The Party Is Over ...

Don't panic! The title sounds dramatic but it's actually not. What I mean to say is that I now feel that the 'party' is over, the hard work has begun. Not that things weren't hard before, but this time it's different. I know where I am, mostly who the people are and now it's very much focusing on the task in hand.

Another kind of cryptic part of the title is that I finished the last post the day before the Light Party at UPC so yes the party is over! And what a party it was! Matt (the curate at UPC) had been working flat out for weeks sorting out the prep for the light party, and towards the end of half term my work was running low so I helped out too. The party was actually on Halloween and we worked more or less non stop throughout the day to make sure everything was set up and ready to go. I was playing a baddy in a sketch so there were numerous run throughs of that before actually performing it that evening. We had 29 kids from all different backgrounds turn up, churched and unchurched and the feedback we had was great. The drama went well, and I still get kids coming up to me asking me if I am really a baddy ... Matt stunned the crowd by turning up as Super Duck ... basically turning up in a massive Duck onesy. He led the party fantastically and it was great to see him in action with the kids. It was also nice of Arve and Kristin to come up and help out/support what I was doing there. If you have seen the pictures you will know that Arve dressed up as me, as I am his super hero ... cheers mate!

I then went home for a couple of days as I was seeing Steve Hackett at G - Live in Guildford (absolutely stunning). It was nice to catch up with some friends and also see my old youth group and chat to them about what I am doing. Then I came back and had a full on few days getting back into the swing of things. I went up to Coniston and helped out with the Njoy youth group up there, its fantastic to see youth work going on in these places, places that I had only visited before on holiday - always with the niggling thought in the back of my mind, "I wonder if this place has a youth group".  The answer is they do! And it is fantastic to be a part of it.

Remembrance day was also very good and much different to back home. Because Ulverston is kind of like a hub (its the biggest thing around apart from Barrow) everybody comes together on big occasions like that. Alan (vicar at UPC) led the service in the afternoon and Matt preached, it was a very reflective service and deeply thoughtful. It felt quite strange going back to seeing clergy robed again. Then in the evening it was my turn to lead Cafe Church again, which is something I really enjoy and get a lot out of, but also it is nice to stand at the front and look out to the people you are ministering too and see them on their faith journeys.

It has generally been a really encouraging past week or so, speaking to people and talking about their faith, watching others progress, building relationships and just generally being more familiar with things is so nice!

Anyway I think that is all for now! Thank you all for your continued support and encouragement and I hope you are all well back home - looking forward to catching up at Christmas.
Thinking and praying for St. Mary's Fetcham as they interview potential new vicars in the next few weeks! Exciting stuff hey! Looking forward to seeing the next era of St. Mary's!
Cheers,

Charlie

Arve with his Superhero

Me being BadMan - Not Bat Man

Matt being Super Duck