From the Barnsley Chronicle December 31 2010
Asda, Barnsley Opticians department Christmas meal at the
Pagoda in Sandal, Wakefield - 19-12-10
(Christmas dinner number 5)
Christmas lunch at Mount Vernon Hospital 17-12-10
(Christmas dinner number 4)
Clayton West Lunch Club Christmas Meal 13-12-10
(Christmas dinner number 3)
Trinity Players' Christmas Dinner
at the China Court - Mapplewell 8-12-2010
(Christmas dinner number 2)
West Melton URCs Christmas Meal at the Sandygate (formerly Snadygate!) Hotel 7-12-2010
(Christmas dinner number 1)
A meditation based on the words of the Christmas carol:
In the bleak midwinter (From: On Autopilot? vol 2 by Nick Percival)
The bleak midwinter, perhaps not as bleak
In the Mediterranean as in the north of England’s countryside!
Frost laden wind, rock-hard soil,
Frozen water, snow on more snow.
Ah! Those winters of long ago.
Idealised, stylised, prettycised, westernised,
May be, but the truth remains the same.
Heaven cannot hold him, earth cannot sustain him, the baby,
who had to make do with a stable.
Angels and archangels, cherubim and seraphim
All were there, yet only his mother, Mary
Worshipped him with a kiss.
What can we bring to Jesus, poor though we are?
If we were shepherds we could take a lamb.
If we were wise men, or women, we may have some gold, frankincense or myrrh going spare.
But the only gift he wants from us
Is our love, give him our heart,
We can if we try.
In the bleak midwinter (From: On Autopilot? vol 2 by Nick Percival)
The bleak midwinter, perhaps not as bleak
In the Mediterranean as in the north of England’s countryside!
Frost laden wind, rock-hard soil,
Frozen water, snow on more snow.
Ah! Those winters of long ago.
Idealised, stylised, prettycised, westernised,
May be, but the truth remains the same.
Heaven cannot hold him, earth cannot sustain him, the baby,
who had to make do with a stable.
Angels and archangels, cherubim and seraphim
All were there, yet only his mother, Mary
Worshipped him with a kiss.
What can we bring to Jesus, poor though we are?
If we were shepherds we could take a lamb.
If we were wise men, or women, we may have some gold, frankincense or myrrh going spare.
But the only gift he wants from us
Is our love, give him our heart,
We can if we try.
It's SNOWTIME!! 1 December 2010 At least the garden looks fairly tidy.
Our grandchildren are obsessed with the song "Surfin' Bird"
The manse back garden 2 weeks later - yawn yawn!
The manse back garden
Nothing better to do? Then why not watch this, I promise you won't get too bored!
The manse front garden - prepare to be even more bored!
Playing around with Photoshop.
One day I might get good at it!!
MINISTERS' SUMMER SCHOOL - WYDALE HALL, Scarborough, 7 - 10 June 2010
A small part of my week involves chaplaincy at Mount Vernon Hospital in Barnsley. This gives me a good opportunity to speak with people I would otherwise not meet and, hopefully, present a positive view of Christianity. The photos below show the hospital, the quiet room and the chapel.
Christmas lunch at Mount Vernon Hospital, December 2009. We were joined by Dr. Steven Croft, the recently appointed Bishop of Sheffield.
