A new blogger – and a Dock event!

For the first time ever I’m letting go the reins of this blog… what has prompted such a momentous decision I hear you ask!

Well as you all know by now (‘cos you’ve watched all the Vision videos… haven’t you?!) The Dock is not and never will be a one man show.  That way madness lies!  From the very beginning it’s a Shared Medley – and so sharing the ministry with a team is vitally important.  And it just so happens that the team has gained an extra member this month with the arrival of Emma, who’s doing her work placement as part of her ministry training.  She also has a fab idea for an event in The Streat in the Odyssey early in May.  So – over to Emma!

Hi! I’m Emma, Chris has very kindly agreed to take me on board as his ‘co-worker’ (his term!) for a few weeks. [My new name is ‘the shadow’…]

A little about me – I’m currently working my way towards the end of my first year of theological training at CITI in Dublin, and am amazed (and terrified!) at how quickly this year has gone!

As part of our training we have to undertake a ‘summer’ placement, and being very interested in new forms of ‘church’ esp.The Dock, avidly following the blog whilst in Dublin, I pestered Chris, (and the college staff!) and here I am.

Well, a week in…lots of coffee later…how’s it all going?

I have to say, it’s been pretty good so far (- and what a thoroughly nice chap that Mr. Bennett is…have to say that of course – he has to assess me at the end…)

but seriously, what a privilege this has been, to be made to feel so welcome and to be involved in meetings that have been on the cards and planned for some considerable time.

All v. exciting!

Each day is very different, at times not knowing what to expect – but that’s what makes it all the more intriguing. Meetings one day can snowball into further actions and discussions the next.

One such meeting is one of the reasons for this post –

Following a discussion on the term ‘new monasticism’ and ways of being/doing church, the conversation led to the book ‘Punk Monk’ by Andy Freeman (with Pete Greig) which uses the following quote from Dietrich Bonhoeffer:

“The restoration of the church will surely come from a sort of new monasticism which has in common with the old only the uncompromising attitude of a life lived according to the Sermon on the Mount in the following of Christ. I believe it is now time to call people together to do this.”

If you haven’t read the book – it’s a great read – check it out, and if you have read it perhaps re-visit it again. (If you need to buy it, then it is but one click away: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Punk-Monk-Monasticism-Ancient-Breathing/dp/0830743685/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1271791585&sr=8-1)  Then…

….join us at The Streat @ The Odyssey – 12 noon on Saturday 8th May, 2010 for a ‘book group’ discussion – The Dock’s first official “event”!

Hope to see you there.


2 thoughts on “A new blogger – and a Dock event!”

  1. so based on the dock’s love of all things techy (and by that I mean Chris’ love of technology) will there be a skype element to this group for those outside of the fail emerald isle? 😉

    Only teasing- hope it goes well, I’ve heard very good things about the book!

  2. Emma,
    Great to see you introducing a German Theologian into your placement – MJK would be so proud. Its amazing how something said almost 80 years ago is very much at the heart of missional community today.
    Knowing you, I think you will thrive in the culture of Titanic Quarter, and its likely that Chris won’t want to let you go back to Dublin when placement is finished.
    What else can I say – Coffee – Emerging Church – Creativity – Conversation. It sort of sums Emma up.

    Blessings for the remainder of your placement.
    J

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