The Smith family from Missouri had a flash of inspiation in deciding to turn a family photograph into a Christmas card for friends and family.  However they never imagined that their photo would end up as a poster campaign in Prague.  The snap was spotted by a family friend as she drove around the Czech capital.  Mrs Smith, who’s blog has seen a dramatic increase in hits since the discovery, was unhappy with the use of her photo and the shop owner has agreed to remove it.

I wonder why noone has ever used one of my photos for publicity purposes?!

It was a sad evening for me when I read that Margaret Mountford (Ken Newell look-a-like) will be leaving The Apprentice.  Not a lot of people know that Margaret is the daughter of a former Hollywood presbyterian minister and recently accepted an invitation to speak at their PW meeting there.  I know this, because I had dinner recently with the only (brave) man who attended.

Part of a no-nonsense double act with Nick Hewer, Margaret has amused viewers with her wit, charm, knowledge of greek mythology and ever-changing facial expressions.  But alas, Margaret will be stepping out of the spotlight to concentrate on further studies.  We’ll miss you Marg.

I wonder who would make a suitable replacement?

The time has come.  As of this week I am the student assistant minister in the presbyterian congregation of First Larne.  God willing, I will be working with this congregation for the next 3.5 years. 

1st Larne is one of the oldest presbyterian churches in Ireland dating back almost 400 years.  There are a lot of people associated with the congregation and the ministry team are responsible for the spiritual care of more than 800 families making it the biggest church in Carrickfergus presbytery and one of the biggest presbyterian congregations in Ireland!

If you are so inclined, please remember us in prayer – praying that God and his name would be glorified and honoured in all that we do and say.

The Board of Youth and Children’s Ministry (YAC) of the Presbyterian Church made an ‘alternative’ presentation of their work and ministry to the General Assembly.  Rev Steve Stockman, Queens University Chaplain, introduced the presentation and interviewed the various participants. 

The purpose of the presentation was to give a visual display of the constituency of YAC.  The board are responsible for developing and steering the denomination’s ministry for those between the ages of 0-25.  Jacob Bell (11 weeks) was the youngest person in the chamber and his presence enabled YAC to communicate their commitment to covenant-orientated ministry.

The presentation was well received by the house.  Most notably, Rev Margaret Johnston, pictured, (minister emerita of Fortwilliam Park) endorsed the efforts of the youth board and gave some practical advice to congregations as to how to cultivate a more age-inclusive environment.  Her endorsement and encouragement was particularly  poignant due to her being “at the other end of the age spectrum” from Jacob Bell.

It’s nice when we all (young and old) sing from the same hymn sheet every now and again!

Yes, you’ve heard it here first (or maybe not), the 2009 Presbyterian General Assembly has become internet friendly.  Shortly after the commencement of buisness this morning the Assembly passed a resolution that the buisness of the church be streamed online. 

The Assembly Building is sauna-like at the best of times but this week is sure to be a real steamer.  Therefore one has but two options; 1) Brave the traffic and ‘glow’ with the best of them in the chamber (although humming during the buisness is strictly prohibited) or 2) Sit at home in your underpants and watch online here.  Alternatively you can follow the tweats updated regularly here.

The current moderator Stafford Carson, pictured above, is himself a “blogging pastor” (see ‘blog roll’ opposite) and will no doubt fully embrace these knew technological advances of the denomination.

I have just read in the Belfast Telegraph that Naomi Long of Alliance has been elected lord mayor of Belfast.  It seems that she is only the second woman to have been elected to this role (the first being Grace Bannister (UUP) 1981-’82).

The postition of lord mayor was dominated by unionist candidates until the election of Alban Maginness (SDLP) in 1997.  See here for more information.

Aged just 37 I’m sure that Naomi is one of the youngest candidates to take office in a while too; although I don’t have those statistics to hand.  I’m a bit of a fan of Naomi’s.  She speaks clearly, works hard for the ‘common man’, and has lovely ginger curls.

Well-done, Naomi.  I’m sure you’ll do a great job!

two ways to live : : the choice we all face

It’s a strange thing how habits can change and one can find oneself over-indulging in new interests.  Am I exaggerating when I say that I have become pre-occupied with gardening?  The evidence is mounting.  I think it all started a couple of weeks ago when I was forced to deal with two horticultural tasks in my own garden.  I didn’t realise what I was getting into…

Firstly, I had to plant potatoes in my rather small and experimental vegetable patch (see previous post).  I took the vegetable growing a stage further and stuck in some cabbage and carrots also (I don’t even like cabbage; but they’ll make good presents for all my friends.)  

Secondly I have the problem of overgrown Laylandii trees which are encroaching on my garden and getting too large to handle.  In a bid to ensure I was planting my spuds correctly and to seek some solutions for my tree problem, I consulted the World Wide Web and the UKTV gardening channel.  Boy, was I opening a can of worms!  Back to back programming of Gardeners’ World with Monty Don and Toby Buckland, Ground Force with Alan Titchmarsh and Charlie Dimmock, The Garden with Dan Pearson to name a few.  They sucked me in with their ‘top tips for spring’, interesting gardening techniques, and construction ideas.

In the past week I’ve visited 2 garden centres, added a gardening blog to my favourites and helped a 14 month old toddler to plant a sunflower…What is happening to me!?  I know I turned 30 recently but surely I’m too young to be visiting gardening centres and laughing at Titchmarsh’s jokes.  Could this be a mid-life crisis?  A fad?  A change in career? 

Either way I still need to deal with my laylandii.  Answers and advice on a postcard please.

On 22nd August 2008, I wrote a list of exciting, extraordinary, interesting, challenging and (above all) foolish things to do before I’m 30.  Well today I’m 30 and here’s how I got on… (by my reckoning I got 16 out of 30…but i’ll keep tryin’)

1. Do some overseas travel by myself – Croatia, September 2008
2. Go to a ballet – Thanks to Bill, Shirley and Susan
3. Learn a second language (excluding biblical Greek and Hebrew) – Became reacquainted with ‘egg language’ courtesy of Matty and Michael.  I can understand it but can’t speak it.  
4. Grow vegetables – I have dug my vegetable patch (10×6) and the potatoes are going in soon
5. Ride a motorbike – Nope
6. Play guitar in church - Really wouldn’t want to put anyone through that torture
7. Own a pet - I think a hedgehog lives in my garden somewhere and most of my friends and family think that’s about all I can manage
8. Test drive an expensive car that I have no intention of buying – I drove my brother’s clio – I have no intention of buying that!?
9. Make friends with a celebrity – The memorable Merle and Larry!
10. Climb a mountain – perhaps metaphorically(!)
11. Take up a sport – Is blogging a sport?
12. Start a society – I am the founding member of the “Good coffee appreciation society” – We currently have 131 members
13. Become a volunteer in an organisation – I considered the PW but I reckon I’m too young
14. Apply for a T.V. show – I totally forgot about this one.  And it was one of the easy ones too!! – Bummer
15. Cook dinner for a stranger – The high flying Mr Dave Crowe
16. Sell something on ebay - Hmmmm, I might do this very soon!
17. Organise a street party – I was the only one who turned up to this event.  Maybe they didn’t get my invitation…. Actually I was too afraid to do this.
18. Go busking for an afternoon – See number 6 (above)
19. Send flowers to a girl who’s not related to me - Caren Robinson…Thanks for your lovely house this summer!
20. Go on a road-trip in Ireland and camp somewhere which isn’t a campsite and cook breakfast in the morning on a trangia stove – Tragically failed to do any of this…
21. Broaden my friendship circle to better represent the cultural and religious differences in society.  Yup
22. Lead someone to Jesus – You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink
23. Go to a music festival – Does the ATL gig in the Ulster Hall count?
24. Eat at a Michelin starred restaurant – I did get free tapas in 2taps cos Stuart knew the owner or something… that’s way cooler I think.
25. Read “Cloud Atlas” (I chose this at random from a list) – I started to read this in Budapest – It’s a good read!
26. Record my family history - I have started this, but it’ll take a while to finish but I know where its headed
27. Watch the “Star Wars Trilogy” – Again I am a failure  
28. Get something published – Does this blog count?  I also wrote the editorial for a church magazine…
29. Visit London – This weekend
30. Sing Karaoke – Sing star helped me out here!

How do you think I did?