"Best of Both Worlds" Midnight Oil

So tonight before I go off to sleep I am feeling a bit flat so if your looking for a good song idea to use somewhere..... tough luck!! this one's for me...
"Best of Both Worlds" is I believe the last song I will ever hear the Oils play live!! This was at Waveaid to raise money for Tsunami Relief and befitting their status and live reputation the Oils closed the show in the smoke of a red flare and the chance for P.Garrett to call the band down for a bow front of stage that was denied them by originally winding things up nearly 2 years earlier at Tweed Heads Leagues club. BUT more fitting was the choice of song.... the Oils going flat out [albeit a bit puffed and out of nick] reminding us all what a lucky country we live in and that while times might be tough here we really do have it pretty good!!

"Best of Both Worlds"
You say times are tough
We've got the best of both worlds here
Things are rough
We've got the best of both worlds here
Times are tough
We've got the best of both worlds here

The real world is not as calm as it appears to be from here
The real world is not as calm as it appears to be from here

The old world is not as safe with the new world closing in
The great south land can be as great as the one it could have been
The one it could have been

The real world is not as calm as it appears to be from here
The small world is not as strong and the testing ground is near
The old world is not as safe as the one we could have seen
The great south land can be as great as the one it could have been
The one it could have been

We've got the best of both worlds

Because of their wide range of songs the Oils could play with this energy from song one at any gig. Music is taste driven and so this may not be on your list BUT in unbiased fashion I can say I have never seen a concert crowd going off from the first note as much as at Oils gigs. The sense of anticipation was always palpable and the support band had long since rudely been dispatched with the chant of "Oooiiillllssss!" ringing in their ears!

Peter felt so bad for "Tall Tales and True" who tried gamely one night at the Enmore... even pleading that they had grown up Oils fans too and could people please just give them a few songs... their set was cut short and on went the show!!

A band called "Horsehead" tried hard at "Selina's' at the Coogee Bay Hotel, they were pretty heavy rock and drowned out the chant BUT one bloke was obviously yelling so loud the veins on the side of neck were bulging and the lead singer threatened to throw a VB can at him and to 'take it out to the carpark' after the set!!

Anyhow apparently we've got the best of both worlds here!!

Unreliable Idea # 31 Oversized Skateboards

Most evangelically successful youth ministry programs have a hook, contact or entry point with young people from their local community. That can anything from a charismatic leader, a band, a clever idea, obvious location or a novel activity with a following!!

Over the weekend the papers made reference to the skate culture being capitalised on by enthusiasts at St Pauls Anglican Seaforth. They are using the standard and 'oversized' skateboards to attract young people to activities where relationships and connections can be established!! The hall is full of jumps, ramps etc!!

On Saturday at the loca Bar Beach Carpark I saw what I reckoned was the same thing... either city church or YWAM female leaders on metre long boards with 10-15cm diameter wheels doing large donuts in the massive asphalt space!! Then up rock what might have been 6 toekn attenders from a High School SRE Seminar through the week!!

Don't get me wrong I thought it was a good idea...
There are lots of things you could do... the trick is you need to be genuinely 'into' the activity!!
LAN Gaming
Sports
Paragliding
Bushwalking
Surfing
Gaming
Jigsaws
Board Games
Theatre Sports......

In various models of youth ministry these are 'opening up events' to attract new participants' and perhaps lead into new explorations of faith thru camping, introductory groups etc...

Next question is, what does skate-worship look like...

"Sometimes" Alex Lloyd on Dancing with the Stars

Sorry about Daryl Sommers!!

Reflection 30 min Worship Resource

I put together a number of things I have been using recently and a focus on 'Stories' to offer as a reflection for our recent Staff Gathering at work!!

Here's the main bits!!
The references to the context are all changeable and feel free to use this elsewhere!!
[Dean I'll whip it into another shape and send it along]

ENTER
With an audio-visual of a candle in the powerpoint slide
We listened to...

“SOMETIMES”
The traffic is jamming for miles up ahead
Releasing emotions deep in my head

I wish it was easy easy to breathe
The words that we needed to get some relief
I still hear you crying, then I see you smiling
Even when I close my eyes

Sending a rescue coming to find you
Do you think that we could save another day
Try not to break down walking the old ground
I don't want to throw the life we had away

Blocked up and cluttered tired we stand
Alone together was just not the plan
Something undenying in the underlining
Even if I close my eyes

Sending a rescue coming to find you
Do you think that we could save another day
Try not to break down walking the old ground
I don't want to throw the life we had away
Alex Lloyd EMI 2005

NOTE
Which is the song Alex Lloyd sang on 'Dancing with the Stars' in Oz as 2 of the professionals performed a stunning routine. Catch it here http://www.ifilm.com/profile/mr_pickle/video/2725977?sublisting=videos&page=1

CALL read aloud
Minute by minute day by day
We are called to be people of the story
To share and serve in the bringing about
Of a world according to the values of God

Close enough we can touch it
Far enough away we need to join God’s activity in the world
Personal enough it can be our own story along the way
Each one of us has a story worth hearing
Each one of us can do that for others

You are invited into a time of reflection as we begin our meeting today
Through writing, music, story and questions
Let’s give God our time and start in the right way

THEN
The next clip was introduced with a simple reference to a focus on stories and how this song was sung acoustically by Phil Jamieson from Grinspoon on ABC TV on 'Enough Rope' after the amazing interview about his addiction to crystal meth [ice]... captured the footage from youtube of course.... see previous post...

“MINUTE BY MINUTE”
This is a new year lullaby I cannot fake it
You know the reasons don’t ask why
When I got drunk and crashed the car were you still near me
Still I’ve got writing on my face

Minute by minute day by day
Though I can’t touch you you’re so far away X 2
Minute by minute Day by day [two packs a day]

This is an Easter crucified buried in levels
Though I’m still bleeding I won’t die
I can see violence in your eyes
I’ve run out of water
Satan is singing me lullabies

Minute by minute day by day
Though I can’t touch you you’re so far away X 2
Minute by minute day by day X 2 [two packs a day]

I know its time to say goodbye
But I’m still wasting
This is no time for me to ……
Now that its over said and done
Our house is empty
Where do I go now you have gone

Minute by minute day by day
Though I can’t touch you you’re so far away
Minute by minute day by day X 2 [two packs a day]
Grinspoon UMI 2007

EXPLORE/REFLECTION
I shared about my recent exploration of stories and my belief that everyone has a story and its worth hearing and forms part of my approach to mission and ministry fundamentally

STORIES
STORIES ARE COMPELLING BECAUSE:

1. THEY CROSS BOUNDARIES OF LANGUAGE, CULTURE & AGE
2. WE SEEM TO BE WIRED FOR NARRATIVE/STORIES
3. THEY DEFINE WHO WE ARE/IDENTITY
4. THEY CREATE COMMUNITY AND SHARED VALUES

LUKE 19: 1-10

PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS

We watched the film trailer [also all over the net] and talked briefly about this story while I noted that with more time I'd ask the group top explore the three main stories together: Phil J, Zacchaeus, and Chris G

ENGAGE
What’s a story that defines you,
or says something about who you are?

What’s a story,
that you want to be
[or ought to be] part of?

NOTE
This is a song I wrote the lyrics for which Phil and Jill kindly put a tune to and bashed out on mp3 for me to use and teach

STORIES OF HOPE
ONE:
Stories of faith calling us to explore
What matters now is who we might be
It has to be believed to be seen
God’s story of love who could ask for more

CHORUS:
Stories of faith [calling us onwards] Stories of love [our example to follow]
Stories of hope [showing there is a way]

TWO:
We can all see what love has done
Jesus stands in solidarity
Actions louder than words making history
The values of God won’t be undone

CHORUS:…

THREE:
Dreams come and go around what might be
Hope against hope inspiring all things
We travel along despite our struggles
God’s call comes alive in you and in me

CODA:
Story of faith [calling us onwards] Story of love [our example to follow]
Story of hope [showing there is a way]

R. Hanks P.Newton J.Newton 2007

SENDING OUT

DOXOLOGY

Give me a blank piece of paper God
And on it I will write all the wrong choices
All the twists and turns
All the anger
And the destructive stuff that won't change a thing

Take it from my hand and turn me around
Around to where energy lay
In others, in laughter, in honesty and in the next step I take

Send all of us to places of reflection
But don't leave it there
Wet towels on the locker room floor of intent
twisted tape scrunched like a disappointing scoreline in the game

Send us out to share our humanity, ourselves
To be the marker point for checking direction
Help us tell a different story next time 'round
So we move ourselves and others from quietly screamed desperation*
to a different place....... *Thoreau
Rob Hanks 2007

The End

"Love Me Like the World is Ending"

Ben Lee does it again with a catchy feelgood tune that has something to offer... a really postive and genuine vibe!! I haven't yet got the great official film clip with 100 or so water bombers BUT this is the Live on Rove NY version!!

Nirvana Nevermind

Nirvana baby finds exposure a bit odd August 16, 2007 Chicago Tribune

Spencer Elden, the naked baby on the cover of Nirvana's breakthrough 1991 album, "Nevermind," says it's a bit creepy knowing millions have seen your stuff.
"I feel like I'm the world's biggest porn star," Elden, who is now 17, told MTV.com.

The California boy said he is a true Nirvana fan but has never met any of the band members. He's had a platinum record for "Nevermind" hanging in his bedroom since his first birthday. His parents were paid $200 for allowing him to be photographed in a pool.

Being on the album's cover has led to some strange encounters. He said he was once invited to swim in a rather wealthy woman's pool simply because he was the Nirvana baby.

Of course the album cover was also celebrated by Rolling Stone with one of three special edition covers!!

Unreliable Idea # 30 Spicks and Specks

MMS from Darren reminded me that I saw this in a 'wishbook' last Friday having once flagged with colleagues that we should design our own version of the quiz show 'Spicks and Specks'...

Of course you may be thinking... well you're either a 'RockWiz' or a 'Spicks and Specks' fan!!

The quiz gives you access to some buzzers and potential for singing and charades alongside the traditional questions and tricks!!

McDonalds DOUBLE Pounder

Despite evidence to the contrary I had no idea you could order special burgers 'off menu' at Mickey Dee's or Hungry Jacks... the McDonalds Double Pounder has enough fat to equal 45 tim tams, an armload of pizzas and is a virtual heart attack in a box!!

Apparently Sydney schoolies issue the challenge to their mates and can order this burger for $18

Welcome to Post # 700 Darwin Awards

I have been doing some work recently out of my passion for and interest in attention grabbing stories! Some the first I recall were Darwin Award* stories and the first ever was this one depicted by David Arquette!! The rocket powered desert machine!!



*Darwin Awards is a prize awarded to the individual or individuals in any given year who went to great lengths to remove their own idiotic influence from the gene pool [some honourable mentions go to survivors and the Darwins team do their best to weed out urban myths!!

There are a heap of websites to read about them!! Youtube features a number of scenarios!!

New Look

OK here it is... the new look Pumphouse after some panic and assistance from Darren so I now know how to add some of the stuff I panicked about!!

I hope you like it... its getting there for me so you'll have to put up with it at least!!

"Minute by Minute"

It's the crisp new lullaby
openness, honesty, vulnerability
Don't ask why?
Know that we are who we are and we do what we do
God is not to blame
and we must be there for each other

Minute by minute day by day
God is near to us yet we can barely touch that love
It's illusive yet reassuring
like something of value it isn't easily grasped
yet is freely available

In our Easter Friday experiences
We run dry, we hit walls, we fail
We get up, we stand, we walk
Where to from here?
Anywhere just don't fake it!

Minute by minute day by day
God is near to us we overflow with exuberance
We cry, we laugh, we dance
the power is in the knowing
and the knowing is ours to do

Minute by minute day by day
God finds a way
power and passion you and I
time is wasting
ours is the love to be shared out
So get to the task without any bounds

OK poor attempt awaiting improvement... lets call it a first draft... but here is an opening liturgy or prayer I would potentially use or record someone else reading in worship utilising the 'Enough Rope' clip of the Grinspoon song "Minute By Minute"

More Great Album Covers

OK I couldn't resist... I have uploaded them to flickr and they are accessible/viewable from the rectangle collection to the right in the Pumphouse margin!!

Album Covers from Heaven

Every so often a colleague [in this case Rev Dr Palmer] sends you a great email they've received from somewhere in the ether!! I can't possibly include every album cover in this post... its just too much inspired creativity in one post BUT be afraid... be very afraid....

Don't you just love these old LP covers [one or two of which I've seen on Spicksn Specks as a 'Guess the title' item!!

Sta tuned for next time when I will include "The Braillettes" blind singing group...

Snaps # 5 Pancakes at Parramatta

Another walk down story loaded memory lane!!
This scan is of the menu from "Pancakes at Parramatta" which we went to lots in the 1980s in Church St all the way from Newcastle!! At one time you could buy a copy of the menu for a few dollars and then when times weren't so profitable and the allure waned they were a bit more circumspect.... so this one pictured made it out under a girls jumper of course!!

"Pancakes' was open 24 hours on weekends and genuinely included out of work 'Home & Away' actors and sports stars....

How it worked is that we'd be sitting around on a quiet night after a video or a party and someone would ask 'Supper?' which always meant piling into the car and heading down the Highway [only part of the F3 existed back then...] to Parramatta and back in one night... where the food was brilliant!! My favourite was the pancake stack with a beef pattie and a hash brown like potato pancake... fat city... but great flavours!!

There were a number of memorable nights where hopefuls times were completely ruined by misinterpreting the attentions of a young lady who genuinely wanted to be your 'friend' and became horrified that you took her attention any other way!! Will those other lads never learn I often thought!!!!!!!

On one memorable night a few years in, we had actually been to a late movie first and it was way after 10pm when someone said "supper?" We had to travel around and collect several girls jumpers before heading off.... It was the LA Olympics and we saw many Finals and memorable races on the screens at 'Pancakes'...

Driving home included a sidetrack to East Maitland where it was so late we turned off the motor and glided down Jelly's street... then down the road and started the car around the block to head back home!! A total waste of time when Jelly realised she had no key and climbed into the kitchen window stepping into a sink FULL of plates and cutlery.... making a little noise as you'd imagine!!

On the way back thru Mayfield under the orange highway lighting you notice that cars are all grey and grey cars are nearly invisible. By now its 5.30am and as I drift off to sleep at the wheel Woz calls out "ummm!! CAR!!" as I swerve into the centre lane and miss running up the back of a stationary Falcon car by about 15cms....

On arrival at our Islington Unit I recall falling asleep on a loungeroom beanbag watching athletics on TV at about 6am!!

Those were the days!!

"Minute by Minute"

I have spent the last week with one song on repeat on the CD player and have used the live footage from ENOUGH ROPE in a worship context. 'Minute by Minute' acoustic is a beautiful and catchy tune. Phil Jamieson's interview with Andrew Denton is even on youtube in parts and was a moving and difficult piece reminding
me of the fragility of things when addictions take over!!
The audience member spoke for most when she couldn't help but speak out and wish Phil 'all our support' in his battle!!
Catch the performance of the song here and grab a copy of a great return to form album of you've admired Grinspoon before!!



I used this as a Training Day closing prayer reflection while we handed around some 'Group Resources' picture cubes to remind people of who they are in ministry with and would like to pray for. I am moved to write some liturgy to go with the song but haven't had 5 mins to that yet!!

Punters Having trouble at Madam Toussad's

Apparently punters at the New York branch of the Museum ahve had trouble telling the difference between the real Lindesay Lohan and the wax dummy!!

PM John Howard trips and Falls

Here's one for the joke reel when John finally does give it away!! It can add to that atrocious spin bowling in India, the presented car where the plastic lid and base slip in his grasp, the APEC shirts etc etc!!

Perhaps BB House Idiot Michelle was trying to emulate The Obama Girl from New York

"Generation Y" The Hampdens

Featured in todays SMH Metro enetrtainment guide!!

GTKY

After years of bring pidgeonholed as the "get to know you games" bloke I discover 2 things:
1. How long its been since I checked out the 'Group' website
Way too many of those "101 Games That Can't Miss" books

2. Darren had been keeping these resources a secret!!

The Throw and Tell blow up 'beachballs'
There are different styles... children's, gtky and storytelling versions with questions and primers printed on the inflatable ball.... toss it around and on stop the holder answers or shares about the thing closest to whichever thumb you choose!!

Check them out at http://www.group.com/ and follow the links checking out other options

Of course, using every gtky trick and activity you know you could make your own with a ball and a CD ROM texta or large poster marker!!

"Flame Trees" Cold Chisel and others

Song of choice tonight before sleep is the old classic "Flame Trees" now covered by lots of good people including Sarah Blasko. However the version I have listened to tonight is Mahalia Barnes and the 'Choir of Hard Knocks' which is live and recorded at Melbourne Town Hall!!

"Flame Trees"
Kids out driving Saturday afternoon pass me by
I'm just savouring familiar sights
We share some history, this town and I
And I can't stop that long forgotten feeling of her
Try to book a room to stay tonight

Number one is to find some friends to say "You're doing well
After all this time you boys look just the same"
Number two is the happy hour at one of two hotels
Settle in to play "Do you remember so and so?"
Number three is never say her name

Oh the flame trees will blind the weary driver
And there's nothing else could set fire to this town
There's no change, there's no pace
Everything within its place
Just makes it harder to believe that she won't be around

But Ah! Who needs that sentimental bull&^$%, anyway
Takes more than just a memory to make me cry
I'm happy just to sit here round a table with old friends
And see which one of us can tell the biggest lies

There's a girl falling in love near where the pianola stands
With her young local factory out-of-worker, holding hands
And I'm wondering if he'll go or if he'll stay

Do you remember, nothing stopped us on the field
In our day

Oh the flame trees will blind the weary driver
And there's nothing else could set fire to this town
There's no change, there's no pace
Everything within its place
Just makes it harder to believe that she won't be around

Oh the flame trees will blind the weary driver
And there's nothing else could set fire to this town
There's no change, there's no pace
Everything within its place
Just makes it harder to believe that she won't be around

But as I listen its not Jimmy or even the quintessential Aussie images alluded to which strike me, its the poignancy of last night's "Enough Rope" with Neil Finn and Nick Seymour that comes to mind!!

I reflect on the still raw grief at the loss of bandmate Paul Hester!! Who must have been desperately lonely in taking his onw life by hanging himself in a public park!! AND on the boys description of Paul's decline and withdrawal! How eerie when seeing the Finn Brothers shortly after and Neil Private Universe without lights, power, sound!!
a Crowdies song BUT one that came to mind as being handy at this stage!!

FACE UP TO POVERTY

Part of the ZeroSeven "Make Poverty History" campaign has been a road trip by groups of young people and a range of concerts coming to a head this weekend!!
Check it out here in all its aspects!!
http://www.zeroseven.spikemobile.com/

The newsmaking one alongside Live Earth in Sydney this weekend will be the MMS pictures that punters have sent in being projected onto the unlit sails of the Sydney Opera House!!

I heard the impressive Hugh Evans [form Young Aussie of the Year] talking about it this week on radio and its history and relationship to this little MPH concert they had planned for Melbourne at the end of last year. This is the one where eventuallu Bono and Eddie Vedder rang and said they'd like to come and support it!!

It's all about the government giving 0.7% GNI to OS aid by 2015!!

So the Pasha Bulker Finally Moved

But seriously,
It was soooo Newcastle! the way the Ports Minister Joe Tripodi had just wound up a press conference about how slow the progress was and we shouldn't be too optimistic... as the huddle broke up the Prime Cameraman says "Mr Tripodi... please move out of the way! It's moving!!" and the heads all swivel from side to side as the reality dawns that it was a done deal!!

Snaps # 4 Bungy Jumping

OK so from time to time I will still be adding bits n pieces, stories and pics!!
Here is my bungy jumping photo [I have the video also]
This took place during a "mystery flight" weekend to Cairns and a car ride to AJ Hacketts at Kuranda!!

By world standards its only a small drop of some 67 or 70 metres over a pond!! When on the platform you look out to the horizon and see greenery and the ocean and its spectacular [just don't look down].

Its funny... I had no interest in almost any other form of adventure activity but I always wanted to do a jump!! In Sydney a model and her manager jumped to promote a set up at Birkenhead Point and they didn't hook both bungies properly.... they hit the bottom of the Narbour and whilst they didn't do serious injury they wounded NSW Bungy Jumping terminally... this was early 1990s and we still don't have any....

I wanted to do the jump then but hurt my knee playing football just before this mishap and resulting ban.... so I waited until something like the mystery trip to finally have a go...

"Don't Stop Now" Crowded House

Humanity

We are glorious at our best and it isn't always when things are great!! Perhaps most often not!!
I am just emerging from a week of ill health [don't go there] and thought what an amazing evening of TV and life it has been!!

Andrew Denton's 'Enough Rope' London bombing survivors
The surreal contrast with 'The Concert for Diana' but specifically listening to Princes William and Harry in their youth, candour and enthusiasm in the sadness yet celebration of 10 years since their mothers tragic death!!
Mikey Robbins 'Australian Story' about his life and story and the revelation of lapband surgery!!

All splendid buggers!!
In adversity, grief, reflection... on the upside of anger, climbing out of something or just taking in the view each character I watched tonight taught me something important!!

You know the theory "Blogs and hanging your stuff out there in public" so my thoughts and resolutions will remain mine BUT the abiding reflection I had is that between an amputee, two sons who lost their mum ten years ago and a slowly emerging comedian overcoming a life of struggle, issues and destructive behaviour we see the best of human spirit... learning, reflection, progress and determination to grow, to live and love and to be "better" for run...

As I go off to sleep tonight I will listen to the new track from "Crowded House"

"Don't Stop Now"

Another pleasant day in the countryside
Has ended up in tears on a stormy night
Cause you can't follow my directions home
But don't stop now

God knows where the satellite's taking us
I can't tell what's right in front of us
But I hang on every word
But don't stop now
No, don't stop now
Give me something I can write about

Get fooled by the lightning every time
See the after image of my outline
And you turn the wrong way round
Well, don't stop now
No, don't stop now
Give me something I can write about
Give me something I can cry about

In a church house ten miles out of town
Is the devil gonna track me down
And travel through a tunnel in the trees
Just remember that's how you get to me

There's no number on the house
The birds are heading south
Sometimes you have to turn
The wrong way round
Sometimes you get too close to nowhere now

This is helpful in the silence
I wait with a blank piece of paper
On the top of my head
And all I want is something I can write about
All I want is something I can cry about

Doxology
Give me a blank piece of paper God
And on it I will write all the wrong choices
All the twists and turns
All the anger
And the destructive stuff that won't change a thing

Take it from my hand and turn me around
Around to where energy lay
In others, in laughter, in honesty and in the next step I take

Send all of us to places of reflection
But don't leave it there
Wet towels on the locker room floor of intent
twisted tape scrunched like a disappointing scoreline in the game

Send us out to share our humanity, ourselves
Be the marker point for checking direction
Help us tell a different story next time 'round
So we move ourselves and others from quietly screamed desperation
to a different place.......
written by R.Hanks July 2007

Worship Unplugged # 46 Setting Up the Space

More an entire approach than a single aspect...
This post is inspired by an interesting interview on ABC radio yesterday!!
'The Conversation Hour' on 702 is frustrating and informative.
It breaks up the morning radio shifts at weird times to accomodate the 11-12 time slot, is run by Richard Fidler [former Doug Anthony All Star and race Around the Word host] in Sydney
and should be the standard practice for interesting interviews!!
Given all this it still manages to let interesting people shine through...

On Friday the Interview was with Greg Whitby the Head of Catholic Schools for the Parramatta region in Sydney who has brought some brilliant planning to new and refurbished schools in the area. He was named by the Bulletin magazine as Australia's smartest most creative person...
Check out the basics here:
http://www.abc.net.au/queensland/conversations/stories/s1965836.htm?sydney

Why it struck me is that Greg was talking about how and why traditional schools are built and shaped the way they are and how subject division and timetables and rooms etc all suit a particular model of 'School'

Oak Flat School might be worth a visit.

The kind of concepts they explore are whole of life and subject scenario based learning with teaching teams across flexible time periods and based around group work.

The philosophy has been to encourage teachers to contribute according to their gifts, to teach subjects in real life as part of broader questions and problem solving, to use day to day stuff and to do so without the period bell, 40 min lessons etc.

So the learner drives the process.

The buildings, technology [wireless network and laptops etc] and equipment are all tools for the learning. The way they do things has been developed collaboratively by the staff to meet the requirements of the curriculum through this basic method.

The only arguments against were based in 'this is how we've always taught and it was good enough for us' basket...

He talked about how when you enter the Smithsonians Space Museum in Washington you see shuttles and lunar craft... this is about space.... he wants people to walk into a school and know their serious about learning... libraries to be open spaces, learning environments to be hands on and comfortable etc etc...

YOU CAN SEE how straight away it resonated for me with fresh expressions of church and indeed the reinvention of church....

It's about what our ethos is, our hopes and goals and then structuring our spaces and experiences to match... not being restricted by decade and century old buildings from a different time, context and place!!

More specifics next post...

PART 2

Let me try and be a little clearer...
What struck me about the approach to Schools was that it began by asking...
what are we wanting to do here? whats the goal? what are we hoping for?

It relation to the School it was about learning,
We might talk about community, spirituality, worship experiences
and eventually get closer to talking about experiences and spaces that foster discipleship,
that encourage people to explore faith,
and invite them to do so individually and together!!

Symbols, windows, furniture, walls, temperature, technology and the way the space is used would all contribute.

How would church's be different... well, another thing they spoke about was a building designed for flexible use... e.g. 7 days a week

I picture an entry foyer with contemporary art about faith, hope and love...
Flat screen tv's with looped av's that kick in when you fire up the power, lights and air con...
Its comfortably warm, skylights provide heaps of natural light.
On one side you look through smoked glass into a commercially operated cafe that's accessed one night a week by a spirituality book club and one night a week by a social justice and action artspace.

There is stained glass but its in panels that jut out from the wall and make small group spaces out of the large foyer if you all huddle at the edges.

A kitchen has three sides as serveries to different other rooms.

The main worship space has three different focal aspects each with different kinds of seating.
The whole space can be transformed into any one of those three or the three maintained. e.g. giant bean bag lounges, seats in small group with some tables and theatrette styled seating.

Though I really shouldn't be focused on that its just that as my mind imagines the activity its easier to describe what the outcome is in terms of the space required!!

There are meeting rooms, an open plan ministry office and a leased shop space at the side of the building with three retail outlets.

The car park will cater for an uncomfortably full building.

The community who express belonging here are actively engaged in being a force for change in the community they are part of... globally, locally, individually...

Worship reflects the culture and context and there are different groupings encouraged to do what the students were encouraged to do in the schools i.e. be be co-developers of the learning.

Its not about one expert upfront but people with access to knowledge like never before... constructing responses, questions, liturgy and action out of their understanding of who God is calling them to be...

Nobbys Beach Surf Cam

Keep an eye on the Pasha Bulker [not] moving at Nobbys in Newcastle care of Coast Watch
http://www.coastalwatch.com/camera/NobbysBeach.htm

"Beds are Burning" Midnight Oil

Best I can do while I watch and listen to the Howard Government's planned response to abuse in Aboriginal Communities!! Though I am a fan of the work and ethic of Noel Pearson so any plan based on his vision [albeit needing to only apply to recalcitrants] must have hope and reality as its basis!!

FUNNY HARRY POTTER SPOILERS STORY

As the heat rises about the Jluy 21 release of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" the rumours abound and are worth ignoring totally BUT the funniest is this story about hacker GABRIEL puting a virus in the Bloomsbury system and getting hands on the ending of the book.
Somehow Gabriel is motivated by a Pope Benedict edict about HP corrupting the worlds youth...

Read about it all here... warning, despite the brocken english you never know...
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2007/Jun/0380.html

Also do not look up t-shirthell.com anytime near July 21 as they will undoubtedly issue a "Let me save you time XXX dies on Page XXX of Harry Potter" very funny!!