Cardiff Bay

I've finally got round to blogging again. That's not quite true. I've finally found something that has inspired me to blog. there are a number of topics/issues I would like to blog about, but none have quite formed yet, so I'll leave them to rattle around longer.

Anyway, last week I was lucky enough to be in Cardiff. I had been planning The Residential, a very exciting Wales Methodist Youth Weekend (more info here), and had a few hours to spare after the meeting, so I headed down to Cardiff Bay. Now I love the Bay, for a number of reasons. It's beautiful, it has such a mix of interested things, and maybe most importantly, it is where I first got to know a certain person. If you are a Doctor Who or Torchwood fan, you would recognise any of the buildings. So as I was wandering around, I started taking some photos, for no real reason, but now they are forming a blog. (Sorry for the poor quality, they were taking on my iPod.)

So, to get from Central Cardiff down to the Bay, you walk along David Lloyd George Road, through Butetown, which is... not the most attractive of places. But after about 3/4 of a mile you are suddenly looking out over Cardiff Bay. 

I love the mix of architecture, the old red brick of the Corn Exchange, and just to the right the modern glass, wood and stone of the Senedd (the seat of the Welsh Government).

One of the first things I saw (which I don't think I've seen before, though I had heard of it) is this amazing memorial wall.

But there is something a little different about this. It is for Ianto Jones. For those of you who don't watch Torchwood, Ianto was a fictional character who gave his life saving the world's children from aliens. That's right, a TV character who's death was portrayed in an episode shown in July 2009 still has a memorial almost three years later. And the Management of Mermaid Quay (the Retail Centre in the Bay) continue to maintain it. This really touched me, that was started as a spontaneous memorial to a loved TV character has now become part of the area.

'Ianto Jones 1983-2009 Torchwood 3. Gave his life in defense of the Children of this planet. The Management of Mermaid Quay salutes you.'

I walked around the Bay a bit until I got to The Lightship.

This is an 60 year old lightship (obviously) that was bought by a Christian group, restored and now serves as a Beacon of Christian witness, as a Coffee Shop and Chaplaincy. I've loved the Lightship since I was a little boy, when I remember climbing up the tower with my dad, while my mum stayed with my sister (who was scared of heights). I popped in to avoid a particularly heavy shower, treated myself to a cake and enjoyed the gentle rocking the wind caused.

 I then headed back round to the Corn Exchange  and popped into the Millennium Centre. It brought back memories of the Methodist Youth Conference I helped plan in 2007, where we had our Sunday Worship in the Millennium Centre, and how that was the beginning of my journey into the wonderful (and sometimes weird) world of Connexional Methodism, which has shaped the past few years of my life.

And with that, I went back into Cardiff to catch the train. And as I walked into the station I saw one of those random little events that makes me love the human race. 

I saw a man, walk past holding a giant cuddly dinosaur by the neck. Not something you see every day.

Politics, Prayer and the Pulpit

Yesterday was the first time I can remember that I have seriously considered walking out of a church mid service because of a preacher. It wasn't because she chose 'Shine Jesus Shine' (which she didn't) as someone suggested, or the 10 point sermon mainly on the architecture of Noah's ark (which we did get). It was over the prayers of intercession.

Now I've come across the age old 'using-the-prayers-of-intercession-as-a-chance-to-gossip-about-the-people-we-are-praying-for' issue before, and that annoyed me, but this was a whole new level. The local preacher, who isn't from our church, prayed for (and this is a paraphrase as I can't remember the exact words) 'David Cameron to change his mind over his support for the evil marriage bill'.  Yep, you read that right.

I don't really want to get into a debate about the Equal Marriage issue, though I'm happy to say that I support the idea of gay marriage. My issue is over politics, prayer and the pulpit.

I would never want the church to shy away from politics. The church has a powerful role to play on social issues. Put I do have an issue of preachers using the pulpit, let alone group prayers, to push a personal political agenda, without consideration or sensitivity. During the 2010 election campaigns, both my Church Ministers (Home and Uni) stressed that they were not going to tell people how to vote, or try and influence them, as that would be an abuse of power. But yesterday, I heard a local preacher ask God, on behalf of the Church, to turn a politician against a controversial issue. I respect her right to her opinion, though I disagree with her, but prayer is not the time to make comments like that.

As I mentioned, she is not from our church. She wasn't to know if there was any homosexual people in the congregation. She didn't know the situations, beliefs and views of the people sat in the pews. I have been attending this church since I was little more than a twinkle in my father's eye, and I don't know the situations and beliefs of most. I had been sat next to a visiting couple (before I had to dart to the back to play with the PA controls), and I was so worried about what their first impression of our church would be. I spend a lot of time trying to fight against the stereotypical view of Christians, and then it happens from the pulpit of my own church.

I'm going to wrap this up fairly soon, as I realise this is turning into more of a rant than anything else, and i don't want this to be read as a personal attack on the preacher in question. But the point was that I'm calling for preachers - no, actually all Christians - to act with compassion, sensitivity and common sense when discussing issues that are close to the hearts of many. And prayer is never the time!

On a lighter note, here are two bands that you should check out on SoundCloud. People Saw Us are a York based band, the drummer being a friend of mine. And Dennis is a band of the sister of another friend. Both their stuff is worth a listen.

PS: technically my church doesn't have a pulpit, we use a lecturn. But I liked the alliteration of 'Politics, Prayer and the Pulpit'

PPS: I'd like to email the Local Preacher to outline my concerns, but currently can't find her email address.

3Generate as a Youth Pres Candidate

Ok, this is only three months late, but after Emma blogged about 3Generate a couple of days ago, I realised I hadn't blogged about it. I'm not going to talk much about what happened for the weekend (partly because others have done it, partly because of the situation I was in I missed parts), but more about my experience of it.

For those of you who don't know, I was standing for Methodist Youth President (you can see my post about why I was standing here). In the lead up to the weekend I was getting very nervous, as the next two years of my life were going to be decided by the outcome of the vote. And when I got there, my nerves didn't really ease. The Friday evening and most of Saturday was made up of trying to chat to as many people as possible, explain why I was standing, who I was etc. It was strange being in the same place as a load of good friends I hadn't seen for a year, but not really spending much time with them. 

Saturday morning I woke up feeling terrible. I hadn't slept at all well (nerves mainly) and I just felt sick. But a packet of Extra Strong Mints (which I find settles my stomach) later I felt able to socialise with people. One of the advantages of being a Presidential Candidate was that we got to go to things across the three age streams. The 9-13s worship was great, we got given chocolate!

As Saturday drew on, the nerves got worse. At about 5 o'clock, the five Candidates were taken into a little side room, along with Jude (the Youth Participation Officer), Ruth (the adult Vice President) and two chaplains in preparation for the voting. This was a strange atmosphere, the five of us waiting together, all biting fingernails, chatting, playing jenga and eating sweets. Each of the three age streams voted separately, so three times we had to walk in front of a room of people, watch our 'campaign' videos and give a little speech about ourselves, before returning to our little room. After the final time, we had a five minute wait until Jude came in with the results. She walked in, paused... and announced that Hayley would be the next Youth President.

I can't really remember what happened next, but I know that there was a lot of hugging, and quite a few tears. The chaplains were amazing, so supportive, giving us space to be on our own, but letting us know they were there. The results had been publicly announced while we were hugging. So after a while, when I got up the courage to leave the room, I found Rach and got a massive hug, before going into the main room to get a load of support, and plenty more hugs.

Obviously I was upset, initially. But fairly soon I felt ok. Disappointed, but ok. All I can say is that God had comforted me. I had been called to go through the process, but so had four others. Jude had said to us that it would be difficult knowing that God had called us to a point that could seem to be failure. But I didn't feel like I'd failed. I honestly would have been happy with and of the candidates winning, and I know that Hayley will be great.

Since then, I have explained it to people like this: I was obviously called to go through the process, and the was obviously I reason for that. God know what that reason is, and I'm sure I'll find out sooner or later. But the fact that I wasn't as upset as I thought I would be, was my sign from God that it would be ok, and that I would be ok. I was reminded of the Covenant Prayer (which now have as a poster stuck up in my room).

I am no longer my own but yours.

Your will, not mine, be done in all things,

Wherever you may place me,

in all that I do and in all that I may endure;

when there is work for me and when there is none;

when I am troubled and when I am at peace.

your will be done when I am valued and when I am disregarded;

when I find fulfilment and when it is lacking;

when I have all things, and when I have nothing.

I willingly offer all I have and am to serve you, as and where you choose.

Glorious and Blessed God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit

You are mine, and I am yours

May it be so for ever.

Let this Covenant now made on earth be fulfilled in Heaven

Amen.

There are times when God calls us to great things, and there are times God calls us to be set aside. And I am learning to accept that, trusting that God has the OS Map and is giving me the directions I need for now.

Being a Christian online

Isn't it strange the amount of power individual Christians have in the media, especially through social media.

The views of a Christian often become the views a all Christians. The words of a Christian become the words of all Christians.

And what makes this more dangerous is that it much more likely to be the negative words and views that get picked up, while all the loving, graceful, caring, Christ-like words and views are lost. How often have we heard stories of people who claim that they aren't a Christian because of a they see Christians as judgmental, sexist, holier-than-thou. Now my experience of Christians is usually different than this. I'm not going to say there are no Christians like that, stereotypes have to come from somewhere, but most of the Christians I know are awesome people. It is the negative that makes more of an impact, that is more noticeable, and often more quotable.

In my twitter profile, I describe myself as '22yo Christian, Rugby fan, interest in politics, and ginger!' I've never (to my knowledge) had my views taken to be the views of all 22 year olds, of all rugby fans (or even all England fans), or of all gingers. So what is it about Christianity that draws such scrutiny? I don't have an answer to this. Maybe it's that people are always looking to criticise the 'holier-than-thou' Christians they believe we are. Maybe it's a belief that our faith makes us one single homogenous blob who all believe the same thing. Whatever it is, I believe that it puts quite a burden on us. One angry tweet, one sarcastic Facebook post, could turn someone of Christianity, and could drive a wedge between them and a relationship with Christ. Man, having just seen that written down makes it a very daunting thought.

When using social networking, I always think twice before sending a post. Often I write something, leave the curser hovering over the send button... then delete it. Maybe someone won't get the friendly sarcasm, the inside joke, the silliness of my brain (in which case it usually goes into a private message rather than on a public stage). Maybe I'm being too negative, and my post isn't what Jesus would post. There are times I'll get into debates or arguments and get to a point where I just have to leave it, because I'm getting angry and will say something I regret. (A case in point, I have decided to take a 'sabbatical' from a group on Facebook because I found I was getting very negative and being on it wasn't helping me. I'll give it a try again in a few weeks).

I'm not perfect, I know I have made comments I shouldn't have, said things that weren't helpful. But I'm trying. Jesus calls us to be the light to the world, and we need to ensure that we are shining a good light that we want people to see, the light of Jesus, the loving, caring, Saviour.

(PS, Please note, all views expressed are my own, not those of all Christians :-p )

(PPS, I had to get this proof-read before posting to ensure I wasn't being too negative or holier than thou. If you think it is, blame my proof-reader.)

My Hiking Adventure

So, I survived the hike. It was fairly eventful, and a great two days.

Our walk kicked off at 0930 Monday morning, when Tom's dad dropped us of in a lay-by about 5km south of Hay-on-Wye. It was about -1^oC, so we wrapped up well, faces covered from the wind, slung our packs on our backs and headed off. Within 15 minutes or so we had warmed up and the slops were getting steeper. We took it all at a good pace, but took time to mess about a bit, stop and look at the gorgeous views and play on the ice. We were like kids, challenging each other to walk over patches of ice without cracking them (this we only over mud patches, not bodies of water!) A few times the ice cracked, as is shown by the picture below, where Tom when through and ended up ankle deep in mud. He almost lost his boot, as the mud didn't seem to want to give his foot back!

 At about 1100 we reached the first ridge, so we stopped to get some photos. A breeze picked up, the route card slipped from my hand and sailed off over the edge. Luckily it wasn't too steep a drop and Tom managed to recover it. But it worked out well as we found a beautiful little rocky overhang where we took the opportunity to shelter from the wind, crack out the stove and have a cuppa (black with no sugar).

Tom brewing up.

We carried on to the next checkpoint on our route, a Trig point about 2 miles from our overnight stop. After some quick pictures we headed to a cairn a few hundred metres away for another brew, though my hexi-stock didn't seem to want to light as the wind keep putting it out. I think I need to invest in a windproof lighter.

Me at the Trig Point

 It was a fairly steep decent down to the Bothy at the north tip of Grwyne Fawr Reservoir, and it slope was a sea of grassy mounds that slowed the pace right down to avoided twisted ankles.  But the view was worth it, when we caught the first glimpse of the Reservoir.

Tom looking down to Grwyne Fawr Reservoir. (Note the grassy mounds)

We got to the Bothy at about 1400. It was a little smaller than I was expecting, only about 10' by 6'. There was a cast iron stove, three chairs and a table. In one corner was a ladder that went through a loft hatch sized hole to the 'bedroom', a bare wooden floor.

We dropped out packs off and headed across the steam to the slope the other side to gather some firewood. An hour or so later we have a big pile, which we had chopped up into useable lengths and set about lighting the fire. Now, my old scout group will tell you that fire lighting was a skill I naturally had. My first morning on scout camp (about 11 years ago) saw me use a whole box of matches and still have no fire. I have improved a lot since then, but we struggled with this stove. About an hour into our attempt we were getting fed up, most the kindling was gone and the flames just kept dying unless we were blowing on them. At that moment there was a knock on the door and in came a fellow hiker. Jay was about our age and was on a three day hike. He brought in a whole lot of wood, stuff some in the stove, opened a little drawer at the bottom and closed the stove door. Within minutes the was a nice blazing fire. He was a real God-send, and Tom and I now know how to use a stove.

So once the stove had warmed up we set about cooking. I had Rice and peas, Tom had beans, rice and ham. We sat around chatting, discussing our routes and the like. By 1900 it was pitch black, (we had a candle as the sole source of light, it was freezing and we were quite tired, as we headed up the ladder to bed. It was at this point that Tom realised that he had brought a summer sleeping bag! So he got little sleep, even in all his layers, sleeping bad and bivvy bag. I was quite warm in my 4 season sleeping bag.

Tom and I rose a 0730 Tuesday morning for a breakfast of porridge and mashed up chocolate Kendal Mint cake (as we had forgotten sugar), which was very tasty. The Sun rising over the ridge at the far end of the reservoir was stunning.

We started walking at 8.45, starting off along the extremely narrow sheep path along the side of the water, and then followed a footpath and road through a wooded area. We were setting a good pace and looking forward to our final assault up the steep north face of Sugarloaf. But at about 11.45, after about 6 miles, Tom pulled up to sort his feet out. (An important note, on Sunday evening Tom had realised he had donated his hiking boots to a guy when he was working in Fiji before Christmas, so had borrowed my dad's pair... mistake!) On removing his sock he found a blister running the length of his right foot. 

Running Repairs

After strapping it up we set off again, but within quarter of a mile we decided that we would stop short of Sugarloaf and get a lift home from Forest Coalpit. There was no mobile signal, but luckily we found a payphone that still worked. After a bit of fuss trying to work out how to use it (you had to ring a number to give debit card details) we got hold of Tom's parents who told us to wait there until his mum finished work at 4, and she would pick us up. We thought we would head to the Post Office half a mile away, hopefully buy a drink and wait somewhere warm. Well, what Forest Coalpit calls a Post Office was a lean-to against someone's house, which closed at 1300 on Tuesdays (we got there at 1345). So we headed back to the phone box to wait it out. After a few rounds of I-Spy and a helping of boil-in-a-bag chocolate pudding it was starting to get dark. We were expecting our lift to turn up at around 1715.

At 1730, the phone box rang, and it was Tom's Dad saying that that our lift was lost and had no idea where we were. So we decided that we would get a taxi to Crickhowell (a small town 5 miles away) to meet our lift there. So we went to a nearby house to ask for a taxi number. The extremely kind couple living there leant us their phone, and after three different companies said they didn't take calls that far out, offer to run us in themselves. This was the second time that someone had come to our rescue.

So we piled our stuff into their car and drove into Crickhowell. We were dropped of outside a pub, so went inside for a pint of cider and as we finished it our lift turned up and we headed back home.

As you can see it was a great adventure, and we have vowed to do it again. But Tom will make sure he has his own boots next time!

My Kit for a Two Day Hike.

Tomorrow, a friend and I are going for a two day hike in the Brecon Beacons. Yes, in January. Yes, it's going to be cold. But we have both been wanting to do something like this for a while, blow the cobwebs off out kit and get outdoors. So I have been collecting all my kit together, and thought I'd let you know what I'm taking. This isn't an exhaustive list, as Tom and I have shared a lot of the stuff between us, but I'll try and note down as much of that as possible. The picture below shows most of my stuff.

1.       Pitta Bread. This is for lunch on Day 2, along with some cheese. Simple and easy, but it'll keep us going.

2.       Boil-in-the-bag Chocolate Cake. Desert for our evening meal. Sugary, hot and tasty, a great way to end the day.

3.       Tent. although we are planning to stay in a Bothy (a basic mountain hut), it's better to be safe than sorry. This is my three-man hike tent.

4.       Hiking Pole. I usually don't use this, but sometimes if the going is tough it helps. It's also useful as a walking stick if you go over on your ankle, or as a depth gauge if you need to cross a stream.

5.       Mess tins. I have two mess tins, and inside is a pouch of rice, my hexi-stove and hexi-fuel, and a folding knife/fork/spoon set. There I will do all of my cooking. 

6.       Towel and wash kit. Because every good traveller knows where his towel is.

7.       Fire Kit. In the Altoids tin is a cheap lighter, a box of strike anywhere matches and a flint and steel. Triple-redundant fire system, because getting warm is essential to happiness, and survival (hopefully it won't come to that). In the pouch is a small bag of hay for tinder. In the blue mint tin are about 20 cotton balls covered in Vaseline. These catch a spark very easily, burn for 5 minutes and help get a fire going. This kit will be on my left hip for the hike.

8.       Kindling. Just so small sticks in a waterproof bag. This will make lighting a fire easier if it rains and wood is wet.

9.       Snacks . I have some cheap Mars Bars, Cereal Bars and Kendal Mint Cake. A lot of sugar for that all important burst of energy. I've also unwrapped them all; two reasons for this, if it is freezing and my fingers are numb I can still get to them easily, and it means less rubbish to carry out.

10.   Trowel. This folding trowel is for when... nature calls... or if Tom really annoys me and I need to bury the body (hopefully this won't happen.)

11.   Wallet. though there won't be any shops, I hate being without some cash. It also has my ID in. It'll be wrapped in a plastic bag to keep water out.

12.   Tissues. Cleanliness is next to Godliness. And they burn well.

13.   Survival Kara. This karabiner has a whistle, led light and 7 foot of paracord. This will be on my belt in case I ever need it. I'll expand this over time. The idea of the stuff I'll have on me (rather than in my bag) is that if, God forbid, I get separated from my bag, I'll have a few essentials to even the odds in the fight with nature and help get found. 

14.   Compass. A Given. Tom is bringing the 1:25000 OS Map. Never go on a long hike without these, even if you have a GPS device. It's just common sense. 

15.   Torch. And spare batteries.

16.   Mobile. With a full battery. I'm not really expecting to have much signal, but it if I do, I'll know that Mountain Rescue are only a phone call away. 

17.   Alcoholic Hand Wash.  Illness is bad. It Also can help in fire lighting.

18.   Bits and Bobs. In this box I have a few bits. A wire saw (for cutting wood), tealight, safety pins, cotton wool and a button compass. Again this stuff is to give some things should I need them.

19.   Bivvy bag. A large plastic bag to help keep warm if you get trapped outside. Also the bright orange is good for getting attention.

20.   Multi-tool. Like a Swiss-army knife, but with pliers. This will be on my right hip.

21.   Jelly. Again, just there for the sugar. 

22.   Water Bottle. The Bothy is very unlikely to be plumbed, so we are carrying all the water we'll need for drinking and cooking. We'll be carrying3 litres each. If necessary we can gather some fast running stream water to boil and purify. (Obviously, if you go in warmer weather, expect to need more water.)

23.   Buff. A tubular scarf type thing. Great for keeping the face and neck warm in the possibly sub-zero temperatures.

24.   Gloves. To keep my hands warm, I will also have me hat for my head.

So other than plenty of layers of clothes, and a nice study pair of boots, that is all my kit. Notable in its absence are the things that Tom is carrying, which include the Map and route cards, small butane stove, first aid kit and tea making kit. But between the two of us, we should have all the kit we need. It may seem a lot, but it is always better to be safe than sorry. Be Prepared for the worst. If you decide to go hiking, make sure you are well equipped. But all the kit is useless if you don't know how to use it. There are plenty of books about bush craft and survival skills, and then practice. You never know when the ability to start a fire with just some hay and a flint and steel could save your life. Be sensible.

So there we go, tomorrow we will head off into the cold. In a few days I'll blog about our adventures. Pray for good weather! And I'd better go and pack all this now.

A Christmas Poem

The hustle and the bustle,
Packed shops playing perennial tunes,
Thousands of tiny fireflies

hanging in chains from the ceiling
And fake trees covered in garish glitter ribbons.
Stressed shoppers searching for that specific present
To guarentee a smile on their child's face;
An Xbox, that new phone, the right toy.
 
But something seems to be missing 
From the commercial pressure of winter,

From the -mass of busy consumers.
The one that we should really be focused on.
Does society forget about the Christ
In Christmas?