Thought for the week ...

Thought for the week ...

It's my last day for 2023

Today I've made the mistake of saying to several people that it is my last day, and they've taken me literally, thinking that I'm leaving the campus.  But no, not just yet; it's just my last day for 2023 as I go on annual leave tomorrow to visit my family.

So today's highlight was the FES faculty Christmas Lunch.  On entry to the dining area, we were beautifully serenaded by Andrew on the piano.

I do love a Christmas turkey dinner and the catering team all do such a cracking job. So, thank you Erkan, thank you chef and thank you to all my lovely cafe friends!!!

Truly scrumptious 😀

Nicola, Sharon, Nicola and I

Me, Aiste and Nerissa

TABLEtalk Christmas Celebration

Better late than never  ...  or so they say 😏😏  Seriously though, I don't know why it's taken me so long to get this post completed.  Maybe I've just been distracted by too many Christmas celebrations 😀😀

We had 17 students and 4 volunteers at our last TABLEtalk of this term, and this calendar year.  It was a fun Christmas celebration with food and games and a gift exchange.  

Hopefully others enjoyed it as much as I did.

The wearing of Christmas jumpers and Christmas hats was strongly encouraged!!

Our games included 'Cup Stack', not quite as easy as it sounds; plus 'It's a Wrap', 'Reindeer Race' and 'Hula Hoop Hurry Up'.

I'm really not sure about this
attempt at Reindeer antlers 😒😒

The winners of Hula Hoop
Hurray Up were all from the
same team 'The Sneaky Santas'

Our gift exchange was done the 'Legal Steal' way 😀  Please don't ask me to explain it here, it's a little complicated, but sooooooooo much fun 😀

A Christmas thought ...

On Christmas Day 1914 a spontaneous truce occurred along parts of the Western Front.  Allied and German troops met together in ‘no-man’s land’.  Enemies came together, exchanged small impromptu gifts, sang carols, and reportedly, played football.  Whilst this ceasefire was short lived it provides us a glimmer of hope for peace and reconciliation.

It's no news to anyone that we currently live in a confused and somewhat HOPE-less, war-torn world.  We continue to pray for meaningful and lasting PEACE between Russia & Ukraine, Israel & Palestine, and so many other areas of our world where there is war and injustice.

Yet, Christmas is all about HOPE and PEACE.  Jesus Christ came so that each one of us would be reconciled to Him and to each other.

Whatever your plans this Christmas, wherever in the world you and your families may be, I pray that the joy of the angels, the eagerness of the shepherds, the perseverance of the wise men, the obedience of Joseph and Mary, and the peace of the Christ child will be yours this Christmas season.

Lynne Martin, Medway Campus Chaplain

Thought for the week ...

Christmas at our World Cafe

Many thanks to Frank, Denise, Abi and Desh for their help at our Christmas World Cafe.  

We had 75 very happy students 😀

Bring out the Christmas jumpers!!!