ABC Blog
July / August 2022 Lead Contact article
When preaching at ABC on 19 June I mentioned that we were approaching the 15th anniversary of the iPhone. The first one was released by Apple on 29 June 2007, and it is difficult now to comprehend its significance. While this device wasn’t technically the first ‘smartphone,’ it turned out to be the clever breakthrough in design (and marketing) that changed everything. In one pocket sized device we now had something which gave us (as well as the ability to…
70 years in the life of ABC – exhibition
No, I’ve not been at ABC that long! With the Jubilee in mind the Deacons decided it would be good to look back on the last 70 years. The congregation were asked to lend me any items, newspaper cuttings, events and photos that I could include. Although we didn’t have many things directly from the 1950’s, a number of items of interest were handed in. Looking back under the relatively short leadership of Adrian Thatcher, the church structure was changed…
When I’m embarrassed to be a Baptist
Most of the time I’m glad to be a Baptist. Not only do I believe our way of baptism – and more importantly who is baptised, namely those who’ve made a personal decision of faith – is Biblical, I also appreciate our variety of worship, not bound to a formal liturgy; our way of running the church, so that each believer who is committed to a local church can take part in listening to what God is saying about our…
June 2022 Lead Contact article
Platinum Jubilee – a lifetime of service As I reflect on this, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee celebratory month, and all the things that have been planned up and down the country to mark this ‘probably’ unique achievement, I marvel at what she has accomplished over the 70 years since she acceded to the throne after the sudden death of her father, George VI on 6 February 1952. She was only 25 years old. She knew she was…
Connecting with nature
Thought for the day on BBC Radio 4 recently was about connecting with nature, which reminded me about writing a blog about a walk I did with Helen on the morning of Maundy Thursday. We were also accompanied by Casey, my daughter’s cockapoo. We met in the Abbey Fishponds Nature Reserve just off the Audlett Drive and saw a little egret flying above us. (I have since seen the egret again in the same place, when it was perched in…
The Great Family Church Bake Off
This week family church led the service based on Jesus saying I am the bread of life.
May 2022 Lead Contact article
I was thinking following our Annual General Meeting where we agreed the all-important profile of the church and the comment that we ‘go forward in faith and with patience’ – meaning that it’s not in our timing but God’s that will be the perfect timing for us as a church to receive a new minister. As we all know patience is a virtue, and I’m sure I’m not the only person wishing I had more patience. I need constantly to…
Doubting Thomas, and the Tomb
This week we have been focusing on the story of doubting Thomas. He wouldn’t believe Jesus had risen until he had seen and felt his wounds, as he was not there the first time Jesus appeared to the disciples. Christine Hutt used some wooden characters to tell a story to us and at the end asked us if we had any doubts about what would happen. Our first activity started by us each getting some biscuit dough and rolling it…
School Takeover Challenge
On Wednesday and Thursday this week (6-7 April 2022) we had an additional volunteer who came to us from Didcot Girls’ School as part of the National Takeover Challenge to help as part of the catering team in our Café@35. The Takeover Challenge is a fun, hugely successful and exciting activity for children and young people across England to take over adult roles in the workplace – whether it’s a business or a voluntary organisation. The aim is to put…
Ladies who lunch – April
A monthly get together on the first Tuesday of the month. Today we were pleased that eleven ladies were able to meet up at the College Oak, Peachcroft, to enjoy a lovely meal, in lovely company. It was a very chatty and happy couple of hours – well, you know, once ladies get together, we can talk for England….well, perhaps Abingdon at least! One of the topics of conversation was surprisingly about ChurchSuite and how to set it up and…