In College Friday morning to take part with other staff members and students in the interviewing process for the appointment of a Vice-Principal. Afterwards I met up with Rufus and 'Becca, fresh from delivering essays written during the vacation. Both, I think, are glad that they have a couple of weeks respite before returning for the start of term.
Two of our students, Tom and Sam announced at lunch that they were flying off to Jerusalem tomorrow for a course based at St George's Anglican Cathedral. I'm delighted to know that this is being made possible as part of their training programme. It's such an important and formative experience for anyone called to public ministry in a diverse and global church. Even if both end up staying in fairly limited localities for much of their working lives, they will bring the world church to people through their experience in the Holy Land.
At tea time, I had a call from a relieved College Principal, Peter to say that an appointment has been made, and the new V-P can start in the summer term. An announcement will follow in due course, but it's just good to know there's an end to the uncertainty, and to my temporary extra College duties.
In the evening we drove to Newport to join Andrew's twenty-fifth birthday party, laid on by Martin and Chris. It's nearly twenty years since they started fostering him, and then adopted him. How he's developed through those years is astounding, a real testimony to what patient love and compassion can achieve to enable a child to overcome severe handicap and suffering in their early years. There were several dozen friends and family present and a lavish feast prepared by Martin. Chris said that over the Christmas period, with the series of parties and social events they'd hosted, meals for three hundred had been made - homely hospitality on a grand scale.
After a late night out we slept in a little longer this morning. Then Clare prepared lessons while I prepared a sermon, and after lunch we went to Dinas Powis for our second party of the weekend - Clare's colleague Jacqui, celebrating her 70th birthday with a house full of family and friends. A surprise puppet show was arranged for her, given by kindergarten teacher Anna, who celebrates each birthday with her little ones by telling them a beautiful simple story of how each came from heaven to earth when they were born. The story was then extended, using a candle for each of Jacqui's seven decades to allow family and friends to reminisce about different stages of her life. It was a very touching and loving tribute, paid to her by those who know her best. Such a lovely idea, and so much nicer than a Powerpoint slide show of the family album.
Two of our students, Tom and Sam announced at lunch that they were flying off to Jerusalem tomorrow for a course based at St George's Anglican Cathedral. I'm delighted to know that this is being made possible as part of their training programme. It's such an important and formative experience for anyone called to public ministry in a diverse and global church. Even if both end up staying in fairly limited localities for much of their working lives, they will bring the world church to people through their experience in the Holy Land.
At tea time, I had a call from a relieved College Principal, Peter to say that an appointment has been made, and the new V-P can start in the summer term. An announcement will follow in due course, but it's just good to know there's an end to the uncertainty, and to my temporary extra College duties.
In the evening we drove to Newport to join Andrew's twenty-fifth birthday party, laid on by Martin and Chris. It's nearly twenty years since they started fostering him, and then adopted him. How he's developed through those years is astounding, a real testimony to what patient love and compassion can achieve to enable a child to overcome severe handicap and suffering in their early years. There were several dozen friends and family present and a lavish feast prepared by Martin. Chris said that over the Christmas period, with the series of parties and social events they'd hosted, meals for three hundred had been made - homely hospitality on a grand scale.
After a late night out we slept in a little longer this morning. Then Clare prepared lessons while I prepared a sermon, and after lunch we went to Dinas Powis for our second party of the weekend - Clare's colleague Jacqui, celebrating her 70th birthday with a house full of family and friends. A surprise puppet show was arranged for her, given by kindergarten teacher Anna, who celebrates each birthday with her little ones by telling them a beautiful simple story of how each came from heaven to earth when they were born. The story was then extended, using a candle for each of Jacqui's seven decades to allow family and friends to reminisce about different stages of her life. It was a very touching and loving tribute, paid to her by those who know her best. Such a lovely idea, and so much nicer than a Powerpoint slide show of the family album.
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