Parents evening at Bradford Academy

Rachael and I went with Isaac to the first new parents event at the Bradford Academy since we heard that Isaac had a place there. These new schools remind me more of university than school but I think that’s a good thing.

New England Football Shirt

Looking very tasteful to me in plain white. Isaac says its just a polo shirt.

 

Umbro page
Umbro blog

Film: Monsters Vs. Aliens

Trailer:

Official site
Wikipedia entry

1st Picnic of the year

We did a good job of All Age this morning I thought. Some of us decided to go for a picnic so after a quick trip home to get sarnies etc we ended up at Ilkley park with Sue and Anthony and Ann and David with Joseph. Great afternoon, good weather, good food, loads of exercise and a pit stop on the way home for fish and chips sat outside at Harry Ramsdens. The clocks going forward last night and all the fresh air and exercise zonked us going into Monday.

Football: England 4-0 Slovakia

Just caught the highlights but a great performance from England in their new strip.

BBC report

TV: Primeval (Series 3)

The return of this programme on a Saturday night that is a Fogg household favourite.

Trailer:

ITV site
Wikipedia entry

TV: Robin Hood: Series 3

The return of this programme on a Saturday night that is a Fogg household favourite.

Trailer:

BBC site
Wikipedia entry

Lazy Saturday

Lots of the day spent sorting the All Age slides for tomorrow. Isaac's football was cancelled - all coaches ill.

In the evening we all went to see Monsters Vs. Aliens in 3D at Cineworld after trying to see it at the National Media Museum in Imax but failing as all 5 seats would have been separate. We all really enjoyed the film, 3D was great. Lots of action very close to your eyes. Great song over the credits at the very end - Planet Claire by The B-52's.

U2 tickets

Having decided that I would not try to get tickets, Lyns asked me if I wanted a ticket for Sheffield so now Ben and I are joining her and a friend. Its been a long time since I last saw U2 on The Joshua Tree tour. Might get over hyper as per normal with big gigs.

Chinese food

Seem to be getting into a once in a while routine of getting a Chinese takeaway on a Friday night from Double Happiness. A great start to the weekend.

A rare pub trip

Went to East Bierley Cricket Club with Ronnie, Dave, Anthony and Sam primarily to join the club for the first time and for the others to pay their annual subs. Good chat and an attempt at the pub quiz.

Gerard Kelly (twitturgies) on Twitter

Gerard is now publishing short pieces on Twitter under the Twitter name twitturgies. As with all Gerard's work, worth a regular read and meditation.

Via

Leadership Skills Training: Relationships

The latest session with this one being on the theme of inter-personal relationships (details here) looking at specific types of people who can cause leaders problems. Also used the Johari Window that I first did just over a week ago on a training course at work. Fitted the theme perfectly. Attended by Hilary, Tracey, Eryl, Sue, Anthony and Dave.

Album: Delirious?, My Soul Sings

A CD/DVD package from Delirious? recorded in Bogota.

Official site
Unofficial site

Culture Club: Culture Making: Recovering Our Creative Calling

This latest session of the Culture Club looked at this book (details here). Only I had read the whole book (only finished it earlier this afternoon!) and some had only started reading it. Great discussion and sparked off lots of heated debate. One of the main issues being how wide the author's view of culture is - I agree with the author. Used a heavily abridged version of the study guide from the book's web site. Attended by Sue, Ann, Joly, John, Ben, Mark and Hilary. A shame that we didn't get onto the mainstream part of the book but we certainly engaged with the theme of culture! The time went really quickly, always a good sign.

Rugby Union: Ireland win the Grand Slam

Watched most of the game. Only the 2nd Grand Slam in Ireland's history.

BBC report

Football: Liverpool 5-0 Aston Villa

Another rampant performance from Liverpool with Ben and Isaac delighted at the way their team are playing.

BBC report

All Age Worship prep

Under pressure with this one as the meeting is next Sunday. Planned with Ann, Dave, Rachael and Ben on the next mark of a disciple - immaturity. Another good and unusual mark to get our teeth into. Good planning session and lots of laughs.

Baptismal Service

A great service in which Tom, Janice and Colleen got baptised by immersion and Steve was welcomed into membership by transfer. Good atmosphere in the church. Lots of joy and tears hearing their testimonies - still one of my favourite parts of any meeting.

I did the Elders prayer slot and I used an interview with Steve and Ann Clifford from the EA web site as the focus of the slot and to pray for them and the work of EA.

Short talk by Mark that included the Paul Potts Youtube clip that I believe was one that Rob Bell played a few months ago. Mark saw it at a meeting last week. A great clip.

Church: Baptismal Service (Mark)

The Bible verses given by Dave W to those being baptised were as follows:

• Colleen: Hebrews 10:16
• Janice: Ps 47:1-4
• Tom: Jer 33:11

In the prayer slot, I led a slot praying for Steve and Ann Clifford as Steve starts his EA Directorship.

Mark preached, started with this Paul Potts clip

Colossians 3:1-4

God does not want us to be ordinary people , NOT Mr Ordinary

we are very special in His sight

Romans 8: co-heirs

we have heard 4 testimonies today (the 3 baptismal candidates plus Steve) re Christ being at the forefront of all they do

The Foggs partying on the 2nd successive Saturday

We all went to Brenda's (a former work colleague of Rachael) husband's 60th and daughter's 21st party at The Fleece in Birkinshaw. Isobel and I enjoyed the chocolate fountain!

Isaac and I get our hands on the FA Cup

A mum of one of Isaac's friends rang Rachael earlier tonight to let her know that the FA Cup was in Asda and that you could have your photo taken with the famous trophy. Right up Isaac's street and he was already dressed for the part. We went to Asda straight after his club.

From March 2009: The FA Cup

Album

Life Group: Meeting Notes: Warfare (Ephesians) #4

Maria led Joly, Tracey, Ben, Dave and I through the fourth study discussing the daily sections and passing comment. Staggering section on the living dead and what Christians are like before we come to faith. Good to have Joly with us for the whole session (day off from work).

There is hope re spring

Weather was so good today that I was able to go walking in shirt sleeves and no coat!

Elders Meeting: Notes (Social Action)

A meeting in the social action stream. Discussion on the current financial position and the future of The Edge post Chris's departure to go into training for the URC ministry. Good conversation about the baptismal service on Sunday and a number of the Holme Church traditions that Mark is not aware of. Could be a useful discussion re what we do moving forward.

Given that we have an Advice Centre that helps people with amongst other issues debt advice and the wider economic climate I played a brief talk by Dave Ramsey from last year's Catalyst Conference on God's advice about how we should handle our finances.

Singer: Miriam Stockley

The lead singer from Adiemus.

Official site
Myspace
Wikipedia entry
Last FM

How to understand people

The Guardian and The Observer ran this "How to understand people" as two separate booklet inserts in their papers on March 7 and 8. Worth a read.

Film: Easy Virtue

Official site
Wikipedia entry

1000 songs everyone must hear

A series this week each day in The Guardian and The Observer. Some interesting selections and some that may prompt a listen as a reminder or for the first time.

Lunch out

Lunch at Ann and Dave's after their party for Dave the night before. Lots of leftovers. A good afternoon with the kids enjoying playing together again. Weather improving so the kids able to play out. Spring is coming!

Church: Meeting Notes; Judges 2 (Jon)

this chapter is a summary of the whole book

1-3: God had bargain with people with consequences of not following; people discussed followed God whole Joshua/elders lived/led

6-14: why did they do this?

Deut 4:9; did they forget this teaching? forget the festivals etc?

Baal: means master, storm god, rain, thunder, lightning, fertility of the land, worship involved sexual practices and sometimes human sacrifices, drought, need to appease the Baal

cf Elijah

Ashtaroth (female); consort of Baal, later called Aphrodite, fertility God, god of war and love, worship involved sexual practices

do we ever think God is interested in this but not that? cf faith in our training rather than faith in God , cf pride is sin

God then raises up Judge

v18 is key verse for me

God always hears the groans of His people

Hebrew word for groan: Ex 2:24: God remembered the covenant when He heard the groans

the Lord had compassion (Hebrew word: pity, be sorry, root meaning is to sigh, breathe out)

Joshua sighed deeply . .

Ex 2:23-24

Music: Noel Gallagher, "The Dreams We Have As Children (Live for Teenage Cancer Trust)"

This CD was free in Sunday's Sunday Times and includes 2 tracks of Noel Gallagher performing with Paul Weller.

Details

Wikipedia entry

Dave's 50th Party

A good night at East Bierley Cricket Club to celebrate Dave's 50th. The whole family went and Rachael even went to a 2nd party in between for a former work colleague.

Frozen Grand Central

The T-Mobile Dance

Film: Wendy & Lucy

Reviewed by Damaris in the January/February 2009 issue of IDEA Magazine:

WENDY AND LUCY (12) evocatively explores the concept of community, as Wendy (Michelle Williams) and her dog Lucy are stranded in an Oregon town on their way to a new life in Alaska. Wendy finds most people are more interested in policies and rules than helping a woman in need. But she's also surprised by those who come to her rescue. This gives the film a resilient sense of hope to underscore its frank depiction of alienation in modern society (6 Feb).

Sounds like “Into The Wild”.

Official site
Wikipedia entry

Football: Manchester United 1-4 Liverpool

A great week for Liverpool as they scored another 4 goals and beat rivals Manchester United. Didnt get to see the game anywhere but Isaac and I listened to parts of it on Five Live.

Guardian report
BBC report

Obituary: Dilys Laye (“Carry On” actress)

I recognised her face in a recent Guardian obituary.

 
Times obituary
Wikipedia entry

Song: Oasis, “Falling Down”

Saw Oasis sing “Falling Down” on the Comic Relief TOTP special last night.

Singer: Faryl Smith

Faryl Smith has her first CD, Faryl, out this week. She reached the final of Britain’s Got Talent last year. Amazing voice.

The first single from the album:

Official site

Her performance in the Britain’s Got Talent semi-final:

The Family ready for Red Nose Day at School

From Red Nose Day March 13 2009

Delirious?: My Soul Sings: DVD/CD

Football: Roma 1-0 Arsenal

A noteworthy game due to the penalty shoot out in which Arsenal beat Roma 7-6 on penalties to reach the Champions League quarter-finals. Great listening on Five Live in the latter stages.

Guardian report
BBC report

Holmewood Community Council Meeting

A well-attended meeting. Issues over police response times in 3 cases known to those present. Work on the play area in the valley has started and looks like it will be good for all ages. A report on the play area was presented as part of the meeting.

Football: Liverpool 4-0 Real Madrid

A rare treat being able to watch the full game with Isaac with no meetings to go to.

Liverpool were rampant in a great game with Gerrard and Torres both in fine form. Now on to the quarter finals.

Guardian report
BBC report

U2 360

Skye's the limit for designer pads

Interesting article about Skye from yesterday's Observer in the Travel section.

And a related Times article

Book: The Rest is Noise

A book advertised in The Guardian

Author’s book page
Guardian review
Audio interview with the author

Next Generation Learning

Via an ad, Next Generation Learning web site

Play a greater role in their learning

Research shows that if your child uses technology to support learning at home, they stand a better chance of doing well at school. They also perform better when you are involved in their learning.

Explore this site to:

• discover the benefits of Next Generation Learning
• understand what it means for your child
• find out if your school is making the most of technology.

Schwartz Spices for Health

Via a press ad, a Spices for Health site from Schwartz. I am a big fan of herbs and spices!

Rob Bell's Web Presence

Just stumbled over Rob's Facebook profile and web site. A great Christian teacher/leader.

In Search of Good Food (Lurpak)

Recipe site from Lurpak relating to their current breakfast ad campaign.

Swimming party

We all went to Joseph's 8th birthday party at Bowling Pool. I went in with Hannah. Water was really warm so a relaxing hour. Kids all loved it as did I. All wiped after so a chilled rest of day.

Church: Meeting Notes: Sermon on the Mount (Mark)

Matthew 5:21-26

whole awesomeness of what is being said in this sermon plus the scariness of it all

now getting into the nitty gritty

last time: foundations ended now more into the real stuff

no punches pulled

Raca: do not really know what it means, general guess is fool, head, no intelligence, a real insult

scary re fires of hell

picture titled The Prodigal Son by Liz Lemon Swindle:

about us loving God not because of what we get but because of what He has already done for us; God saved us while we were still sinners

Eph 4:24

John 14: if you really love me, you will obey my commandments

anger: read passage, not murdered anyone, I’m OK but Jesus goes on re angry at anyone, essentially the same as murdering them, a tough call

e.g. road rage, anger at work, anger with kids

a case for righteous anger

when you are angry what does that say to you about your witness to these people?

need to be inoffensive and unoffendable (John Hardaker)

destructive talk, people are more hurt through words than other things (sticks and stones)

as Christians our calling is to avoid name calling and this sort of talk

Dr Who, “don’t you think she looks tired”", 6 words but brings down Harriet Jones, PM

negative talk almost always gets back to the person being spoken about

reconciliation: act on knowing something you have done wrong, leaving it just makes it worse

God hates us coming to church super spiritual but living bad lives

Is 1:10-17: worship on Sunday not backed up by our lives during the week

“Touched by the Word” by Anthony Falbo on order of service at Synod):

do we take the Bible seriously?

Jesus expects more of us as believers than non-believers

practical application:
need to say sorry to people you shouted at, arguing, lied to, hurt; put something right

TV: Red Riding

This is being billed as great TV drama. Recorded it on Thursday night.

Trailer and interviews with the actors:



Channel 4 site
Guardian article
Wikipedia entries for the author and the TV series
Guardian article

Family Saturday

Isaac and i went for a hair cut then the usual pick up the paper and Tesco shop - had an Italian theme for the weekend re pasta, mozzarella and tomatoes.

After early lunch for Isaac and Hannah, took Isaac to La Liga for his weekly football coaching.

Isaac got invited by Will to Bradford City (Isaac also got free tickets from Iain, another season ticket holder) and this time saw them win 5-0 against Aldershot!

Lazy rest of the day inluding watching the first of Monty Halls' Great Escape TV series set in Applecross and getting all of us in the mood for summer holidays.

Great British Road Trips (with the RAC in The Guardian)

A mini site from The Guardian for road journeys with children. Podcasts sound worth a listen.

Songs: Doman & Gooding, "Runnin'" and Armand Van Helden, "U Don't Know Me"

Finally found out what this song was when I saw this video last night. Must have been the sampled bit that I heard ages ago now.

Doman & Gooding's "Runnin'"



And the original song, Armand Van Helden, "U Don't Know Me"

Obituary: Katharine Everett (BBC change agent)

Never heard of this lady until I read the obituaries.

Katharine Everett was a pioneering executive in British broadcasting and new media. She shaped many of the BBC’s modern services — including digital television channels, interactive red-button services and the development of the BBC on the internet — in a varied career as a science producer and leader of organisational change.



Times obituary
Telegraph obituary
Guardian obituary
Guardian article
A letter in The Guardian about her voluntary sector work
A tribute

A blog post by Katharine from the end of 2007 marking the 10th anniversary of bbc.co.uk

In praise of ... musical exports

Good article on the state of British music as evidenced by the recent Grammy results in the ongoing Guardian "In praise of ..." series.

Life Group: Meeting Notes: Warfare (Ephesians) #3

Ben led Maria, Joly, Tracey, Dave, Dorothy and I through the third study discussing the daily sections and passing comment. Great section on Job.

Church: Elders Meeting

This was one of the church stream of meetings. Started at 7:30pm due to a number of crises. Mark taking us through Romans in the devotions. A focus on Chris and his work with the Edge and Elders as he prepares to go into the URC ministerial training in September.

Busy day

Got to church for the usual 9am start when we are "on" for All Age Worship. Did the final prep for the event. All went well with all positive feedback. A buzz about the place as people had communion on their tables quickly followed by being served breakfast (mainly continental style - croissants, pain au chocolat, danish pastries, crepes etc).

See the other post for notes about the content of the event (to follow).

After the meeting, everyone mucked in and we were pleasantly surprised how fast everything was put back to normal and the place cleared and washed up.

Quick change and then off to Shibden Park with the kids and the Egans for some fresh air and a coffee.

Home to chill, All tired after our busy weekend with most of it on our feet.