A Day of Memories

Like many other Salvation Army Officers I was involved in pastoral care at various locations after the 7/7 bombings - at the mortuary as families came to view their loved ones, at the Family Centre as people came in looking for information and Russell Square Tube Station as various teams searched and recovered people from the wreckage and train station.  I was also very privileged to attend a funeral for a young man who came from my area. A few months later I was also Chaplain to the survivors (served teas and coffees etc and was available if anyone wanted assistance) who came to the inquest and enquiry held at The City Hall, London.

So today it is good to 'stop' for a few minutes and remember those who lost their lives, their families and friends and also those who survived and now have to live with their injuries and memories.

This morning I attended The Creekmouth Preservation Society - the photo shows two of the members (Charlie and Iris).  The Society is endeavouring to keep alive the memories of a village that once stood at Creekmouth but which was destroyed in the 1953 floods. The Society (other than me) is currently made up of members who either lived in the village as children or had a relative who lived there. 

This is the first meeting I have attended for long time but I am interested in local history, the industries, how people lived, worked and died in such areas.. Also it is fascinating to listen to people's memories -take Charlie for example - he can remember as a young boy sitting on the wall along the River Thames at Creekmouth and watching London being bombed during the 2nd WW.

Today is the Commissioning and Ordination of New Salvation Army Officers and my mind ventures back to my own Commissioning and Ordination (alongside Nigel) in May, 1985 and all that has taken place since then to now - 27 years later...

Lisburn, Northern 1985-90
Jessore, Bangladesh 1990-93
Chalk Farm, London 1993-95
Paignton, Devon 1995-1998
Accra, Ghana 1998-2001
Leigh on Sea, Essex 2001-2004
Barking, Essex 2004 - and we are still here :))

To look backward for a while is to refresh the eye, to restore it, and to render it the more fit for its prime function of looking forward. ~Margaret Fairless Barber, The Roadmender

Sharon's Ordination

I travelled to Chelmsford Cathedral today for my friend Sharon's Ordination. I paraded in with the other clergy and stuck out like a sore thumb!!! hahaha however, Alexandra (one of Sharon's daughters) told me after the service that it was 'really cool to see you walking up the isle in your full uniform' - so I made one person's day at least :))

The service was very moving and it was a priviledge to be asked by Sharon to attend in the role of 'supporting clergy'. Chelmsford Cathedral is such a magnificient building and the atmosphere within certainly added to the occasion.

Sharon and I first met at Redbridge Technical College (as it was called in an bygone era) where we took a shorthand and typing course - just sweet 16 (this year we both celebrated our 50th) We then went our separate ways and caught up with each other again 8 years ago when I moved back in to the area.

It still seems incrediable to me that we are both, although in different denominations, ordained minsters of the gospel - when we were 16 that thought was far from our minds..  Isn't it funny how life turns out?

Yesterday

Yesterday I had the priviledge to attend the Celebration of Life and Burial service for Malachi Kwabena Thornhill Bonsu.  Malachi died on the 5th June 2012 having spent the last six months of his short life at Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital - he died from leukaemia age eight years old.  It was an honour to attend not just to 'Give Thanks' for Malachi's life but also to support his mum and dad (Yvonne and Kennedy) and his younger brother (Isaiah). It was wonderful to see so many people attending the service and that must have been so encouraging for the family.

I sat behind the Headteacher and staff for Eastbury Primary school, where Malachi was once a pupil, and his class teacher gave a very touching tribute.  The school has been closed for the day in memory of Malachi - how very moving and thoughtful.

My heart also went out to Pastor Carlton Smith, who was leading the service and who is also the Pastor to the family, because last year we were all in the same place supporting him at the Celebration of Life and Burial service for his wonderful wife, Janet Smith. Pastor Carlton said that Yvonne had said to him she was not worried about Malachi because Janet would be looking after him :)) 

As I looked at Pastor Carlton - my mind went back to the day of his wife's burial and I remember Yvonne and I sitting in the garden of Eastbury Manor (where the buffet was held after the burial service) and Yvonne phoned the 'After school club' at Barking New Testatment Assembly Church to let them know that Kennedy would be coming to pick the children up and I can remember her surprise as Pastor Carlton answered the phone and said it was OK he would inform the staff.  Pastor Carlton had gone straight from the burial of his wife to his church to make sure all the children and staff were OK at the After-school club before coming to Eastbury Manor for the buffet.  What a wonderful man of God :)) even at a time of his deepest sorrow he was putting the needs of others first.

(a prayer station in one of the classrooms at George Carey School)

When the Geroge Carey School first opened (last September) I used to get in quite early to make sure the teachers and staff were OK and in order to get to the school I have to drive down Marine Drive - now I would see Yvonne, Kennedy, Malachi and Isaiah all standing at the bus-stop and they would wave as I tooted and drove past going the other way.  My car is bright orange so you can't miss it and you can see it coming from a long way off - my lasting memory is one morning, in December, seeing them all standing to attention and saluting as I drove past :)))  When I got back from holiday in January - they were no longer at the bus-stop as Malachi, by then, was in hospital. I do so miss seeing them as it was such a lovely start to the day...

(our house backs onto the playground/playing field of a school)

When I got home - after a cuppa - I went up to my office and opened the window and all I could hear were the voices of the children from Manor in Longbridge School as they had a sports afternoon.

A gentle reminder that life goes on.....

Home Alone

Nigel's at Rotary, Karl's out on a date and Karmen's out wandering around the school playing field behind our house - so that leaves me Home Alone *YAY*

It has been another day where, once again, I have had so many enjoyable, interesting and challening conversations with various people - that to come home to empty house is relaxing and allows me to unwind and mull over the day.  I appreciate evenings, such as this, where I have the house to myself with no one to cook for and I can wander around in my own world talking to myself; however, I was reminded this afternoon that I can feel this way because I know that, eventually, Nigel, Karl and Karmen will be coming home.  

This afternoon I visited Gwen and Bonnie and, in case you are wondering, it is a green tennis ball that Bonnie has in her mouth. Gwen is such a delightful lady - she is a Barking girl and has lived, in her current house, since 1975 before that in a flat on Thames View.  This afternoon I sat and looked at Gwen's wedding photos (I love going through people's photo albums) trying to recognize locations and smiling at the various outfits!!.

Gwen married at the age of 45 and was a widow by the time she reached 50 (my age) so she has no children of her own but two delightful nieces.  Gwen's main company, these days, is her dog, Bonnie, who is a most lively little thing but I becamed conscious, as we chatted, that I was probably the first person she had spoken to today or even in the last couple of days and I wondered how many other elderly people in Barking and Dagenham, who can't get out of there homes as easily as they once did - also find themselves in the same situation.  Maybe we should all adopt a granny or grandad.

I have to point out here that Gwen was not complaining in anyway but after all the interaction I haved had today with the children at school,  plus the conversations in the Rivergate Community Foyer, with the mums attending the parenting course and with staff and teachers - maybe I was more conscious of her situation.

I can enjoy being 'Home Alone' this evening because those I love dearly will be coming back home at some point and, in return, they know that a cup of tea will be waiting for them as soon as they step through the front door :)

Now let me introduce...

Janine, my co-partner in crime, with her puppet 'Holy Moley' - Holy Moley had a lot of conversations too, today, with the children in the nursery and the children of the mums attending the parenting course. The little ones loved Holy Moley's visit and what was more amusing is to see adults talking to a hand puppet!!!

Now for a cuppa and a read...

In a state of shock

for three reasons...

Firstly, yesterday evening Karmen came and jumped onto my lap, curled up and went to sleep :)  She has never done that before - even as a kitten she was not a 'lap' cat and preferred to sleep in her box with her cuddly toys.  Karl, my son, walked past the lounge and came back for a double-take because he couldn't believe his eyes.  I am not sure what prompted her to do that but I am not complaining..

Secondly, my birthday plants are still alive and going strong!!  I am not 'good' with plants as I tend to forget to water them, put in the wrong places etc etc and within a few days they are either dead or looking extremely sorry for themselves.

My heart sank when my father-in-law presented me with the Orchid as my first thought was 'Oh my word how am I going to keep this alive?' But it's nearly nine weeks since my 50th birthday and it is still flowering beautifully :))

The other plant the girls in the school office presented me with - it is a Bromelia Brigada - now the instructions which came with the plant were not in English so I had to phone my mother who informed me that I needed to water the plant from the tip of flower and the water will cascade down through the leaves.  This I have done and it is fascinating to watch.  My mother also informed me that the flower lasts about six weeks - well, well, well, nine weeks later and it still in flower!! So whose a clever girl?  The cupcake stake is there to hold the flower up.

Thirdly, at last a visitor to the bird-table which Nigel made about four months ago.  I had given up all hope of any bird using the table and eating the delights I places upon it and, due to the rain, the table itself started to fall to pieces.  Then the miracle happened yesterday - Nigel placed his unfinished bacon sarnie on it and low and behold our first visitor arrived!!  this morning he was there again (the pigeon not Nigel) so I rushed out and put bird seed on it and as you can see he had a feast.  The photo has been cropped and enlarged about four times!!

(I took this photo outside The Tower Hotel, London a few weeks ago)

I can laugh about being in a state of shock regarding Karmen, my plants and the pigeon but I am acutely aware that there are many people in our world today 'in a state of shock' for a variety of reasons. 

This morning I visited a lady who had been informed that her leukaemia had returned and given a life expectancy of 3-6 months.  It was a pleasure to share a short service with her within her home, just the two of us, and to read the Bible, listen to music and share a time of prayer. I thank the Lord, too, for the many wonderful friends/neighbours she has who are so supportive and caring - just at a time when she needs it.

(Covent Gardens - took this photo about two weeks ago)

Karl went out to join his friends at a pub in Whitechapel, London to watch the football  - Nigel is in the lounge watching it and I'm here there and anywhere where the footie is not being shown!! So I think my next job is to get the bird seed ready for Archie (the pigeon) for tomorrow...

Back to earth with a bump!

Oh I didn't want to get up this morning..my bed was so warm and cosy and the thought of going down two flights of stairs (we live in a town house) to make a cup of tea was not at all appealing :(  But we had a lot of things to achieve today as tomorrow it's back to work/ministry/vocation/calling - take your pick! after our lovely few days away.  We (hubby aka Nigel) had set ourselves the goal of being out of the house by 8.30am so that we could get across London, whilst the roads were quiet, to The Salvation Army's shop (S.P. & S. or Trade - as we know it ) to purchase new uniforms etc.. We successfully achieved our goal and task - on arrival we were the only customers in the shop so were served straight away - result :))

The other enjoyable aspect of the journey is that we travel across Tower Bridge. This photo was take on our way home.

And past The Tower of London.  We were here a few weeks ago for the 'Ceremony of the Keys', which you can read about here.

We only had one slight delay - due to road works - and we stood still for a while outside this beautiful church.  Well it is now a Day Care Centre for children. I wondered if there was any 'church' presence in the building at all - whether one of the conditions had been that a Chaplain was still available and maybe a service or two but there was nothing outside to indicate that the 'church' had any role in the building anymore.  My mind went to a Salvation Song written by Albert Orsborn in 1957 (he later became General of The Salvation Army). Albert was thinking about the number of derelict churches and the thousands of Londoners living in the area ..and he said

"They were an immense challenge to my spirit; what were we doing to reach and save them?  Did we care enough? I thought of the One who 'wept over Jerusalem'.

The Saviour of men came to seek and to save

The souls who were lost to the good;

His Spirit was moved for the world which he loved

With the boundless compassion of God.

And still there are fields where the labourers are few,

And still there are souls without bread,

And still eyes that weep where the darkness is deep,

And still straying sheep to be led

Except I am moved with compassion,

How dwelleth thy Spirit in me?

In word and in deed

Burning love is my need;

I know I can find this in thee.

(This is the 1st verse and chorus)

Karmen has now forgiven me for going away :)) and has stopped following me around the house. This afternoon she napped on the lounge windowsill enjoying the sun on her fur.

When we moved into our new house last October - one of the rules, which we both agreed upon, was to try and keep the house and garden simple and uncluttered! in the hope that it would be easier to keep clean and tidy.  It is actually, I have discovered, more hard work to try and live minimalistic - things still keep creeping into the house..  The main reason being that both of us are out all day and then I am currently also taking an MA in Mission - so when assignments are due in plus the normal day to day activities - then literally the house and the garden go to pot!!! until such times, as now, I have an opportunity to restore 'order' once again :))

Our new garden is not even a quarter of the size of our previous garden but it is enough for us to maintain.  I decided that I just wanted a small flower bed at the back of the garden that would be easy for me to keep an eye on and weed etc. Nigel dug a corner over for me and I have planted - a salix caprea ', a red hibiscus, a choicya 'Brica' (this was given to me) and for the border primroses and pancies.  I have joined a gardening club, which meets once a month and I am enjoying that plus I also help to make the tea/coffee that way I get a chance to speak to people too.

This morning, whilst at Trade, I bought a book called 'Finding God in other Christians' by Lorraine Cavanagh so now that I have written my blog and Karl and Nigel are watching the football - I shall bring a cup of tea up to my office (on the top floor) and enjoy a read...

Coffee and Chat

On a Tuesday and Friday morning is 'Coffee and Chat' from 9-10.30am, this activity is aimed at the parents who are dropping their children off at school; however, we now welcome 'outside people' who have an appointment with 'someone' relating to the school or parents who are also waiting to see the class teacher, head teacher etc..

I have to admit that Coffee and Chat is a challenge because I don't find it easy to be confined to a particular space for a period of time nor I am the best person at making teas and coffees.

Recently, though, I have been reading Luke 7:36-50 (Jesus welcomes a weeping woman) and you can read the passage by clicking here. The writer of the commentary, I'm reading, that accompanies this passage says this:-

In this beautiful story from Luke's Gospel we find Jesus keeping company with pain.  A woman comes to him and she is clearly distressed, but his first response isn't to try and fix her.  He simply allows her to weep on him.  Jesus, whose heart must have longed to help and make it all OK, just stays with her while she offloads her pain.  Only when she has finished does he speak the words of healing she needs to hear.

This morning the reality of that lesson hit home as, once again, I had the priviledge just to listen to people's stories in the knowledge that, maybe, I have been the only person who has.

Mother Teresa's Daily Prayer

Dear Jesus, help me to spread Thy fragrance everywhere I go. Flood my soul with Thy spirit and love. Penetrate and possess my whole being so utterly that all my life may only be a radiance of Thine. Shine through me and be so in me that every soul I come in contact with may feel Thy presence in my soul. Let them look up and see no longer me but only Jesus. Stay with me and then I shall begin to shine as you shine, so to shine as to be a light to others.

unhurried

It's a lovely feeling not to be in a rush to get somewhere or do something.  Monday is normally my 'day-off' and so I have just spent the last two hour sipping tea, going through my diary and creating lists :)  Oh I do love a good list!! even if nothing on them ever gets done - it does help to declutter my mind and leave space for more lists to be created. Somehow writing on a post-it note and sticking it on the coffee table then organizing them into the right 'zone' ie. family, church, community, school - frees the mind before it gets to boiling point.

It has been quite a few busy weeks and so I do value the time and space just to be quiet and reflect on activities/converstations and situations that have taken place, challenge my thoughts and behaviour at them or about them and prepare for the next few weeks ahead.  To help me through this process I have been using the 'I'll Fight - a journey in prayer and social justice' booklet we were sent relating to the 'I'll Fight' congress (see below for the I'll Fight words of William Booth) recently held at The Royal Albert Hall. The following steps have been most helpful:-

Step 1 - God wants to hear you (Psalm 6:9)
Step 2 - God wants to heal you (Psalm 30:2)
Step 3 - God wants to help you (Psalm 18:32)
Step 4 - God wants to bring hope through you (Isaiah 58:12)

(I took this photo when the sun made an appearance)

My lounge is on the first floor of a town house so I over look a Primary school playground/field, other than playtime/lunchtime, there is not normally any activity that takes place and, so, my view is quite tranquil. An added bonus today, however, is that it's raining so 'whatever' activity has been planned for the playground will now take place indoors - *BLISS* well for me anyway :)  Now to organize my lists but first another cup of tea :))

(not too sure where or from whom I got this picture from - but I like it)

I'll Fight
While women weep, as they do now, I'll fight;
While little children go hungry, as they do now, I'll fight;
While men go to prison, in and out, in and out, as they do now, I'll fight;
While there is a drunkard left,
While there is a poor lost girl upon the streets,
While there remains one dark soul without the light of God, I'll fight -
I'll fight to the very end.
(The Founder Speaks Again: a selection of the writings of William Booth, Cyril Barnes, 1960)