Twitter Digest for for 2010-11-28
- RT @rhutch: Breaking News. Steve Jobs is to buy Ireland to solve the debt problem. It will be rebranded iLand #Bailout #
- I woke up this morning as the father of a one year old son – how did that happen? Wouldn't change a single thing though! Love you Isaac x #
- RT @babyrew: I've had 2 days of birthday celebrations already; today is actually my birthday & I'm about to open the rest of my presents. #
- exhausted after 2+ hours in the soft play area with the birthday boy! By comparison the church meeting will seem very dull tonight ;0) #
- RT @babyrew: Two firsts for me today: seeing piglets & eating Frazzles* – the two were not directly related {*other bacon snacks available} #
- Day of emails/admin and service planning x2 – then Emulate meeting followed by Safeguarding Group Meeting. Then bed hopefully! #
- Upcoming Event: Appreciating Christians in Education – http://www.easyrew.com/christians-in-education/ #
- Have you been positively influenced by a teacher? Please share your story >> http://bit.ly/b7ud8j #
- 16 mobile Bible reading/study apps – find one which suits you: http://www.youversion.com/free-bible-apps #
- I love Dropbox because it's simple, quick & reliable. http://db.tt/yu35HdD #
- Back from great early prayer meeting at Leon School – now have a morning off with Tracy & Isaac: Christmas shopping! #
- contemplating surrender (in a positive way, of course) #
- What a brilliant afternoon: just woken from a long nap with my boy, and confirmed some work with a Primary school. #
- RT @missionalrev: I met Santa today – Jesus is way cooler! #
- RT @RickWarren: You only discover your true self by surrendering your self completely to Christ. // the message of our service tomorrow. #
- Too late to put the finishing touches to this morning's service? Of course not! #
- The difference between 'Jesus as Saviour' & 'Jesus as Lord' is surrender… #
Twitter Digest for for 2010-11-21
- Preparing for Chaplaincy Vetting Interview at Oakhill STC – reviewing the last 20 years of my life (gasp!) & naming up to 20 referees! #
- Ferrari Theme Park featuring 'Formula Rossa', the worlds fastest roller coaster [video]: http://bbc.in/crAPrm #
- RT @ScottyWardSmith: Jesus may the New Command, to love as you love us, move us to tangible kindness, quick repentances & sacrificial caring #
- Day off – heading to Lincoln to chill out and catch up with friends. #
- Isaac hitting the bottle outside Lincoln Cathedral http://instagr.am/p/Raic/ #
- Isaac opening his first 1st birthday present http://instagr.am/p/Rans/ #
- Isaac reading his lovely new book http://instagr.am/p/Rati/ #
- Snuggly & sleeping at the top of Steep Hill, Lincoln http://instagr.am/p/RavG/ #
- Beautiful clear, crisp day at Lincoln Cathedral http://instagr.am/p/Rayn/ #
- Have had a bad back for almost three weeks now – enjoying my medicinal long soaks in a hot bath – but praying it will recover very soon! #
- Vetting interview this morning for volunteer chaplain role at Oakhill Secure Training Centre – prayers appreciated… #
- Instead of attending @youthworkconf I will be celebrating the 1st birthday of my son, Isaac, who was born during last year's event #ywc #
- My fantastic new #Moo contact cards have arrived – colours not quite as expected, but I won't tell if you don't ;o) @overheardatmoo #
- Eastbourne being invaded by hundreds of youthworkers for annual Youth Work Conference @youthworkconf – average age reduced by 40+ years! #
- off for coffee and chat with a young person who is back briefly from Uni, then heading to a funeral: RIP Ella McBurnie… #
- Upcoming Event: Appreciating Christians in Education – http://www.easyrew.com/christians-in-education/ #
- Do you have positive memories from school & a story to tell about a great teacher? Please get in touch and share >> http://bit.ly/b7ud8j #
- Have you been positively influenced by a teacher? Please share your story >> http://bit.ly/b7ud8j #
Bookmarks for November 18th to November 19th
These are the links I’ve bookmarked recently on Delicious [November 18th to November 19th]:
- Milton Keynes Schools Website -
- Facts and Figures on… 2005 English Church Census and Evangelicalism – General findings on church attendance in England from the 2005 English Church Census, including denominational figures, and statistics on evangelical growth and attendance.
- Adobe Kuler – application for generating color themes that can inspire any project. No matter what you’re creating, with Kuler you can experiment quickly with color variations and browse thousands of themes from the Kuler community.
School wasn’t my favourite time for lots of reasons, but I can look back on it now with fond memories. In preparation for an event we’re organising to celebrate, encourage & commission Christian teachers, I’ve been reflecting on some school memories, and in particular, some of my teachers.
During my first school & middle school years I had some excellent teachers who made learning fun (and some who made it not even seem like learning!), but the teachers who really stand out are mostly from my time in secondary school. I won’t say too much here, as I’ll be sharing some of the stories during the event: for now let’s just say one was referred to as ‘the Hobbit’, one was ‘fit as!’ and another (supply teacher) went on to become leader of MK Council…
During the event we’d like to include anecdotes & stories of teachers (and support workers) who really stood out during your school life, who had a significant positive impact on you, and
Do you have a story to share?
- perhaps you can think of a member of staff who has had a lasting impact on you: a teacher, dinner lady, secretary, caretaker, or librarian…
- maybe there’s a specific incident you can recall from your school day where you were inspired by an individual…
- or have you kept in contact with one of your former teachers, and become friends over time…
There is a huge amount of excellent work being done in schools by great teachers & support workers. Can you spare a few minutes to share your story and perhaps in turn inspire them? Please add it as a comment below, or drop me an email: youth.minister@spurgeonbaptistmk.org
Appreciating Christians in Education
I am fortunate to know a number of teachers & support workers: some are members at my Church, others are friends, some are acquaintances. I’m privileged to be able to go into our local Secondary school once a fortnight and pray with some of them.
The city I live in has a high proportion of young people – and as a result has a lot of schools (90 Primary, 13 Secondary) and, of course, a lot of teachers/support workers too. For the last year we’ve been thinking about putting on an event for Christians who work in our local schools:
- to encourage them
- share some resources
- give them space to chat together
- celebrate the work they do
- commission them for another year
Now the thinking and dreaming is over, and the planning and doing has begun. But the scope has changed, as we’ll be extending the invitation to Christians in Education across the whole of Milton Keynes and we’ll be working in partnership with the MK Bridgebuilder Trust.
We’ll be releasing more details in due course, but if you’d like to be kept informed about the event, add a comment below or drop me an email: youth.minister@spurgeonbaptistmk.org
Meanwhile, please pray that we’d reach as many Christians in Education as possible.
Twitter Digest for for 2010-11-14
- The Serenity Prayer in flow chart form: http://bit.ly/cQXWR8 #
- Long busy day: exploring the Bible with Years 4 & 5, networking with partners, admin & reading, Deacons Meeting – then breathe & bed! #
- RT @drbexl & @bigdaddywhale : "twitter hasn't replaced texting, what twitter has replaced is muttering to yourself" #quote Rich Wyld #
- American Football – genius play: watch closely in the first few seconds, then marvel: http://youtu.be/0UIdI8khMkw #
- Bring the Christmas Story alive for the 'internet generation' with the @Natwivity: http://www.easyrew.com/natwivity/ #thetwitternativity #
- looking for a subtle metaphor re: skewed priorities – 'cart before horse' is the best I've got – anything better? #
- Comic: How the Browser Works? http://j.mp/aGbMPp #
- RT @XIANITY: THEOLOGY: God announced today that even if you spell his name G-D he & everyone else still knows there is an "O" in there. #
- 'there's a risk of undescended testicles in women who have taken a mixture of painkillers during pregnancy' BBC Breakfast #
- really encouraging meeting this morning (better than last night's!) followed by a lovely walk home, now for 2nd meeting with my Mentor. #
- 'never tell a child *what* to think or believe; always encourage them to think about what *they* believe' – Rachel Foster #wisdomoftheages #
- A child will be born! He'll rule the world. He'll be called amazing counsellor, eternal father. He will have no limits. http://bit.ly/bnyqUx #
- '…there is no better method of introducing a generation of young people to the Christian Faith than the BB.' – Steve Dickinson // Really?! #
- RT @bradphoria: Facebook is for friends that are now strangers. Twitter is for strangers that should be your friends. #
- Up & out early for prayer meeting at Leon School – what time is it? It's ugly o'clock! #
- RT @benmiz: just deleted my foursquare account… what was that all about? // praise God – hoping many follow where you have led #
- RT @FrDavidCloake: Yad Vashem: Death by Loose Garment http://t.co/jCiKVkF #
- great day so far: early prayer meeting, morning off(!), gas fire removed, DIY done (some of it anyway), now admin & prep for Nooma @ Amicus. #
- observing a Primary School assembly then on to Leadership Day with Tony Morgan – looking forward to both in equal measure. #
- RT @rhutch: On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month 92 years ago the First World War ended & today we remember… #
- I'm all over it – like a tramp on chips! #
- Great morning with @tonymorganlive: simple & common-sense, yet hugely insightful and massively challenging! Lots to ponder & chew over! #
- 'God let me make a difference for you that is utterly disproportionate to who I am.' – David Brainerd (1718-1747) #
- Thank Crunchy it's Friday! My favourite day of the week: prayers, Teddy Tots & Emulate! Then the bonus of X:Site tomorrow – woohoo! #
- Have lost my headphones – will have to pay attention to the world around me on my walk instead. #
- RT @paulkerensa: One good turn, and you get the duvet. #
- #FollowFriday @gemmadunning @bigdaddywhale @loufunnell @markrusselluk @simonrudiger @frdavidcloake @natwivity @alicampbellyes /all worth it #
- #FollowFriday ctnd @mjchurchill @nickbuttons @frdavidcloake @natwivity @alicampbellyes @therevbishop #
- just ordered contact cards from Moo.com – about time, been here over a year already! [PS 30% off until midday tomorrow] @overheardatmoo #
- 1st world problems vs. real problems: http://bit.ly/ao6U3o #
- up obscenely early on my 'day off', Tracy is off for a treat with the girls so it's man time for me and Isaac. Love it! #
- 'God has more than enough time – in fact, time & space is essentially just the front lawn. You should see the *back*!' #
- RT @perrynoble: John 2:5 = the best advice in the Bible!!! // for those who won't look it up 'do whatever Jesus tells you to do'! #
- RT @babyrew: I've just cut another tooth – that makes a grand total of two! #
- 12 Fun Hacks for Getting More Out of YouTube: http://on.mash.to/c3vltW #
Bring the Christmas Story Alive
Introducing the Natwivity (Twitter Nativity)
This Christmas, parents and grandparents will attend their childrens’ schools to watch their miniature shepherds, angels and inn keepers perform the Nativity story. This traditional retelling remains a huge part of Christmas in the UK and, for many, will be the only time they hear the Christmas message.
But many others – particularly those in their teens, 20s and 30s who are yet to have children – won’t have this opportunity. This is the internet generation, and although they are unlikely to cross the threshold of a school, they do spend a considerable amount of their time online.
The Natwivity (the Twitter Nativity) takes advantage of social media’s unparalleled capacity to engage people as they go about their everyday life to re-tell the Christmas story in a fresh, personal way. Available on Twitter and Facebook, people will be able to pick up the ‘tweets’ online in their homes, in the high street using their phones and at work.
The Natwivity will give this famous story an immediate, real-life feel, transforming them from people 2,000 years ago to friends of the user, who are going through the drama now. Followers will be able to read Mary’s angst as she tries to come to terms with the birth of her child, and hear from the stunned shepherds after their encounter with an angel.
Each 140-character entry will be a thought or comment from Mary, Joseph, collective wisemen and shepherds, with further entries from Herod, an Inn Keeper (and his wife) and friends of Mary and Joseph.
The project aims to…
- Reinforce the story of Christmas
- Allow the 21st century audience to engage with the story in a new way
- Create a space for Christians during a cluttered time of the year to remember the story
- Create a way for Christians to engage their friends with the story in a thought-provoking, yet fun way
What Now?
- Join in:
- Follow along on your preferred site: Twitter or Facebook
- Tell others to do the same!
Twitter Digest for for 2010-11-07
- Local news: Christians responsible for breakout at Oakhill Secure Training Centre http://bit.ly/oakhillstc #
- RT @babyrew: Rookie mistake: Daddy left the stairgate open so I climbed to the top of the stairs unsupervised & went to play in my nursery. #
- Heading out for the morning & just had the most amazing goodbye hug from Isaac – brought tears to my eyes… #
- My lunch companions at Ikea… http://instagr.am/p/Hy-D/ #
- iPhone 4 Alarm Bug wakes Europe an hour late – grateful for Isaac's internal alarm: http://bit.ly/bnnkMx #
- fantastic couple of weeks, great events, amazing weekend, so blessed yesterday, such promise & potential & opportunity! More Lord, more… #
- Local news: Christians responsible for breakout at Oakhill Secure Training Centre: http://bit.ly/oakhillstc #
- A letter to the Editor of the MK Citizen re: Oakhill STC – http://www.easyrew.com/letter-to-the-editor/ #
- Just booked onto the Social Media for Social Change conference, 30th Nov – looking forward to it: http://bit.ly/smfsc #
- 'you can give without loving, but you can't love without giving' Perry Noble #
- Children in Church, even noisy ones, are a blessing & to be celebrated! Great reflection & comment here: http://bit.ly/aXoC14 #
- Technical Optimism: the glass is always full – http://whyismarko.com/technical-optimism/ #
- heading off to the Youth Leader/Childrens Worker Breakfast at Ikea MK – see you there at 9:30 then back to Bridgebuilder for prayer… #
- RT @youthblogoxford: Met someone who believed you couldn't speak to a young person if you weren't CRB cleared! #urbanCRBmyths #
- 'the Word of God is powerful when preached: you don't chain up a pitbull – you unleash it!' – Perry Noble #
- 'You bled your heart out, now I feel love beat in my chest: how wonderful!' You Bled – Rend Collective Experiment #
- RT @mikecapener: "Without vision people parish" – Michael Cassidy #
- It's Friday night and I have the whole weekend off – how sweet it is! #
- Great comment on and examples from the updated NIV 2011 text: The Little Changes – http://bit.ly/dxWKtu #
- Quality time with the boy this morning, wider family this afternoon, then just the three of us this evening – a great day! #
- RT @DougieSellers: New young member at men's breakfast – welcome Isaac (@babyrew) … http://yfrog.com/jjngwaj #
Letter to the Editor
The following is a letter I’ve written to the Editor of the MK Citizen in response to a recent article regarding concerns at Oakhill Secure Training Centre:
I read with interest your article last week regarding ‘possible abuse’ at Oakhill STC. I am an occasional visitor to Oakhill and have always found it to be an incredibly positive and supportive environment with excellent relationships between trainees and officers.
Your article seems to suggest that an ‘outstanding’ rating from Ofsted and an increase in physical restraint incidents must be mutually exclusive. I’d like to suggest that perhaps they are complementary.
We must remember that the staff at Oakhill are acutely aware of the reason the trainees are there and what they are capable of. I’m sure that physical restraint is absolutely the last resort. I wonder how many cases of physical harm (to staff & inmates) have been avoided by these physical restraint incidents.
I do not condone physical abuse of trainees and as an allegation has been made it should of course be investigated, but we must not allow the allegation to detract from the outstanding work being done by the Centre as a whole.
Rev. Ricky Rew
Bletchley
