Busy Time

I can't believe how busy I have been in the last few months... well I can I guess because I put all those things in my diary!!

May included:
A Youth Workers Lunch
A Training Day with Turbulence Leaders from Orange
Plus a day in Canberra
SNAK Training Day
Eastwood Congregation Consultation
5 Days in Melbourne with interstate colleagues
A weekend away
A weekend in the Riverina
And the beginnings of work at Blacktown

June
More congregational conversations
Various Training Sessions with Youthleaders from Blacktown
Winter Camp Training Day
Umina Ettalong Consultation Day
Staff Meeting/s
Fuel ext Mix Training Day
'Vitality of Call Review' for colleague Nicole
Hunter Future Consultation
And a PRC Meeting about my possible transition to 'the Dark Side' as a Minister of the Word

July
More work at Blacktown
Preparations for the 'Blueprint' for the future of ministry with youth in the UCA in NSW/ACT
A trip to Orange to talk Youth Work
A Discipline Panel discussion
A weekend in Canberra
Winter Camp [speaking once and helping with worship once plus backing up various leaders]
More work on my Transition
Speaking at a Training Day in Melbourne
Celebrating my 47th B'Day
Planning to change the world in a day [tomorrow]
And a few other conversations about how we plan to do just that....

I have five or six posts in my head and [3] Movie discussion guides to write BUT I guess this is my way of saying.... it'll be a little while!! There are a few cretaive worship ideas I've seen and some of my talks/input to distil into a meaningful post...

NEXT comes the excitement of a trip to GREENBELT FESTIVAL and various interesting 'faith communities' in the UK and the USA from August 19th to September 9th... while I am sure I'll miss my girls this is a chance to see and hear about some genuinely exciting and possible new forms of church, to be at a Festival I've harboured hopes of seeing for some 10-15 years!! and then over to New York to check out some other faith communities by way of contrast!!

In my 'storytelling' work I am also planning to take a 'Ground Zero' Walking Tour in Manhattan but to do so with the 'Tribute' group whose Guides were all personally effected by the collapse of the World Trade Centres. Thye had partners of family members who worked in the building, or rushed into it as Firefighters or Police on that surreal day in 2001!!

I will enjoy the rustic and friendly delights of the Westside Y and visit up to four groups including: Journey Church; Origins; Transmission; and St Laurence...

I've had no word on my request for 'Letterman' tix but I may be lucky enough to head to the US Open Tennis in week 2!! I've been to Flushing Meadow in the height of winter so it'll be an amazing contrast.

They are also playing their last season at Yankee Stadium and I didn't do the Tour when we previously went to a game so that's on the list as well.

WHILE I'M HERE:
1. Do yourself a favour and go see 'The Dark Knight' BUT be ready for 2 1/2 hours...
2. Another interesting Aussie film is 'Unfinished Sky' which to me [amongst a range of themes and explorations] asks... what kind of country do we want to be... one like the publican/cop or one like the farmer...
3. Buy a copy of 'Tales from Outer Suburbia' by Shaun Tan
4. Make a 'bucket list'
5. Check out "Little by Little" Oasis on youtube and plan a worship/discussion about the story of Job with an unmade bed as a centre piece/focus in the space... I love the verbal image that "God got up out of the wrong side of the bed" as an explanation for some stuff that happens to us...
6. Give the Beijing Olympics a wide berth
7. Grab a 'WYD' merchandising bargain this week in Hyde Park
8. Try a pair of fleecy lined Crocs... they're toasty warm
9. Ask someone you know 'with a story to tell' to write it on one A4 page as told through a pair of their shoes which fit into the story and contact ne about how you can send me the story and the shoes for an art/worship installation I'm working on...
10. See if you can find out why 'Juan Mann' has not been giving out 'free hugs' in Pitt St Mall for weeks