30 Jan - 1 Feb 2004
Here are a few of my memories of this event. Margaret and I have been to many of these over the last 18 years and it never ceases to amaze us how each one is different, year to year, and how each year we learn something new and make new friends. This year was no exception.
Some things don't change. The food was good and the staff at Abbott Hall worked hard to make us welcome. We were able to swim in the indoor pool and we enjoyed the fellowship of over 90 friends from as far away as Korea and India, and of all ages from 2 to 95.
The days started and ended with family-prayers, and teaching sessions were provided both for the adults and children/young people. A social programme was provided through the weekend, with a quiz, a fun-night featuring "The Generation Game" and country dancing, and a free Saturday afternoon for shopping (in the rain!!!), walking (in the rain!!), or just sight-seeing (you guessed it - in the rain!!).
What did we learn? The teaching theme for the weekend was
Led by the Rev. Phil Mason.
Phil is a minister in the Bolton Mission, and a long-standing friend to our Circuit, having helped us during his time at College. He is a natural raconteur with a fund of humorous tales such as
...."The lady who fell into the chest with the ladies china", or
...."The time he fell through the bathroom ceiling".
(If you would like to know the rest of these stories, talk to anyone who heard them. They're sure to remember.)
- Phil led teaching sessions on:
- 1) To build for the future we need:
*To take risks
*To have enthusiasm
*To have a vision- 2) Building with raw materials means:
*Building on a firm foundation
*Involving all - being inclusive- 3) Investing wisely:
*We need to set our priorities
*We can't rule by power, we must attract by love
*We need to show witness and service, not empty words- 4) The right Foundation is:
*Christ centred
*Worship which is Earthed, Transcendent,
Inclusive, Story-based and Owned. - 2) Building with raw materials means:
These sessions were enlivened by activities such as, team-building a tall tower from paper, an auction of skills and attributes, and planning a Service of Worship to include all. This Family Communion Service provided a fitting climax to the weekend, with all taking some part in the songs, dance, prayers, children's work, music and the sharing of the elements.
We all had an enjoyable weekend of inspiration, fellowship, fun, food (and rain!!) and will try to go back to Abbott Hall for next year's Circuit weekend.