I’ve just been invited to speak at the Vineyard Kids Leaders Retreat in Northampton in December. I count this as a real honour as I have not specifically worked with children for quite a few years now. But…with all the experience and amazing memories of past years, I am sure that God will bring plenty of things to mind for me to pass on that will be both exciting and relevant to those present and involved in ministering to children today!

For the first time in memory I decided to do all (live) acoustic songs at the South Bersted Parish Church all age service this morning. That meant not using any CD backing tracks or DVDs. I just had to rely on my own limited guitar playing skills and also my fading memory, yep, getting those 3 chords in the right order! My set list contained the following songs. This is the Lord’s day / Lord give me a heart that’s true / The presence of the Lord is in this place / Praise God in this great congregation / Who is King over all the earth / I once was…

Up at the crack of dawn today as I am going to St Mary Magdalene Church in South Bersted near Bognor. Ok, so it’s not far to go but I need to be there at 8.15 to set up my music gear. I will be preaching at the 9am traditional Eucharist service and doing everything at the all age service at 10.30. Always an enjoyable time being with my friend Vicar Tim and his congregation.

2015 was an exciting year. During it I was able to do more bookings (especially distance ones) than I have been able to do since 2008 when I was first diagnosed with Leukaemia… and can honestly say I have enjoyed every one! Also during 2015 I began touring with the ‘Sting in the Tale’ concert evenings and getting back into playing an acoustic story set in a very relaxed atmosphere. That has been amazing. Already I can see in my diary even more ‘Sting’ and other gigs lined up in different parts of the UK during 2016 and that get’s me really excited. Still plenty of dates free to visit…

May I wish all of you wonderful website friends a very happy Christmas. Enjoy the day and let’s never stop praising God for the birth of the the Lord Jesus our Saviour.