Week Off

Well it's half term this week, and I've kindly been given it off. It's nice to have some time off, but I must admit I'm at a bit of a loss in terms of what to do with it, and glad it's nearly over! It's given me lots of time to think and reflect on the past few months, and my new job, which has actually been really helpful. I don't feel like I've had anywhere near as much time to reflect on my faith, and on theology since I finished my degree, and I've found that quite difficult. It's something which is key to me in everything I do - especially my job, and it's been hard not to have that time, or place where I can discuss with others.

Speaking of my course, I graduated last week. It was such a special day. It was in London in a place in Westminster. I got all the official photos through the other day, but out of all of them I think this has to be my favourite. The graduation ceremony was really special, and I had a great day, but I don't think I really realised how well I'd done to get a first until I got the photos through this week. It made me sit back and reflect on all the work I'd done, and how ill I'd been over the last year. I had extension after extension, and changed my dissertation topic three or four times, but I still managed to do it, and come out with a first, and that means a lot to me.

In the evening of the day Bob took to me Gordon Ramsay's Maze Grill. It was sooo nice. The food was fantastic, as was the company :) I'm so glad I've got Bob. He's everything to me.

I've been reflecting a lot on the youth work project this week, and sometimes I feel a bit out of my depths with it all, wondering if I really am capable of it. I came accross this cartoon on Asbo Jesus earlier:

Its made me think a lot about how young people see the church, and how a church which has very little contact with young people can work more closely with them in the future, to help knock down the barriers and views that church is fuddy duddy, or guilt trips you, or is full of expectations. Of course there are churches out there like that. I so often look at these cartoons and think 'I agree'. But if I agree, then surely I should be doing something about it. Especially in the role of Church Youth Worker. But it isn't always that easy to change people's perception, and it isn't always easy to make that initial contact with young people, especially when there is a perception there that Christians are judgemental.

I love my job, and I feel that I've done really well in the last few months to get to a point where I'm in the local high school, making contact with the primary schools, and working with the youth group already there. But I am left wondering 'what next'. And I guess that's where I've really got to pray about my options, and get to it.