Your prayers would be valued, dear friends, as I prepare to depart for five weeks down in Hampshire and Dorset.
I shall be leading at retreat at Wisdom House in Romsey, then moving on to Green Pastures, near Poole. At Green Pastures I'll be leading Quiet Days and the regular rhythm of worship, and offering pastoral support to guests, many of whom arrive at that retreat house at a time of very real need in their life. It is challenging and demanding work, and prayer is essential to underpin it.
Both houses are experiencing financial challenges, and my work is largely voluntary, but who can put a price tag on helping those in need? Those of you who are kind enough to support me are very much enabling my ministry and since I stepped out in faith there has always 'been enough'. Thank you to you all.
Please pray for safe travelling, good health, inspiration and empathy ... and for the grace and empowering of the Holy Spirit.
And may God bless each one of you and hold you in HIs care.
.
Monday, 2 February 2009
Thursday, 22 January 2009
A New Venture and a Busy Schedule
Greetings to you all. I pray that 2009 will be a year of growth and healing, hope and expectation for us all, in spite of the difficult times that we live in.
Thank you for your ongoing prayers and support. Happily, I have made a good recovery from my injuries and am finally getting back to normal.
The first draft of a Christmas manuscript is now complete! So I'm currently exploring possibilities for publishers for two manuscripts, as well as someone who is willing to take on my existing three titles when Inspire ceases trading in August. Please pray for this.
And I'm starting out on a new venture. Many creative Christians generously make their work freely available over the web - and I've decided to join them. I would much prefer that my writing be used in helpful ways than that it sit tucked away in some hidden corner of a microchip inside my laptop. So, I have decided to regularly post some of my poetry here. There are only 3 poems so far, but I plan to post more on a regular basis. Please do pass this news on to anyone who might find these materials helpful.
Retreat leading is taking off ... I am inundated with requests and my diary for the coming year is nearly full. I am deeply humbled and very heartened by this. Please pray that I'll be enabled to create a good balance between retreat leading and quiet renewal time in the months ahead.
Please pray too for all the preparations that lie ahead of me before I depart for Dorset in just over two weeks time. And pray that I'll be able to maintain and improve my health this year.
Finally, I am hugely excited by all the possibilities that Christ is opening up in my life. This quote, from the song Light of my Life, is my prayer for the coming year:
May it be so ... for all of us ...
.
Thank you for your ongoing prayers and support. Happily, I have made a good recovery from my injuries and am finally getting back to normal.
The first draft of a Christmas manuscript is now complete! So I'm currently exploring possibilities for publishers for two manuscripts, as well as someone who is willing to take on my existing three titles when Inspire ceases trading in August. Please pray for this.
And I'm starting out on a new venture. Many creative Christians generously make their work freely available over the web - and I've decided to join them. I would much prefer that my writing be used in helpful ways than that it sit tucked away in some hidden corner of a microchip inside my laptop. So, I have decided to regularly post some of my poetry here. There are only 3 poems so far, but I plan to post more on a regular basis. Please do pass this news on to anyone who might find these materials helpful.
Retreat leading is taking off ... I am inundated with requests and my diary for the coming year is nearly full. I am deeply humbled and very heartened by this. Please pray that I'll be enabled to create a good balance between retreat leading and quiet renewal time in the months ahead.
Please pray too for all the preparations that lie ahead of me before I depart for Dorset in just over two weeks time. And pray that I'll be able to maintain and improve my health this year.
Finally, I am hugely excited by all the possibilities that Christ is opening up in my life. This quote, from the song Light of my Life, is my prayer for the coming year:
Light of my life
Love of my heart
Be Lord in everything.
Tre Luci
May it be so ... for all of us ...
.
Thursday, 11 December 2008
A Reflective Advent
Thank you to all of you for your prayers and good wishes, and for your practical help in recent weeks. My hand continues to heal, but frustratingly slowly. I hope to be able to get back to normal after Christmas.
So, I am still one-handed, unable to drive, and have had to cancel several events. But I do feel curiously blessed! Due to your faithful generosity, and to some surprising gifts, my ministry has so far escaped the credit-crunch. Thank you - you really do enable all that I do. And this unexpected gap in my schedule gives me a welcome space in which to write creatively. Maybe these unpleasant circumstances are somehow part of God's plan, much like Mary & Joseph's highly inconvenient journey to Bethlehem! Green Pastures have published an article that I wrote about my 'woundedness': you can read it here.
Words are flowing and I am enjoying a very reflective Advent; using this down-time to work on completing the manuscript for a Christmas book. The more I immerse myself in the mystery of Christ's birth, the more I want to get down on my knees in wonder!
I pray that you too will have a renewed sense of wonder this Christmas. May you know love and laughter, joy and hope, and the presence of the Christ-child in your hearts.
Merry Christmas!
So, I am still one-handed, unable to drive, and have had to cancel several events. But I do feel curiously blessed! Due to your faithful generosity, and to some surprising gifts, my ministry has so far escaped the credit-crunch. Thank you - you really do enable all that I do. And this unexpected gap in my schedule gives me a welcome space in which to write creatively. Maybe these unpleasant circumstances are somehow part of God's plan, much like Mary & Joseph's highly inconvenient journey to Bethlehem! Green Pastures have published an article that I wrote about my 'woundedness': you can read it here.
Words are flowing and I am enjoying a very reflective Advent; using this down-time to work on completing the manuscript for a Christmas book. The more I immerse myself in the mystery of Christ's birth, the more I want to get down on my knees in wonder!
I pray that you too will have a renewed sense of wonder this Christmas. May you know love and laughter, joy and hope, and the presence of the Christ-child in your hearts.
Merry Christmas!
Saturday, 11 October 2008
Wounded healer
An unfortunate accident has sent my plans for the autumn topsy-turvy!
Two weeks at Green Pastures became extended into five, after I tumbled down the stairs and damaged both hands, fracturing one thumb joint. Unable to drive home, I accepted Green Pasture's invitation to stay longer, and an incident that none of us would have wished for turned out to be a profound blessing. I was able to continue to offer pastoral listening and prayer ministry to the guests, as well as leading chapel services, and it was an enormous privilege to do so. [Leading a Healing Service with both hands strapped up was something of a 'first' ... ]
Though an entirely different dynamic to retreat leading, this was work that I felt very at home with and very blessed by. Give thanks for the Green Pastures team, who blessed me with fellowship and TLC, and pray for them as they discern new ways forward for the ministry of the house.
An unfortunate consequence of my mishap has been the need to cancel several events. I am sorry to have let so many of you down. The fracture was a serious one and I need to rehabilitate myself fully before getting behind a driving wheel or lifting retreat boxes again. But our Lord heals! After being surrounded by healing prayer, the verdict of the medical teams is that the injury is healing better than they could ever have expected and an operation which was thought to be inevitable is now not needed. Give thanks and please pray for continued healing.
I am now back at home base, getting quite adept at coping one-handedly, and going gently. I hope to use this enforced 'down time' to be reflective and prepare new materials for Christmas. Please pray for rest, space and inspiration.
On the publishing front, there is disappointing news - Kevin Mayhew did not feel able to accept my manuscript for publication. Please pray that God will open the door to a new publishing house.
Thank you so much for your prayers - please keep them coming!
Two weeks at Green Pastures became extended into five, after I tumbled down the stairs and damaged both hands, fracturing one thumb joint. Unable to drive home, I accepted Green Pasture's invitation to stay longer, and an incident that none of us would have wished for turned out to be a profound blessing. I was able to continue to offer pastoral listening and prayer ministry to the guests, as well as leading chapel services, and it was an enormous privilege to do so. [Leading a Healing Service with both hands strapped up was something of a 'first' ... ]
Though an entirely different dynamic to retreat leading, this was work that I felt very at home with and very blessed by. Give thanks for the Green Pastures team, who blessed me with fellowship and TLC, and pray for them as they discern new ways forward for the ministry of the house.
An unfortunate consequence of my mishap has been the need to cancel several events. I am sorry to have let so many of you down. The fracture was a serious one and I need to rehabilitate myself fully before getting behind a driving wheel or lifting retreat boxes again. But our Lord heals! After being surrounded by healing prayer, the verdict of the medical teams is that the injury is healing better than they could ever have expected and an operation which was thought to be inevitable is now not needed. Give thanks and please pray for continued healing.
I am now back at home base, getting quite adept at coping one-handedly, and going gently. I hope to use this enforced 'down time' to be reflective and prepare new materials for Christmas. Please pray for rest, space and inspiration.
On the publishing front, there is disappointing news - Kevin Mayhew did not feel able to accept my manuscript for publication. Please pray that God will open the door to a new publishing house.
Thank you so much for your prayers - please keep them coming!
Wednesday, 17 September 2008
To Pastures Green
The suitcase is packed again! I'm about to depart to Green Pastures, a retreat house near Poole, where I'll be spending two weeks as part of the house team. Please pray for me as I take on responsibilities of worship and pastoral care there. Green Pastures is a precious space that has a very special pastoral ministry to people going through life difficulties of every kind, and it is a real privilege to be invited to share in this work.
Whilst there, I also very much need to find my own quiet space 'in the gaps' in order to reflect and prepare for my October events. Please pray that this will be possible. Additionally, I'll be taking the opportunity to meet people from Boscombe and Romsey to plan future events in that area.
On the publishing front, I now learn that Inspire will cease trading in August 2009, not this year, as I had thought. This is welcome news and gives me a breathing space to consider the options and implications. Please continue to pray that Kevin Mayhew will accept my new manuscript.
Financial support for my ministry continues to trickle in, often from unexpected quarters. Give thanks for this. Curiously, I keep finding pound coins (about 20 so far) in unexpected places too ... God seems to be saying something about His provision ...
I have just enjoyed some precious retreat time at Whitehill Chase, the home of Acorn Christian Healing Foundation. I am refreshed, renewed, inspired ... and looking forward to all that lies ahead. Thanks to Marie Calvert and Joy Taylor who led the weekend beautifully, and to my dear friend, Carien, who journeyed alongside me!
Thank you for your prayers. I pray you will all enjoy the beauty of autumn and through it know God's wonderful shalom.
Whilst there, I also very much need to find my own quiet space 'in the gaps' in order to reflect and prepare for my October events. Please pray that this will be possible. Additionally, I'll be taking the opportunity to meet people from Boscombe and Romsey to plan future events in that area.
On the publishing front, I now learn that Inspire will cease trading in August 2009, not this year, as I had thought. This is welcome news and gives me a breathing space to consider the options and implications. Please continue to pray that Kevin Mayhew will accept my new manuscript.
Financial support for my ministry continues to trickle in, often from unexpected quarters. Give thanks for this. Curiously, I keep finding pound coins (about 20 so far) in unexpected places too ... God seems to be saying something about His provision ...
I have just enjoyed some precious retreat time at Whitehill Chase, the home of Acorn Christian Healing Foundation. I am refreshed, renewed, inspired ... and looking forward to all that lies ahead. Thanks to Marie Calvert and Joy Taylor who led the weekend beautifully, and to my dear friend, Carien, who journeyed alongside me!
Thank you for your prayers. I pray you will all enjoy the beauty of autumn and through it know God's wonderful shalom.
Friday, 29 August 2008
New publisher needed
I have today learnt that Inspire, who publish all three of my books, are to cease trading in a few days time. This means that mph will no longer be marketing, re-printing or selling my books. Books will still be available from me, from the link on the right, whilst current stocks last.
I am very grateful to Inspire for taking a risk on me five years ago, as a new author. However, this is very disappointing news and makes it even more important that I establish myself with a new publisher. Please pray that Kevin Mayhew publishers will accept my new manuscript and that other publishing doors will open too.
After a fruitful meeting last week, I shall shortly be offering retreats for the ministers of the Order of Jacob's Well. This is a huge privilege: it is so important that ministers who are continually giving of themselves have opportunities to 'receive'. I also have bookings from URC lay preachers, Wisdom House (a new retreat space in Hampshire) and interest from various church groups. Give thanks!
I am not at all prepared for the autumn, renovation work at my home having been seriously disruptive this summer. So please pray for me, especially during the next weeks, as I strive to fit a 'gallon' of preparation into a 'thimbleful' of time! Please pray for peace, inspiration, and opportunities to take space during the still ongoing disruptions.
Finally, I hear from Wales that, thanks to Rob Endicott's musical talents, one of my songs may soon be recorded onto a demo CD. Watch this space ... this could get exciting ...
I am very grateful to Inspire for taking a risk on me five years ago, as a new author. However, this is very disappointing news and makes it even more important that I establish myself with a new publisher. Please pray that Kevin Mayhew publishers will accept my new manuscript and that other publishing doors will open too.
After a fruitful meeting last week, I shall shortly be offering retreats for the ministers of the Order of Jacob's Well. This is a huge privilege: it is so important that ministers who are continually giving of themselves have opportunities to 'receive'. I also have bookings from URC lay preachers, Wisdom House (a new retreat space in Hampshire) and interest from various church groups. Give thanks!
I am not at all prepared for the autumn, renovation work at my home having been seriously disruptive this summer. So please pray for me, especially during the next weeks, as I strive to fit a 'gallon' of preparation into a 'thimbleful' of time! Please pray for peace, inspiration, and opportunities to take space during the still ongoing disruptions.
Finally, I hear from Wales that, thanks to Rob Endicott's musical talents, one of my songs may soon be recorded onto a demo CD. Watch this space ... this could get exciting ...
Tuesday, 29 July 2008
A Deeper Love
At last! I have today submitted a new manuscript to Kevin Mayhew publishers. The working title is A Deeper Love and it's a collection of poems and prayers born out of, and suitable for facilitating, meditative prayer. The poems have all been well tried and tested in retreats over the last 18 months, and have been much loved. However, I am new to Kevin Mayhew, so please pray that the book will be accepted to their publishing list.
I continue to explore funding help for my ministry and have recently approached two organisations for sponsorship. I'm happy to say that I've received an optimistic response from the Society of Retreat Conductors, who are seriously considering my request and have promised to respond further within six months. I have yet to receive a reply from the Association for Promoting Retreats. Please hold these situations in your prayers.
Give thanks for the steady response to my Support Group letter: the money pledged to date is close to matching the annual shortfall in my ministry costs so far. Thank you to each one of you - every small financial contribution is greatly valued and will enable me to continue - and your prayer support is priceless!
I shall be spending the rest of the summer preparing for a series of autumn events, before heading down to Green Pastures in mid-September to cover for two weeks during the absence of their pastoral director. Please pray that I can find the necessary meditative 'space' for this preparation in the midst of maintenance work on my property happening around me.
Bless you - may you all have a richly relaxing and renewing summer.
I continue to explore funding help for my ministry and have recently approached two organisations for sponsorship. I'm happy to say that I've received an optimistic response from the Society of Retreat Conductors, who are seriously considering my request and have promised to respond further within six months. I have yet to receive a reply from the Association for Promoting Retreats. Please hold these situations in your prayers.
Give thanks for the steady response to my Support Group letter: the money pledged to date is close to matching the annual shortfall in my ministry costs so far. Thank you to each one of you - every small financial contribution is greatly valued and will enable me to continue - and your prayer support is priceless!
I shall be spending the rest of the summer preparing for a series of autumn events, before heading down to Green Pastures in mid-September to cover for two weeks during the absence of their pastoral director. Please pray that I can find the necessary meditative 'space' for this preparation in the midst of maintenance work on my property happening around me.
Bless you - may you all have a richly relaxing and renewing summer.