Memories
Hi, on this page I will be sharing, reviewing, and recommending resources for children’s, family, and all-age, church-based work. I love to explore and discover new ideas, and creative ways of supporting this fantastic ministry. It’s such a privilege to serve the church and to help make worship meaningful and fun for children and families. I hope you’ll find my ideas and recommendations helpful.
RETIREMENT ???
I retired from my employed work as Children’s and Family Adviser at Church House at the end of July with many happy memories of my 16 years there. Although, I have yet to retire completely as I am still enjoying my voluntary work as a School Chaplain and Cathedral Deacon. But as Christians do we ever retire? I know Ish certainly hasn’t, he simply loves his ministry as do I.
But my retirement has given me time to think, pray, write and the luxury of beginning to clear out my files and shelves with things I know I will no longer need but will probably still hang onto – just in case! Downsizing is a time to be ruthless but it’s very hard when our possessions have so many happy memories.
GLORIE DAYS
Ish has also been clearing out shelves and boxes and we came across lots of photos of our Glorie Company Days when we led teams at various Christian events like Spring Harvest, Kingdom Faith, Grapevine, etc. for over 30 years. So please forgive us if we indulge in a bit of nostalgia over the next few weeks. We are setting up a Glorie Days page on this website. I wonder how many of you remember those events? Did you join with us in the fun, games, songs, and most of all the spiritual teaching? Psalm 78 encourages us to pass on the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord to the next generation and this is what we have tried to do over the last 50 years of ministry including with our own family.
HOW IT ALL BEGAN
Some of you may remember songs about the Glories? They are happy little characters that just love praising God. In 1981 we took our 3 children along with other members of our family to a recording studio in Eastbourne. Ish had written a special musical production about the Glories and although a bit daunting at the ages of 3, 6 and 8, I think our children enjoyed singing and their exciting adventure in a recording studio!
We must have been mad! I don’t know how we managed it but in the school holidays we took the whole family on tour to churches around the UK to perform the songs. While the children apparently seemed to enjoy the adventure, I must admit I found it both exciting and unnerving at the same time. It was quite a responsibility working out accommodation and catering, 2 vehicles full of children, costumes, props, PA and lighting equipment as well as 5 adults on a UK tour. But our children still remember it and we still have very happy memories and made lots of friends along the way. Memories are very special and they help us to appreciate that God has been with us and has been watching over us from the very beginning of our lives.
LET US PRAY
Scripture teaches us to give thanks for all that God has done in our lives. Please take a few moments to meditate on Psalm 78.
My people, hear my teaching;
listen to the words of my mouth.
2 I will open my mouth with a parable;
I will utter hidden things, things from of old—
3 things we have heard and known,
things our ancestors have told us.
4 We will not hide them from their descendants;
we will tell the next generation
the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord,
his power, and the wonders he has done.
5 He decreed statutes for Jacob
and established the law in Israel,
which he commanded our ancestors
to teach their children,
6 so the next generation would know them,
even the children yet to be born,
and they in turn would tell their children.
7 Then they would put their trust in God
and would not forget his deeds
but would keep his commands.
The Bible is full of stories about how God has led His people. These stories help us to learn from the past and help to build up our faith. Reflect back on how God has led you through your own particular journey of faith. Note down some milestones that stand out as being significant in your life and thank God for your journey of faith and for those who have journeyed with you.
RESOURCES
Scripture Union for children – The Diary of a Disciple – quirky and accessible style offers a way into the Bible for the next generation.
Soul Survivor – How My Faith Survived the Church book by Philip Yancey – From John Donne to Martin Luther King, Dostoevsky to Mahatma Gandhi, G K Chesterton to Henri Nouwen, Yancey pays homage to some of the most remarkable, selfless, Christ-like lives our world has known, and asks what both he and we can do to find such beautiful faith in our own lives.
A Year According to Ish – Ish’s autobiography with a thought, Bible reading and prayer for each day. Our prayer is that God will use these little anecdotes to encourage and maybe even challenge those who read them.