After a very busy week

After a busy two weeks (four days of meetings this week) I have a relatively empty diary for the coming week - though that will not mean there is nothing to do.

A week or so ago I discovered that a day I had set aside for working with the Salvation Army in their "Safe & Sound" training programme was to be a conference centre at Ditchingham, not far from Norwich.  Since I would have to travel there the day before I wondered if this would provide an opportunity for a gathering of local rural church leaders where we could explore rural evangelism.  I discovered that there was a free room on that day and the Revd Sally Gaze, author of Mission Shaped and Rural kindly offered to join me for this occasion.

Since then I have been trying to make contact with local church leaders across the denominations to spread the word.  Information has been put on the new website at www.ruralmissionsolutions.org.uk and a network of colleagues have been passing on the information and flyers.  We already have a few booked in but really need several more to make the day more helpful.  Please pray for the numbers to increase.

Progress is being made in the editing of the guidance report for the Church of England on pastoral care of those in our churches who have been abused.  The challenge is finding space to give dedicated attention to this.

On the subject of writing I am grateful for the offer of help from a friend and retired minister, the Revd David Phypers who will be helping me on articles for Country Way.  There is an Editorial Group meeting this week on Monday at the Arthur Rank Centre, Stoneleigh, Warwickshire.

On Tuesday I have submitted apologies to two London-based meetings as I need to create space to finish other tasks.  However, this will allow me to take a school assembly in Yelvertoft and get into Gartree Prison for the choir for a couple of hours.

Friday evening we are back to "meetings" with our quarterly Area Executive Meeting for the Congregational Federation.  Then next Sunday I will be taking the service at Yelvertoft followed by a gathering at Newark.

Much, but not all of the past week's activities can be read by scrolling down through this blog.  One thing that I did not mention was an excellent presentation at the CGfE meetings.  This was by a specialist street evangelist.  This found echoes within my heart and I hope that we will find ways of working together - especially in the area of encouraging personal evangelism.

On a personal note our GP has been busy looking after Doreen who now has an appointment for an internal examination at one of our local hospitals in a few weeks time.

We are very thankful for some donations recently received that help us keep the ministry in the rural areas going.  I encourage you to keep praying for God to raise up some who will share the vision for church based rural evangelism and help us practically in this work.

Thank you.