General Chat

Wendy, I hope that Cynthia's words brought a little comfort to you. Be assured of prayerful support from many who pop in and out of this Christian thread.

Thanks to Sylvia and John, an interesting topic.

Cynthia. I do love all the ceremony of special church occasions and your thread today reminded me of much of the tradition I was brought up with,, many thanks.

Hi John

do you know, we hear very little about the Diocese of British Columbia!

It is actually only concerned with Vancouver Island and adjacent islands in the Gulf between the Mainland and Vancouver Island.

It hadn't even dawned on me that they were also electing a new Bishop.

There are actually 5 dioceses in the British Columbia and Yukon region ..........

1. Diocese of British Columbia

2. Diocese of Caledonia

3. Diocese of Kootenay

4. Diocese of New Westminster

5. Diocese of Yukon

Plus ................ "Anglican Parishes of the Central Interior" which were previously included in the Diocese of Cariboo until that Diocese was closed down in 2001.


We're in the Diocese of New Westminster ........ and that's the one having the election later this month.

My sister-in-law was a minister in the Diocese of New Caledonia until she retired last month.

Good morning everyone and it's lovely to see such friendly discussions and thoughts on here. :-)

I heard on the news that General Synod is, once again, about to have a discussion on the possibility of women bishops in this country. I never hold my breath when Synod is discussing anything as they can be so long-winded. :-D


Last night I had to nip back to church to pick up something which had been forgotten on Sunday. Monday night is 'Vestry Hour' between 6.30pm and 7.30pm. and is the time when folk can come to book baptisms, weddings etc. Since the death of our vicar, who used to hold VH in the Vicarage, it has been moved to our meeting room which is off the main body of the church.

When I went into the room, it was buzzing with life. There were three families wanting to book in for a baptism and a young couple arranging their marriage.

On the other side of the door into church, our young church treasurer was chatting to our lovely handyman who was on his hands and knees, measuring out a piece of wood to make a shelf for the kitchen. He is an acknowledged atheist but a great fan of our late vicar and I can remember his wife's words recently......."He was the only vicar who could ever get my husband to come to a church service".
All in all, I hope it gave a friendly and happy signal to these new young folk. :-D


I can feel a hug coming on........


There are hugs that say I like you . . .
And I hold your friendship dear.

There are hugs that say "Good Going,"
You deserve a great big cheer!

There are hugs that say "Goodbye,"
Good luck in all that lies ahead.

There are hugs that say "I love you"
When no other words are said.

There are hugs that soothe and say to us . . .
"You're free from cares and harms."

The kind of hug we feel
When God holds us within His arms.

~ Anonymous ~



Cx :-)

Group hugs are lovely. Reaching across the ether to Scotland, Canada and beyond to hug this morning.

Talking of church tradition, we have one almost every week in our church which I love. At end of service we all get up and hold hands with someone. Then all look round the circle of 20 to 30 faces, smile at each one and say the grace together.

The Minister that has probably influenced me more than any other was a very funny and cantankerous old man called Rev Charles Lawrence of Harold in Beds. He had a brother called Sidney who led a large independent church in Knighton, Leicester. Sidney was an army officer, Cambridge educated. Methodist Minister. Charles was a local farmer till his 50's and a Methodist local preacher. Their dad Leeson Lawrence (who owned a threshing machine) was asked once which was the better preacher - well, he said after due reflection "Them both good in ther way. Sid woos 'em to heaven, Charlie kicks 'em there".

Two of Charlie's expressions that have influenced me are "the more candles in church, the less light, boy" and "dress up for church out of respect, but wear what everyone else wears. Jesus never wore a frock". So I guess our background in Christian things and life generally make us like different strings in an orchestra - one a viola, another a double bass. :-) :-)

Vive la difference :-)

Good morning all on this bright, sunny, cold, snow covered
start to the day and ((((hugs)))) all round.

Have a lovely happy day and stay warm.

Emma :-)

'A simple hug, even in a nation of 'non-huggers', can be more effective than any amount of eloquent language'. (Today's Times)

You're right John, Jesus didn't wear a frock but then, neither did he wear a suit or jeans.

He would, however, have worn an ankle length garment. A cassock (often irreverently often referred to as a 'frock') has it's origins in the garment which was worn under a toga at the time of Christ. The word simply means 'long coat' - not a frock to be seen!

From what I have read, Jesus wore what any humble rabbi of his day would have worn. His cousin J the B perhaps went a bit too street and folksy, but certainly neither of them ever appear to have dressed up in the finery to which their rabbinical priesthood entitled them.

That was why John Wesley wore the Geneva cloak. It was so as to draw attention to Jesus, and not to distract worshippers by looking at his vestments and appendages. He didn't need to put an ichthus (fish) on his horse or a cross dangling round his neck to persuade people he walked closely with his Lord.

I don't think it is a big issue. People today can shop round and choose a church that they can settle into. A lot depends on where (if anywhere) your parents went, what type of Sunday school you attended, what church clubs or youth club you attended, where your fiends (Edit - friends :-D) attend. When I am on holiday in Spain or India, I often out of necessity attend an RC Church. I worry about the priests and their knowledge of Jesus, but I look into the faces of the ordinary people worshipping round me and often clearly see Jesus.

So prefer low church, but quite happy with high church. Vive la difference. :-)

It's certainly a matter of personal choice. I grew up with parents who wore Salvation Army uniforms - moved on to getting used to clergy wearing a plain preaching gown and ended up admiring Anglican vestments, which I find very meaningful.

By the way, I have an ichthus on the back window of my car and am rarely without the gold cross around my neck .... :-D

Sending late night hugs to you all right now.

However plain I like things to be, Cynthia, I must admit I absolutely love the Salvation Army and their uniforms. When I was young in 1950's and staying with my great uncle who had a small hotel in Lancaster, these lovely ladies used to come round selling their newspapers in the crowded public bar - with its stench of beer and thick tobacco smoke. It must have been like descending into hades for them. I thought them so lovely - and brave.

And the best thing in shopping centres at Christmas for me is them and a good church choir singing all the favourites whilst we all try to spend more money than everyone else.

Yes, I think a good communal hug as we end the day is an excellent idea, kandj :-D :-D <3 <3

I have great respect for the Salvation Army and their deeds! I agree with everything you have said John.

I once got hold of a small book about Methodism in Halifax. Quite a lot of names, so did many look-up-s for people and hopefully unblocked a couple of dead ends.

One of the strands of Methodism was Primitive ( much poorer and more working class that the main strand, the Wesleyans). But exactly the same in terms of teaching. And who was the Prim Minister in Halifax - a young chap called Booth with a very young family (including son Bramwell). Fascinating to find out how these early branches of Methodism flourished and inter-acted in a place like Halifax. And I think we know that General William Booth (1829-1912) was a very active Christian soldier all his long life.

It says on Wiki he was a Methodist New Connexion Minister in Halifax. It may be my memory or it may be a mistake by the writer of this booklet, but I felt sure the book kept referringt to him as a Primitive Meth Minister. He was converted aged 17 in a Wesleyan chapel in Nottinghamshire.

Thanks very much for your post, Susan wiv :-) :-)

Onward then, ye people
Join our happy throng;
Blend with ours your voices
In the triumph-song:
Glory, laud and honour
Unto Christ the King!
This through countless ages
Men and angels sing.........

:-D :-D :-D

Good morning all..........a hug was a lovely way to end the day.


The Salvation Army played a huge part in my young life. My parents used to go what was called 'pub booming' - going into pubs and selling the War Cry and my mum used to tell me of how she would sell it on the streets, with me in my pram beside her!

Apparently, when I was born - in a SA home in Manchester - as soon I was was delivered, I was lifted up and a prayer was said that 'she may be of use in His service'. I only found that out shortly before my mum died and I hope that I have fulfilled at least some of that prayer.

I still have some mementoes of my parents' time as officers : the small SA emblem flags which were given to newly trained officers : the certificates to show that they had passed their training exams but, most interestingly of all, I have my father's diaries from 1934 when he was a very new young officer in Kent.

He was a meticulous diary keeper and tells about where he was billeted, what his diet was, whom he visited and how every service went. Even the weather for the day comes into it . I've learned of how he and my mother - who was serving a different corps - would cycle to meet up with each other.

During the war, they ran the SA's mobile Red Shield canteens and were sent to various places to care for the troops and were involved in looking after those who returned from Dunkirk.

One of my mum's dearest wishes, was to see me wearing a Salvation Army bonnet but it was not to be. Whilst she wore her uniform with immense pride - the uniforms are meant to identify someone who can be called upon to discover more about the Christian faith - my father made the decision to leave the SA and serve as a Minister in the then Congregational church. He remained so until his death and my mother who, by then, was wheelchair bound, came to live in an Anglican household and worshipped with us each Sunday. :-)


Anyway, I must stop wittering. I thought a smile would be good today :-)


The Old 3:16

We're on a one-track Christian train,
It's numbered 3:16;
Jesus is the Engineer,
And He runs one "mean machine."

He takes it up and down the hills,
And around the sharpest curves;
He regulates the speed just right,
It never even swerves.

He takes this train through valleys deep,
As prudently He steers;
We're blessed He's at the throttle, folks,
And is Chief Engineer.

When this train climbs mountain peaks,
That nearly touch the sky ...
He blows its whistle loud and clear,
No need to question why.

This Christian train spans prairies, too.
And when smoothly gliding ‘cross,
We settle back ... enjoy the view,
Knowing Jesus is the Boss.

Sometimes stormy clouds appear
And fog is all about us;
But Jesus keeps us right on track,
No reason to reroute us.

The 3:16's a Local, folks,
It stops in every town;
Anyone can hop on board,
This train is heaven bound.

Passengers can leave the train,
Whenever they so choose;
But why get off the 3:16,
There's just too much to lose.

So keep your ticket in your hand,
Wave to the Engineer;
He'll get you to the Promised Land,
His destination's clear!

~ Virginia Ellis ~

Cx :-)

'There is a crass assumption that believers are essentially dim-witted, despite the fact that intelligence shows itself among believers and non-believers in equal measure'.

(Letters - Irish Independent. 19.11.13).

Quote by Morrie Schwartz

The little things, I can obey.
But the big things - how we think,
what we value - those you must choose yourself.
You can't let anyone - or any society - determine
those for you.

Have a good day all. Emma :-)

Good morning and thank you Emma and Dermot......... :-)


I found this and thought it interesting.....not exactly a prayer, but certainly food for thought :

Isn't it Funny

Funny how a £20.00 note looks so big when
you take it to church, but so small when you
take it to the store.

Funny how big an hour serving God looks and
how small 60 minutes are when spent
watching television, playing sports, sleeping
or taking a lunch break.

Funny how long a couple of hours spent at
church are but how short they are when
watching a good movie.

Funny how we get thrilled when a football
game goes into overtime, but we complain
when a sermon is longer than the regular
time.

Funny how laborious it is to read a chapter in
the Bible and how easy it is to read 200-300
pages of a best selling novel.

Funny how we believe what newspapers say,
but question what the Bible says.

Funny how people scramble to get a front
seat at a concert, but scramble to get a
back seat at the church service.

Funny how we look forward to that big date
on Friday night, but complain about getting
up for church on Sunday morning.

Funny how we call God our Father and Jesus
our brother, but find it hard to introduce
them to our family.

Funny how small our sins seem, but how big
their sins are.

Funny how we demand justice for others, but
expect mercy from God.

Funny how much difficulty some have learning
the gospel well enough to tell others, but
how simple it is to understand and explain the
latest gossip about someone else.

Funny how we can’t think of anything to say
when we pray, but don’t have any difficulty
thinking of things to talk about to a friend.

Funny how we are so quick to take directions
from a total stranger when we are lost, but
are hesitant to take God’s direction for our
lives.

Funny how people want God to answer their
prayers, but refuse to listen to His counsel.

Funny how people think they are going to
Heaven but don’t think there is a Hell.

Funny how it is okay to blame God for evil
and suffering in the world, but it is not
necessary to thank Him for what is good and
pleasant.

Funny how when something goes wrong, we
cry, “Lord, why me?” but when something
goes right, we think, “Hey, it must be me!”

Or wait…maybe all this isn’t so “funny” after all.

- L.M. Myers


It certainly made ME think. Have a good day....Cx :-)

Good morning, Cynthia, kandj, Emma, Dermot and many others who look in :-D :-D

Was out all day yesterday and get very tired with 6 hours of driving plus boring business-type meetings these days (old age doesn't come by itself - ni ddaw henaint are ei hun). Wanted to comment on 3.16 in your post yesterday morning, Cynthia. Presumably that famous verse from John 3:16. Very clever and very apt.

As far as intelligence is concerned, I like to think I can spot intelligence. Bertrand Russell was very intelligent, so was Jacob Bronowski, so is Shirley Williams, so was Karl Marx - and Sir Humphrey in "Yes, Minister" ;-). But to my mind the most intelligent ever was the apostle Paul. I know many don't think he wrote Hebrews. But I think he did. The style is vastly different - but I hold that a man of Paul's brilliance could address Jews and Gentiles in a very different way. And with totally different language and a totally different style.

If you read Ephesians (written mainly to Greeks or Gentiles), Romans and Hebrews and remember that Paul was an ace student under Gamaliel, you may see some force in what I am saying. Each time I read Paul, I am more and more impressed with the careful and logical way he builds up his propositions. A really great man - and only 3 cubits (4'6") :-) :-)

Another late pop-in but all very interesting and Cynthia your "wittering" was a joy to read. Thank you everyone.

If you think of price of a season ticket for a top football team, or a visit to pictures or theatre every week, our offerings can be pretty small.

And not sure if you all agree - but we usually (aloways in my case) get a lot more pleasure from our church services than any of those.

One of my memories of 25 years ago was helping our Minister with weddings on Shropshire/Flintshier border. The couple would come in and talk about the hymns they wanted and readings and try to haggle down his fee of £30. I would put a plate at the back of the packed church on the Saturday after the service and there would be £5 worth of copper in it at best. They would pay a fee for the choir and organist but it would still be less than £100 total receipts for church.

They would often all then light up outside, spend a fortune on photos and go on to the local Country Club where we lived. And the bill for the reception would well exceed £10,000.

And many these days just get the Registrar to come along to the Country Club which is now registered for weddings. Another bit of tradition being lost - all for sake of a few £20 notes.