News Archive
April 2007
Blog-athon
At the weekend I took part in a massive feat of endurance in the hope
of raising some cash for charity. Because I'm a weakling and a (bit of
a) geek this didn't involve climbing tall trees, running anywhere, or
taking part in any form of competitive sport - so, sadly, there was
very little chance of horrific or amusing injuries (which is always
what I hope for when I sponsor my friends).
Instead, I partook in (what is known in the trade as) a Blog-a-thon. A
blog is an online journal, and between 10am on Saturday 28th and 10am
on Sunday 29th I wrote one entry for the blog every half hour - a total
of 49 - to raise money for Cancer Research.
Since people seemed to enjoy it and the site which deals with the
donations is open until November, between now and then I will be more
than happy to write blog entries on any subject you can think of for a
£5 sponsorship fee.
The blog where it is all happening is located here.
It's a fairly new one, created in a hurry so it would be ready for the
Blogathon, but if you want a taster, my old blog (which is not
associated with any of my employers or jobs and might contain a rude
word once in a while) is here.
Donations to Cancer Research can be made online here. There's been nearly £200 raised so far, and any donations (with or without subjects to write about) are more than welcome.
Thank you.
Re:sourcing our school kids
One of the youth/schools work links that I'll hopefully take into teaching with me is Re:source. Scripture Union are the pioneers behind this excellent 'resource' aimed at Christian groups that meet in secondary schools.
I have the great pleasure of being able to write for Re:source. We have an excellent website where visitors can download a whole host of sessions on themes such as Easter, Christmas, Doubt, Truth, Respect and a heap of other important issues. I love to witness young people running Christian groups in their own schools and I have given away many copies of re:source and signposted many young people to the website.
Perhaps you're secondary-school age and would like to start up a Christian group in your school? Re:source is for you! On visiting the website you will also discover that the Re:source team are committed to helping young people run, sustain and develop groups within their school. There are opportunities for prayer support and a question and answer email service where you can give the team any questions you have relating to your group.
It might also be that you know of young people who would like to set-up a Christian group but don't really know where to start or what resources to use in their meetings or sessions. I would really encourage you to signpost them to the Re:source website. To download my latest session on the theme of 'Doubt' and to check out how Re:source could resource you visit this website.
Sleights of hand
Date: Sat 28th April
Time: 7pm
Event: The Steve Price Show
A fantastic opportunity to see one of the best illusionists that has ever graced planet. His tricks are sensational, his personality bewilderingly beautiful, his conjuring beyond comparison. It beggars belief what this guy can do with his wand.
It saddens me to think that many people out there will be missing out on this incredible one time only event, which is why I felt so compelled to write (well, that and the fact that if I don't sell over 100 tickets Phil Lightbody said he would revoke my church membership and string me up by my... feet)
OK, let's hear what the press have to say about this guy:
"Better than that thing I did with the snake turning into a staff" (Moses)
"The bit where he slashes his assistant's throat is grotesquely artistic" (Total Magic)
"I would be questioning anyone's sanity who didn't buy a ticket for themselves and the person they would least like to experience everlasting torment in the fiery pit" (Sean Harris, ex-youth worker, HBC)
Finally, I'll be on the door, selling tickets and I'm going to be doing that thing like Harry Houdini where you can punch me in the stomach as hard as you like. Please tell me beforehand so I can prep myself, otherwise you might kill me and I won't be able to visit you in prison like Jesus said I should in Matthew 25:36
Mercy ships
The BBC's local news bulletin Look North broadcast an item this evening about the Africa Mercy, which is sailing to Liberia on 4th May. The full item included an interview with Heaton Baptist Church's very own Jean Campbell, a volunteer on the ship. You can watch a short clip from the report, which unfortunately doesn't include Jean, by clicking here.
Hot potato: Medical ethics
Sunday evening's discussion, hosted by heavyweights Robin Hudson and Rob Taylor, is now available to download here.
Spiderman returns
A darker side of Spiderman? That seems to be what Spidey fans will be exposed to on 4th May - the release date of Spiderman 3. I have used the first two movie instalments in many RE lessons and youth group sessions. Why? Besides the fact that I am a hard-core Spidey fan, the films are excellent tools for communicating Christian themes and issues.
The third, and rumoured not to be the final, instalment seems to be no different either. A recent feature in Total Film magazine suggested that in this third outing we will come to see that Spidey has a deeper struggle to face other than Green Goblins, spandex clad villains or any other Marvel Nemesis. The tag-line for the film reads "The battle lies within". Director Sam Raimi hints in the interview that we will see how Spidey wrestles with pride, self-righteousness, greed and goes onto suggest that we come to realise that Spidey is "a sinner like the rest of us". The film's narrative, if faithful to the comics and the last two movies, will no doubt echo the regular themes of justice, good overcoming evil and many other narratives. I'll be there on the opening night in my red and blue spandex.... or should that be black leather / spandex? Either way it looks like Spiderman 3 will be travelling into the classroom with me for use in RE! If you want a good example of a scene in Spiderman 2 that could be used to echo the gospel check out this link here.
Transforming lives
Through my studies with the Stapleford Centre / University of Wales I have come into contact with several people who hold exciting vision and passion for the world of teaching. Trevor Cooling is one of my course tutors and director of the Transforming Lives project which is aimed at encouraging and developing the contribution that Christians can make in Britain.
The project has certainly been helpful in shaping some of my passion and interest in education as a Christian and I am looking forward to working alongside the organisation even more so during the many years ahead of me in teaching.
Perhaps you're interested in shaping education as a Christian and putting your faith in teaching? Perhaps, like me, you are currently or are soon to start training as a teacher? Maybe you've been teaching for many years but, like even the 'super teachers' amongst us, you need to be resourced in your day to day work? In all cases I would encourage you to visit the TL website and discover more about their work and the influence that you could have in education. Please also consider signposting any Christian teachers you know who might benefit from the work of Transforming Lives.
Find your Voice
The Easter issue of the Voice magazine is now available to read online.
Moving on
Perhaps you've been aware that over the last 18 months Jen and I have made a significant journey with God.
In this time I have developed a deep rooted passion and interest in education and in particular the teaching of RE/RS (Religious Education/Studies).
A few weeks ago I discovered that I had been accepted on the Graduate Teacher Programme (GTP) which is an employment-based route into teacher training.
In September, this year, I will be joining Longbenton Community College as a trainee-teacher of RE and am very very excited about it.
Here is a bit more info on the last 18 months if you're interested...
My Spring Harvest
Mother Teresa of Ponteland again organised the annual HBC pilgrimage to Spring Harvest with her customary efficiency. On Thursday 5th April the HBC mobile congregation of 4 Baggots, 4 Bartletts, 5 Birds, 4 Costigans, 4 Knights, 5 MacFarlanes, 4 Wylies, a Lightbody and a Taylor set off for Butlins at Skegness.
We were joined by 4 well known visitors from China, several cafétieres and a vital communication network consisting of 25 mobile phones. We were ever mindful of 3 Wallheads who were absent for reasons we all know, but were missed. The use of badges and wristbands was the preferred option to identify us as a group, we considered circumcision but this was not a popular proposal, even given our recent teaching.
My Encounter with God
The Easter Encounter began with a few adventures away from church - transport came in the form of a big ‘Max and Paddy’ style white minibus which allowed the Martin/Harris double act to begin! Then we walked up Penshaw Monument for a message on the mount – a very clever idea – but a bit of a trek! Martin told us all about Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount and then it was off for ‘Sports and stuff’. The rounder’s game went as well as could be expected considering Sean’s misfields and Timbo’s tumbles!
» more
Encountering God
Jen and I are almost fully recovered from our 'Encounter' weekend. Encounter was an idea we came up with almost four years ago. The idea was to get a bunch of young people together, get them to stay in church for 24 hours and... just see what happened!
From there it became an event we started running at Easter and we used the 24 hours to focus on the last moments of Jesus' life and the characters who encountered him in those moments. This year's was perhaps the most successful we have done. The young people all seemed to have a great time and many had some life changing encounters with God and the Easter message.
The day started when we loaded a minibus full of youths and went to Herrington Country Park in Sunderland and did our very own message on the mount! We also paid a visit to Segedunum, the site of an ancient Roman fort discovered some years ago in Wallsend. Activities over the 24 hours included Playstation time (essential!), dance mats, setting up our own youth cafe, midnight communion by candlelight and after-hours storytelling in the park (which even caught the attention of two police officers who were investigating what a bunch of teens were doing late at night in the park with candles).
The event took it out of us but it was well worth it. The BBC has said that they would like to do a follow up feature on the event, so watch this space!
HBC takes message to the world
The story about our Tenebrae service seemed to take on a life of its own, catching the imagination of a wide variety of newspapers, from the New York Daily Post and South Africa's Independent to The Daily Times in Pakistan! To listen to Mark Elder being interviewed on Radio 4's Today programme, click here.
The Son in the Sun
Eagle-eyed newspaper readers may have spotted stories about HBC's Tenebrae service in yesterday's Evening Chronicle and, er, the Sun. Click here and here to read more.
Friday Focus
Friday Focus invites all Christians across the UK to pray on Fridays for specific issues throughout 2007.
This week, on Good Friday, we remember how God showed his great love for us, forgiving our sin, removing Satan’s authority, and giving us hope, salvation and a new life in Christ.
Give thanks: that Jesus is the hope for our world!
Pray: for renewed faith to help us all to ‘set apart Christ as Lord’; for boldness to be witnesses to the hope we have been given; for many to catch the vision of Hope 2008 at the Easter conferences; for HBC and its witness in our community.
Consider: could you offer hope to someone today?
Easter Encounter
You may like to know that our planned Easter Encounter event has caught the attention of the local BBC team who often write about issues of faith in and around the region.
Take a look at it here.