……. busy in the Dock!

First up was the fantastic ‘hard hat’ tour of the Titanic Belfast on Wednesday afternoon and a real sense of new beginnings and doors opening to the team (which, incidently, I had just preached on the theme of open doors last Sunday).

Some of the team excerised their legs doing Stair-obics delivering invitations to the Deckchair Cafe and meet the neighbours on Saturday.

We set up at the base of the Arc apartments as usual on the first Saturday of the month. The rain stayed away as enjoyed our cup of coffee and yummy supplies from a local bakery. We were introduced to our youngest ever neighbour who was only 15 days old and he was being introduced to life around the Dock for the very first time as his mum and dad took him for a wee walk. So this is another sign of new life in TQ and I wonder was he the first baby born in TQ?We can only imagine the changes he is going to see over the coming months and years as this area continues to change and develop. We also probably    had our ‘oldest’ visitors to meet the neighbours and I won’t embarass them by even daring to mention their age. As always it was a joy to listen to the stories the neighbours tell of their life in TQ.

So often we comment on the changes we notice around TQ. This week I had to stop at traffic lights for the first time to allow traffic to exit the Metropolitan College, no doubt we will soon experience traffic jams at certain times of the day! An area of ground has been prepared and will soon be covered in grass rather than weeds and rubble! Reminding us of the preparation work that has been done and the sowing of seeds that continues to be done. A new bus timetable has appeared anticpating the arrival of many students in the weeks to come.

New neighbours, new helpers on Saturday mornings, new person leading the Dock Walk and look out for more new faces leading other Dock walks in September. (Yes Chris, it will take at least  four of us to replace you).

Yesterday’s Dock walkers, though small in number, were challenged by the rain and wind and more importantly by the words of the prophet Micah as we looked at what God requires of us! All followed by yet another cup of coffee at the Premier Inn.

So there you have a glimpse of some of the things that have taken place in just a few days in the Dock!

Karen

What a difference a day makes: Saturday with lovely sunshine, great coffee, great local pastries and a great meet the neighbours morning in TQ with some serious brianstorming going on too. Yet another fantastic morning!

Followed by two days, two walks, two soakings!!!

The Dock walk yesterday and a Bible Steps around Belfast City centre this evening were both very wet, but really enjoyable events.

Standing below the cranes at Harland and Wolff yesterday I took a picture showing  the contrast of the old drawing office and the new visitor centre emerging behind it.  I was thinking of all the events that have happened in the years between the contsruction of the Drawing office and 2011. Such contrasts!

This evening a group from Sydenham Methodist were guided by a blue badge guide showing us some of history of the city and its people using bible verses,an  interesting concept! Again we looked at the contrasts and changes in the city.

It is just so great to be part of the change that is happening and to watch it develop! I wonder what tomorrow will bring??

Genesis 1: 31 (The message) says ‘it was so good, so very good!’ Those words sum up the week so far.

I’ll not repeat all that Chris has put on the blog regarding Tuesday suffice to say’it was so good,  so very good!’

Taking part in the service and celebrations on the slipway, making connections with people who work in TQ, explaining to total strangers, invited guests (they were strangers to me too), and the media the whole concept of Dock Church met with nods of approval and words of agreement and encouragement, ‘it was so good, so very good!’

Last night at my Church council meeting (which are not generally renowned as being the most inspiring of events) I asked those present to think of something in the life of  Sydenham Methodist Church during the past 11 months that has been ‘so good, so very good’ and I was so inspired and encouraged by the responses …. can I say ‘it was so good, so very good!’ When we hear so much negativity about the church in general why not take a moment today and reflect on something that has been ‘so good, so very good’ for you?

Karen