12.46pm

I’m very late in checking in today- apologies!

I got up quite late because I was up late updating a collective worship planner for Trinity St Peter’s School. I just got on a roll and before I knew it, it was 10.40- whoops!

So, today we’ve done the two mid-week communion services, St Michael’s at 9.45 and Holy Trinity at 10.30. At St Michael’s there were about twice as many people there as usual, and at Holy Trinity, we inducted 5 new people into the Mothers Union. I preached my Good Friday sermon at both and it seemed to go down well, so I’ll keep it as it is. Having read the passage for Good Friday twice this morning, I feel quite heavy. I am aware of the depth and sadness of the story. The cross can be a hard thing to engage with. It’s a dark concept. So I’m feeling the weight of that today, even though it isn’t Friday yet.

I’ve also been for a coffee in Costa with my incumbent. Holy Week caffeine is a must! I’ve got a friend who is doing Lent drinking only water. I am full of admiration for him, especially this week!

The sun is shining and it’s a beautiful day. I’m aiming to keep on top of housework this week so that when our family comes on Sunday the house doesn’t look like a bomb has hit it. I might open some windows and do a spot of cleaning this afternoon.

4.30pm

On the menu is chicken, butternut squash and kale Thai curry.

I’m loving this slow cooker thing! I might try this more often, it really takes the pressure off in the evening!

6.42pm

Nathan has put me to bed because I was feeling sick and headachey. He is a love. Although It’s not an ideal situation. However, I’m wondering if it’s because I haven’t put much fuel in my body today. I’m hoping to be able to stomach the curry because it smells lush, if I do say so myself!

Today as well as my body being a pain, I’m really aware of the support of my lovely cell group. The four of us met at vicar school and we’re now spread out across the country. We meet 4 times a year and in between times we pray for and support each other through WhatsApp. We send voice messages in which we discuss all sorts: ministry highs & lows, theology, ideas for liturgy, general life updates and what we’re having for tea! It’s also the perfect place to rant if needs be. Because there’s so much going on, we seem to be messaging a lot this week. Formby can definitely feel like a bubble so it’s really good to hear about what’s going on in Northampton, Oxford & Manchester too!

9.51pm

The curry was as good as I hoped it would be. We’ve had 2 bowls each!

There are many days in ministry when I think: that’s not quite what I had planned. But that’s ok! It doesn’t feel like I’ve been very productive, but I’m not sure what more I could have done, all things considered.

Tomorrow it’s Maundy Thursday. In the dialogue of Holy Week, the pressure builds.

Tomorrow afternoon there will be the funeral of the much loved organist of many years, Les. He was a huge part of St Michael’s and it will be very sad to say goodbye.

Then, in the evening, we will take down all the decorations at church at a service in each church. All the banners, altar frontals, crosses and general clutter will be taken away and the table stripped right back.

For now though, it’s time to rest.

Night night.