awakeover eve

It's the day before awakeover.

I've been busy with many things and thoughts.

My children and my wife all went back to school today.

I was involved in a meeting at County Hall all morning, totally unrelated to awakeover.

After the meeting, I wandered the streets of Haverfordwest, buying bits and pieces. Postit notes. Crayons.

I became aimless, a wanderer.

I went into Morrison's supermarket to get some milkshake.

I became almost overwhelmed with sadness, which came from nowhere and almost pressed me to the floor.

I remember thinking; "if I was at Ffald-y-Brenin now I could collapse on the floor, I could weep, sob and cry, and no-one would think it strange." How would the staff of Morrison's react?

I held it together, though I felt VERY slow and lethargic for some time, as if something (or someone) was weighing me down.

It lifted as I cycled home, but when I got home, I just didn't want to be there, and despite my fatigue, walked up to the school to meet my family.

Tonight, I went to the church with Nigel and Alun. We added a few touches here and there, then we went round the church and asked God to bless each of the prayer stations. There was a palpable presence in the church.

it's almost here

I cannot believe awakeover is almost here!

I have not updated the blog because I seem to be in a small minority when it comes to using the interweb as a means of communication. The clergy seemed to have grasped the efficacy of email, but no-one else has been anywhere near this blog.

It's been difficult. We've all had holidays, at slightly different times. Things have been left undone. People have completely dropped off the communication train, but somehow we're there.

I've had the odd bit of panic recently, but nothing major.

It's in God's hands.

We've planned the stations:

The Font - drop a pebble in the font and watch its ripples.

Prayer Knots - make your own to aid you to focus on the Holy Trinity

Crafts and games - something for children

Prayer Walls (2) Asking and Thanking

Lectio Divina - letting the Bible read you

Christian meditation - suggested theme "fruit of the spirit"

Offering - offer your prayers to God

Icons and candles - light a candle, pray with icons

The Cross - self explanatory really

The Labyrinth - walk the labyrinth, take a spiritual journey!

We need to buy things like tea, coffee, sugar, milk, and biccies, pencils and paper.

2nd meeting

Today was the second group meeting. Alun couldn't make it due to being involved in Beach Mission in Aberystwyth, though he will be back for a site meeting at St Pat's with Nigel and Jim on Saturday morning. Details of meeting to be written up by Nigel and posted in due course.

first accident

The first posters and flyers were printed with the wrong date! It's a good job someone noticed that sooner rather than later. I have now reprinted, and posters, flyers, and prayer requests are ready for distribution. Nigel has suggested that we have the prayer requests in public spaces such as Post Offices, doctors' surgeries, libraries, community centres. Great idea!

This needs volunteers!

I can produce the boxes, the prayer request forms and information leaflets, but people need to be out there distributing them, monitoring them, and collecting them in.

first meeting

The first meeting has taken place and was mostly positive. The clergy are nervous! Negtivity was swept away, and some very positive ideas were discussed. The support material from the 24/7 website was handed out and would seem to be invaluable. The meeting was somewhat disrupted by the church bell ringing constantly, but we covered most of what we needed to.

Another meeting is scheduled for next week, same time, Wednesday 9.30am after morning prayers. Anyone who wishes to join in with the organisational side of things is very welcome to join us in St John's Parish Office, Pembroke Dock.

After the meeting, Alun and myself discussed the wording of the poster and a welcome letter, both of which are now complete and ready for distribution.

genesis

awakeover is a new and experimental call to prayer. It is non-denominational, and open to everyone.