Commissioning Service

Just a reminder about our commissioning service at Canterbury Baptist Church, this Sunday at 10.30. We'd love to see you there! It’s followed by a bring and share lunch in The Manse garden.

Baptist Assembly valediction service in Blackpool

Here’s a photo from our valediction service at the Baptist Assembly in Blackpool, the weekend before last, where we braved stag parties, dodgy hotels and ridiculously fast incoming tides for our official send-off. It was great to see everyone from IMC again, but the goodbyes were particularly significant as we’re now all going our separate ways. Besides spending time on the BMS stand and taking part in a seminar, we had plenty of time to enjoy the beach and sunshine (a foretaste of what’s to come…?)

Isaac on sunny Blackpool beach

 

Goodbye to IMC

IMC students, summer 2011

Our nativity play for the Action Teamers

We can't believe it's all over and we've said goodbye to IMC, our home for the past 8 months of our lives in Birmingham. The time has seemed so short and yet it seems that lots has happened as well. We've made wonderful friends who we've eaten with, learnt with (and from), laughed with (and at) and cried with too.

1920s party

Isaac has gone from being just a toddler into a little boy who can tell us what he wants and talk about what he has done. Naomi has changed beyond recognition and is amazingly confident around people, she even has a royal wave when she says 'hello' and 'goodbye' in her own way. Some of the highlights of the year include birthday celebrations in 1920s costume, Christmas nativity play in October (blame the Action Teamers) and very English cream teas and cricket with very American drama students.

Cricket on the lawn

Besides a little theology here and there, ethics, new worship songs, language and car maintenance, we've also been forced to learn how to be sociable with strangers at breakfast and win Settlers of Catan (a favourite board game). From an experience we were really unsure about starting, we've had a thoroughly great time.  The only disadvantage to all this is that now we have more people who it is very difficult to say goodbye to.

Who dun it? Anne Tique and Ivora Keys

Too end our time together, we held a murder mystery party. The dinning hall became Bosthorpe Evangelical Church and we were charged with discovering who had murdered the unfortunate Don Ritting?! Glamorous Charmaine became the doddery Anne Tique; Nicky, our normally on-the-ball tutor became the endlessly forgetful Al Zeihmers; the always well-turned-out Sarah arrived as Ivora Keys sporting a peach nylon number, oversize glasses and Jamaican accent. Even James and Arthur, both playing the fiery preacher Rev Al Ation, were glimpsed in dog-collars!

Ruth leading the IMC Commissioning Service band

The following day, we were commissioned at IMC in a intimate and moving service, held in the chapel. It was a really great way to finish a really special year. Now, it's all packing lists, catching up with friends and family and final tasks before leaving for Mozambique next month.

Thanks IMC and all those we've met there. It's been great and we'll miss you all!