How did I use my time this week?

This week I put in a total of 61 hours - light week.
These can roughly be broken down to:
27 for the Deanery (44.26%)
15 for WVEP (24.59%)
11 for individual Churches (including All Saints', St Mary's, Servant King) (18.03%)
2.5 for Christ the Sower (4.10%)

5.5 Misc (9.02%)

Thursday 29th November

9:00am - 1:30pm Queen's Visit to Milton Keynes (4.5 Hours)
Had a fascinating morning at Stadium:MK
1:30pm - 2:30pm Funeral for Baby Alex (WVEP +1)
Important to take, but would rather not have needed to... The second baby funeral I have done for this family. I feel for them.
2:30pm - 3:00pm Robes back to St Mary's (SMS +1)
Took the robes back to St Mary's that I used for the school visit on Tuesday. Lookied into the vestries where the painter was hard at work. There's now a loo in the loo! Alleluiah! - Doesn't work yet though...
7:30pm - 10:00pm Deanery Pastoral Committee (Deanery +2.5)
Good meeting. Tough discussion about Deanery Share - but good time looking at our vision for the next ten years. Real sense of common purpose...
Finished evening in pub in Stony Stratford with Tim Clapton - best thing to do after a church meeting...

Total Hours Worked: 9
Hours Worked for Deanery: 2.5
Hours Worked for WVEP: 1
Hours Worked for SMS: 1

Wednesday 28th November

9:00am - 2:30pm Archdeacon's Visit (Deanery +5.5)
Most of the day spent on visit by new Archdeacon to Milton Keynes
3:00pm - 4:00pm Taste and See (CtS + 1)
Planning session for next Taste and See
8:00pm - 9:00pm Wedding Visit (SMS +1)
Preparation for a Wedding at St Mary's Shenley
plus various scraps of admin not recorded...

Total Hours Worked: 7.5 (plus)
Hours Worked for Deanery: +5.5
Hours Worked for CtS: 1
Hours Worked for SMS: 1

Tuesday 27th November

9:00am - 11:00am Team Space (WVEP +2)
I was late for the Team because I had a couple of conversations at the school gate.
The discussion at Team Space was good, with an interesting debate about tradition and ecumenism. It was observed that even young people need structure and familiarity, but we struggle to deliver consistency in our context...
11:00am - 12:00noon Christmas Shopping
Not telling you what I'm buying for people.
12:00noon - 12:30pm Admin (WVEP +0.5)
Bits and pieces of emails, phone calls, etc... None of it will build the kingdom.
One good example is the time spent negotiating with an undertaker about which minister is going to take the funeral next Monday and how we'll involve our curate - only to discover later that it wasn't one of our funerals... Church members may be suprised how much time is spent on this kind of discussion...
12:30pm - 1:00pm Running
Managed my first run for two weeks - won't lengthen my life expectancy - but an achievement none the less. Aren't I doing well for work/life ballance this week?
1:00pm - 1:30pm More Admin (SMS +0.5)
Spent some time looking at the baptism service for St Mary's 11 O'clock. Trying to marry the Family Service produced by Steve and Paul with the Baptism liturgy used at All Saints. Will get back to this later...
1:30pm - 3:00pm School Visit (CtS +1.5)
Took robes in to Christ the Sower to show to year 4. Dressed a couple of teachers up. Great fun!
3:00pm - 4:00pm Home Communion (SMS +1)
Shared communion with Ron and Joy. Good to see them.

They gave me my first Christmas present of the year. Promised not to open it until the day... Wonder what it is?
8:00pm - 10:30pm Ecumenical Council (WVEP +2.5)
Didn't actually get there till 8:30 but did some preparation earlier.
Good discussion about priorities for 2008.
11:00pm - 11:30pm Admin (SMS +0.5)
Just have another look at that Baptism service...

Total Hours Worked: 8.5 (not bad!)
Hours worked for WVEP: 5
Hours worked for St Mary's: 2
Hourse worked for Christ the Sower: 1.5

Monday 26th November

9:00am - 9:30am Admin (WVEP +0.5)
Monday is normally my admin day - although I try to find half hour for a run as well.
If something comes up, this really throws the week, since it's hard to find the time again...
9:30am - 11:00am Funeral Visit (WVEP +1.5)
One of those funeral visits that you really don't want to have to make. A family I know well and get on with. Have already baptised and buried one child. They've just lost another. I do feel for them. Good to see them, but would like to have seen them again in different circumstances...
11:00am - 4:00pm Admin (WVEP +2.5 Deanery +2.5)
Generally wading through piles (of paper on the desk) and emails on the computer. I think I managed to clear everything off the desk which was a start. Needed to tidy up service plan and Local Shared Ministry report - these were the larger jobs, but there were lots of little ones. I now know what I should be doing for the rest of the week... (if time allows)
5:30pm - 6:30pm Admin (Deanery +1)
Squeezed in an hour to redo the Deanery Share allocation following proposal from Bletchley.
7:30pm - 9:00pm Holy Trinity Wolverton (Deanery +2.5)
Spent time with people from Wolverton looking at a particularly difficult problem involving buildings...
10:00pm - 12:00pm Admin (WVEP +2)
Can't sleep, so will make most of the fact I'm up. Good time to edit Viewpoints Course and tackle some of these longer term jobs...

Total Hours Worked: 12.5
Hours Worked for Deanery: 6
Hours Worked for WVEP: 6.5

Sunday 25th November

7:30am - 9:00am Service at All Saints (ASL +1.5)
Really didn't want to get up this morning (hadn't slept well). Woke at 7:20am. Threw clothes on and ran for it. Service seemed to go well. Tony's wife Pauline and Son Michael were there - following his funeral in the week. Was good to see them and seemed like a good way of marking the day...
9:00am - 11:00am Service at St Mary's (SMS +2)
Unexpected Baptism, building still in chaos, no amp - but heating was working. Love the new tiles in the loo - which still lacks a loo - but it's going to look absolutely phenomenal when it's finished! Building work still on target (ish). Beginning to pulg celebration in January.
Turned out to be a good high energy service. Good connection with Baptism family. Very pleased.
11:00am - 12:00noon Service at Servant King (SKF +1)
Enjoyed preaching at Servant King. One of those services that really gelled. The Sunday Club were building roundabouts for the Christmas servicese - look forward to seeing the results...
12:00pm - 2:30pm Meeting with St Mary's 11:00 (SMS +2.5)
Very good meeting. People are feeling a bit shaky about Richard's departure, but there's a real sense of vision for the future. If this group can get it together, this congreagtion could really grow...
2:30pm - 5:00pm Service Planning Meeting (WVEP +2.5)
Planning servicese from here to July 2008. All now updated on http://www.wvep.org/
Also spent time planning Easter - always a tricky discussion but we came to a reasonable common mind... Good group - really makes a difference...

Went home for tea after the SPM - Organic Roast Chicken, mushy sweatcorn, rubarb crumble and custard - well worth waiting for. Thanks Isla! Always good to be home!

Total Hours Worked: 9.5
Hours Worked for WVEP: 2.5
Hours Worked for ASL 1.5
Hours Worked for SMS 4.5

Saturday 24th November

Last Week I recorded the hours I worked in terms of what I used them to do. This week, I intend to record the hours I work in terms of who I do them for.

So today:

8:00am - 5:00pm Area Deans and Lay Chairs Day in Gerards Cross (Deanery +9)
9:00pm - 1:00am Local Shared Ministry Project Group Report (Deanery +4)

Total Hours Worked: 13
Hours Worked for the Deanery: 13

Friday 23rd November

6:00pm - 9:00pm Induction of New Chaplain at Oakhill STC - Great Event!

Total Hours Worked: 3

How did I use my time this week?

Roughly speaking, my time could be broken down like this:

Meetings and Councils: 17
Admin and Preparation: 12.5
Supporting other ministers: 12
Services: 10
Funerals: 7
Editing Voices: 7
Wedding Preparation: 3
Nurture Courses: 2.5

Total: 71 Hours

Thursday 22nd November

8:30am - 10:00am Emails, phone calls and admin
10:00am - 12:30pm Session with Oakhill Chaplain
1:00am - 3:30pm Funeral for Church Member
4:00pm - 5:00pm Emails, phone calls and service planning
7:00pm - 9:30pm Milestones: Nurture Course

Total Hours Worked: 10

Wednesday 21st November

9:00am - 11:00am Local Shared Ministry Project Group: Finalising the report for the Exec and the Presidents
11:00am - 1:00pm Catching up on phone calls, emails and admin...
1:00pm - 1:30pm Lunch
1:30pm - 4:30pm Funeral
4:30pm - 7:30pm Family time and sleep
7:30pm - 10:00pm Governors Meeting for Christ the Sower
10:00pm - Midnight: Produce Agendas and Share Allocation Proposal for Deanery Chapter

Total Hours Worked: 11.5

Tuesday 20th November

7:00am Get up. Feed Children. Shower (luxury!) Kids to school
9:00am Phone diocese about Deanery Share. Emails...
10:00am - 2:00pm Bishop's Council Working Group on Unity
2:00pm - 3:30pm Emails and Phone calls
3:30pm - 7:30pm With kids while Isla at course: Cook Tea and entertain
7:30pm - 8:30pm Putting together papers for Local Shared Ministry Project Group and Deanery Share Proposals
8:30pm Cook tea for Isla
9:00pm - 10:00pm Finish up Partnership Magazine "Voices" - not one of my best, but it's been difficult to squeeze in time for it

Total Hours Worked: 9.5 - A light day! Feel guilty for not working hard enough - lots of things could and should have been done today

Monday 19th November

7:00am Get up. Make lunches. Check emails.
8:30am Kids to school
9:00am - 6:15pm Curates Training Day near Thatcham
7:00pm Supervision Session with DM
8:00pm - 10:00pm ASL Worship Team
10:00pm-1:00pm Editing Magazine

Total Hours Worked: 15

Sunday 18th November

8:30am Out to Holy Cross to do photocopying for All Saints'
9:00am To St Mary's for 9:30 service
9:30am St Mary's 9:30 service. Preached. Left at creed...
10:00am Get to All Saints' to prepare for next service... Need to learn how to play second hymn on guitar...
10:30am Lead Morning Service at All Saints. Liz preaches.
12:30pm Back home for lunch.
2:00pm Back to All Saints to set up church for wedding preparation (projector, chairs, tea and coffee, etc...) First people arrive at 2:45 so glad I came early
3:00pm Wedding Preparation
5:00pm Home from Wedding preparation. Listen to girls playing violins - they're doing very well!
5:30pm Off to Servant King for Confirmation
6:30pm Baptisms and Confirmations at Servant King. Ryan and Nathan Baptised!
9:30pm Home from Confirmations - need to do some urgent phone calls...
10:00pm Start work on magazine - very behind - still waiting for content! Need to check emails and make sure I'm ready for tomorrow...
1:00am - give up. Too tired. Can't focus on mag...

Total Hours Worked: 13

Saturday 17th November

Saturday 17th November
8:30am Leave for Diocesan Synod in High Wycombe
3:00pm Return from Diocesan Synod
3:30pm Take Curate to Funeral Visit
5:00pm Return from Funeral Visit
5:00pm - 7:00pm Time with Family
7:00pm We all colapse into bed and sleep (I get up at 10 and work on preparation for Sunday until 1am)

Total Hours Worked: 12

Psalm 77

Tune: St Clement 9898

1. I call to God; I cry out to him.

I call to God; he will draw near.

In days of trouble, I will seek him.

I call to God and he will hear.

2. I stretch my hands to God in darkness,

My soul is poured out endlessly.

I think of God and groan in sadness;

is there no comfort here for me?

3.* My eyes are open but I’m blinded

I am so dazed, I cannot flee.

When I consider days now ended,

the memories are dark to me.

4.* At night I lie awake and wonder

what plans the Lord has made for me.

In grief my spirit makes me ponder

when God will set his people free.

5.* Has mercy gone from us for ever?

Will God show us his love no more?

Has he lost pity in displeasure?

Are promises no longer sure?

6. The hand of God is strong as ever;

his arm unchanged; his love the same.

His praise we will declare forever.

His mighty deeds we will proclaim.

7. Your way, O God, is always holy.

There is no god as great as you.

Throughout the world you show your glory

and to your people you stay true.

8. The waters saw you, God of wonders.

The waters saw and were afraid.

You speak to us in fire and thunder

and through the sea your path is laid.

9. In all creation; land and water,

the depths below, the clouds above;

your voice is heard; it makes earth shudder,

but we your people know your love.

The lectionary for 2007 only requires verses 1-2, 11-20, so the stared verses are omitted.

(c) Tim Norwood. This text can be reproduced without charge but may not be printed comercially without the permission of the author.

What do I do...

I have decided to try recording my life and activity as a member of the Watling Valley Ministry Team. This may be dull, or it may be helpful - time will tell...

Psalm 31

Tune: Amazing Grace CM

1. In you, O Lord, I put my trust.

O let me not know shame.

Deliver me in righteousness,

as I call on your name.

2. Give grace to me, for I am lost

in grief I cannot see,

my very being wastes away;

strength fails in misery.

3. To those who hate me, I am scorn;

a horror to my friends;

they flee from me in fearful dread

until my suff’ring ends.

4. I fade away like one who dies

as terrors round me stand.

But though I hear their whispered plots,

my life is in God’s hand.

5. From persecution, hate and fear,

O Lord, deliver me.

And let your face upon me shine

with me your love shall be.

To Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,

the God whom we adore,

be glory, as it was, and is,

and shall be evermore.

(c) Tim Norwood. This text can be reproduced without charge but may not be printed comercially without the permission of the author.

Psalm 32

Tune: Spiritus Vitae 98 98

1. Blessèd are those who God gives freedom

from failure, brokenness and sin.

Blessèd are those who are made guiltless,

and with whom God can now begin.

2. When I was silent in my failure

I felt as though my life would end.

Your hand pressed heavily upon me

but now on you I must depend.

3. If I admit my failings to you

and do not seek to hide my sin;

If I confess my deepest weakness

you shall remove the guilt within.

4.  For this, the faithful sing your praises,

and in their need cry out to you.

For when the floods rise up to drown them

your endless grace will lead them through.

5. You are the one I seek for shelter -

my hiding place from all I fear.

You circle me with cries of rescue.

Your love will be forever near.

6.* Let us need not a bit or bridle

like horses have when they are lead.

God will himself instruct and guide us

helping us see the way ahead.

7.* Those who reject the Lord are helpless

but love surrounds the ones who trust.

Be glad and shout for joy, you righteous.

Rejoice and know that God is just.

Omit verses with * if only Psalm 32.1-7 is required.

(c) Tim Norwood. This text can be reproduced without charge but may not be printed comercially without the permission of the author.