Question: "What's funnier than Monty Python's famous Parrot sketch?"
Answer: "Showing the Parrot sketch from Youtube in Home League to demonstrate the wonders of the internet and not being able to stop it half-way through because the Home League members are enjoying it so much!"

I think I can safely say, "Today I had the best Home League ever".

The Future of Christianity was the final film in a series of documentaries run by Channel 4. Cherie Blair suggests that the decline in European Christianity (especially amongst the traditional established church) is not due to a crisis of faith but rather stems from a failure in organisation. She contrasts the situation in the UK with a much healthier American picture, epitomised by the Willow Creek Community Church. Despite her Roman Catholic perspective her conclusions echo much that was said at our Corps Council. If you can spare 48 minutes to watch it, I have a copy. Alternatively you can watch online here until the end of March.

Lee Herdman gave us lots to think about and held our Young Peoples' attention yesterday as we considered Life to the Max and Crazy Sheep! Here is a picture of them all with their prizes (thanks to Greg for the photo).

Phil Wall on Hope

Here is an excellent and thought provoking article from CSM Phil Wall. I commend it to all those of us at Leighton Buzzard who are searching for God's direction as we plan for the future.

Corps Council

Twenty of us met at the hall today for the first of our new Corps Council meetings. The prospect of spending four hours (10am-2pm) on a Saturday locked in intense discussion was daunting (for me, if no-one else); but the time flew by (for me, if no-one else)! On reflection, "intense" is not the best adjective to describe the character of the discussions which took place. Words like "helpful", "constructive" and "insightful" are more appropriate. I would like to express my appreciation to everyone who took part. Thanks also to deserted spouses, baby-sitters and the caterers - Sheila, Caroline and Matthew.

We've got off to a good start - but that was the easy part. Now, as a whole community, striving to do God's will, we have to give our ideas more shape and then turn them into action.

I have never really taken to keeping diaries and so always resisted the inclination to start a blog. However, it occurred to me that this would be a quick and easy way to post corps information. At the moment we don't have access to our official SA corps website. Once this situation changes we will certainly post some details there, but it may well be that this blog will continue.