I could complain, I often do....but for now I choose to be thankful. 

This mornings quick look at twitter took a little more time than I expected. I was drawn to this blog http://god-loves-women  and then several conversations online in response to it.  

On numerous occasions I have stood up and complained about the lack of women involved in teaching and preaching at large conferences. I've often then found myself angered at the response...a token woman in the program. At times I have been that token woman myself! 

But I'm not going to complain or shout today. Instead I choose to be thankful.
Thankful that today someone else has written a blog and championed the cause.
Thankful that I belong to a church that has been ordaining women for 40 years.
Thankful that I belong to the fresh expressions network who I think are the most naturally inclusive group of people I have ever worked with.
Thankful that I'm NOT the token woman at this years ECG conference...there are lots of us. 
Thankful for a husband who has often put my name forward for an appointment when he could have done it himself...because he wants women to have as many opportunities as men. 
Thankful that in Christ I don't need to shout to be noticed. 

Yes there's still a long way to go, and on other occasions I will probably be pulling my hair out.
 But today I choose to be thankful. 

Today I met....

Today I had a coffee and chat with a great guy. He's fairly young, articulate, bright, good looking and well dressed. We spent around half an hour chatting over our coffee, and during that time he shared with me some of his hopes for the future. He talked about how he'd done pretty well at school and that he hoped for a career that would challenge him and give him the kind of income he needed. He talked of his girlfriend and his hope of finding a home that they could move into together. In one respect there was nothing unusual about his hopes and dreams - they are similar to what most people look for in life.

You might be surprised when I tell you where the conversation took place, as it wasn't in a cosy coffee shop - it was in a Foodbank. This bright, articulate young man is homeless. His dream of having a job that provides the kind of income he needs is having a minimum wage job. In his words, 'minimum wage is enough for me, it's more than I have now'. All he wanted was a bit of stability. Is that too much to ask for?

His story (like many of the stories I've heard at the Foodbank) shines a spotlight on the injustices and inadequacies within our society and welfare system. There are people who fall through the gaps and seem to lie forgotten. They are not just statistics, they are real people. Each one with a story. And when you meet the people, instead of debating the reason for 'the problem' you find that they are just normal folk who've hit a rough patch. They are our neighbours.

Thank God for the Foodbanks, the Churches, the Citizens Advice Bureau and the like who work selflessly to reach out and let people know that they are important, the are worth something, they  deserve respect.


(Blog posted with permission).

'Methodism doesn't need evolution - it needs revolution.'

'Methodism doesn't need evolution - it needs revolution.'

These words were said to me at the end of a conversation about itineracy and the circuit system in Methodism. A few of us had been chatting around the dinner table about some of the blockages to growth, and indeed about some of the possibilities too. I found myself defending our structures as being workable (I know, very unusual for me!) if we approach them in the right way. I mentioned how with some tweaking we could make our structures much more workable. One of the guys as he walked away, said, 'Methodism doesn't need evolution - it needs revolution.'

Almost immediately I realised that he was right and I was wrong. The more I thought about these words, the more I realised the weight of them. I feel unsettled in my spirit.  Perhaps his words were more prophetic than a throw away comment at the end of a conversation....at least that's what I'm thinking.

So I'm left wondering, 'how desperate are we for transformation?'  Desperate enough to do things very differently....and even to be different? Revolutions are never a walk in the park! People get hurt. Mistakes are made. And that might make us hesitant because we avoid pain and upset....that's only natural. But is it really our business to worry about others if it takes our focus away from Christ? Or are we supposed to fix our eyes on Jesus the pioneer and perfect or of faith?

Revolutions start with individuals. Please don't think for one minute that I'm advocating a violent power struggle with our denominational leaders....I'm really not. These are godly people whom I love and respect. But a revolution can equally be about a change in attitude and actions that brings about wide-reaching change.

I'm not sure how to finish this post as everything I try to write now just seems trite, as if I'm looking for an easy answer to neatly wrap up and conclude with. So instead I'll tell you that I expect to keep on feeling unsettled, and I'll pray, and think, and when I next see you, let's talk about revolution.

Saturday morning....can't quite believe that we are at the end of the week. Although this will be my last blog from visiting the teams, I will add some reflections over the next couple of weeks. If you have been involved with TOGETHER in any way I'd appreciate your reflections, comments & good news stories so please send them to me. This morning I went along to North Shields Methodist church for a family games morning & lunch. A great reminder that offering simple activities, hospitality and a safe place to meet is often all that is needed.

The Consett/Delves Lane team had sent out prayer requests as they'd changed the time of their open air service at the market place because of the weather forecast. It seems they got it right as they had only just finished when the rain came. Over the last 3 days the team has given away well over 1000 Bags of Hope & talked to many, many people.

Then off to Wrekenton for the joint youth event 'CONNECT'. DJ Sean kicked the night off then it was over to youth workers Andy & Jill who hosted the evening & kept the event rolling. KoGs (Kids of God) from Lanchester led worship & MAD from Delves Lane shared 2 amazing dances. Local leader Ian Stimpson shared his experience of bungee jumping in New Zealand & linked that to our need to trust God. Over 100 people attended this - the majority being young adults or under 18's. It was a very diverse group (a good number had never been to a church event before TOGETHER) and

everyone involved did a great job interacting and keeping people engaged. This was a great way to round up the youth work that's been going on through the week. And a good reminder that young people ARE still interested and do still want to know more about God...particularly when good folk get alongside them & demonstrate that God has made a difference in their lives. Everyone has worked incredibly hard on TOGETHER, but I have to say that those who'd been involved in youth work through the week looked particularly exhausted. Once more, a huge thank you to those who have given so much of themselves.  Even though it was late when we'd packed up and everyone was tired, people just weren't in a hurry to go home. I'm praying that the experience of this week will be something that God uses to change us & transform us more & more into the likeness of Christ. Many of us are already thinking & praying 'what next Lord?' - watch this space....

Friday morning and Rob Wylie & I set off to the team at Consett & Delves Lane. Thursday, Friday & Saturday they are at Consett Market place giving out Bags of Hope, free literature, chocolate and lots of smiles. Like the Alnwick team & the Bede team they were also collecting prayer requests from anyone who was happy to stay & chat for a while. Considering it was Friday I was impressed with the energy & enthusiasm of this team....it really was contagious. We were invited back to the church for lunch (a BIG thank you to all the good people who have baked & supplied food for the teams this week). At the lunch an interesting conversation arose from some of the younger members of the team. They'd been asking the team leader for my address so they could write to me & tell me we MUST do TOGETHER again next year! One of the young people then started to tell the minister how they could raise money to do it too. It was just so wonderful to be part of their loud, exuberant excitement and their delight at having been part of this special week.
Fantastic team!

Then over to Sunderland, St. Andrews Southwick, for their Light Party. Great to see families engaging in crafts, games & quizzes. Local leader Eunice gave a short talk about Saints and then team leader Graham presented a magic show (so many talents on these teams). We left just as they were having tea (we really can't eat at every visit). Then travelled over to Windy Nook to pop in & see the team who were facilitating an Urban Skills youth night. The football cage was a hit again, and some of MAD dance group from Delves were there to lead a dance workshop.
Then the final event we visited today was back up at Delves Lane for their youth drop in. Wonderful again just to see a place full of non-church kids. Yes its loud, yes it's messy...but I found it a very exciting environment to be in. Good news - some of the kids from this week have asked to join MAD (music & dance group) so keep praying for the leaders up at Delves as they continue this work. Our Youth President Tamara Wray visited last night too, as did our new Regional Team Coordinator Tricia Mitchell who has been traveling around with me to meet the teams. Tricia said, 'Wow! What wonderful people - team, guests and passers by. I've been touched by God through this week.'
I think though TOGETHER many of the volunteers, and myself, have rediscovered some of our roots. Things we maybe used to be involved in but had presumed were dated and wouldn't work anymore. But on the whole, when invitations have been given in love and with respect, people have responded.

 Thursday morning I visited the team at Lemington in Newcastle. A small team who are encouraging prayer and bible study in the congregation and then going into the community prayer walking. I was chatting to one of the Lemington members who told me that her and another lady prayer walk and meet each other to pray every week. I came away from Lemington thinking that while there are still pockets of praying people in our churches there is hope. Then in the afternoon Rob & I went through to visit the team serving in Pelton/Birtley. Not many adults had come into the Labyrinth & coffee that day but they had attracted a group of boys who were enjoying the tea & biscuits & playing games with the team. The boys also interacted with the labyrinth....one of them seemed to be dropping a lot of stones into the water at the table that talked about giving worries to God. I asked if he had a lot of worries, 'I have' he replied.

Then in the afternoon I was delighted to finally visit the 'Pictures of Love' exhibition & craft activities in a shop in Whitley Bay. 'Pictures of Love' was a project Rob Wylie had initiated and it was good to see it being used so well. Around 60 people have been visiting this each afternoon, & I can understand why. There was something for all ages, crafts, art exhibition, a cup of coffee and a warm welcome...and all for free. It was interesting to think about how on Halloween the TOGETHER team had provided a space to engage with crafts on the theme of love.
In the evening we travelled back up to Alnwick for their final evening celebration & thanksgiving (on the theme of Light). What a way to finish their week. There were testimonies, tears, hugs and promises to keep working together. So many lives have been touched here & almost everyone involved has been challenged to keep on sharing the light & love of Christ. Church member Joy said, 'every minister, lay person, village & town should be out there listening to the hurts of the world'. Team member Hodge said, 'This week has completely blown me away'. Team leader Alan said, 'Going out on mission has helped me recognise again the priority of mission which is why I was called to be a minister in the first place.' They all have become very aware of the deep need of people on their doorsteps and their faith has been lifted to the point where they feel they CAN do something. Please keep praying with me that this link between Alnwick & the team from Rowlands Gill (plus one from Stakeford) continues to flourish and bear fruit.

Well we are halfway through the week & already conversations are starting along the lines of 'how do we build on all this?' First visit today was to the team at Birtley who are having a great time just engaging with the general community who come onto the premises for coffee mornings, craft groups and drop in lunch. I was particularly impressed that the church have said that this week everything is free...they want the community to receive their hospitality as a gift. This is a photo of Gwenda who's done an amazing job as a local organiser (HUGE thanks go to all the local organisers). As you can see from their notice board the publicity was good too....in fact as a Birtley resident myself, I received an invitation through the door to call in for some of their events. Well done Birtley.

Then Rob Wylie & I visited Alnwick. They have a prayer table in the market place & have been inviting people to go into the church to engage with a beautifully thought out labyrinth. They'd found the street work really hard on Monday & almost felt like giving in. But they sent out lots of requests for prayer & since then have been engaging with lots & lots of people. Their despondency has turned to huge excitement & amazement at all that God is doing. Look at these 4 youngsters writing prayer requests underneath the table...how cool is that?

      As well as 'Prayer on The Streets' the team in Bede have been out every afternoon doing community clean ups & gardening with some lads from Wrekenton Boys Brigade joining in the fun. We then had a whistle stop visit to Hettons Holiday at Home....I was a little disappointed to have arrived too late to experience their nail bar. Tomorrow they have a trip out then Songs of Praise.

 In the evening we went to Cullercoats Methodist Church to share in a community meal. The team had done a great job inviting people.

The two women I sat with had both come along simply because they received an invitation through the door. We had a wonderful meal with lots of laughs as we embarked on a quiz. This is team leader Andrew eating his 3rd helping! No one seemed in a hurry to go home. It was lovely to see the community police call in to see what was happening....and then stay for dinner (they were rubbish at the quiz though).  So, another inspiring day. For those of you who pray, ask God to give us all energy to keep going for the next 3 days.