Faith, Films & Fishing
Malcolm Round is our Senior Leader. Malcolm has led St Mungo’s for 22 years but still never ceases to amaze, amuse and challenge us. His blogs are certain to do likewise.
Who is Mungo?!
Those of us who have been part of St Mungo’s church for a long period have probably forgotten what an odd name for a church it sounds!! Certainly when I moved up to Scotland 22 years ago the only Mungo I had heard of was “Mungo Gerry” who sang “in the summer time when the weather is fine!…” and the cartoon “Mary, Mungo and Midge”- Bizarrely the name Mungo has become popular again due to JK Rowling Harry Potter books where there is a regular mention of ‘St Mungo’s Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries’.
And recently it was drawn to our attention that ‘Mungos Mungo’ is the Latin name for the banded mongoose!! READ MORE »
Posted on 30 August 2010
Jesus – Fishing – and visiting preachers !!
Last Sunday I was deeply hurt by our visiting speaker–he very publicly, and very pointedly criticised anybody whose hobby was fishing, suggesting it was dull, boring and silly! We rarely have an outside speaker at St Mungos-and that only reminded me why. How humiliating – and of course totally un Biblical.
Posted on 26 August 2010
Rev
I have just got around to watching a recording of the final episode of the BBC 2 comedy called ‘Rev’, that finished a couple of weeks ago. It has caused quite a stir in the media and ‘blogosphere’ . I’m still wrestling with what I thought about it, because they clearly had done their research into what it’s like for many ministers struggling in parish life . But sadly that meant the portrayal was hardly flattering and often quite sad and sordid, and it wasn’t just done for comic affect. READ MORE »
Posted on 24 August 2010
Biblical echoes in contemporary film
‘Biblical echoes in contemporary film’-is the name of an article I came across recently by Krish Kandiah in the Bible Society publication ‘Transmission’ that really help me to think through films.
Now to be honest I actually go to see films for pure entertainment (though I do pretend it’s to get contemporary sermon illustrations). I am not cultured, I don’t want to go to arty, deep, independent or foreign films, I want pure escapism, and I are more than willing to watch the next big BlockBuster that comes to the Wester Hailes Odeon on an Orange Wednesday! READ MORE »
Posted on 1 September 2010
Giving church another chance!
While “giving church another chance” is always great advice, it’s actually the title of a book I’ve just read. In itself that’s unusual because I’m not very good at reading Christian books. I will avidly read anything in the Rebus/ Clancy /Grisham genre – but it takes a lot to get me beyond chapter one of any kind of Christian book. But I managed to read (most) of this book partly because of the author’s personal spiritual journey – but mostly because of the topic.
The American author Todd Hunter became a Christian during the “Jesus people” movement (like I did ) but became part of the original Vineyard movement led by John Wimber (a movement that still deeply impacts my life) and he ended as national coordinator and president of the Vineyard churches. READ MORE »
Posted on 20 August 2010
The Office
I never found Ricky Gervais’ comedy ‘The Office’ very funny, maybe it’s my lack of a sense of humour (!?) Or possibly I’ve never understood the dynamics of an office because I had never worked in one-until last year. For nearly 30 years of ordained church ministry I have worked alone at home in my study with my dog at my feet. So you can imagine the culture shock of suddenly working in an office, with up to fourteen other people and where dogs are banned! READ MORE »
Posted on 17 August 2010
What on earth is a Vestry?!
For those uninitiated into the ancient art of Episcopalian nomenclature the term “vestry” is very bizarre!
I thought I knew what a vestry was when I came to Scotland 22 years ago –in the deep south, the ‘vestry’ was a term for a little dark dank room in the church where you changed into your robes or vestments before the service! (Not that those were things I wore or still wear very often.) READ MORE »
Posted on 14 August 2010
Black Dog
“I had a black dog”. That isn’t a description of my canine ownership – I’ve actually always had border collies which are black and white (and sometimes tan as well!). “I had a black dog” is the title of my new favourite picture book! It’s a small book with wonderful illustrations but what makes it unique – is it’s about depression! I think it was Winston Churchill who nicknamed his depression “black dog” and this book, which I only came across a couple of weeks ago is the very best thing I’ve ever seen about depression – because it’s basically just cartoon style illustrations with very few words -yet somehow the writer and illustrator – Matthew Johnson –has brilliantly captured the world of depression –and I should know – I’m one of those many people who wrestle with depression. READ MORE »
Posted on 9 August 2010
Worship Music
I have just splashed out on some new worship CDs. I realized I hadn’t been listening to anything fresh for a few months when it came to contemporary Christian worship songs. I find it’s great to immerse myself with Christian worship music during the week; not just in our Sunday Services, where we give over plenty of time to “sung worship”. READ MORE »
Posted on 5 August 2010
Hooked!!
During the weekend before last, every one asked me why I had such a large medical plaster over my hand- so I kept having to admit that I had badly “Hooked” myself while fishing! So embarrassing! With great skill I had deeply impaled a large fishing lure into my flesh. I initially tried to push the hook right through so there I could then deal with the vicious barb, but I found the flesh too hard to get through that way – so in the end I just wriggled it and pulled it until I ripped it out. READ MORE »
Posted on 2 August 2010
Hello! Goodbye!
Last week I attended two gatherings at our church office that underline the significance of relationships.
Firstly, three of us gathered to have a snack lunch with our good friend Waqas –a minister in Pakistan, who we as a church have been supporting. It is always a deeply moving experience to meet Waqas: to hear first hand what it is like to be living as a Christian in an intensely Muslim country going through political and religious turmoil READ MORE »
Posted on 27 July 2010
Faith, Films & Fishing
Apparently the name one chooses for a ‘blog’ is very important – once you start, you’re stuck with it forever! I have been playing around with the working title of “faith, films and fishing”.
And although I don’t think that will be the best name for this new St Mungo’s blog I certainly felt the intersection of two of those might make a good opening article – and it’s not about fishing! READ MORE »
Posted on 22 July 2010
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