Saturday, 20 December 2008
Christmas Thoughts for 2008
Another year is over, and it has been a mixed one for many, what with personal issues, and some of what we have heard on the News. It is hard to take in that Christmas is once more upon us!
"So when does Christmas actually come?" I will always remember Nicholas Vesey asking us that question at the start of his sermon at the Midnight Communion at St. Augustine's Church in 2004. it is almost more challenging to us as Chistians than it is to non Christians. For those of us who work in retail, Christmas comes earlier and earlier, with all the shops bedecked in fairy lights and decorations by mid October! for Schools, it all comes as soon as Bonfire Night is over, and teachers are up to their eyes in organising bazaars, parties and nativity plays.
It is so sad to remember that the true meaning has become totally lost by commercialism, and so it becomes a less than relaxing time for many, with the "season of Goodwill" concept becoming a joke! It is a season of stress for those of us in retail and the postal service, and a season of greed for those who are only interested in money, food and drink! In my workplace, trade is tough this year, and the effects of the credit crunch are obvious, but people are still buying. It will be interesting to see how many failed Christmas presents come back on Boxing Day THIS year!!
For many, Christmas is "really just for children" as it's all about new toys and Santa Claus, and schools and nurseries do nativity plays but simply brand it as a "nice little fairy story" with too much emphasis on Baby Jesus, and the children don't understand that he grew up to be the greatest person that has ever lived!! Before i was a Christian, I worked as a Nanny, and i used to share in the wonder and excitement of the children in my care that santa was real!!
As we go through these next few days, those of us who believe need to ask God to help us to see through all the stress, and to focus on his birth and his return. So that on Christmas Day itself, we will be able to turn our hearts to the true meaning of the event. May i close by wishing you all a restful and relaxing Christmas.
"So when does Christmas actually come?" I will always remember Nicholas Vesey asking us that question at the start of his sermon at the Midnight Communion at St. Augustine's Church in 2004. it is almost more challenging to us as Chistians than it is to non Christians. For those of us who work in retail, Christmas comes earlier and earlier, with all the shops bedecked in fairy lights and decorations by mid October! for Schools, it all comes as soon as Bonfire Night is over, and teachers are up to their eyes in organising bazaars, parties and nativity plays.
It is so sad to remember that the true meaning has become totally lost by commercialism, and so it becomes a less than relaxing time for many, with the "season of Goodwill" concept becoming a joke! It is a season of stress for those of us in retail and the postal service, and a season of greed for those who are only interested in money, food and drink! In my workplace, trade is tough this year, and the effects of the credit crunch are obvious, but people are still buying. It will be interesting to see how many failed Christmas presents come back on Boxing Day THIS year!!
For many, Christmas is "really just for children" as it's all about new toys and Santa Claus, and schools and nurseries do nativity plays but simply brand it as a "nice little fairy story" with too much emphasis on Baby Jesus, and the children don't understand that he grew up to be the greatest person that has ever lived!! Before i was a Christian, I worked as a Nanny, and i used to share in the wonder and excitement of the children in my care that santa was real!!
As we go through these next few days, those of us who believe need to ask God to help us to see through all the stress, and to focus on his birth and his return. So that on Christmas Day itself, we will be able to turn our hearts to the true meaning of the event. May i close by wishing you all a restful and relaxing Christmas.
Sunday, 7 December 2008
Sunday, 9 November 2008
REMEMBER, REMEMBER THE FIFTH OF NOVEMBER!!
As I type this, we are in the midst of all the Guy Fawkes celebrations going on around us, and as I walk home from another hard day in Boots, the darkness of the sky is broken on a regular basis, as yet another loud bang gives way to a spectacular display of colour!!
This year, Andrew and I decided to celebrate it in style, with our own fireworks display. We would have done it on the actual "5th", but lousy weather necessitated us postponing it, so a fish pie and plenty of White Wine warmed us up, as the rain crashed down onto our conservatory roof! Instead, we let off our fireworks two days later, and had the experience of the noise and colour in our own back garden, in many ways! Not only did we let off fireworks, but it was also the perfect opportunity for Andrew to christen our new incinerator. with plenty of paper rubbish to burn, and triffid style Jerusalem Artichoke Stems to get rid of, and with a little help from the used fryer oil and new back gate "treatment", we had a display almost on a par with the St. Lukes Bonfire of two years ago!!(see photo below!)
The fun is by no means over for us. Next weekend, Andrew and I are going to a bonfire party along the road in the garden of his work mate, Chance. This is within easy walking distance, so we will certainly not feel guilt ridden about churning up the mud in Earlham Park on the night of their annual firework display!!
I will close by sharing a "funny" that occured at Luton Christian Fellowship way back in about 1993, and this is true. The church were organising a firework display in a local park, as a means of introducing non Christians to the church in a fun way. Before the event, at the midweek prayer meeting, those present were praying about the event, with particular emphasis on the important Health and Safety aspects. Imagine how the whole gathering fell about laughing when someone piped out "Dear Lord, we pray that all those who come to the event will be on FIRE FOR GOD!!!"
This year, Andrew and I decided to celebrate it in style, with our own fireworks display. We would have done it on the actual "5th", but lousy weather necessitated us postponing it, so a fish pie and plenty of White Wine warmed us up, as the rain crashed down onto our conservatory roof! Instead, we let off our fireworks two days later, and had the experience of the noise and colour in our own back garden, in many ways! Not only did we let off fireworks, but it was also the perfect opportunity for Andrew to christen our new incinerator. with plenty of paper rubbish to burn, and triffid style Jerusalem Artichoke Stems to get rid of, and with a little help from the used fryer oil and new back gate "treatment", we had a display almost on a par with the St. Lukes Bonfire of two years ago!!(see photo below!)
The fun is by no means over for us. Next weekend, Andrew and I are going to a bonfire party along the road in the garden of his work mate, Chance. This is within easy walking distance, so we will certainly not feel guilt ridden about churning up the mud in Earlham Park on the night of their annual firework display!!
I will close by sharing a "funny" that occured at Luton Christian Fellowship way back in about 1993, and this is true. The church were organising a firework display in a local park, as a means of introducing non Christians to the church in a fun way. Before the event, at the midweek prayer meeting, those present were praying about the event, with particular emphasis on the important Health and Safety aspects. Imagine how the whole gathering fell about laughing when someone piped out "Dear Lord, we pray that all those who come to the event will be on FIRE FOR GOD!!!"
Thursday, 25 September 2008
The Elephants of Norwich.
Summer 2008 was a very unusual summer. I expect some of you are thinking about the lousy weather, our "white Easter" and the number of Gold Medals that Great Britain swept up in the Beijing Olympics!
For those of you local to Norwich, i know you will be thinking about the largest public arts event that Norwich has ever seen! From June 23rd until August 31st, 53 life size fibreglass baby elephants took up residence at various strategic points throughout Norwich. Many were in the city centre, but some you had to hunt further afield to find! These elephants were all decorated by community groups and individual local artists, the event was organised by "Wild in Art" and the Forum Trust, and The Mall was one of the main sponsors.
The locals soon fell in love with them, as it became apparent that no two were alike, they all had names, and they each had their own individual characters. (We had one disguised as a bumblebee, and another with the Tardis on its back! To name but two!) People said that this was the best thing they'd seen happening in Norwich. Tourist trade shot up big time, and throughout the summer holiday, families and children made it their outing, to follow the Elephant Trail (There were official Guide Books and maps available in the Forum), and one regularly saw foreign visitors and children posing with the elephants to have their pictures taken.
I was one of a number of people who fell in love with them, and would pop out in my lunch break to see the ones nearby. Over three days, I walked the whole safari and took a photo of each one! This included going up hill and down dale to the one tucked away in St. Julian's Alley, my one and only trip to the Football Stadium (no offence to Norwich City supporters!) and a car journey to the one at the hospital. I regularly saw Aimee-Mimosa, the Mum and Baby pair at the Library. One one occasion, two funny little girls ran up to them, flung their arms round the baby one and they both said "aaaaahhhhh". As I arrived in the city each morning, the three travellers atop the one outside Cinema City always smiled at me!!
At the end of August, all the elephants were taken away, much to the despondency of all who had grown to love them, as they were being cleaned up in readiness for the Auction on September 23rd, where they were sold off to raise money for the Born Free Foundation (helping maintain their natural habitats in the tropics) and Clic Seargent, the charity for children with Cancer. The Staff, patients and visitors to the Hospital grew so fond of "Rena", that they chained themselves to her in protest, that she would not be taken away!
On September 23rd, a very unusual phenomenon occured in the city centre, when all the Elephants were paraded in front of the Forum, so those of us who were around, had an opportunity for one last look at them before they were all auctioned off to their new homes. Apparently, the money raised at the auction was double what was predicted. The one who got the highest bid, was Jemima, a rather magnificent Black and White Mosaic one, who resided in front of the Library Restaurant on Guildhall Hill. She now has pride of place in a office on Prince of Wales Road. I have uploaded four of my favourites, so feel free to view them for yourselves!
................................................................................................................................................................................
STOP PRESS!!!!
You'll be pleased to know that the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital were successful in purchasing Rena the Elephant so now she is a permanent resident there. She has pride of place not far from where she was on display during the exhibition.
For those of you local to Norwich, i know you will be thinking about the largest public arts event that Norwich has ever seen! From June 23rd until August 31st, 53 life size fibreglass baby elephants took up residence at various strategic points throughout Norwich. Many were in the city centre, but some you had to hunt further afield to find! These elephants were all decorated by community groups and individual local artists, the event was organised by "Wild in Art" and the Forum Trust, and The Mall was one of the main sponsors.
The locals soon fell in love with them, as it became apparent that no two were alike, they all had names, and they each had their own individual characters. (We had one disguised as a bumblebee, and another with the Tardis on its back! To name but two!) People said that this was the best thing they'd seen happening in Norwich. Tourist trade shot up big time, and throughout the summer holiday, families and children made it their outing, to follow the Elephant Trail (There were official Guide Books and maps available in the Forum), and one regularly saw foreign visitors and children posing with the elephants to have their pictures taken.
I was one of a number of people who fell in love with them, and would pop out in my lunch break to see the ones nearby. Over three days, I walked the whole safari and took a photo of each one! This included going up hill and down dale to the one tucked away in St. Julian's Alley, my one and only trip to the Football Stadium (no offence to Norwich City supporters!) and a car journey to the one at the hospital. I regularly saw Aimee-Mimosa, the Mum and Baby pair at the Library. One one occasion, two funny little girls ran up to them, flung their arms round the baby one and they both said "aaaaahhhhh". As I arrived in the city each morning, the three travellers atop the one outside Cinema City always smiled at me!!
At the end of August, all the elephants were taken away, much to the despondency of all who had grown to love them, as they were being cleaned up in readiness for the Auction on September 23rd, where they were sold off to raise money for the Born Free Foundation (helping maintain their natural habitats in the tropics) and Clic Seargent, the charity for children with Cancer. The Staff, patients and visitors to the Hospital grew so fond of "Rena", that they chained themselves to her in protest, that she would not be taken away!
On September 23rd, a very unusual phenomenon occured in the city centre, when all the Elephants were paraded in front of the Forum, so those of us who were around, had an opportunity for one last look at them before they were all auctioned off to their new homes. Apparently, the money raised at the auction was double what was predicted. The one who got the highest bid, was Jemima, a rather magnificent Black and White Mosaic one, who resided in front of the Library Restaurant on Guildhall Hill. She now has pride of place in a office on Prince of Wales Road. I have uploaded four of my favourites, so feel free to view them for yourselves!
................................................................................................................................................................................
STOP PRESS!!!!
You'll be pleased to know that the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital were successful in purchasing Rena the Elephant so now she is a permanent resident there. She has pride of place not far from where she was on display during the exhibition.
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