Weekend Away 2008 Review
Weekend Away Review 2008
Cake, Fellowship and Hosea
(Not in any particular order of priorities!)
The Plant’s weekend away this year was to a place famed for it’s literary heritage, it’s railway heritage and, according to Wikipedia, an annual festival called “Scroggling the Holly” (on first reading I thought that it was Scroggling the Holy and was quite glad that I had escaped without having been scroggled) I am, of course, talking of West Yorkshire’s Haworth.
Arriving on a windy Friday, after safely navigating our way, we were met by a very impressive Victorian mansion, which was to be our home for the next two nights. As we filled the youth hostel we really did have the run of it, which was fantastic and meant that we could all relax and enjoy each other’s fellowship. We were met at the door by Chris and Matt, the first people that I feel I should thank. In truth I’d like to thank all of you but my fingers are weary having taken on one too many essays recently (and Oscar acceptance speeches sicken me), but briefly all the Ministry Trainees, John and Phil and especially David Gibb for his really fantastic talks deserve the heartiest of thanks.
The teaching, which David so superbly provided, was as invigorating as it was challenging. Hosea paints the clear message that God is very much as emotional a being as we are, much more so probably, and that our sin offends him as much as a wife playing the whore does a husband. This, in my Christian infancy, was a fact that I had not really realised before and talking to others seems to have been a real eye opener. He is a God who is prepared to show the hard shoulder when necessary to show us how utterly dependant we are upon his love and yet is prepared to woo us to bring us back to his flock. He is generous enough to take us back even though he knows that our motives are selfish. He will repay and has repaid for us, who are, by rights already his own, through the Lord Jesus Christ. What an incredible message; one we should be humbled by, rejoice in and give praise for.
We ate food lovingly prepared (they were genuinely very friendly) by the hostel staff, as well as a whole host of delicious cakes and goodies made by fellow Plantians/Plantlets/Plantypeople(???) at as many occasions as possible. At this point I’m tempted to review a few of them as my bottomless tummy allowed me to try quite a few, but to avoid a tirade of angry replies I’ll refrain (mini cheesecakes and apple pie were particularly good though!).
Saturday afternoon brought with it some free time to be used as we saw fit. I for one took the opportunity to attack a crag with Chris, Andrew, Becky and others, whilst other groups went for walks, travelled on railways, had cups of tea, played music and many other things. It was great to have a little time to clear the head and mull things over before the evening teaching session.
On Saturday evening we all took time out to pray. After learning so much already and having really enjoyed the fellowship we certainly had plenty to pray for. The Plant body split into many groups ranging from individuals to about 15 and spent time in conversation with the Almighty. I felt really lifted and refreshed by it and certainly closer to Christ.
On with the evening and it was time for Owen, Joe and countless others to lead us in singing our praises to the Lord. We filled the hall and must have practically lifted the rafters with our music. Every voice seemed to be filled with love and praise and it really was an amazing experience, as Joe so aptly put afterwards, “Sometimes you’ve just got to carry on singing, God’s that good”. Mmm…. Feel like doing so now but don’t think my fellow students would much appreciate it much… in my head it is then!
Throughout the weekend we all were able to have great chats and get to know each other as a family a bit better. I just keep on being astonished by how fantastic the members of our congregations are, we really have a lot to be thankful for. We possibly learned a little bit too much about each other when the fire alarm went off at three in the morning, however it did provide excuses for silly comments about each others pyjamas. And (cross reference to James) I think we all took joy in our trial. In fact the fire alarm had been so much fun that it was with revelry that the second one arrived half way through the evening (or was that just me?). Now on with the main event: Wii tennis. What a game! The concentration on the gamers’ faces, the vicious injuries and shouted protestations that “I’m not taking it too seriously!” really did have to be seen to be believed. Let us just say that we learned a thing or two about nearly the whole of the staff team!
On Saturday we all listened very attentively to the State of the Plant address. Things are going well and we have a lot to give thanks for. Finances, although still far from perfect, have marginally improved (the go bust date has now been pushed back to the Autumn). We are also looking to expand and there are thoughts in place for a forth meeting to start around this time next year. John and Flick also told us of their proposed move to Norfolk in eighteen months time. I’m very appreciative to both of them for filling us in so early. They’d been really shocked by the lack of good churches there over Christmas, and, with a few other factors at play, are looking into whether it is God’s will for them to move there and start trying to rejuvenate Christ’s ministry. Our prayers will be with them.
It was with mixed feeling that I headed back to Manchester. I’d learnt so much that some time to compute was necessary but it’d been so nice to talk to so many wonderful people that I quite fancied staying for a few more days. Roll on next year (when, I’ve just realised I’ll be in Australia - hadn’t really thought that one through; to quote a slightly less Godly role model, “D’oh”)!
Much love to you all, Praise be to God.
Archie Kilpatrick (Plant member)