24/12/2010 by Dave.

But no need to need to dream. Awoke this morning to lots of fresh snow with more forecast tonight, before the big thaw at the start of next week. But a little too late fro Christmas so we’re in home for the duration!

The school socials indeed were casualties of the weather but school did open for the final week and Roddie, John Murdo and I gave our annual performance yesterday at the High School Christmas service. This year I was shepherd, Roddie a Magus and John Murdo played Jospeh, as we reflected on the journey of Jesus to earth. Seemed to go down well but it’s always a terrifying experience (for us, that is!) A second meeting of our S5 / 6 introduction to Christianity went really well with four coming along, and Mr O’Neil as well and we pray that this will become a regular feature next term. There’s still more who would really benefit and enjoy the group if they could overcome their initial reservations. Mince pies at the 60 Second Club were enjoyed by almost 20 kids, and for the last time in 2010 we prayed in two groups.

So, thanks to the school for a fabulous Christmas dinner, and to Rab for his ‘departmental’ Christmas visit to the local establishment, which he kindly allowed me to gate crash. 2010 did indeed seem to deliver on some of the expectation that we had 12 months ago and the new warmth and openness  amongst new section sof the school is tangible.

Sadly our last event of the year, Friday Nights @ Dave & Ruth’s Christmas party and reflections by candlelight, has fallen victim to this morning’s fresh snow and my leading the Christmas service tomorrow is unlikely. Oh well, I’m sure those hours preparing in the office this week will pay off at some point. Next up is the proposed annual Bible Overview Teaching with SU in January. We’ll see…

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18/12/2010 by Dave.

So the best laid plans… but the weather had other ideas. It’s been continued disruption since my last entry thanks to temperatures around -9ºC on and off, a brief return to the same above freezing last weekend, and now another few inches of snow. So schools have been open about 4 of the last 10 days, meaning disruption to exams and, for me, assembly cancellations and postponement of the S6 discussion group. Nevertheless, we had one meeting on Monday; just three of us but really good and hopefully enough to encourag tohers to come whenever we return to some normality, which may well not be until January now. Did manage to get along to Glenelg youth club last Saturday, SoundWaves on Tuesday (despite are team Bible study the week before being conducted over Skype)and the 60 Second Prayer time on Wednesday. But lots of office time and it’s beginnning to get tiresome, though have managed to crack on with various bits of prep and wrap up lots of video work that;s been sat on the computer for longer than I care to admit too!

And now the Christmas season is well under way, with possibly a Sunday service, Community Carol Service, High School service, Christmas Day service, two school socials (me being the photographer) and maybe even a couple more youth groups… if the snow allows me out on the roads with a fair dgree of safety.

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04/12/2010 by Dave.

With Staff Conference being cancelled due to heavy snow throughout the south of Scotland (not too bad here, just cold) it’s been a week to get a few admin things done in the office and also catch up on a bit of reading. I’m reading an ‘intriguing but disturbing’ book which, nevertheless, has some interesting insights that may prove to help work through some of the issues COOL is facing with our future direction. Only half way through so I’ll reserve judgment.

A typical Friday today with Kyleakin Primary assembly, Dave’s Club and Friday Nights @ Dave & Ruth’s. A brief meeting in between to discuss our objectives for the coming year (which are perhaps more numerous than I had considered, although finding the fincance is obviously a key one for other things to happen). At lunch time we started to look at some of the follow up material from the Check It Out week, but the key tie for me is on Monday. I’ve set up a short course on Monday lunchtimes, predominantly aimed at S5 & 6, to explore the faith more deeply and ask the difficult questions. We’re praying that those that responded durng the week in some way will take this opportunity to take a closer look.

I took the theme of advent for our group this evening. Around 12 youth turned up including three for the first time, which was really encouraging. I feel we’ve worked quite hard this term so I had planned an evenig of reflection based around Isaiah 9. They’re not a group that find reflection and meditation easy, but as the evening went on people seemd to be getting something out of it. Ended with lots of hilarity with a big game of Password. We’ll see who comes along on Monday.

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