Categories: uncategorized
Date: 21 March 2006 10:16:46
Due to a slight time delay*, I'm only just getting round to writing about last weekends SCM conference which I attended, along with a few other wibbers, many of whom are quicker off the mark! However, better late than never I guess...
After a nightmarish journey in which I was 40 mins delayed on leaving Swansea (meaning I missed all connections and was almost stranded in Stockport with no way of ever reaching Castleton!) I eventually made it to the conference about 12.30 am, just as the days programme was finishing! Thankfully, the SCM lot aren't exactly into early nights, so I joined in with the late night hot chocolate drinking and felt immediately at home.
The theme of the conference was Life in all its fullness, based on John 10: 10, and this was explored in a number of ways through workshops on subjects as diverse as meditation, conflict resolution and the student stop AIDS campaign. Jen and I had been exploring the theme in a different way in our planning of the Saturday night prayer which we led, with help from our ‘merry' band of musicians... ;) We concentrated on the idea of the bread of life, in both physical, as food/nourishment etc, and spiritual (Jesus as the living bread) ways, and the need we have for both if we are to live a full life as Christians. This included a meditation which I wrote, which I may share with you another time. Sunday morning communion was attended by a select few (who managed to be up by 8!) but was relaxed and reflective, and as we shared bread and wine together I was reminded that this was the coming together of the physical and spiritual bread which we focussed on the night before. The weekend concluded with a worship service, in traditional SCM style, including ripping of tissue paper, and some great music, finishing with a rousing chorus of You Shall go out with Joy. We certainly did, and I hope each person took that joy home with them, I know I did!
*otherwise known as life