I run. I think. I talk. I listen. I watch. I pray. I ride. I read. I write. I sleep.
I am married. I am (mostly) English. I am (slightly) short-sighted.
I follow Jesus, because I think he is true. I follow Jesus because I think he brings life. I follow Jesus because he doesn’t stop walking.
I get frustrated with Jesus because he is mysterious. I get frustrated with Jesus because he doesn’t do what I want. I get frustrated with Jesus because I am always slightly behind.
I believe life in all its fulness is available to all, if only we could all see through the cloud of dust kicked up by Jesus walking, and us being slightly behind. Nevertheless, we keep walking. Keep loving. Keep changing. Keep growing. Keep learning. Keep listening. Keep being wrong and starting over. Its not over yet and there is life to be lived.
In summer 2009 I became the Associate Vicar in the Parish of St Helier, with particular responsibility for the small congregation of (about) 15 (mostly) older ladies in Bishop Andrewes’ Church, who I thought then may prove to be the catalyst for the transformation of our housing estate. That would be pretty cool.
October 2010 update - the congregation is now about 25-30, with those wonderful older ladies plus some mums with their young children plus some other folks, we’ve started BA Kids and we are very encouraged. Things are changing…!!
March 2011 update – the congregation is growing and changing, with about 25 adults and 12 children, which is an interesting ratio! And the transformation of our housing estate is beginning, one life at a time.
January 2012 update – well this Sunday we had 35 adults and 17 children. I don’t know how or why; some are unchurched, with little or no faith background, but still they come. What a mixed and mixing community. This is the kingdom…
You da man. I like this. It’s good. You’re a proper vicar now. Different from Crawley? Sounds like it. Sorry not been in touch for a while. Life been busy covering maternity leave, moving house, changing job, having baby. All clam now. Mostly I just lounge around in the house watching DVDs about Darwin and reading PC Pro magazine, while baby Naomi sleeps softly on my shoulder.
Hope you and yours are well…
really like what you have written here…
I hadn’t read this for a while but Ruth’s comment aroused my curiousity. Following Jesus and His clouds of kicked-up dust is pretty cool, I guess.
But who do you follow when you’re sledging down mountains in Austria? If only people could have seen the cloud of snow I was kicking up for you to eat in my wake recently. What’s cooler than ice cold?
Edge the Sledge is King of the mountain! In my dreams, of course…
Dream on Edge, or you’ll sledge over the edge (and the trees of the fields shall clap their hands…)
Old Jewish Proverb…’May you always be covered in the dust of your Rabbi’…
If you are walking closely enough, you’ll get covered in the dust of his footsteps
love what you have written here. thanks for the linkage. will be back to read your ponderings.
thanks,
rick hill
Whoever you are, I really like what you’ve written here and you obviously know my pal Ruthli no doubt through your Crawley connection. Thanks for the comment, I will be dropping back here from time to time to see how you, Jesus and the old ladies are changing the world…. well, South London at least!
I am very interested in your words/thoughts on God inconveniencing us. I googled inconvenienced by God and got your quote “Well, says God. Allow me to inconvenience you… ” I went to your blog to get the rest and I cannot find it. It is supposed to be under June 18, but I cannot locate it. Thanks for your help! Esther
HI Esther, the post it refers to is this one: http://theblogofkevin.wordpress.com/2010/02/17/religion-fatigue-and-the-imposition-of-haberdashery/ Not sure why the June 18 date comes up, I checked google and it did the same for me!
Kevin, great to meet you and Fran at Dave and Helen’s wedding – really encouraging for me, and I’ve been really enjoying the wit and wisdom of this blog. Many thanks, Rob
I have enjoyed this passage about Jesus and Mc Hammer.Its refreshing
I do think that you will be catalysts you and Fran, and in fact you have been for a long while now
That sounds awesome!
‘spose i fall into ‘some other folks’ category?