Ish’s news update. Looking back on the merry merry month of May.

No exciting photos or news about what happened at concerts throughout May (or at the time of writing June) as I’m afraid I had no invites, but that does not mean that I have not had some exciting times during May.
My hospital chaplaincy ministry is providing some great excitement.

Hospital Volunteer Chaplaincy.
As I may have mentioned to you, when I am not being used at the Cathedral on a Sunday morning, I administer Sunday morning bedside communions in the hospital, and these are so appreciated. Just a few of many stories.

I went to take communion to someone who’s name I did not recognise and the minute I entered the side room the patient burst into tears and then a smile saying Ish, you’re an answer to my prayer. I can’t remember the last time some said that to me. So encouraging. Words shared. Prayers prayed. Communion followed.

On another occasion I went to take communion to another patient and was told that they were outside (round the back of the cycle sheds but not literally) having a smoke because smoking is not permitted on the hospital premises. I found the patient in a wheelchair sitting with a few other ‘puffers’ and decided to do my service with a very loud voice and include and pray for all those in earshot. Great opportunity and one even thanked me. Needless to say no incense was needed!

Then last week I went to visit someone in a ward with communion but sadly the patient was not well enough to take it but as I was about to leave, I passed a side room that had the door open and the occupant shouted Ish. I must admit it made me jump.
Although I didn’t recognise the patient, they seemed to recognise me and after some good conversation, she was pleased to have the communion that I had been unable to give to the other patient.

The stories go on but some of my best times are with none church, none believing patients…who haven’t asked to see me, but I like to pop in and see them anyway.

Someone even asked if I would bring my guitar in and sing to them but that would be very unkind as most of them are enough pain already!

Scripture Songs.
I’m still popping out and posting up a couple each week which hundreds of you are still watching and listening to. Thank you.

Cathedral
Although I attend the 8am weekday communions most mornings I’m still active in the Cathedral one Sunday a month.
Yesterday morning I was in the Cathedral for around 3 hours. I sang ‘I will bend down and touch my knees’ in the Lady Chapel at the family service, which was enthusiastically received, then was deacon and helped distribute the communion at the 11.15 Sung Eucharist. Although extremely different, I really enjoyed being at both services.

Healthwise
Energies good. Lots of gardening (great weather for it). Still enjoying 2 x 18 holes of trying to hit a little white ball each week, and believe it or not I even managed to play 30 minutes of tennis with my 13 year old grandson. I was very pleased with my serves, but I have to admit that I did not have the energy to run and hit back any of his returns. I think I will leave tennis to people like Sir Cliff.

And, as you can see by the photo, the cataract op has been done successfully and I have some new tinted specs to go with my new eye.
As you can also see, I plucked up courage and visited the hairdresser who got his mower out and did rather a smart job, I think.

Finally and most important, thank you so much for your continued prayer and words of encouragement, these are so important to me and really do help me to keep going.
Love and blessings to all my friends.