I’m afraid this week I have been working almost full-time, and certainly full-on, on the final edit of the Dementia Friendly Churches resource pack. I feel I have neglected Anne on her travels throughout Germany, though she assures me she doesn’t feel neglected! However, by last evening, just about everything has been co-ordinated and passed to Lesley France, my partner in MHA, whose design agency will complete the layout and arrange printing in time to launch the pack at our Fringe Event at Conference. Phew!
Today I travelled to Wesley Hall, Sheffield for the Connexional Creativity Day built around the “Creation – a celebration” panels in painting and embroidery by Sue Symons. I had eagerly anticipated this for a long time, but I think everyone there, including me, was stunned by the intricate detail and delight in every one of the 42 panels. You really should see them if you haven’t done so already. They are on exhibition there till 27 June, and the church will be open Wednesday to Saturday from 10am to 4pm until that date.
Glenys Vere had prepared excellent questions to prompt reflection on several of the images and their implications for living our Christian lives today, and the morning was devoted to that. After lunch a range of workshops and a prayer walk I led in the local community of Crookes prompted our own creativity. Pictured here is Lydia Harrison, a member of the Task Group who planned the day, in the All We Can workshop, focussing on things people would not like to lose to climate change (walking in nature, says Lydia) and therefore what action needs to be taken to address that threat.
My prayer walking groups did not all write prayers themselves as I had expected, but at each “stop” after my introduction and prayers, people willingly shared thoughts and ideas prompted by what I had said. I found it a very special and truly creative day. I’ve used the word prompted 3 times here, and it seems to me we really were prompted by the Holy Spirit to think and be and act more creatively.
Anne sent greetings to Sheffield from Stuttgart, where yesterday she had been with the Bishop of Sheffield!! Linda
