hutchblog

two bits of news
1) check out this new youthwork collaboration, looks good

2) Ian reports that the Matrix is dead

“In a way, the world is a great liar. It shows you it worships and admires money, but at the end of the day it doesn’t. It says it adores fame and celebrity, but it doesn’t, not really. The world admires, and wants to hold on to, and not lose, goodness. It admires virtue. At the end it gives its greatest tributes to generosity, honesty, courage, mercy, talents well used, talents that, brought into the world, make it better. That’s what it really admires. That’s what we talk about in eulogies, because that’s what’s important. We don’t say, ‘The thing about Joe was he was rich.’ We say, if we can, ‘The thing about Joe was he took good care of people.’”—Peggy Noonan, “A Life’s Lesson,” on the astounding response to the passing of Tim Russert, the Wall Street Journal, June 21-22, 2008

found on Tom Peters blog

lily
Originally uploaded by thehutch.

it is a rare thing to have complete and full knowledge or understanding of all that is going on around you. We often see things in part and not as a whole. This can mean that our decision making is based on limited knowledge or an incomplete understanding which is one reason why we may view things differently in hindsight.
As we face issues it is important to see the perspectives of others as this can lead to enlightenment – even better if we can base our decisions on the full and complete picture. When in conflict I try to imagine myself in the shoes of the other party, often resulting in me having a little more grace. Different perspectives can be so helpful.

red hot poker
Originally uploaded by thehutch.

in the draw of life we find all sorts of surprises…….sometimes we have to contend with the hand we are dealt, sometimes we bluff our way through, other times we reshuffle the deck. But there is another way…..change the rules! Not always possible but definitely an option……next time you are in a tough spot, consider it, it may just change everything……who knows, you may even win the prize.

staring down the barrel
Originally uploaded by thehutch.

….that is sometimes how it feels. Youth ministry is a tough beast, yet it can be one of the most rewarding places to live. The diary has been full these last few weeks and some important work has not been completed due to time constraints. This has led to little space and physically have felt unwell. I have a bad throat again, although not as bad as september last year, and tiredness is overwhelming. This is all exaccerbated by the fact that staff salaries need paying monday and we do not have the monies to pay three staff (myself included). This has been a constant monthly venture of faith for years, but for the first time I feel the pressure and it feels like a heavy heavy burden.
It is a tough season but the flipside is that we are seeing an increase in our schoolswork provision, a new venture working with excluded pupils, a large number of prospective GAP students for september, and so on………these are fun times, yet today, it feels like I am staring down the barrel

streetlife
Originally uploaded by thehutch.

last weekend was in the city with the family. I was taking pics when I came across a group of young people by St.Pauls Cathedral. Took the opportunity to speak with them and had a great conversation as well as a few pics. We talked through the issues of having few places to ‘hang’ and then a little motivation for a couple of boarders to try some tricks they had never done before.
It was a fun 30 minutes in a packed day…..no CRB checks, no insurance, no ‘official’ red tape but a group of young people encouraged and a youthworker pumped that he was able to engage with some folk. May never see these guys again but there was a great connection for that short time.
Sometimes we build for the big moments and the programmed events…..sometimes the unexpected and fleeting moments are as important.

Today is the memorial service for a good friend who passed away last week. Lois and her family have been so supportive and above all else friends who care. Unfortunately, I cannot make todays memorial service but the memories will remain strong and we will never forget the fun, friendship, laughter and tears that we have all shared.
To Roy, Abi and the rest of the clan – we love you and have enjoyed the memories…….am sure we will have more magical times. Bless you.