Home Sweet Home

An uneventful flight (the best kind) brought me home on Tuesday morning and I was so happy to see my girlfriend Risa at the airport. Risa and I had made these arrangements because Larry was uncertain if he would be home and... he wasn't. He has already been called out on the road so I am glad I have such great backup. Back home, back to the other side of the road (I was a bit nervous driving on Wednesday) back to heat and humidity - I think I like the cool of England vs. the humidity of home.

It has been great to be home, to see my sons and friends and to begin the process of getting back to school and work. I will be at school already today to sort out my room and get books and such so that I can be ready when classes start on Tuesday. I miss England and am so very thankful that I was able to be there for 15 weeks and meet so many wonderful people, to learn from fantastic ministers, to read in libraries at both Oxford and Cambridge, to see my family ancestral lands in Scotland, to preach in Sudbury, Bury St. Edmunds, Cumnor and Oxford - to learn about the congregations and to see the places where the Holy Spirit reveals the intersections of biblical story, local and family history and the needs and challenges of congregations today. I have been truly blessed and I know that fruits of the blessing will be revealed slowly and consistently as I continue to follow my call to serve the Lord. Thank you to everyone in the States and in England who helped make this experience possible and have held me in prayer.

My Bury Last Days

From Sidmouth Dorothy and I travelled by bus to Cambridge where Jo French collected us for a few nights of happy times in their home. A delicious roast pork dinner was waiting for our arrival and we were quite happily settled in. Saturday found us with a 1pm flight time from Rattelsden field but we needed cash and a few things from market so Dorothy and I dashed up to town with a dip into St. Mary's and back on the sidewalk were we were so happy to run into (figuratively of course), Sam and Cecil White! Then in the market there were Walter and Myra Clelland! I am so glad Bury is a small town. Marketing done, money in hand we returned for a quick lunch and a drive to the field - Dorothy and I were both scheduled for glider trial flights from the same airfield that our father used in WWII. We were told that we could either take the lesson or pictures so I opted for the lesson and Dorothy opted for pictures - I went first and this is how I felt once I was strapped into my parachute and knew that it was for real. The tug plane dragged us along the runway and before it was off the ground we were airborne - Kevin (the instructor and I that is) We climbed for a bit and then he pulled cord to break the connection with the tow rope and we were on our own. We climbed and climbed on a thermal updraft with Kevin showing me how the glider worked. Round and round and a few too many rounds for me and I began to feel a bit green around the gills but... we straightened out and I was able to fly the glider. I used the sugar beet factory in Bury as my landmark and we flew for a while - the wind pushes you around and you have to constantly make adjustments. It was exciting and I wasn't really nervous at all. I was glad that Kevin was there to guide me and then to land the gilder when it was time. We were airborne for a good half hour and I really liked it - the view was spectacular and the quiet of the ride was beautiful. Unfortunately the wind had picked up so Dorothy wasn't able to go. We did check back on Sunday and still too much wind - There is hope for Monday as the weather all day Sunday has been blustery and hopefully the night will bring clear bright skies.

This morning (Sunday) Jo was so kind as to drive us to Sudbury to worship were Thomas Sowter preached. It was a joy to be there and to see folks one last time. Evidently my story did make it in the local paper so the church got some good publicity. I will have to wait to see the article. Since the flight wasn't an option for the afternoon I called on the Sinclairs and off we went for afternoon coffee and a delightful visit. Ian provided us with the atlas that allowed up to navigate all the way to Scotland and down to Devon so we owed him our great thanks and, of course, I wanted to see them again. So... I have done all that I can to take full advantage of my time here and it has been a joy to share this place in my heart with my sister.

Sidmouth Surprises

Well, the weeks have flown by and now I am in Bury St. Edmunds again for my final days in England. But - the week in Sidmouth was not without wonderful surprises that must be shared first. The first part of the week found me crashed out with fever and chills and fatigue in general unable and unwilling to leave my bed for a better part of the day Monday and then only to wander to the beach to bask like a seal in the sun on the rocks. Solar therapy didn't work as quickly as I hoped so most of the week I felt poorly but.... this was not going to spoil my visit - I mustered as much strength as I could and did a bit of walking around town and then even drove to Dartmoor National Park - basically to find a small town, Chagford, where Eustace initially retired to. Driving on the M-5 was a breeze - then smaller, and smaller, and smaller and yes smaller roads led to Chagford - at one point I was on a bridge with another car mirror to mirror and almost scraping the side of the bridge with the door and there was an ambulance behind me. I had to move! Nerves of steel and closed eyes helped - for Larry anyway - and I simply slid on by and off to the side. Chagford is beautiful, ancient and little. We asked about Eustace's home as many of the homes have names that are retained by subsequent owners. The postmistress was able to sort us out and give us directions. Not trusting our ability to follow her detailed -turn right after the hedgerow with the brown things after the brown house, then right after you cross the stream and such - we bought an Ordnance map for security. Well prepared and very ignorant we started off down the road and down it went at a steep grade, narrow road, sewer truck coming up the road - breathe, breathe, keep breathing and put it in reverse - now this is driving according to the postmistress. Well this was just the start - two bridges later and a sign that was a lie - said the road was 7 feet wide - no way! I lost my gumption and had to turn back without seeing the house. Dorothy reminded me later that when Eusatce move there the truck with their furniture couldn't get there so they had to unload and bring things in by horse and cart - what a joy when some things never change. If I ever go back I am hiring an 18 year old boy with his own truck to take me there! I did buy the decal from Chagford to put on my car at home - I earned it!

Rainy Wednesday - no really gale force, blustery, driving rain day we headed happily off to Lyme Regis for an adventure. We were really successful at finding the town and getting very wet. We went to the museum and of course I got in free because of my student ID! There are some benefits to be enjoyed, even so far away. Dry was good except I still wasn't feeling well and had to make use of every public facility available and none were in the museum. Out into the weather because of ill health doesn't make much sense but, a girl has to do what a girl has to do. I did manage to make it to the Cobb and walk out - foolish but so was Louisa Musgrove and she got to be famous in a book. (I don't care if she is ficticious - she was there as far as I am concerned.) Up the hill to the car and home to be dry. The night dawned - does a night dawn? not really but you know - fell? started?? Anyway after 7 the weather changed and the air cleared and we walked on the Front - that is what one does in Sidmouth if it is not a howling storm - no wait - it is what people always do regardless of the weather in Sidmouth - a walk on the Front is a daily requirement - so.... walking we went and the storm of the day was still raging at sea and the waves crashed and displayed their power like musclemen at Venice Beach - one wave trying to out do the other with height, with the ability to toss rocks on the Esplanade, with the ability to shower unsuspecting tourists (locals are much too bright to be taken in by a lull in the action) so.... we saw the full show and then some and loved every minute of it.

Thursday was the day I had been waiting for - this was the day we were going to meet Vic. Vic had been a student of great grandfather Eustace Sowter and we were all meeting at Green Garth to remember and learn about a wonderful man. It was amazing to meet Vic. His vitality, love of life, postitive attitude and fond memories of Mr. Sowter were a joy. He said that next to Jesus, Mr. Sowter was number 2! What a blessing. He shared stories about coming to Mr. Sowter's house with his two little sisters when he was only 8 to enquire about Sunday School. Mr. Sowter told them to be at the corner of their road at 8:45 on Sunday and he would collect them. This began a weekly ritual of walking up Salcombe Hill Road to worship, one little girl holding each hand and Vic walking alongside. Stories of God and nature filled their walks which became a very important part of "going to church." I am truly blessed to have met him and to now have an even more detailed picture of the man whose faith has shaped mine. God is so very good.

Scotland, Family and more

This will/may be a long post since I was not able to get good internet access in Scotland and access here in Devon is not a whole lot better so... there may not be pictures for this yet. On our way from Oxford to Scotland we stopped in Ashbourne to visit the George and Dragon for lunch. This was the town that Thomas Sowter came from and were his father, Charles was the Master of the Friendly Society here. We drove into town, not having any real idea where the Inn was located. Parked in the Market Square and turned around to look - there it was! Yet again things have fallen into place. We had a delicious lunch and then drove north toward Bathgate Scotland. We arrived to the Bankhead Farm B&B and praised Beth up and down as she had selected the location - beautiful, spacious home to share with views of the fields towards Slamannan. Couldn't have asked for more - beautiful weather too. We took a day trip on the train to Edninburgh and saw the castle and the High Street and the Fringe Festival with lots of young and not so young people trying to make it big. The mixture of grease paint, crazy costumes, passion, persperation and tourists made for an interesting walk down a very crowded street.
(photo is from Ediburgh Castle looking toward the Firth of Forth)

The next day found us following Jeff's plans and we were off across the Firth of Forth and around the coast to St. Andrews. We found the town to be very beautiful with an ancient Abby ruins by the sea. A walk further along the coast brought us to the golf course where Jeff, Beth and Paul all played 18 holes and were only 2 over par! Pretty amazing even if it was on the Ladies Putting Club course - it was right next to the pro course so the conditions were the same with the wind off the North Sea... they did have 18 holes.... they did get to use a putter for every shot they were so good... I think they have bragging rights. From there we drove to Aberfeldy where they distill Dewars Scotch Whisky. It was interesting and the plant smelled delicious - I can't say that I liked the taste of much of the Scotch but there is time to aquire it. From there we drove toward Loch Tay but had to stop at Moragcraig to see the stone circle. To all those who have read Outlander, Dorothy and I are still here without meeting Jamie or Claire. From there we drove through the hills of heather dotted with sheep with brilliant blue skies above. The camera clicked as quick as it could as we went at what felt like breakneck speed down very narrow roads - the size of the car - small + the size of the road - small = accelerated perceptions. Needless to say I got a lot of blurry bushes but a few nice photos too.

The next day (don't ask me the day of the week, I am on holiday) Dorothy and I took an early train to Edinburgh to spend the day doing genealogical research at the registry office. There was a 2-hour free session which we maxed out - found birth records (some revealing interesting facts about the ligitimacy of some members) a will and several other documents that will help in our piecing together from whence we come. The afternoon found me getting my library card to the National Library of Scotland! It is good for three years and I am sure I will be using it. In the library we were able to find maps of the area from the 1850's that had the various familiy farms listed on it. None of the farms is currently in use so this documentation was so cool to find. The rest of the gang followed us to the city and climed a huge hill to overlook the city and I will enjoy looking at the pictures Larry took.

The next day (I think it was Friday) Dorothy and I drove to the farms that we found on the map - I drove very slow and still the right hand side of the road (mostly bushes) kept jumping out and making Dorothy very nervous. Our destination was Slamannan where our Wood family ancestors came from - mothers, mothers, mothers side - On the way into town Dorothy spotted the Church of Scotland so a quick turn found us face to face with a cemetary - because of our research the day before we were able to identify the first grave stone we looked at as a William Woods. We learned his wife's name and that was our clue. It was a rather impressive monument and it did say he was of Moss Castle. For a while in our reading we had heard of Moss Castle but I figured things can get exagerated when one immigrates - that little moss covered croft becomes Moss Castle. So - it was real and now we were on to check out where and what Moss Castle was. A trip to the local Cafe (the only cafe) and we were sharing stories with the two women there and were directed to the local garage to speak to John Robertson who "knows all there is to know about Slamannan." Well he knew where Moss Castle Road was but had never heard of an actual castle so.... perhaps it was the house name. Worth a drive down the road and there was indeed a house called Moss Castle House - we will write them and see what we can learn. The afternoon was spent hiking in Beecraig County park and making another delicious dinner - we cooked at home each night and really had some great meals.

Saturday found us driving south - way south to Sidmouth - traffic and rain so a bit slower ride but here safe and sound nevertheless. Sidmouth, finally! Of course Dorothy and I had to walk to find Greengarth - our great grandfather Eustace's house. Found and decision to knock on the door the next day made. A few pints at the local establishments to support the economy and off to sleep.

Sunday was bright and beautiful early so I was up and walked along the Front (the sidewalk along the sea in the center of town) and up the western hill. It was beautiful and hopefully I will be able to upload the amazing photos I took. That was our only sun for the day but a little rain would not dampen our spirits. Dorothy, Larry and I went to All Saints Church where Eustace taught Sunday School in the 40's and 50's. We were warmly greeted and announced at the beginning of the service as the guest who had come the furthest. It was a very upbeat and relaxed service in a newly refirbished sanctuary. Over coffee we met Jillian, the self declared local chatterbox and therefore my kind of woman. We talked for a bit and when we mentioned the name of the house she about jumped out of her skin. Directly behind us was the current owner! Introductions made, exclamations about God's goodness declared and.... invitation to tea extended. Unbelievable! Their grandaughter was with them and was 8 years old, the same age that our father was when he came to Greengarth to be with his grandparents - amazingly enough stoires matched - she gets up early and climbs into her grandparents bed just like our father did! There is something about the house that even writing this makes get goosebumps.

Since tea wasn't until 3 there was no need to sit idle by and wait - not when the coastal walking path is so close - the map may say that two locations are X miles apart but I don't think they calculated for the ups and downs. It was a bit much for me and I doubt any climbs are in my plans for the day - quiet turn about the town and cream tea and a sit by the sea sounds blissful to my very tired body right now. We walked up and down and through the cows all the while the rain came and went and came and went and poured and well - dry was not in the day's vocabulary. Jeff and Beth continued on but Larry, Dorothy and I walked to Salcombe Regis, the village where Eustace was also a longstanding teacher - as we approached the church we saw the sign that made our day - Tea in the Garden. Because of the rain, tea was in the sanctuary but a warm cuppa and a piece of cake was just the sanctuary we needed at the moment. Fortified in good English fashion we walked to Greengarth down a 16% grade hill that Eustace would walk daily into his later years - a better man than me. We had a lovely time with Barry and Chris and we were very much aware of the presence of God in the place and relationship. Chris knows some of the elderly people in town who remember coming to the house for Sunday School and she will endeavor to help us get connected. So..... what a trip!

Good byes and God Bless

Today was my last day in Oxford. It is hard to believe that 13 weeks have already flown by. I had the honor and privilege to share in the worship service this morning at St. Columba's. It was a full service with goodbyes to Kaishu and Anna, members of the church who are moving to Helsinki, Finland and the ordination of two wonderful women as elders and communion. They also were so kind as to recognize my parting. The afternoon was spent with Larry and Dorothy and a walk along the Thames to the Perch in Binsey and then home again so that Wilson and Ruth Sutherland could collect us to go to Cumnor for my final site committee meeting. My site committee was made up of members of both congregations and is yet another witness of the power of congregations working together and supporting one another and the ministry of the wider church. My ministry was affirmed and I was given guidance and blessings. This has been such a wonderful experience in so many different ways. I have learned about ministry in very different contexts than I have experienced in the States and I have learned a lot about my self and that will inform my ministry and my life. I really appreciate all 6 different congregations that I worked with this summer and am thankful to the many different clergy that I met and learned from but especially for Carla, Sam and Mary. The members of the congregations and the communities of Oxford, Cumnor, Bury St. Edmunds, Sudbury, Long Melford, and Cavendish are part of the cloud of witnesses that will help me run the race set before me. The value of their support and encouragement, guidance and critique cannot be overestimated. As the commercials say - "It is priceless." My deepest appreciation and gratitude for your support. You have been a blessing to me and I believe to countless others. THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS YOU ALL.

Friday already

Well, time flies sometimes doesn't it. This final week in Oxford has flown by and I can hardly believe my time here is so short. Larry arrived on Tuesday late afternoon and we walked a bit around the city to meet up with Dorothy and Paul who were at the Natural History Museum. We stopped for a pint at the Turf again (the oldest pub in Oxford) and then went on to the Eagle and Child, one of the most famous pubs in Oxford because J.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis used to meet there every Tuesday for years and years. Raised a toast to them and relaxed to have someone to toast with. I had been in several times before but never had anything to drink as there were no single seats available so I grabbed the opportunity when it was at hand.

Wednesday we all went to London to see the Queen but... she was away so we stayed outside her house to see the changing of the guards - why do they guard the place if she isn't there? Are there guards changing at Balmoral or do they stay the same? Anyway we took our places amongst the mass of humanity and waited. We were standing next to a family from Portsmouth with two boys I would guess to be 7 and 10 years old. After a while the wait got to them so, of course I had to step in - "So how many pictures do think will be taken when we can actually see the guards and how many of those pictures will end up on the Internet?" This of course began a delightful conversation and opportunity to enjoy being with all these people, some who were bound and determined to step on toes and push and stand right in front of short people but... hey we are all human. Olie's answer was that 500, no 525 pictures would end up on the Internet and we were off. Once we had exhausted all the photo conversation we could muster I gave him a riddle to solve - "What is greater than God, worse than the Devil, the poor have it, the rich need it and if you eat it you die." There is a one word answer and he really puzzled with it for a while - I loved his answers - love, forgiveness, the world.... and so on. I did explain that he had to proof his answer against all the questions and only one answer would work for all the questions. He sat and worked on it for quite a while, much to his parent's delight and eventually stood up and asked is it ______? He was correct! Now he knows that he is truly clever and can work things out when he puts his mind to it.


From the Changing of the Guard we walked through Green Park to our Mayfair where Larry had secured a room so he and I could stay in the city for the evening. Dorothy really wanted to go to St. Paul's Cathedral so she and Paul went that way and Larry and I went to the British Museum. It is amazing how much stuff has been accumulated by one museum. They currently have a program running about 100 objects that take you through history. They are doing a show for telly and then of course the museum has each item on display throughout the museum. A few items are revealed each week so there are 70 different objects identified so far. I have heard people talking about it and was glad to see such interest in the museum. We walked and walked, looked and looked and took lots of pictures. Near the end of our time we went into a room on the Enlightenment and I loved all the books and the feel of the room which was different than any other in the museum. I took a picture to capture the feeling and low and behold I "caught" a little girl as she dashed by. For some reason I looked at the picture right away and noticed her fleeting image. I saw her sitting on the bench, after having been reprimanded for running. I showed her the cool picture and asked to take another picture of her so I could see a more complete version of such a pretty little girl. From the museum we met up with Dorothy and Paul at the Gunmakers Pub that their friend Steve told them about. It was down a small side street and was a neighborhood pub instead of a tourist place so it was nice. We then walked to Chinatown for our anniversary dinner. The criteria for picking the restaurant was the one with the best looking crispy duck in the window. We did well and had a delightful dinner and then wandered to Covent Garden to see what was what. A little music later Dorothy and Paul went on their way back to Oxford and Larry and I went down to the River Thames. We got to see Parliament all lit up and we called it a day.

During this week I have also met with Carla to plan worship together for the last time. It will be a very full service as there is communion, ordination of elders and leave taking for several people, myself included. The challenge for me will be to keep my portion of the sermon nice and short and clear so that the service is done in a timely fashion. Carla and I are doing a "dialog" sermon with her asking me three questions and I have 100 words or less to answer them in and still work the scriptures. Yes a full sermon in 300 words or less - it will be interesting to say the least and I hope helpful to the congregation. So.... while Larry still sleeps...... back to work I go.

If you want to know the answer to the riddle you have to ask me in a comment.

The Sundy Review

I was so excited yesterday that Dorothy and Paul had arrived that I forgot to reflect on how the worship service went on Sunday. I think it went ok. I liked the way the hymns and prayers and message all hung together so that worked for me. I find selecting the music challenging because I don't always know what hymns the congregation knows as well as the fact that the books they generally sing from have no music so.... I don't know the tune at all. Fortunately there were two new songs (always good for a congregation I think) and the tunes were very singable, which has not been my experience with some English hymns. I think American hymnody and English hymnody is just different enough. I am always challenged by the music and as much as I really love the old, traditional hymns I don't think they are very attractive to younger people. There are times I look around the room and think - these folks grew up on Jimi Hendrix and Elvis and such and there is no influence (that I see) of that kind of musical style. Now I know that people have wide ranges in musical styles so.... just my little rant for the morning. The picture is of St. Columba's Church before worship started.

I enjoyed helping the congregation realize their youth as I had them recalculate their age before I did the children's message. This is easy, just take the two digits of your age, add them together and if the sum has two digits add them together again. This way there is no congregation with anyone over the age of 9! Brilliant! (Plus it really messes with the national offices when you have to send in the congregational statistics!) I shared a story that I love, and I think I did a good job with but it was perhaps a bit long for the situation - with no way to really shorten it so.... I live and learn. My sermon went ok - delivery confident, only briefly lost my place but I think I try to fit too much in. In my preparation I see the connections between the scriptures and that excites me but I don't have the polished skill yet to translate my "ah ha!" to the sermon itself. Perhaps 15 minutes it too short - but then, if it doesn't hang together well, 15 minutes can be too long! Thomas Sowter used to preach for 45+ minutes - now that would be too long!

I liked leading worship and I think that when I am settled in a single congregation and can really develop relationships and connection with the mission and ministry of the congregation I will be ok. Format, flow and cohesiveness will improve with time, and the power of the Holy Spirit. I look forward, in a way, to this week as I will work with Carla to do a form of dialog sermon for next week. Next week's service will be full - communion and ordination of elders and farewells to several people who will be leaving the congregation for other adventures.

They Arrived

Well, right as I was at church, ready to lead worship and a small crowd had gathered and low and behold, down Alred Street come my weary travelers. Dorothy and Paul arrived in time for worship but without enough time to be truly rested. Paul went for a walk to stay awake and Dorothy stayed in worship. After a well deserved nap - for all - we were off into Oxford and of course after a few looks up and down at the colleges we found the oldest pub in Oxford - or at least that is their claim- We met a lovely young couple from Brooklyn. A few pints later we walked through Christ Church Meadow and along the Thames and home to roast leg of lamb dinner. Paul was even able to get in a quick bike ride! We have our plans sorted and Dorothy and I will go to London to meet a friend of our Aunt Janes. It will be a wonderful day. Paul will come to London, or not and we will all have fun.

It is wonderful to have family here to see what I have seen and to share new adventures with!

The last day!

No it is not my last day here, but my last day alone. Dorothy and Paul arrive tomorrow morning! I am very excited and have worked hard to get a significant draft of my paper off to the professor and have my sermon ready and my children's time figured out - just a bit more practice and all will be ready. I think my head will be very happy to be able to relax just a bit now that that paper is off my plate for a while. I will cook a roast dinner tonight so it is ready whenever we are ready to eat it tomorrow. I know it should be cooked tomorrow but, a preachers schedule sometimes demands thinks to be otherwise.

Yesterday I went to Abingdon just for fun. This is a town not far from Oxford, along the River Thames, that is one of the oldest inhabited places in England. It is a pretty town even with dark grey forboding skys. The overcast sky made it easier to take pictures in St. Helen's church (2nd widest church in England). They had lovely stained glass windows and painted ceilings from the middle ages. I had a lovely conversation with the steward and then went to find a pub along the river - something I can't do just anywhere. Pub found, 1/2 pint enjoyed and then a wander to the Abby Gardens and back on the bus to Oxford. A nice little excursion.

Sermon writing

I have had a great day. I enjoyed my theological reflection with Carla and then having great conversations at Wednesday Welcome. A bit of a wander and a new camera battery and I thought - I should really start to put down on "paper" what I have been thinking about for my sermon on Sunday. So I decided to go off to the "English Sermon Writing Academy" (aka Pub) to get started. Low and behold I needed the internet to enter a confirmation number (with Microsoft, not God) and could only make a few notes before the pint was gone. Now reconnected and properly "spiritually enhanced" I am off to do the real thing - wish me luck. I know the children's message - a great story about puppy love that I plan on telling with my version of a North Carolina accent to an English congregation - the kids will get it for sure and the animal sounds are the same in all languages aren't they?

still proud - maybe more so

Well, I have been thinking about the George and Dragon Friendly society and so I did some research - George and Dragon is a pub which I mentioned and I have it on good authority that Eustace, who wrote the Journal that I am working from was a teetotaler (didn't drink) so I thought, perhpas he didn't know what the George and Dragon was - then I remembered that, at least in my expereince, the English are not too creative with Pub names - there seems to be the Lamb and Flag, The Bear, the Eight Bells and so on in each town so.... chances that he didn't know what the George and Dragon was is slim. Then I used the power of the internet to realize why I should be even prouder of Charles Sowter. Friendly Societies were mutual aid societies in the day before any form of insurance. People gathered, often time folks of the same class or professional groups and and all paid some fee. I am not sure if there were regular dues or what but the money went into a pool for investments of some sort - this is the pre-401K days, pre-National Health System, pre-Life Insurance or widow benefits. So... Charles was Master of the George and Dragon Friendly society for 26 years - people trusted him with their lives, the financial well being of their families in case of an untimely death and so on. Perhaps Charles lifted a pint or two in the George and Dragon, I certainly will but he also cared for others in very real ways and for both, I am indeed proud.

This is what happens when you pick your nose in public!

The Paper

Yes, it has begun. I actually have words on paper - several pages of them as I try to sort through 19th century English history, religion and literature. It will be interesting to see how this all works but I am enjoying the challenge of writing about the life and times of Thomas Sowter. So far I am loving my research and I could probably read a lot more but I have to stop for a few days as the library at Mansfield college is closed for the weekend. I will return on Monday afternoon with specific questions to answer from the documents they have available. Then on Thursday I get to go to Cambridge and read in their library. I am wondering about my ability to shape everything and keep it to 30 pages, a number of pages that seemed daunting at the beginning. I feel really smart being the only person in the Library - hey wait a miniute does that make me smart or stupid to be spending beautiful summer days inside? I have to take advantage of the resources that are not available at home so.... I have already figured out how to use part of my research for another paper on moral theology.

I discovered a funny family thing in doing my research. I was checking out Charles Sowter's life in 1804 when he got married. What I confirmed was that he was a smith (blacksmith mostlikely) and that in 1841 Thomas was a journeyman, I imagine under the tutulage of his father. By 1848 Thomas was a minister and long gone from home. It was in 1849 however that Charles received a great honor - or that is how Eustace (his grandson) perceived the receipt of a silver tankard with the following inscription: "Presented to Mr. Charles Sowter, Master of the George and Dragon Friendly Society, by the members, for his valuable and gratuitous services (26 years), May 29, 1949." Eustace stated "He must therfore have been a worthy man and esteemed in the town in which he lived, and his descendants may be proud of him." Well, the power of the internet revealed the truth of the matter. The George and Dragon is a local pub in Ashborne which opened in 1710 and has been in continuous service to the community. And so our travel route north has been altered so that we can go to the George and Dragon and toast our most esteemed forfather - of whom we are indeed quite proud.

Procrastination - or so I thought

Well, it has been a nice week - grey and overcast with a few sprinkles here and there and an occasional very local downpour. I have moved house again and am "housesitting" for a church member who will be away. It is in an interesting part of the city of Oxford and will suit me just fine and will accommodate Larry and my sister and brother-in-law when they arrive.

I preached in Cumnor on Sunday and it went ok - I made two power point presentations of the Lord's Prayer with different music and pictures I have taken here (with a few additional ones from home) The sound wasn't loud enough on the first one but the second was fine and is one of my favorite versions of the prayer sung by Joe Wise. Thank goodness for I-tunes! Monday night we attempted to have a movie night for youth - we tried out the system and it was loud - the kids showed up 15 in all 6 of whom the local youth worker had had not prior contact with so that was amazing. Pizza (free hence the 6 extra boys) and popcorn eaten in the hall and everyone went to the sanctuary which had been "relaxed" to watch the movie. Volume of the music was just fine but the volume for the speaking was not working right. No amount of dial turning solved the problem and we had no laptop back up so... unfortunately the kids left except for 6 from the youth group. Games were played and everyone had a good time and I think they will try it again in the future.

I did go to London on Saturday with half of the world's population. It was hot and bright and crowded but I had a great time dashing about to fit as much in as possible. I started at Buckingham Palace but didn't want to deal with the nearly hour wait for the changing of the guard so I walked and found myself outside the Guard Museum with the Guard Band ready to play. Here I was in London and the band played - New York, New York! I had to laugh. I then walked rather briskly along the Thames toward the London Bridge. It didn't look so far on the map but my feet told me something else. I had another laugh when I looked from the Tower of London toward the London Bridge and saw a Starbucks! I then walked to St. Paul's and Covent Garden, Chinatown, Piccadilly Circle, The National Gallery and then Trafalgar Square (the Lion). I find London amazing for the history and the crowds of tourists. The international economies seem to be doing much better than I would have thought when looking at the number of tourists and the packages they all seemed to have no less the ice cream and drinks they purchased on a hot summer day. I did a lot of people watching and enjoyed the day but was too tired to stay until 20:50 which was the time on my return ticket. I had to pay the price but I got home and rested and took lots of aspirin for my hips - they just aren't what they used to be.

This morning when I started this post it was to do something constructive and avoid working on my research paper. The title was written and a few lines drafted and my phone rang - it was the librarian at Mansfield College saying that I could come in an use the library! No procrastination now. I saved my draft and off I ran across the city to the college and sat like a pig in a mud puddle surrounded by the Congregational Church Yearbooks from 1830-1890! I am attempting to see how the church was dealing with the issues of the day and so far I have had 6 hours of reading and will be back at 7 am tomorrow for a few more hours before my morning meetings and then a few more hours in the afternoon and then.... well I think you get the picture. I am a very happy camper as I cannot get these documents in the US and it is fascinating to read. Church issues just don't seem to change. I also have a day in the library at Westminster College in Cambridge scheduled so I can't say I couldn't find information. I had been a bit discourages when I tried the conventional route to get privileges but as they say it is who you know that makes the difference. I know the chaplain at Mansfield College and the Principal of Westminster so... I'm in. Now off to sleep so I can get up early and dash to the Library. (Yes I am a bit crazy I know).

Quiet in Oxford

This has been a quiet week for me - worship prep, a few meetings and a walk in town. It is crazy in town now with map reading, umbrella waving, same colored t-shirt wearing tourists! Where did they come from and why are they all here? Where are the students? It is amazing though to hear virtually every language under the sun on the High Street. The other thing that has arrived is scaffolding. Many of the college buildings undergo repairs during the summer season when the colleges are not in session. This means that the wonderful pictures I was able to take on a quiet morning in May are not available to people today - plus it has decided to turn into an English summer - rain and gray on and off with a hint of blue skies to keep the optimism just a smidgen above total depression. Hope and sunshine seem to go together. Well, I have made two PowerPoint presentations for worship on Sunday, written the order of service, written the prayers and oh that's right, I am supposed to have a sermon finished. Started, slept on and ready for real words on a page now so..... off I go

Tour de France - Stage 4 and 5

This morning we were off again to the city, taking Kenzo with us in hopes of another Spiderman sighting. We went to the river that runs through the city to a park that has a wonderful water feature for children on a hot summer's day. Along the way we encountered yet more cows and we had to take pictures - in this picture something has changed though - Fleur just found out that she did very well on her national test and will be an English Teacher starting in the fall! This was great news and the rest of the day she spent answering congratulatory phone calls and answering emails. I am very proud of her hard work and perseverance. The boys loved the water park and splashed and ran and had a marvelous time until Noah cut his foot :( We had to then head home and perform minor surgery with much ado and band aids and kisses and hugs and reassurance that his foot would not fall off and that after a good long sleep he would be just fine.

After said sleep all was wonderful and Daddy returned from work to a happy home. Dinner was to be at a Chinese restaurant for my benefit - it was a way that Fleur and Julien could provide a dinner when I could have anything I wanted and as much of it as I needed. This was so kind of them and yet the day was really to celebrate Fleur's accomplishments. She doesn't even like Chinese food but wanted me to be well cared for. I hope she celebrated on Saturday at the birthday party she prepared for Julien-a surprise party for the man of her dreams. Sweet dreams were had by all and Stage 5 saw Easy Jet whisk me away to England where there was a rainbow awaiting my return.

Tour de France - Stage 3 - Bastille Day

We did it - we actually watched some of the military parading from Paris - on TV of course - lots of pomp and circumstance with horses and tanks and all things that seem to fascinate little boys. Is it genetic? Then picnic packed for our journey to the sea - actually to the sand by the sea. We went to the largest sand dune in Europe. It was really quite something to see by the sea. I am happy to say that they did have a large plastic staircase that made climbing the dune much easier and safer for all concerned. I wasn't winded at all but my breath was taken away by the size of the dune and the sight of the Atlantic Ocean glistening out before me. We found the wind from the sea a struggle for the boys - being shorter they were really tormented by the blowing sand. Over the edge we were out of the wind and the boys played and played and managed to get so much sand in their pockets that one wonders how the dune survives the constant removal of sand by all the visitors. We decided to skip eating on the dunes - how can you be hungry with all the sand which is there (get it sandwiches?) - anyway off down the road to a park and an attempt at a holiday lunch - in the rain and cold and well... we ended up eating in the car. Fun and memories for all.

Tour de France - stage 2

A wonderful morning of small children speaking a language I don't understand and yet together we seemed to make sense of the world - how delightful. Kenzo was off to school for the day and Fleur, Noah and I made our way to the Tramway. A joy for Noah until we were actually on it. I guess it could be pretty intimidating being strapped into a stroller and surrounded by towering people who you don't know. I have to say he was glad to be out and say bye bye to the tram. The next great delight was that there are cows all around Bordeaux. Thankfully not the cow pie making kind of cows, but statues of all colors. They certainly caught Noah's attention each time we saw one. He liked it when I put him on and he could hold the horns - the only problem was that unannounced, he would launch himself into my arms to get down, of course only to be put back on. The repetitions are good for my arm muscles as well as to see a sweet smile from a happy child. We walked around the center of the city, ate at the tres cool McDo's (yes nuggets are a favorite of children here too). There was a great statue made to the people of the region that attracted our attention, not only for it's grandeur but for the fact that there were two Spidermen on the statue. Kenzo was going to be very jealous. Photos taken, statue admired and then off to the petite tramway for a city tour. Unfortunately for me my camera battery died so I had to just sit back and observe this ancient city.

Dinner found us at Fleur's parents home where I was treated to a most delicious duck dinner - salad began the meal that had delicious duck bits on top and then the main course of the most fantastic duck I have ever had with potatoes escalloped in duck fat! This was not a low fat meal but was amazing and washed down with wonderful local wine. Dessert was strawberries and chocolate chestnut cake. Needless to say I slept well and had little need of breakfast the next morning.

Tour de France - Stage 1

I spent the early moning of July 12th in London on my way to see Fleur in Bordeaux. I got to walk through Hyde Park which looks like a desert because there has been no rain to speak of for over a month. The Park was quiet and beautiful even zith homeless men sleeping under the trees.

I arrived here in good order and am enjoying my time getting to know the boys and having them teach me some french. Thank goodness Ayden has already taught me all I need to know about Spiderman! I am looking forward to meeting Fleur's parents this evening and celebrating Bastille Day tomorrow.

Bury me not....

I bid farewell to Bury St. Edmunds on Sunday. I preached a sermon on Amos and the Good Samaritan without a fully written sermon for the first time. It was an interesting process for me and I hope a meaningful sermon for the congregation. This did follow a quintesential English Saturday - to the market in the morning for coffee, lunch and crickett watching and then a Strawberry Tea in the afternoon. The speaker had to back out at the last minute so Sa, and I presented a brief conversation about the power of storytelling. I was delighted to havet the chance to share a native american story with them after which a woman said she was going to share the story with her grandchildren!

I will miss all the folks in the West Suffolk group and truly appreciate all their hospitality, encouragement, advice, and wisdom that was so freely shared. This was a month that I will think about for the rest of my life.

Westminster in Cambridge - finally

I finally made it to Westminster College in Cambridge. This is the United Reformed Church tranining college and the place where Neil works. Neil was the one who, after a chain of emails, was the one who helped make my placement in Bury St. Edmunds possible. I am really thankful for all that he did and glad that he knew Samantha and I could come here to Suffolk. I loved seeing the college and learning about the two sisters who provided the resources for the college. I can't wait to read their biography in Sisters of the Sinai. I got the grand tour including a chance to go up the tower in which the Westminster Confession is kept. Pretty exciting stuff. I was unable to stay and read in the library but there may be another day. In light of all the things I am learning it might be a place I come back to study in - to learn more details for an even longer paper - or maybe I'll just come back as a tourist in the future. Time will tell....

Samantha had an appointment with Neil so I skipped off and explored a bit of Cambridge. It is a great old city with a modern feel. The college complexes seem a bit more spread out and in an hour I only got a glimpse of things but... a fine glimpse it was. The sky is perfect blue (Yes I am spending the summer in England and the sun is shining). The spires pierced the sky and inspired lofty thoughts - one certainly feels smarter there.

One of the ways to see the colleges is to take a ride in a punt - a long low boat that is poled along the river and allows you to see the backs of many of the colleges. We didn't have time to take a punt trip but I did see lots of people enjoying the river and the glorious summer day.

We are now back in Bury St. Edmunds to finish up Sunday services so we can enjoy tomorrow and yet another strawberry tea.