As part of my job as a Mission Apprentice we have to write 100 word summaries of what we have been up to each month. I wrote my first one on the train but then discovered that it was way over 100 words! so I truncated it but I didn't want my train journey to be a waste so I thought I would put the unabridged version here:

I arrived at the Mission Apprentice training residential in June excited but a little anxious about meeting my fellow mission apprentices. My anxiety was quickly put to rest once I met everyone and the laughter began. I thoroughly enjoyed being stretched at the residential and I tried many new things: sharing testimonies, modern worship seasons with a guitar accompaniment and ribena! (of all things). All of which put me slightly out of my comfort zone (the ribena was a bit of a joke but it was the first time I had had it though!). I was really inspired by everyones stories and I was struck by how even though some were very different to my own I found that everyone completely respected and took seriously each others experiences. I think that, that taking seriously and deep listening is one of the big things I took away from the few days we spent together and I hope to carry it on through my missional work in Rubery.

 The last couple of months since the residential have been an interesting mix of being very busy and having deep periods of good rest. I moved in to Rubery and met a few of the parishioners who came to help me decorate my new flat, I have began to get to know the area before I begin work in September, going to a couple of local cafés and an ice cream parlor. I also attended a couple of services at St Chad's and was sung happy birthday at the end of one which was lovely. The parishioners have been extremely warm and welcoming and I am really excited to work with them in our mission to the local area.

I have a lot of ideas for projects that I would like to initiate but I want to get to know my parish context a little better before I jump right in, I like the idea of starting a breakfast club for parents and children. I would also like to start a community garden at St Chad's and I was excited to learn that one of our parishioners has her own allotment so she may be keen to help! Also I might put the idea of running an art festival in conjunction with the return of the some art works to the front of the church building. On top of this I am hoping that some ideas will come to me organically as I better get to know my area.

***

I hope that wasn't to dull for some of you, I will be back later on with a blog about moving in and decorating with some nice before and after pictures!

lots of love
Jodie