Well, it has arrived at last. The new college term has started. This evening we had a great Welcome and college Eucharist (and renewal of Baptism vows). During the service there was a phenomenal rain storm, and a most spectacular double rainbow over All Saints Church welcomed us as we all left.
Tea afterwards was equally spectacular and it was great to start meeting new friends, and chat over coffee (and later a glass of wine).
There is a week of induction - where we get to know what is expected and get used to the format of each day. We start at 7.30 with Morning Prayer (Hilary and I will alternate on this), breakfast at 8.30 and then a morning of lectures and seminars. Afternoons are generally free for studying, with tea at 4.00, followed by Evening Prayer and Dinner (although I am not sure how many dinners we will get to). In addition, there are a variety of tasks and duties we complete as part of a team, including leading worship, security, bar duties, hospitality, etc. Plus, there are practical bits I would like to learn - things that I will probably never get the opportunity to do - I might even learn to sing!
Greenbelt 2010 (#gb10)
So much has happened, that is seems like a lot longer than a year has passed. Last year, whilst we went on our own, this year we went with a group of existing students from college.
Of course, we had a great time - even better because of camping with friends. And of course, the queues were the same as ever - but having been before meant that we were better prepared. So, when my wife wanted to go and see the interview with those behind Rev. (James Woods and Tom Hollander), we arranged to meet for tea in the queue. And we had a great curry picnic, before all going off to do our own things again - it made the queue part of the excitement rather than an ordeal.
Our experience was considerably different from last year. But here are my Top Five from Greenbelt 2010.
1 - The entertainment
- it was in the Top 5 last year, but I enjoyed it even more this year. Jars of Clay, The London Gospel Community Choir, SHLOMO, and a whole range of bands / singers from The Performance Cafe.
2. The Tiny Tea Tent - we managed to miss this last year and the kids voted The Tank as their favourite coffee bar. But this year, whilst we still loved The Tank, we decided that The Tiny Tea Tent was our favourite. The aroma of different teas and the wood burner made it a wonderful place to sit and unwind.
3. Last Orders - okay, I only made it once, but I thought it was incredibly well put together, entertaining, and it meant I got to see Milton Jones withour having to queue up for ages. Bunny belt was a great take on the festival as well (see the videos on Vimeo), together with Dave Walker's* insight on the activities of Greenbelters.
4. Beer and Hymns - better than last year. Okay, so with only one slot (come on Greenbelt) there were more people sat outside The Jesus Arms than inside (doing the 'and hymns' bit). Never the less, the atmosphere was fantastic and the belting out of favourite hymns is soul stiring and a great reminder that choirs are not needed. There was a warning at the end - that Beer and Hymns is there to promote hymns to people who like beer, bot to promote beer to people who like to sing hymns!
5. The overall atmosphere. Despite mixed weather, and the frustration of having to carry all our camping gear onto the site (from the car park which was almost a mile away), and some of the coldest August nights I care to remember, it was just fantastic, and summed up by the fantatsic rainbow over the site (there are better versions available, but this was my attempt at photographing it).
* note: I spotted Dave Walker on the site (although I don't think he saw me. He took what looked like a random photo, so I took the same photo. I am holding onto it incase it turns into some great inspiration for a cartoon at some point).
 |
| Rainbow over the Greenbelt Festival |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)