ME19four: life, faith and role-playing games
Friday, March 17, 2006
Future Church
(Category: faith)
No, not a book (Eddie Gibbs and David Coffey IIRC - which I found profoundly depressing when I tried to read it a few years back), but something more concrete.
Some of my readers may remember that one thing MLPK does not have is a dedicated church building. To say we are nomadic might be a little grandiose (pub in the mornings, hall in the afternoons, school hall when the hall is generating a far greater revenue than when we hire it).
Many thoughts have been a-buzzing round my brain. Should we have a building? Could we get the Control Tower? Where on earth would we get the money? They are answered respectively by "Yes", "Unlikely" and "God only knows!" So today having a chance to meet with B, my retired architect was a useful experience.
B has been quite a fan of the Control Tower idea, while I've blown hot and cold about it. The idea has merits: a distinctive building with links to the past of the site. An existing building that the developers are having trouble developing (and who wants another restaurant, especially with a late licence for music until 3am? Not the council, thank God!)
Of course, the fact that it is an existing building has negative connotations. Grade 2 listing. Semi-derelict. Details of existing construction. Lack of flexibility.
Anyway today the prospect of the Tower took a step backwards, not that we have much chance of getting it anyway, but the developers could be getting desperate. To open up enough space inside is looking likely to be far too costly (as if there were suitable openings to get the massive reinforcing beams in that would be necessary to hold the first floor up, not to mention the necessity of a lift to reach said floor).
My Boss Jesus might still pull a blinder, but the smart money has now moved to the new-build option on the site safe-guarded under Section 106 provision.
Ahh - except there is no money. And, apparently only two and a half years or so to get something on the site. Everyone outside MLPK seems to think we're awash with the stuff - and yes, the build price would be less than the price of many houses here. But even so... I think the Building Fund currently stands at about £100!
Anyone got a spare £249,900? And don't mention used fivers from that Securitas raid just down the road!
I reckon we need My Boss Jesus to pull a blinder again.
"Lord, I believe. Help me in my unbelief!"
(And you can tell I'm having fun with the links again, can't you?) ¶ 10:00 pm 0 comments
No, not a book (Eddie Gibbs and David Coffey IIRC - which I found profoundly depressing when I tried to read it a few years back), but something more concrete.
Some of my readers may remember that one thing MLPK does not have is a dedicated church building. To say we are nomadic might be a little grandiose (pub in the mornings, hall in the afternoons, school hall when the hall is generating a far greater revenue than when we hire it).
Many thoughts have been a-buzzing round my brain. Should we have a building? Could we get the Control Tower? Where on earth would we get the money? They are answered respectively by "Yes", "Unlikely" and "God only knows!" So today having a chance to meet with B, my retired architect was a useful experience.
B has been quite a fan of the Control Tower idea, while I've blown hot and cold about it. The idea has merits: a distinctive building with links to the past of the site. An existing building that the developers are having trouble developing (and who wants another restaurant, especially with a late licence for music until 3am? Not the council, thank God!)
Of course, the fact that it is an existing building has negative connotations. Grade 2 listing. Semi-derelict. Details of existing construction. Lack of flexibility.
Anyway today the prospect of the Tower took a step backwards, not that we have much chance of getting it anyway, but the developers could be getting desperate. To open up enough space inside is looking likely to be far too costly (as if there were suitable openings to get the massive reinforcing beams in that would be necessary to hold the first floor up, not to mention the necessity of a lift to reach said floor).
My Boss Jesus might still pull a blinder, but the smart money has now moved to the new-build option on the site safe-guarded under Section 106 provision.
Ahh - except there is no money. And, apparently only two and a half years or so to get something on the site. Everyone outside MLPK seems to think we're awash with the stuff - and yes, the build price would be less than the price of many houses here. But even so... I think the Building Fund currently stands at about £100!
Anyone got a spare £249,900? And don't mention used fivers from that Securitas raid just down the road!
I reckon we need My Boss Jesus to pull a blinder again.
"Lord, I believe. Help me in my unbelief!"
(And you can tell I'm having fun with the links again, can't you?) ¶ 10:00 pm 0 comments
Blessing Audit - Flushed!
Take the challenge.
Count your blessings: you can get the PDF from Christian Aid.
(Hmm: not been counting...) ¶ 9:20 pm 0 comments
Friday 17
Less than half of the people in Bolivia have access to adequate sanitation and toilets.
Give 10p every time you flush today!
Take the challenge.
Count your blessings: you can get the PDF from Christian Aid.
(Hmm: not been counting...) ¶ 9:20 pm 0 comments
Hackers get Mac running Windows
(Category: Life)
... But apart from the odd game and the sheer technical challenge, why would anybody want to? ¶ 9:17 pm 0 comments
... But apart from the odd game and the sheer technical challenge, why would anybody want to? ¶ 9:17 pm 0 comments
Thursday, March 16, 2006
Whatever normal is...
(Category: life)
Normal service, whatever that is, is now resumed. (Or in other words, the house has the usual number of people in it again and I'm getting back into a "normal" routine).
Expect updates with whatever passes for "usual" frequency....
Until the ISP transfer becomes active anyway! ¶ 3:57 pm 0 comments
Normal service, whatever that is, is now resumed. (Or in other words, the house has the usual number of people in it again and I'm getting back into a "normal" routine).
Expect updates with whatever passes for "usual" frequency....
Until the ISP transfer becomes active anyway! ¶ 3:57 pm 0 comments
Blessing Audit - nutrition
Take the challenge.
Count your blessings: you can get the PDF from Christian Aid. ¶ 3:55 pm 0 comments
Thursday 16
In sub-Saharan Africa 185 million people are undernourished.
Give 10p for every meal you have had today, and 20p for every snack.
Take the challenge.
Count your blessings: you can get the PDF from Christian Aid. ¶ 3:55 pm 0 comments
Sunday, March 12, 2006
Stress
(Category: life)
Aaaaaargh!
Becky's baptism in 75 minutes, easy.
Bishop in attendance, fine.
Archdeacon to be present, no sweat.
Having Father-in-law in house having to be kept busy with DIY jobs, impossible!
Aaaaaargh! Thank God I have a study to hide in.
(Catch this post while it lasts folks. I may need to repent and delete it later. Nevertheless, Aaaaaaagh!) ¶ 2:43 pm 0 comments
Aaaaaargh!
Becky's baptism in 75 minutes, easy.
Bishop in attendance, fine.
Archdeacon to be present, no sweat.
Having Father-in-law in house having to be kept busy with DIY jobs, impossible!
Aaaaaargh! Thank God I have a study to hide in.
(Catch this post while it lasts folks. I may need to repent and delete it later. Nevertheless, Aaaaaaagh!) ¶ 2:43 pm 0 comments
Blessing Audit - Bibles
Take the challenge.
Count your blessings: you can get the PDF from Christian Aid.
(Ouc, ouch, ouch! Not fair for a vicarge! £1.70, with at least two out and others on loan... Oh and including the versions on the computer... £2.30. Of course, I find myself begrudging it - but it is meant to be a blessing. Blessings cost!) ¶ 9:13 am 0 comments
Sunday 12
Many Christians in the world can't afford, or are not allowed, a bible.
Give 10p for every bible in your house.
Take the challenge.
Count your blessings: you can get the PDF from Christian Aid.
(Ouc, ouch, ouch! Not fair for a vicarge! £1.70, with at least two out and others on loan... Oh and including the versions on the computer... £2.30. Of course, I find myself begrudging it - but it is meant to be a blessing. Blessings cost!) ¶ 9:13 am 0 comments
