TABLEtalk is back!!!

 What a marvellous first evening back at TABLEtalk, we almost ran out of chairs 😲😲😲

To begin our evening I asked some of our longer term students and alumni to give just one adjective to describe TABLEtalk. Their responses were: life-changing, family, interactive, retrospective, relaxing, peace-giving, opinion-sharing, supportive, mind-blowing.

Our 27 participants were made up of 14 longer-term students and alumni, plus 13 new students from China, India, Iraq, Peru and Nigeria.  From the very start everyone really engaged with each other, initially in the introduction pair exercise through to our 'Getting to Know You' game.

I thoroughly enjoyed the evening and felt so encouraged. 

I hope and pray our 'newbies' will return in weeks to come.

Thought for the week ...

On a personal note ...

Goodbyes are never easy!  Especially when they are people who have become so dear to your heart 💖💖

This past Saturday was a day of goodbyes for me 😢

Firstly, to Andy Wooding-Jones who has been my line manager for the past five years. Andy and his wife, Margaret, have been pillars in the Rochester Diocese during their time here, and will be missed by many people.

Andy has helped to keep me sane through some difficult circumstances. He has been a wonderful and wise listening ear when I've needed it, for which I'm immensely grateful.

It's with much sadness that I see them go, but also a deep sense that God is in control and he has a wonderful new season ahead of them, as they move to Sheffield.

My other goodbye was to dear friends Gary & Chris Atkins, who I've known for over 30 years.  They move to pastures new in Suffolk, which I'm told is a good location for a holiday 😆

I consider Chris my bestest of bestest friends and I don't think she realises the support and the impact she's had on my life, especially since I moved back to Medway in 2011.

Once again, I am deeply happy for them, but I don't think it's sunk in yet that they're not just going on holiday 😕  It's not just them, it's their children too, all of whom I've known since birth.

If Luna goes missing this week,
I think the first place they should
look, is my house 😲

I take comfort in the fact that our friendship has lasted the test of time and distance before and, therefore, will do again.  Whilst they were serving God in Mozambique between 1993-95, I was doing the same in Canada  ...  not sure we could have been much further apart.

Once again, they go with my love and blessing and prayers for this new season ahead  ...

and, yes Gary, the promise of a visit soon!!!

Thought for the week ...

Thought for the week ...

Caption Competition

My friend Pauline shot this great photo on our student trip to Lesnes Abbey Woods over the summer.  As soon as I saw it, I thought it would make a great caption competition (sometimes I just need a little bit of entertaining!!).

Here are some of the entries I received ...

"When life gets tough, find the nearest playground and let loose!"

"Even the smallest adventures can create lasting memories."

"When it is your first time shopping at Aldi and your items are being scanned at the checkout."

"Hold on tight!!!!!!!!!"

"Lynne's environmentally friendly mode of transport may have sprung a few problems this academic year..."

"BYYY(K)EEE !!!!"

There were two entries that I really liked and have decided to award runner up prizes of some yummy shortbread biscuits:

"When Lynne was offered the

ride of her life, this was

not what she was expecting!"

Hayley Smith (University of Greenwich)

"Medway Chaplaincy ...

always ready to spring into action!!!"

Julie Sutcliffe (University of Kent)

However, our winning entry was submitted by a University of Greenwich student, Jacob Chander, who wins a £10 Amazon voucher!

"When you try to re-live your childhood,

but your knees remind you,

you’re on borrowed time."

This made me laugh so much as it arrived directly upon returning from a physiotherapist appointment in which we discussed all the mechanical failings of my knee and the possible need for surgery 😂😂😂

Thought for the week ...