This follows on from previous posts but in some senses is not directly related to previous content.

One of the many things I have learnt in my first years in minstry is to attend to that inner compulsion to visit someone. Yesterday I attended to it and am so glad I did as the person concerned died at lunchtime today. I see them most weeks but hadn't last week, and generally I go later in the week so I have up-to-date information for Sunday but yesterday I thought of going so I did. In the past I have ignored that little voice, to my shame, and missed someone.

It may not be God's megaphone in the city though sometimes I wish it was because then its easier to hear it but that gentle nudge can be just as effective as long as I act on it.

This morning I was on a faith panel talking about what it is like to minister in a multi-faith area and the Anglican priest involved was reflecting on the parable of the mustard seed. As he read it I began to wonder where I had been a mustard seed in my time especially as it is now only 50 days till I leave, so its good to reflect.

As I spoke about my experiences of the last five years I could see a few small mustard seeds that I believe I have planted and one or two that have taken root and are beginning to grow. Some I will be able to continue to nuture but others I will have to leave to others to water and tend.  Some I hope to see to grow to be a tree others can nest in but others I may never know what happened to them-  whether they grow or wither and I guess there may be growth from seeds I have no idea I have planted.

All I can do is leave it all in God's gracious arms and purposes.

JUst read this report from the BU E-News sweep.

Equality Bill 'could lead councils to clamp down on Christmas decorations'

Christmas celebrations could be cancelled to avoid offending people of other faiths due to the 'complex' Equality Bill, Catholic bishops have warned.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/65916...

As someone who lives in one the most multi cutual and mulit faith cities in the country and is surrounded by many faiths I am so angry about this. Our council do nothing of the sort - we have lights for Eid, lights for Diwali, lights for Vaisakhi and...shock horror....lights for Christmas - in fact a Christams tree in the centre of town, the Town Hall decked in lights and even worse (or is that really better) a crib scene and carols being played! In fact our friends of other faiths got very worked up one year when the 'Christian tree' was not displayed.

I know I get worked up about this every year but have these people actually asked what the people of other faiths actually think and feel? Or are they just using it as an excuse to take Christ out of Christmas for themselves as they don't want to think about faith?