Mike Rutter’s Weblog…….

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Thought this was a good picture of Matt – along with the 3 other people in his class!

I’m loving the new Compassionart album – there are some great songs on it. Have a listen at their website.

Compassionart

Bishop Graham Cray and Rev Stephen Lindridge have been appointed lead the next phase of Fresh Expressions.

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Great to see such good appointments and also the commitment to continue the work for another 5 years.

Joel and Matthew had a ‘Dare to wear Pink’ day at school, raising money for cancer research. They entered into the spirit of the day in a big way

Saw that Steve Croft has been appointed as the new Bishop of Sheffield. That is a great appointment for Sheffield. I was at a meeting with Steve recently, organised by Christian Selvaratnam, which was a gathering of those of us involved in Pioneer ministry. He is a really inspiring person to spend time with as he has a real understanding of the church and also a real vision for enabling new expr

Some of my favourite Christian artists have got together for what I think is a really cool project. It’s initiated by Martin Smith from Delirious and has involved about 12 artists writing and recording an album together, with all of the proceeds going to charities selected by the artists. I’m looking forward to the album….

Have a look at the Compassionart  website

Here is a video from the recent Dove Awards where some of the artists sing one of the new songs.

Its Sunday and we are having a lazy morning… Matt is playing Toontown and Joel is playing Donkey Kong on the Wii. Beth is watching Cbeebies whilst Uncle Dan snores on the sofa next to her. Pip is just about to go for a run and I am listening to the new Kings of Leon album whilst writing this. The house needs tidying, but it can wait for a few more minutes……

Last week we had an inspection at school. We did well and have come through it with a good report. The problem now will be how to maintain momentum for the rest of the term, it feels as though we should be on holiday now! Its harvest next week and then it won’t be long before we start thinking about Christmas…good grief!

The kids are growing up (it happens). Joel is loving football now – he goes every Saturday to training in his Hull City strip (Matthew has one now as well). Its funny to see Joel so into it now as he wasn’t at all interested when he was younger. We’re looking forward to today’s game against Spurs – could be a London double Matt is enjoying school – he was ‘Star of the Week’ last week and his certificate is blu tacked in pride of place in the kitchen. Bethany continues to enjoy nursery. She loves our new hamster called Snowy and insists on saying good night to her every bedtime. This routine finishes with her hugging the cage and blowing Snowy a kiss.

I have started back on my course. It is no longer called NOC, it is now the Yorkshire Ministry Course or YMC. They have just appointed a new principal, Christine Gore, she seems really good and I am optimistic about the next two years on the course. I’ve got to sort out another placement pretty soon and am looking at spending time with a few examples of Pioneering Church (new expressions of church for those that don’t fit into the traditional model of doing church). I particularly like the look of what Ben Norton is doing out in Bridlington, with his group that meets in the pub to discuss current issues in the context of the Christian faith. He calls it ‘Man church for unchurched men’. It has been receiving some good publicity recently and is worth checking out.

Well – need to get dressed – will post again soon…..

Our good friends Tom & Naomi Brewer have ‘very kindly’ bought their god-daughter (Bethany) a new present. Its a Liverpool football strip! Now we are going to be a divided family – Joel has a Hull City strip and now Bethany is being disgracefully indoctrinated by those who are meant to guide her through life….., into supporting Liverpool FC….

The thing is, Bethany loves it. SHe went out in the garden straight away for a kick around and she was very proud to let her big brother see her wearing it. And if truth be known, although I’d rather you didn’t tell anyone else, I quite like Liverpool as well.