The day before the wedding Brad & Jim decided that it was absolutely essential to do a spot of sand-castle building. Armed with a bucket and spade from the hotel reception (brilliant hotel) they constructed a rather impressive fort, complete with moat, some kind of rope reclaimed from the sea and some scabby bits of crab (boys!). And when that one was washed away? Well, they just started again!

The next day started with kayaking in the bay - a special activity arranged by the bride and groom for the wedding guests. On the way there, one of the blokes remarked that it was a rather cunning ruse to get all the men down to the pub without the women....then he spotted me and I apparently became an honorary man. It was fab. We were told that 'you really shouldn't get wet' and 'it's quite difficult to fall out of a kayak'. Clearly not that difficult. Mind you, it might have had something to do with the man standing on my kayak, trying to get back to his own one.

The wedding in the afternoon was lovely. It was in a beautiful church, the hymns were familiar to many and the message given by the vicar was accessible and touching. Claire and Jim are a wonderful couple and wonderful friends and it was great to share their day.

The evening celebrations were completely fab, with good food, nice wine and cheesy music galore. We danced our socks off and met some really cool people. But none could rival Alice for dancing! A gorgeous girl with some funky moves!

All in all, a very happy weekend!

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Playing catch up

2009-06-18T00:44:00.000-07:00

The last few weeks have been rather busy to say the least, so over the next day or so I'll be playing blogger catch-up... watch this space!

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Euro elections frenzy!

2009-05-29T07:49:00.000-07:00

Well, that might be over-egging it a bit, but it seems that everywhere I turn someone is talking about the upcoming European elections and the threat of the BNP gaining votes. Quite often it's a Christian spokesperson, but perhaps that's just symptomatic of the world I move in. Here's a quick run-down of some of the statements and comments I've noticed (admittedly some of them I helped to issue)...

Church dismisses BNP election posters
http://methodist.org.uk/index.cfm?fuseaction=opentogod.newsDetail&newsid=337

Churches urged to take action ahead of European elections
http://methodist.org.uk/index.cfm?fuseaction=opentogod.newsDetail&newsid=341

Church leaders in Lincolnshire speak out against the BNP
http://www.lgmethodistdistrict.org.uk/district/default.asp

Church leaders in East Anglia have also made a statement, commenting that 'Christ calls us to love our neighbours as ourselves and in this forthcoming election we believe it is right to be vigilant about any party or individual candidate seeking to use people’s fears for their own well-being to stir racial or religious hatred'. (no weblink available)

Statement from Church leaders: vote next week, vote positively
http://methodist.org.uk/index.cfm?fuseaction=opentogod.newsDetail&newsid=350

The BNP cannot pick and choose the laws it will obey
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/leading_article/article6382697.ece

Now for a confession. I have never been very enthused by voting at election time. Yes, I'm aware that women fought and died for my right to vote and am thus very ashamed to admit that I forgot to vote in the last general election. May shame be heaped upon me. BUT I have firmly resolved to give a damn in future and to commit to use my votes wisely. My friends and colleagues have suitably shamed and encouraged me to start taking democracy seriously.

So, in the words of Methodist, URC and Baptist Church leaders: vote next week, use your vote positively for the values and interests you believe in.

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A priest might not know how to dance...

2009-05-21T00:54:00.000-07:00

A different take on the iPod ad. Thanks to Chris Aldous for the Facebook link on this one!

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Church leaders in Lincs speak out against BNP

2009-05-20T01:06:00.000-07:00

Should have blogged about this last week, but with European elections looming and mainstream political parties losing public support, it's more important than ever.

Church leaders in Lincolnshire published this joint statement asserting that the policies and __ of the BNP are completely inconsistent with the teaching and example of Jesus Christ.

The leaders represent more than 50,000 Christians in Lincolnshire, North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire across the Salvation Army, Methodist, Anglican, Catholic, Baptist, Independent and United Reformed Churches.

They said; "We cannot stand by when groups and individuals are maligned, misrepresented and singled out for verbal or even physical abuse.

"In a democracy it is even more alarming when prejudices founded upon country of origin, race or religion become part of a political platform, and are offered to the electorate for endorsement."

Amen.

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Today I am silent. I do not want to speak

2009-05-19T00:37:00.000-07:00

My close friend Katie has entered the world of blogging! But her blog is different from any I have seen.

Zachary's Zoo is a window into an autistic brain. Katie's son Zac is nearly 8 years old and severely autistic. This blog is her attempt to get inside Zac's amazing brain and share what he is seeing, thinking, feeling. Zac has very little language of his own, so Katie is mostly saying what she thinks he might say, if he could.

Katie & her husband Ale are two of my closest friends and, at the risk of being gushy, I don't think Zac could ever want for more persistent, patient and loving parents. Because of their strength and commitment they have recently managed to get him a place in a school for children with severe learning difficulties - a major breakthrough in an underfunded and restricted education system.

Check out the blog and take a step into Zac's world....

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Katie and Peter: the end of plastic fantastic?

2009-05-12T03:13:00.000-07:00

I don't know why, but I'm really sad about the news that Peter Andre and Katie Price (aka Jordan) are splitting up. I have no specific reason to be - I am more guilty than most of mocking their crazy media presence. I did once attempt to watch their chat show Jordan and Peter, but it was so appallingly ridiculous I just couldn't stomach it.

I commented yesterday to my friend Ale that it seemed to be the end of a marriage of convenience, but thinking about it now I've changed my mind.

It seems to me that their coupling, rather being a media stunt to revive tired careers, had something really quite genuine about it. Now, you can't deny that it's done wonders for their media profiles - the music, book deals, TV shows, magazine profiles - but I think that's more to do with their completely shameless openness about every element of their lives, than anything else. In fact, there has been so little left to the imagination, that you could hardly accuse them of hidden agendas. They are a voyeur's dream. On one hand they seem too flawless, too plastic, too perfectly built, but on the other they have exposed themselves (quite literally), sparing no gory detail. Most celebrity marriages leave at least something to the imagination!

You can't deny that they've financially profited from their relationship, but the romantic in me says that's about the nature of their relationship, less than the drive to make money. They have lived their lives so openly that you can't help but be fascinated. But perhaps I'm being too naive! One way or another, it seems to be the end of a very short but intense celebrity era.

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Madonna foreswears celebrity religion; converts to Methodism

2009-05-06T02:04:00.000-07:00

http://newsbiscuit.com/2009/05/01/madonna-foreswears-celebrity-religion-converts-to-methodism/

‘That Kabbalah sect kept droning on about how life was one big mysterious journey into the unknowable. I’m a single mother of three; I haven’t got time for all that ‘unknowable’ s**t. To be frank, I’ve had it up to here with those premium rate mystics; give me a decent Wesley hymn and a good solid working party report any day.’

She should be so lucky. Oh no, wait that's Kylie...we'll get her too. All in good time...

Brought to you by the good people at NewsBiscuit: The news before it happens.

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Great Methodist story from East Anglia

2009-05-05T06:37:00.000-07:00

Methodist church in drive to relate to modern world

Okay, I know it's a week old, but I'm still trying to catch up on emails from when I was away and found this little gem.

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Silly cat videos never fail to amuse me

2009-05-05T04:15:00.000-07:00

This one nearly had me crying with laughter.

Yes I am silly.

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Most interesting articles of the day....

2009-05-05T02:36:00.000-07:00

Well, to me anyway. If I waited 'til I had time to blog about them each individually it would never happen (hence why my blog is so sporadic).

So these are what most caught my attention in the daily newspaper trawl...

Archbishop calls for Anglican unity

Rumours of God's return are greatly exaggerated

Birth control for men in one injection

Note to self

'I didn't know when I married him that my husband had a mental illness'

Will try to make time for some proper blogging soon...

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My first sermon

2009-04-20T10:36:00.000-07:00

Thanks to all those who prayed for me when I preached my first sermon at our All Age servie at the end of March.

The theme was the Word of God and what it means to speak of Jesus as 'The Word'.

So, here it is. All feedback welcome....

Powered by Podbean.com

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We're in the Telegraph!!

2009-04-20T05:07:00.000-07:00

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/letters/5182652/Council-budgets-can-easily-be-trimmed-without-endangering-essential-services.html

Tomorrow the House of Lords will be debating Government proposals to double stakes and prizes on Category C and D gaming machines.

An alliance of 9 UK Christian organizations (including the Church of England and the Salvation Army) are calling on the Government to reject these proposals. If the proposals are accepted the prize limit on pub fruit machines will be higher than weekly benefit levels, at a time when many families will be struggling to make ends meet.

The campaign’s website is www.fruitless.org.uk and our recent press releases are here: http://methodist.org.uk/index.cfm?fuseaction=opentogod.newsDetail&newsid=333 and here: http://methodist.org.uk/index.cfm?fuseaction=opentogod.newsDetail&newsid=338.

Let's hope the Lords see sense on this one....

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_________

Churches urged to take action ahead of European elections

2009-04-20T04:54:00.000-07:00

Churches urged to take action ahead of European elections

• Election pack highlights BNP threat

On 4 June 2009 every adult in the UK will have the opportunity to vote in the European Parliament Elections. There will also be some English County Council elections.

A briefing from the Baptist Union of Great Britain, the Methodist Church and the United Reformed Church explains the importance of citizenship and participating in democratic processes.
____________

Check it out & get involved here.

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The sound of happiness

2009-03-25T05:23:00.000-07:00

Just trying out a fantastic audio blogging service hosted by podbean.com. Allows me to embed an audioplayer in my blog, but also means I have a dedicated audioblog here.

Shouldn't be so excited about such a geeky thing, but this really is cool.

Now all I have to do is produce some audio worth listening to....

Powered by Podbean.com

Disabled presenter ‘scares children’

2009-02-24T02:02:00.000-08:00

From today's Independent:

Disparaging comments by adults about a children’s presenter have led to an angry backlash in support of Cerrie Burnell, the 29-year-old CBeebies host who was born missing the lower section of her right arm. One man said that he would stop his daughter from watching the BBC children’s channel because Burnell would give his child nightmares.

(See hyperlink for full story.)

This story makes me really sad. It's parents, not children who are making complaints about this presenter being given air time. Never mind the fact that she's a fantastic role model for disabled kids, she's also a bloody good children's TV presenter.

My 5-year-old friend Luca is completely comfortable watching Cerrie Burnell on CBeebies, and it's good for him to see that she's just as much a human being as anyone else and is a skilled presenter for children on one of the few channels to still offer decent children's TV.

Parents like the one who commented “I didn’t want to let my children watch the filler bits on The Bedtime Hour last night because I know it would have played on my eldest daughter’s mind and possibly caused sleep problems,” are symptomatic of society's rejection of anything that can be perceived as 'other' or 'different'.

Why can't they just simply explain to their children the nature of Ms Burnell's disability and that it is not something frightening? These children are being poisoned by their parent's prejudices.

Some days I wish people would just wake up and live in the real world.

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Cindy McCain Claims She’s ‘Just Like Any Other Female Human’

2009-01-09T06:33:00.000-08:00

Very funny

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Cindy McCain Claims Sheâ��s â��Just Like Any Other Female Humanâ��

Some Christians make me think decidedly unChristian thoughts...

2009-01-09T02:01:00.000-08:00

Atheist adverts reported to industry watchdog
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article5478036.ece

Stephen Green and Christian voice are an embarrassment to Christianity - they don't represent me by any stretch of the imagination. What a wonderfully, tolerant, engaging and loving image they must be seeking to project...

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It could be an atheist bus, but we're not quite sure

2009-01-06T07:18:00.001-08:00

Slightly harsh take on the story in today's Evening Standard, but perhaps a fair one...

It could be an atheist bus, but we're not quite sure
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23612599-details/It+could+be+an+atheist+bus%2C+but+we%27re+not+quite+sure/article.do

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Atheist buses to hit London streets today

2009-01-06T04:04:00.000-08:00

British comedy writer Ariane Sherine is the brains behind the Atheist Bus Campaign, hitting London today.

I met up with Ariane just before Christmas to find out more. You can find my interview on the Methodist Web Radio page.

We spent a lot of time chatting and she's very cool. We agree on many issues and I can't help thinking she'd be an excellent Methodist spokesperson if it wasn't for that whole God thing...

Also check out the News Stories page for the Methodist response when the Campaign was announced back in October.

Laters.

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And now we're in the Daily Mail!!

2009-01-05T14:53:00.000-08:00

Fears that gambling addiction will soar as ministers relax rules and double prizes of pub slot machines
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1105425/Fears-gambling-addiction-soar-ministers-relax-rules-double-prizes-pub-slot-machines.html

Awesome first day back.

Maybe I'm just tired, but it's nice to be saying something important about issues that really matter.

I will now go to bed and stop all this silly web surfing. Have started purchasing random things online. We will soon be the proud owners of a 5ft bean bag. That's when you know you should have gone to bed half and hour ago...

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Never thought I'd be a page 3 girl....

2009-01-05T14:37:00.000-08:00

...but I don't mind when it's today's Times.

Jackpots and stakes doubled as gaming industry given boost by ministers
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article5447526.ece

A great comment piece by an expert follows the story here...

Fruit machines could start a life-long addiction
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article5447513.ece

Tonight, the wonderful David Bradwell made his first TV appearance, speaking on precisely this issue. It was on the BBC News channel and I nearly cried with pride.

Not a bad first day back at work for the New Year, considering I expected it to be rather less exciting.

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10 Things I Hate About Commandments

2008-12-23T01:04:00.000-08:00

Brilliantly done. Second only to Tom Q's 'Team Commandments'...

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Like almost every American Sci-fi film you've ever seen

2008-12-23T00:31:00.000-08:00

President To Face Down Monster Attack, Own Demons In Action-Packed Schedule

snigger

2008-12-22T06:45:00.000-08:00

What did the aide say about the Bishop ...?

Okay, I shouldn't really find this funny. Clearly someone was having a bad day, did something a bit stupid and now is paying by losing their job.

It's a shame that such animosity exists in the CofE (and other churches) between the conservative and liberal camps. One reason I'm proud to be a part of the CofE is that such a wide range of theological, spiritual and ethical positions exist under one umbrella. There are those who think that each group should split off into like-minded groups, and if we want continue to only mix with those who think the same way as us, then I guess that might as well be the solution.

It might be idealistic, but I'd like to see Anglicans of different traditions and perspectives actively seeking each other out in order to better learn from and understand one another.

Until then, maybe we'll just call each other names....

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Wish I was Ritalin Kitty

2008-12-18T00:14:00.000-08:00

On a day (one of the many) when it feels like my brain had dislodged and is rolling around in my shoes, this seemed appropriate...

more animals

The humans are dead

2008-11-30T12:48:00.000-08:00

Have only just discovered the Flight of the Conchords thanks to my cousin Sam (it seems that I'm ages behind everyone else on the planet). This song is now a personal fave...

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Sarah Malik named first salaried Methodist Youth President

2008-11-24T04:14:00.001-08:00

Methodist Youth President Sarah Malik
Originally uploaded by annadrew

Sarah Malik named first salaried Methodist Youth President... check out the story at:

http://www.methodist.org.uk/index.cfm?fuseaction=opentogod.newsDetail&newsid=306

This is seriously good news - the Church putting its money where its mouth is.

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Couldn't happen to a nastier bunch of people...

2008-11-19T06:15:00.000-08:00

This story has caused much uproar and there's a great deal of media focus on the different elements (understandably so):

BNP membership list posted online by former 'hardliner'
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2008/nov/19/bnp-list

Okay, so it's very illegal and not terribly fair to post all their contact details, hobbies etc online... but it couldn't happen to a nastier bunch of people.

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What if Starbucks marketed like a church?

2008-11-18T04:21:00.000-08:00

My thanks to Richard Hall over on the Connexions blog for drawing my attention to this video...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7_dZTrjw9I

I have been to churches like this.

made me smile...

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Sweet irony....

2008-11-14T00:35:00.000-08:00

The Paperless Christmas initiative strikes me as rather a good idea. In a virtual world, why all the paper that's only going straight in the bin on boxing day?

While not terribly involved, I've always rather approved of the whole thing. I doubt I'll have the cunning or the motivation to go entirely paperless this year, but it seems like a good thing to aim for.

So, having received the Paperless Christmas email publicity, telling me about the fab new online advent calendar, I was rather surprised to next receive an actual Christmas card from them. Not an e-card, but a physical-comes-in-an-envelope-from-the-postman-type card.

Even better, the card had a little tiny bit of paper inside, with the words:

Less paper
Please send this card to a friend for Christmas

I admit, I'm rather confused....

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new blog: Work of my Own Fiction

2008-11-13T04:08:00.000-08:00

My colleague Karen Burke has entered the world of blogging!

Check it out at: http://workofmyownfiction.blogspot.com/

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Latest Methodist podcast

2008-11-11T07:37:00.000-08:00

Latest podcast from the wonderful Methodist media team, featuring Tom Quenet talking to Karen Burke about revival in the Colombian Methodist Church. Revd Stephen Poxon talks to me about the realities of street life for Children in Bangladesh. Also, Father Taddy, a Benedictine monk from Belgium, dropped by to share his thoughts on Methodist worship in England...

http://www.methodist.org.uk/index.cfm?fuseaction=opentogod.webradio

Also, Karen's first interviews to be broadcast - hurrah!

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Stable masculinity?!?

2008-11-10T13:55:00.000-08:00

A rather good article on the Interface regarding the Vatican's plans for the psychological screening of ministerial candidates...

http://www.theinterface.org.uk/?q=node/203

I wonder who wrote it?

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Fantastic media coverage for the Dawkins story...

2008-10-22T02:47:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, the Methodist Church issued a press release welcoming news of Richard Dawkins' 'atheist bus' campaign. We wanted to take a different approach, thanking Richard for his continued interest in God and for getting people talking about the big issues of life.

You can check out the press release here: http://www.methodist.org.uk/index.cfm?fuseaction=opentogod.newsDetail&newsid=295

We got lots of good media coverage from this, thanks to the hard work of the CCEA cluster and our Senior Leaders. Jenny Ellis did a turn on Premier Radio, Christine Elloitt appeared on London Tonight (ITV) and I was on BBC London. In addition, we got great coverage online and in the newspapers - check out the links below...

Thanks again to everyone for their hard work and creativity,

Anna

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/3236701/Atheist-buses-ready-to-roll-across-country-after-making-31000-in-a-day.html

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article1839299.ece

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/oct/22/religion-atheist-dawkins-god

http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/7811

http://www.christiantoday.com/article/methodists.see.opportunity.in.dawkins.no.god.bus.slogans/21703.htm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/7681914.stm

http://www.itvlocal.com/london/news/?void=248598

Methodist Church thanks Richard Dawkins for getting God onto London buses

2008-10-21T03:58:00.000-07:00

THE METHODIST CHURCH

NEWS RELEASE

21 October 2008

Methodist Church thanks Richard Dawkins for getting God onto London buses

Dawkins thanked for encouraging a ‘continued interest in God’

The British Methodist Church has welcomed news that Professor Richard Dawkins is to fund an advertising campaign on London buses despite its slogan ‘There is probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life’.

Revd Jenny Ellis, Spirituality and Discipleship Officer, said; ‘We are grateful to Richard for his continued interest in God and for encouraging people to think about these issues. This campaign will be a good thing if it gets people to engage with the deepest questions of life.’

Responding to Dawkins’ comment that ‘thinking is anathema to religion’, Jenny said; ‘As Christians, we respond to Jesus’ call to love God with our minds as well as our hearts, souls and strength. Christianity is for people who aren’t afraid to think about life and meaning. John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, believed that no one should be saved from the trouble of thinking because that is the path to understanding God.’

http://www.methodist.org.uk/index.cfm?fuseaction=opentogod.newsDetail&newsid=295

Oh look, Catholic men dictating what women must do with their bodies...Again

2008-09-25T00:57:00.000-07:00

Catholic governors refuse to allow girls to have cervical cancer jabs at school

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/education/article4821368.ece

To fair, though, national Catholic institutions have supported the cervical cancer jab, and for that I think they should be applauded.

xxx

badgerbadgerbadgerbadger...

2008-08-11T00:33:00.000-07:00

The reasoning behind this picture is a bit of a long story, but basically has to do with people urging me to 'badger the media' to pay attention to Methodist news stories. ho hum....

For more joyful pictures like this, see the ICHC site.

Why I am 85% male

2008-08-08T00:32:00.000-07:00

Toby has introduced me to a rather good site that determines your gender by checking your web browser history.

Apparently, the fact that I look at the websites for The Times, The Guardian, Amazon and Google fairly frequently makes me a boy.

I wonder what hubby will make of this....

Richard Dawkins, the naive professor

2008-08-07T04:47:00.000-07:00

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/libby_purves/article4474112.ece

Fantastic article by Libby Purves. Encourages me that I'm not the only one annoyed by this pseudo- Either/Or Dawkins is trying to present. Read it and it'll all make sense....

Especially like the bit about bunny-hugging.

xxx

Lent

2008-02-18T02:55:00.001-08:00

Well, we're a week and a half in and things seemed to be going fairly smoothly on the old Buy Less: Live More front.

Until of course I ran out of face wash and my nice shampoo. I have other face wash and other shampoo but nothing as good or as nice. Yes, I am vain. I admit it. But one thing I'm very conscious of is my bad skin and, whether or not they actually make a difference, posh toiletries make me feel better about myself. I suppose they sell me the hope that if I use them in the right way, and for long enough, they'll make me look better. I know it's a vain hope, but I'm sure I'm not the only victim of the cosmetics marketing machine.

But for the rest of Lent I'll be using my skanky cheap shampoo and rifling through my samples for decent face wash (you know those samples you get in magazines? I'm the kind of tragic person that collects them).

So, how important is looking and feeling good? Are there better ways to boost one's self esteem?

Your thoughts please...

xxx

What the hell am I going on about? Check out www.buylesslivemore.org.uk and www.nonewshoes.blogspot.com for info.

As I always suspected...

2007-11-15T06:53:00.000-08:00

Feminism and romantic love make very happy bedfellows
http://www.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,,2211069,00.html

Hurrah!

Never doubted it.

For me, feminism is all about self respect and respect for others - and this article seems to support that;

'What the Rutgers researchers actually found was that, in a survey of college students and older adults, all in heterosexual relationships, men paired with feminist partners reported greater relationship stability and sexual satisfaction. In addition, there was consistent evidence that male feminist partners were healthier for women's relationships, while there was scant evidence that women's feminism created conflict in liaisons.'

xxx

http://www.lolcatbible.com

2007-10-12T00:15:00.000-07:00

Crazy.

Potentially blasphemous.

But complete genius.

http://www.lolcatbible.com

Ban on hunts with dogs 'violates human rights'

2007-10-11T06:44:00.000-07:00

Ban on hunts with dogs 'violates human rights'
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/10/11/nhunt111.xml
___

Stories like this make me really angry.

How - how - is not permitting someone to chase, harass and violently murder another creature a violation of their human rights???!

So there's a human right to be inhumane now, is there?

Bloody idiots.

Tim Minchin - Not Perfect

2007-09-23T06:15:00.001-07:00

Love tbis song...

Tim Minchin - Hallelujah

2007-09-19T06:59:00.001-07:00

The best headline I have ever seen. Ever

2007-08-20T00:43:00.000-07:00

Cannibal tribe apologises for eating Methodists

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/08/16/wpapua116.xml

Just shows they had great taste...

Mark Steel: Atheists and believers have got religion wrong

2007-08-15T02:13:00.001-07:00

Not sure I agree with all of it, but it's a thought-provoking article nonetheless...

There's a modern brand of militant atheist that can appear horribly smug and superior
http://comment.independent.co.uk/columnists_m_z/mark_steel/article2864172.ece

The Dawkins Delusion...

2007-08-10T05:32:00.000-07:00

Dominic Lawson: Why Richard Dawkins is right on alternative medicine - but not when it comes to religion
http://comment.independent.co.uk/columnists_a_l/dominic_lawson/article2851412.ece

Here is the day...

2007-08-02T06:31:00.000-07:00

Here is the day,
travelling into my eyes
at the speed of light,
stopping for nothing, no one.
My mind runs.
My time runs out.

Here is your day.
Take it.
you'll have to be quick,
quicker than the speed of light.
From here on
I'll be taking it back,
every hour, minute, second.

By the end of your day
I will have taken it all back for myself.

Here is the day.
Quick
God
quick.

Take it. It's yours.
__

Martin Wroe
When You Haven't Got a Prayer

how many reasons do we need?

2007-08-01T01:08:00.000-07:00

A sad story that highlights the need for care, understanding and specialist support for those with autism spectrum disorders:

Who is to blame for our son's death?
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/main.jhtml?xml=/health/2007/07/30/hasper130.xml&page=1

Divine retribution

2007-06-18T07:27:00.000-07:00

Last week was a rather tough week. One reason was that I lost my voice. Those that know me, know how much I like to talk. Endlessly. To lose my voice was very frustrating indeed. To cap it all, I was at the Churches Media Conference, which is a great place to meet people and make connections. Because I couldn't really speak, I had to have a go at mute networking. Slightly difficult as I couldn't quite figure-out the sign-language for 'Methodist'.

It was particularly weird as on Sunday night I has a dream in which I called someone a very rude name indeed (not to be repeated). When I awoke, I got the feeling that God was trying to tell me to think more before I speak and to shut up and listen for a change.

Then I lost my voice. Ho hum.

More film reviews from the wonderful Jenny P...

2007-06-04T00:25:00.000-07:00

Connie & Carla - This is the first film I watched. It cheered me up. Very entertaining.

Paycheck - Interesting - I like the way Ben Affleck used the contents of that envelope.

The Core - I like disaster movies. Very exciting in some places...should be careful with my heart racing away.

Cypher - I really liked this one. What a surprise ending! And I think Jeremy Northam is gorgeous.

The Thirteenth Floor - ?! What? Not a bad film but not suitable for a person with an infarct!!

___

Thanks Jenny! xxxxxxxxx

Phew!

2007-05-30T12:03:00.000-07:00

Just handed in my most recent essay for the MA and am beginning to think that this studying lark is a lot harder than it looks. (My apologies to all my mates - I know that I practically haven't spoken about anything else recently).

It's really knackering, but I'm learning things and reading things I never would have touched before.

Here's to actually being able to read a novel for the next few days!!

It doesn't matter what you call it, it's still domestic abuse

2007-05-21T02:44:00.000-07:00

It was lovely to open up my email inbox this morning and find a newsletter from Tanzanian charity KIWOHEDE (Kiota Women's Health & Development). The charity does life-changing work among women and girls across Tanzania and there's also a UK based charity that works to raise funds for KIWOHEDE. for more information, visit www.kiota.org. Kiota spends 100% of all donations on projects in Tanzania.

___

Flylady - the American housework phenomenon - is growing bigger all the time. I don't think it's particularly anti-feminist and it is a really helpful system for lazy slobs like me. I'm never quite disciplines enough for it though...

The joy of housework
http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/the_way_we_live/article1812666.ece

___

I find this website deeply worrying:
http://christiandomesticdiscipline.com

This claims that if a wife consents to her husband beating her, he may do so in order to correct her behaviour and ensure that she is the best wife she can be. After all, it's the way God intended. Should you beat her until she cries? Apparently it's the only way she'll ever learn.

This is one of the reasons people are so cautious of the 'male headship model' of marriage. Personally, I don't hold with the concept at all, but I know many Christians who do and have loving, caring, respectful partnerships without any hint of violence.

Violence, particularly towards those you love, is simply not acceptable and neither is it God's plan for loving relationships.

Wake up, Anna!

2007-05-17T07:38:00.000-07:00

Well it's been ages since I wrote on this blog, mainly because I've been busy over at the nonewshoes blog - http://nonewshoes.blogspot.com.

But I've decided it's time to get more active in the blogsphere again (not that I'm promising it will actually make any sense!). In part, inspiration has come from the Christian Blog Awards:

www.christianblogawards.co.uk

Was rather surprised when they asked me to be a judge, so it thought it best to renew my blogging enthusiasm.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

happy friday!

2007-01-19T05:17:00.000-08:00

It's been a long and stressful week.

I'm tired and moany.

And the trains are completely up the spout.

Ah, Ship of Fools...

2007-01-17T04:52:00.000-08:00

Ah, Ship of Fools, that fab website for those of us Christians for whom the worldwide church is both a joy and (occasionally) an embarrassment.

I'm especially fond of the Fruitcake zone, as I believe our Good Lord would be:
http://www.shipoffools.com/Fruitcake/index.html

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Movie Reviews

2007-01-17T04:37:00.000-08:00

Late summer (I think) last year, my best friend Sarah's mum, Jenny, had to have a very serious heart operation. We all rejoice that things went very well and now she is well on the road to recovery. During her recuperation, Jim and I lent her some DVDs to pass the time as she was basically told by doctors that she MUST NOT DO ANYTHING THAT MIGHT EXHAUST HER, and with a heart complaint, that includes pretty much any activity that you can't do from the sofa (and some you can).

Anyway, after she had watched some of them, we were very pleased to receive a little note to say thank you and offer her critique of the collection. So here are her thoughts...

Connie and Carla - this is the first film I watched. It cheered me up. Very entertaining.
Paycheck - Interesting. I like the way Ben Affleck used the contents of that envelope.
The Core - I like disaster movies. Very exciting in places...should be careful withmy heart racing away.
Cypher - I really liked this one. What a surprise ending! And I think Jeremy Northam is gorgeous.
The Thirteenth Floor - ?! What? Not a bad film but not suitable for a person with an infarct!!

Thanks Jennie. We look forward to more!

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

New Year's Resolutions...

2007-01-17T04:23:00.000-08:00

Ok, rather late, I know. One of my (many, and now mostly broken) new year's resolutions was to use my blog more. I enjoy posting but always forget to do it.

Other resolutions included spend less, exercise more, pray more and, um... be better at stuff.

Anyway, here's an article I enjoyed recently (courtesy of Coz):

The Caucasian crusader rides again in 'Blood Diamond'
http://www.smh.com.au/news/film/beyond-the-pale/2007/01/09/1168104982198.html
I'm looking forward to the film, but it helps to keep these things in context when you realise the questions about films that we often forget to ask.

I also went to see Apocalypto over the Christmas break - very, very gory. It could have been quite good if Mel Gibson would have resited going too far and dipping into the ridiculous. Giles Fraser makes some interesting observations here, although I'm not sure that I agree that the film can be branded antisemitic:

A Christian snuff movie that links blood with salvation
http://www.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,,1986514,00.html

Oh, and big congratulations to all the lovely couples getting married this year:

Sarah and Dave
Alice and Dante
Alice and Nick (different Alice)
Chris and Antonia
Dan and Alex (my husband's last unwed brother)

More to say, but I think I'll break it down into different posts.

xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Recent coverage about the Ipswich murders...

2006-12-15T06:20:00.000-08:00

Here's a helpful comment piece:

The Ipswich murders: they were women, weren't they?
Matthew Parris

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/newspaper/0,,173-2502129,00.html

This one was interesting as well:

Prostitutes deserve as much sympathy as any murder victim
Joan SmithTuesday December 12, 2006
http://media.guardian.co.uk/site/story/0,,1970129,00.html

But I found this headline rather annoying...

Drugs are the curse of our land and turn women into prostitutes
By Simon Heffer

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml?xml=/opinion/2006/12/13/do1301.xml&sSheet=/opinion/2006/12/13/ixopinion.html

Really? Are drugs the sole cause of prostitution? Actually, I think it's men. Obviously not all men, but if there wasn't a market for anonymous sex-on-demand, these women would find other ways to feed their addictions and make ends meet. I also reject to the author using the term 'tart' to refer to prostitutes. Either treat people with respect or don't talk about them at all. How would he like it if I referred to him constantly as something very rude? Also, I wonder, how could he even begin to understand what might drive a woman (or a man, for that matter) into a life of prostitution? Blaming drugs is very handy - it's a faceless evil. Looking at society's constructions that lead people to take drugs and to move into this kind of lifestyle is much more demanding. Which is why no-one wants to do it.

Also, a friend pointed out that the news coverage constantly refers to the victims of these murders as 'girls' - they were not girls, they were women. How interesting that even though this is such a serious issue, the victims themselves are not being taken seriously.

My heart and prayers go out to the families and friends of the victims of these awful murders and to those who work and live in the area.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

It's a sad day in hollywood

2006-12-05T04:01:00.000-08:00

Clooney mourns death of his pig:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6209130.stm

Clooney, 45, added that he had no plans to replace the pet. "I think Max covered all my pig needs," he said.

Earlier this year Clooney took the pig for a flight in John Travolta's private jet, declaring afterwards that Max "absolutely loved it".
_____

My mum always wanted one of those pigs.

Yeah, cos that makes perfect sense...

2006-12-01T02:09:00.000-08:00

Nuclear stockpiles cut to placate Trident opponents
http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/politics/article2029290.ece

This invention will truly make the world a better place...

2006-11-14T04:18:00.000-08:00

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/newspaper/0,,171-2452275,00.html

Been a while since I posted...

2006-11-09T04:44:00.000-08:00

... so there's a few things I wanted to mention.

Dave's blog (link below) has a rather good entry from yesterday about beating suspicious debating assumptions - something I should be reminded of frequently! Thanks Dave ;o)

A moving comment piece in today's guardian:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,,1942826,00.html

I saw someone from the Israeli army yesterday on the news apologizing for the erroneous strike on Beit Hanoun that killed 18 members of the same family (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/6128614.stm). Perhaps it's not a particularly Christian view to take, but I found myself thinking that they'd sacrificed their right to be sorry when they purchased those weapons. I know that forgiveness is ultimately available to all who repent, but his words just seemed meaningless to me.

On a lighter note, I think this is a great idea:
Cyber tabloid will cover all the news that's virtually true
http://technology.guardian.co.uk/news/story/0,,1941903,00.html
maybe someone could set up a rival paper... mind you, there are probably already more by now. I wonder if it has radio stations yet. One of my colleagues is doing some work on the issue of online spirituality, and I bet there's huge scope for Christian involvement in online environments like Second Life.

It looks like they're not far off making the late pope a saint:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news2006/11/07/wmiracle07.xml
I think the concept of the sainthood of certain people can be helpful in identifying those who are inspirational role models, or who have something to teach us even today. However, I think there's a very real danger that we see these people as spiritual superhereos, utterly divine and devoid of humanity. It's very easy to forget that according to Paul, we are all saints (no, not the Appleton sisters) - that's what it means to be a member of Christ's church in the world (by which I mean in all denominations). The Saints identified by the Roman Catholic Church are important, but only if we remember their humanity. They show us what we're capable of in Christ - anything! Most of my favorite saints are still alive and kicking.

Thought-provoking article in the Times from yesterday:
Muslims in Glass Houses
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/newspaper/0,,172-2442565,00.html
I don't know enough about the issues to agree wholeheartedly with the author, but he raises some interesting points. However, he does comment that 'The reason we hear so little about religious oppression in the Muslim world is straightforward: young Christians in the West don't become radicalized, and persecuted Christians tend not to respond with violence". That may currently be true, but Christianity must always be aware of its violent past in periods such as that of the Crusades. We don't have to keep apologizinging for things, but the good and the bad exist as part of our heritage and must be remembered.

This woman simply can't take a joke:
http://www.downtownexpress.com/de_179/howiwasduped.html
Linda Stein says:
"In humor or art theory, you could argue that his statement is so ridiculous that the very utterance of it proves the reverse, and therefore is an unmasking of his character's small mindedness. Some of Borat's most famous segments do just that, such as when the comic, who is Jewish, cajoles patrons in a country-western bar to sing 'Throw the Jew down the well' to expose covert anti-Semitism. But what exactly is he trying to unmask when he ridicules women?"
Perhaps covert misogyny? I cannot see how his jokes about Jews are any more or less offensive than those about women. Whether Sacha Baron Cohen had a moral agenda to expose bigotry, or whether that was a happy side-effect, the Borat movie is funny. It is inoffensive simply because it sets out to offend everyone and does so in such a ridiculous manner. I loved it.

That'll do for now, methinks.

Time for a wake-up call

2006-11-01T02:05:00.000-08:00

Women's lives 'no better' in new Afghanistan

http://news.independent.co.uk/world/asia/article1945761.ece

Deeply saddening. The headline doesn't do it justice.

Pop mogul-turned-pastor pledges cash to help firemen in gay row

2006-10-31T05:11:00.000-08:00

I love that headline.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/newspaper/0,,171-2429368,00.html

I've met this guy and he seems very nice. It's a shame, though, that he quotes the story of Sodom as a scripture against homosexuality. I think even my cat could recognize that this text is not about homosexuality. It's about gang rape and violation of hospitality.

If it is about homosexuality, it's certainly not any form that I would recognise, nor would most people I know.

Isn't it interesting that no one ever seems to comment on the fact that Lot offers his daughters as a substitute. Good old Lot.

Freud got there first

2006-10-31T04:48:00.000-08:00

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/newspaper/0,,171-2428935,00.html

Does anyone else wish that Richard Dawkins would get a new tune? Ok, I get it, he doesn't believe in God. And...? Does he not feel he has anything further to contribute to society?

It's not his arguments that annoy me - we all need to engage with these issues and be willing to debate them and grow from that. But I do object to his arrogance. And the fact that he doesn't seem to be able to work on any other theories. If he really doesn't believe in God, why waste all this time talking about it?

He raises interesting issues about what we usually term 'religious experience', but I'm rather tired of his arguments. Besides, Freud got there first.

Why is it that when I talk to God, I'm praying, but when God talks to me, I'm schizophrenic? Dawkins says little about the very real transformation that can occur in a person as the result of personal faith and these seemingly 'unreal' experiences. I'm not talking about a simple change in thinking or feeling - these can be brought about by many things and are often temporary. But there is something to be said about a change that happens within a person as a result of such experiences and, more importantly, a lived faith in Jesus.

He also critiques Aquinas' proofs, which is probably a good thing. We need to be able to criticism even our own spiritual heritage. Not sure how relevant this is for modern-day Christians, though - I don't think I have ever met anyone converted to Christianity through the 'proofs'.

Oh well, good luck to him.

final ranty note...

2006-10-26T14:18:00.000-07:00

There's an interesting couple of debates going on over on Dave's blog, although I reckon he's misunderstood me over my comments on the veils debate.

Oh, and one final ranty story for the day, though it's a couple of days old now:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/6076652.stm

I don't think I'm allowed to say exactly what I'd like to about this guy, but it ain't particularly nice.

But I like the idea of part-time work on full-time pay...

Feeling in a particularly ranty mood today.

2006-10-26T13:54:00.000-07:00

First off, what's all this about Prince Charlie taking on the title 'Defender of Faith'? What does that even mean??? If the Buddhists are having a row with the Christians, who does he defend?

http://www.christiantoday.com/article/prince.charles.plans.to.break.tradition.with.multifaith.coronation/8135.htm

Though I have to say, I'm not particularly fussed that he should be the defender of my faith, thank you very much. That said, it's cool that he wants a multi-faith coronation. I think it should be representative of the people of England.

And another thing, there was a letter in the Daily Mail today (or was it the Express?) by someone who was outraged that the Archibishop of Canterbury had not spoken out to defend the woman who works for BA and has been told she can't wear her cross to work.

Who is he, her father??!! She seems to be doing a pretty good job of defending herself.

Oh, and Naomi Campbell has been arrested for assault again:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/showbiz/showbiznews.html?in_article_id=412629&in_page_id=1773&ico=Homepage&icl=TabModule&icc=picbox&ct=5
Good grief, that woman's going to set a record. Gotta love the T Shirt though.

And, another favourite article for the day, Chris De Burgh proves his miraculous healing powers...
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/showbiz/showbiznews.html?in_article_id=412583&in_page_id=1773

Check out Dave's blog - it's cool

2006-10-25T00:31:00.001-07:00

Here's a great blog to check out for all those with theological leanings:
http://davewilliams-random-thoughts.blogspot.com

Dave is an all-round top bloke and one of my favourite theologians. His blog's got a bit more of an academic and spiritual emphasis to mine, which is great for people like me who are complete geeks but don't quite have the brain power to work through it on our own.

He's also my best mate's fiance - hurrah!

Dave - sorry about the late posting! This week's been crazy.

World inside my head

God isn’t a Shopkeeper

Roll on Christmas!

Latest from Team Thailand

Follow?

What's so good about Good Friday?

Best song ever written from the best movie ever made?

Too beautiful to ignore...

Does God love you?

Contraception - The Protestant View

O. Dear. Lord.

What would you say if you had just 1 minute with Cameron & Clegg?

This is embarrassingly familiar...

'What scares you, Jon?' 'Authors missing their deadlines.'

The answer to fixing Jewish-Methodist relations...

I haven't just been watching telly...promise

The dark side of freedom of speech

The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ

#PatRobertsonDoesn'tSpeakForMe

Failing the feminism test?

Modern parables for a church tucked up in bed

My kinda atheist

It's National Poetry Day!

nap tyme wiv jeesus

The Friday Feelgood Playlist

Greenbelt 2009 - highs and lows

The $64 million dollar question

The Plinth Priest Cometh!

The coolest arts project ever!

A lovely long weekend in Guernsey

Playing catch up

Euro elections frenzy!

A priest might not know how to dance...

Church leaders in Lincs speak out against BNP

Today I am silent. I do not want to speak

Katie and Peter: the end of plastic fantastic?

Madonna foreswears celebrity religion; converts to Methodism

Great Methodist story from East Anglia

Silly cat videos never fail to amuse me

Most interesting articles of the day....

My first sermon

We're in the Telegraph!!

Churches urged to take action ahead of European elections

The sound of happiness

Disabled presenter ‘scares children’

Cindy McCain Claims She’s ‘Just Like Any Other Female Human’

Some Christians make me think decidedly unChristian thoughts...

It could be an atheist bus, but we're not quite sure

Atheist buses to hit London streets today

And now we're in the Daily Mail!!

Never thought I'd be a page 3 girl....

10 Things I Hate About Commandments

Like almost every American Sci-fi film you've ever seen

*snigger*

Wish I was Ritalin Kitty

The humans are dead

Sarah Malik named first salaried Methodist Youth President

Couldn't happen to a nastier bunch of people...

What if Starbucks marketed like a church?

Sweet irony....

new blog: Work of my Own Fiction

Latest Methodist podcast

Stable masculinity?!?

Fantastic media coverage for the Dawkins story...

Methodist Church thanks Richard Dawkins for getting God onto London buses

Oh look, Catholic men dictating what women must do with their bodies...Again

badgerbadgerbadgerbadger...

Why I am 85% male

Richard Dawkins, the naive professor

Lent

As I always suspected...

http://www.lolcatbible.com

Ban on hunts with dogs 'violates human rights'

Tim Minchin - Not Perfect

Tim Minchin - Hallelujah

The best headline I have ever seen. Ever

Mark Steel: Atheists and believers have got religion wrong

The Dawkins Delusion...

Here is the day...

how many reasons do we need?

snigger