last day in salisbury, but busy, busy, busy....

before i begin my blog this evening, i wish to ask for prayers for susan walsh and her family; i received word that susan's mother is in the hospital. thank you for keeping this family in your prayers for care and with loving support. the candle above (left) is the amnesty candle that is lit in rememberance of those held in captivity. captivity can be a very broad term, and is just a beautiful candle from the salisbury cathedral...

one of the pictures that downloaded today from my camera was this picture to the right top; it is from sunday! susan and kris have found a place for coffee and sweet yummy's, before they head into church. sometimes tea time needs more of a kick!

our day began this morning with worship at the cathedral. i just can't imagine, but the front chapel was full for a 7:30 am service. following breakfast, we explored the topic 'what i wish i had learned in my early years of ministry'. we broke into small groups of provisional clergy, 'seasoned' clergy, and laity; and it was quite interesting: things suggested for the years ahead include the goodness of having covenant groups and mentors, the building up of trust and perhaps an intern year in seminary for the purpose of learning 'hands-on' ministry, sexism is still very present and needs to be addressed, and spiritual direction is a great tool for everyone.

following 'tea time', we shared our learnings so far; many days so far, we have broken into 6 small groups, for mutual support and accountablility. our presentations were to focus on what we are bringing home -- what is the story we tell about this experience? the learnings have been powerful! we will work on sharing the 'old story' in a new way, because the past has meaning, and is the basis of our faith. we are a tapestry of grace, whereby we must learn to be bold in our faith and develop strong ties through small groups, the wesleyan way of love means accountability and justice, communion and boundless love, holistic love and boundless sharing, sharing profound theology in a new way, as well as story telling of the wesleys themselves, including mama suzanna and even samuel and his herb garden.

our group shared cinquain poems; they are five line poems based on a counted structure, relating to the first line. these, remember, were based on our learnings. i will share mine with you:

heartbeat

perfected not

preach unconditional

today god makes this possible

loved shared

this is based on the concept that most of us have difficulty believing in the wesley concept of grace as a free gift from god; since we feel undeserving, we can't really believe deep down inside that we are forgiven and set free to live anew -- to love and serve god and our neighbors in all that we say and do. we tend to say, 'o no, i couldn't do that (whatever 'that' is); i'm not worthy (didn't moses say that? and peter? and lots of people in history?) so, my task when i return is to remind us that we actually are forgiven and free; a real people of grace! and that we've got work to do; because 'the church' isn't about us (i know this is hard to believe!) but about how we are the church to the world....

isn't this a great picture? o my aching feet! after our mid-day worship service (these words of charles wesley came from our journal for today: let us join our hearts and hands; help to gain our calling's hope; build we each the other up. god's blessing shall dispense, god shall crown this ordinance, meet in these appointed ways, nourish us with social grace....) we took a tour of the cathedral. among other things, we learned that this burried soul was important because his feet rest upon a lion. if the average you or me were burried there (and we can't be because this location is full!) our feet, if they were raised, would probably be placed upon a dog. {this, of course, made me think of the newly released 'alice in wonderland' movie; in that movie, the queen of hearts calls for a pig to use as her footstool; we might not even rate an animal at all -- economically speaking. i wonder what these poor animals must think! but, alas, i digress....}

the picture of satined glass to the left is the central focus of the cathedral. it was commissed (the 5th set of windows since this was built in 1258 -- 2 years before "they" believed the world was coming to an end). this building was built in 38 years (if i remember correctly!) the center window is jesus on the cross with mary (the honored saint) below the cross; so just take a few minutes to ponder this....

also to the left are four of the saints; lots of saints here. the third saint is st. francis.



and below is a british flag; very old, but part of the reminder that the church of england is very much a part of the country. the stained glass in the back are part of the 'lightening up' phase of this community; now the trend is moving back to color. humans enjoy change, even though we moan and complain, hu?

and below is the cloister, the public, outer area which is also part of the cemetary. there is one outside as well. but this is inside, and will eventually be opened to walk upon.

it has been a beautiful day here; we had a little free time to enjoy the market-place before evensong at the cathedral began at 5:30. so i had 'low tea' (well, it was a little more than tea time, and a little less that a full tea, called high tea). evensong is an opportunity for the organ, the boys and adult men's choirs to "show off" for the glory and praise of god. and it was beautiful. then we had a group picture, and a nice dinner. because i helped to lead a small group, i was given the book "mainline or methodist? rediscovering our evangelistic mission" by scott kisker. a little book that might be a good read for others as well.

after dinner we did a group thing....

ok, so you may be aware that the names nottingham and sherwood forest have a connection here in england; the wesley family may very well have had to pass through these areas as they traveled to and from epworth to oxford -- the northern part to the southern part of england.

anyway, guess what?! ok, quit guessing....we went to see robin hood! it was a great movie to see here in england, and is highly recommended. bloody, but then again, it is historical (ok, well, there actually was a king here in england....and many wars....)

so i leave you tonight (actually it is now in the am here), and i am off to go pack; no worries, i will sleep on the bus. while it is only about an hour and a half train ride to london, it will take us longer by coach to get there...have i told you about 'round-abouts'? it feels just like home, as we have them in merced, although they are less complicated in merced; it is a good thing i'm not driving....

cheerio! pj