Author: stuart

  • To serve, or not to serve

    Naah, none of that religious pish today…. Been down Cardiff Bay for lunch darlings. It is a bit like that, but the worst bit was the pub. You know bar – order drinks – sit drink / eat, leave. Well no… ‘We’re not doing bar service today, would you like to take a seat?’ Normally…

  • A week in the wilds

    There is nothing like a week in the wilds of Scotland with a crazy bunch of people who you only meet once in a while to soothe the soul! Having just returned from community week on Iona, I am still in that place between, not yet fully in touch with the ground, but not still…

  • Post farm blues

    Two weeks and some… after finishing at the farm and I still have not written anything of substance on the experience. I guess it is now time. All that comes to me though is what I said on the last day at the morning meeting. Amelia Farm is a healing place, a place of wholeness…

  • Following from the Farm

    Although I have still a week to go on the farm, thoughts are entering my head about the future and what I can do. Or more accurately what I feel I am being sucked into! After many discussions with staff and kids on the farm, it seems that there is a underlying current of understanding…

  • Amelia Farm… Surprised!

    Well the small lad sure surprised me when he asked me what I did I told him, he then asked if I would be starting a place like this (the farm) and if I did could he work on it! Is this subversive spiritual activity? Is this kid off his trolley? Well kind of yes…

  • Amelia Farm and David Cameron

    Need more love, please! These kids love themselves enough without us giving them more! Hoodies are great, and yes I do have a little sympathy with the leader of the conservative (phatth) party especially since the reason most of these kids are like this is not necessarily their own fault, but hoodies are great, instant…

  • Half way at Amelia Farm

    Half way there. Not that I am looking forward to leaving yet!! Had a great conversation with two methodist volunteers yesterday, quite humbling actually, I think the comment was, ‘well, while there are people like you getting accepted for the ministry there is hope for the church yet.’ And… while buggy building the young chap…

  • Amelia Farm Day? Sorry lost count!

    Yesterday one of the workers asked me if I would be willing to conduct a service for a renewal of his marriage vows… Any minister can do this, so why me? Because you believe in something understandable and, well, believable! Casting my mind back I do recall a hasty conversation about God not being ‘in…

  • Ordinations

    Today (Sat) was the second round of ordinations, this time in St. Asaph. The marked difference from Llandaff was the lack of pretence in St. Asaph. The marks of the institutional church were still there, the pomp and regalia was all too obvious, but it was somewhat down to earth. Announcements before hymns and before…

  • Amelia Farm Day 5

    One week down, three to go! Curry, burgers and sauce with a field of rice – was what they cooked today in their ‘life skills class’ yummy. After a week on the farm I am getting a sense of alienation from the different groups working there. It is by no means one group working together.…