This year I've noticed some great stuff in Christmas songs which I've never noticed before. I think it started when I was in a primary school as the kids practiced for their Christmas show (every single Tuesday for the whole of November and December, poor teachers). One of the songs they did was Away in a Manger, which I'm sure every person in the UK sung countless times in their childhood. The thing is, although I must have sung that song at least 100 times, I don't think I've ever really noticed the words. As I was listening to the kids sing, but not really listening as I'd heard it every week for nearly 2 months, the song caught my attention. The first half is standard sweet little baby Jesus (who never cries, apparently, but I think he would, being a proper human baby and all) lying comfortably on a bed of soft hay, surrounded by the animals serenading him with moo's and baa's. So the first half, nothing special for me. Maybe you like it, but personally, it just doesn't float my boat. I hope that doesn't make me a heretic or anything.
Anyway as the children started singing the second half, as I listened to the words that they were saying, I felt like my heart was going to burst, in a 'feelings' sort of way, I wasn't having a heart attack or anything. It goes like this:
Be near me, Lord Jesus,
I ask Thee to stay
Close by me forever
And love me I pray
Bless all the dear children
In Thy tender care
And take us to heaven
To live with Thee there
It's a common song, and I think often the words are probably sung but not heard. You know, 'oh its away in a manger, same old same old'. But it doesn't really sink in. It's just become a meaningless routine.
But they are incredible, simple, beautiful words. A simple appeal to God. I was sitting there in the school hall just praying and praying that those children were meaning what they were singing, and that God would hear their request and would indeed be Immanuel, God on earth, with us, close to us. I hope for some of the people singing this song, it touches their hearts.
The second song I've noticed the words to this Christmas is Hark The Herald Angels Sing. We sang it at my church christmas meal, and it was the sort of occasion where people don't stand up for the songs. But we sang this song and its the sort of song that if you listen to the words and mean what you sing, it's hard to stay sitting down. So me and my friend bravely arose even though everyone else was sitting down! I think we looked a bit silly but it's good to do something with all of yourself. I never want to hold back. So here's the song. Read it, and maybe dwell on what it means next time you sing it, because it says some HUGELY significant things.
Hark the herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
GOD AND SINNERS RECONCILED"
Joyful, all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
WITH THE ANGELIC HOST PROCLAIM
"CHRIST IS BORN IN BETHLEHEM"
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"
Christ by highest heav'n adored
CHRIST THE EVERLASTING LORD!
Late in time behold Him come
Offspring of a Virgin's womb
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see
Hail the incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with man to dwell
Jesus, our EMMANUEL
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"
Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings
Ris'n with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by
BORN THAT MAN NO MORE MAY DIE
BORN TO RAISE THE SONS OF EARTH
BORN TO GIVE THEM SECOND BIRTH
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"
(I put my favourite bits in capitals!)
I love the bit 'with the angelic host proclaim, Christ is born in bethlehem' - we stand side by side with the angels PROCLAIMING to the world that Jesus is born, God is with us!
So today at Christmas alongside all the presents and tinsel and ham (waay better than turkey) and board games and television and trees and christmas pudding and christmas cards (coz all those things are GREAT), I say ... glory to the King of Kings: Jesus Christ, my daddy God, and his Spirit who lives in me.
Sunday 23 December 2012
Friday 16 November 2012
3Generate prayer points
Hello!
This weekend, 16th - 18th November, is 3Generate! 3Generate is the annual Methodist Church Children and Youth assembly. This year over 250 children and young people aged 8-23 will be gathering at Whitemoor Lakes in Staffordshire to think, pray, worship, discuss and have fun. Topics include Big Questions, Bullying, Cohabitation, Mentoring, and Responsible Living.
We would really appreciate it if people across the Methodist Church and beyond could be praying for 3Generate. If you would like to do this, here are some prayer points to guide you:
1) Travel
Pray for safe and traffic-free travels for all the delegates, staff and volunteers, plus their chaufffeurs! Most will be travelling to arrive between 6 and 10 on Friday, although some will arrive later and we have some Saturday day delegates
2) Settling in
Pray that the delegates would settle in well and feel welcome, safe and comfortable, in particular the younger ones or anyone who is less confident or has not been away from home before
3) The team
Give thanks for all of the staff and volunteers who have worked very hard in the run up to the event and will have a busy weekend. Pray for energy and enthusiasm for each volunteer and staff member and that the team would be filled with the Holy Spirit and lead with a great love for the children and young people.
4) Youth President Candidates
Pray for the 5 Youth President candidates (Anna, Hattie, Paul, Sian and Tamara), during what might be a stressful, scary, exhausting weekend for them. Pray for them especially in the wake of the elections at 9am on Sunday morning - that those who haven't got the position would know the peace of God and know that He is proud of them and has good plans for them.
5) Meeting with God
Pray for every single child and young person to experience something of God over the weekend. Pray that their hearts would be opened to him, wherever they are at in their lives. Pray for the transforming love of God to be known deep down in the heart of each person at 3Generate. Pray that God's presence is with us and that He enjoys the weekend!
6) Voting
Pray for the election of reps and the voting on the resolutions on Sunday morning. Pray that the voices of the children and young people are heard and recorded fairly and effectively, and that in the future this will have a significant impact in the Methodist Church and beyond
7) Logistics and technology
Pray for the logistics of the event coordinated by volunteer logistic-super-genius Reuben and the technology coordinated by the volunteer tech-super-whizz Pete. Pray that it would all go smoothly with no stressful issues.
8) Safety
Please pray for safety and wellness for the whole weekend. That there would be no accident, injuries, illness or emotional or physical hurt. Pray that everyone would get along well. There are some adventurous activities on Saturday afternoon so pray particularly for safety and fun during these.
9) 3Generate non-attendees
Pray for those unable to come to 3Generate this year, who may be feeling disappointed. That they would have a good weekend wherever they are and connect with God in a different way, and that they would be able to come to 3Generate or one of the other options in the future
10) Going home
Pray that the children and young people would go home full of excitement and be able to have a great influence on their families, churches and communities. That what they have experienced over the weekend would have a lasting effect on their lives, and that it would spread out from them like ripples. Give thanks that God is continuing to be present in their lives. Pray that they would continue to grow and walk with Him.
Thank you so much to every single person who prays for us - your love and support is truly appreciated. Please do let me know if you are praying for us - it would be great to be able to let the children and young people know of the support our church family is giving us.
Love
Hayley
This weekend, 16th - 18th November, is 3Generate! 3Generate is the annual Methodist Church Children and Youth assembly. This year over 250 children and young people aged 8-23 will be gathering at Whitemoor Lakes in Staffordshire to think, pray, worship, discuss and have fun. Topics include Big Questions, Bullying, Cohabitation, Mentoring, and Responsible Living.
We would really appreciate it if people across the Methodist Church and beyond could be praying for 3Generate. If you would like to do this, here are some prayer points to guide you:
1) Travel
Pray for safe and traffic-free travels for all the delegates, staff and volunteers, plus their chaufffeurs! Most will be travelling to arrive between 6 and 10 on Friday, although some will arrive later and we have some Saturday day delegates
2) Settling in
Pray that the delegates would settle in well and feel welcome, safe and comfortable, in particular the younger ones or anyone who is less confident or has not been away from home before
3) The team
Give thanks for all of the staff and volunteers who have worked very hard in the run up to the event and will have a busy weekend. Pray for energy and enthusiasm for each volunteer and staff member and that the team would be filled with the Holy Spirit and lead with a great love for the children and young people.
4) Youth President Candidates
Pray for the 5 Youth President candidates (Anna, Hattie, Paul, Sian and Tamara), during what might be a stressful, scary, exhausting weekend for them. Pray for them especially in the wake of the elections at 9am on Sunday morning - that those who haven't got the position would know the peace of God and know that He is proud of them and has good plans for them.
5) Meeting with God
Pray for every single child and young person to experience something of God over the weekend. Pray that their hearts would be opened to him, wherever they are at in their lives. Pray for the transforming love of God to be known deep down in the heart of each person at 3Generate. Pray that God's presence is with us and that He enjoys the weekend!
6) Voting
Pray for the election of reps and the voting on the resolutions on Sunday morning. Pray that the voices of the children and young people are heard and recorded fairly and effectively, and that in the future this will have a significant impact in the Methodist Church and beyond
7) Logistics and technology
Pray for the logistics of the event coordinated by volunteer logistic-super-genius Reuben and the technology coordinated by the volunteer tech-super-whizz Pete. Pray that it would all go smoothly with no stressful issues.
8) Safety
Please pray for safety and wellness for the whole weekend. That there would be no accident, injuries, illness or emotional or physical hurt. Pray that everyone would get along well. There are some adventurous activities on Saturday afternoon so pray particularly for safety and fun during these.
9) 3Generate non-attendees
Pray for those unable to come to 3Generate this year, who may be feeling disappointed. That they would have a good weekend wherever they are and connect with God in a different way, and that they would be able to come to 3Generate or one of the other options in the future
10) Going home
Pray that the children and young people would go home full of excitement and be able to have a great influence on their families, churches and communities. That what they have experienced over the weekend would have a lasting effect on their lives, and that it would spread out from them like ripples. Give thanks that God is continuing to be present in their lives. Pray that they would continue to grow and walk with Him.
Thank you so much to every single person who prays for us - your love and support is truly appreciated. Please do let me know if you are praying for us - it would be great to be able to let the children and young people know of the support our church family is giving us.
Love
Hayley
Thursday 25 October 2012
Trains
In the summer I reread a childhood classic; The Railway Children by E.Nesbit. I have become somewhat of a Railway Child myself in the last 2 months as I have been travelling by train all over the place attending meetings and visiting people and projects. Sometimes I feel like a train, rushing through beautiful countryside.
I've had the joy of meeting some truly lovely people, and the sadness of not being able to spend much time with most of them.
When I first thought of this train analogy it was in a fairly negative way. As I reflected on the whirlwind of the last 2 months of my life, I questioned the lasting influence that a train has on its surroundings. Must be almost nothing. The birds resettle.
As I remember this book, I'm reconsidering the influence of trains.
In The Railway Children, the trains have a huge influence. The children in the book love the trains. As they watch the train steam past they imagine where it's going and ask it to take their love to their father, who is far away and whom they miss terribly. The trains connect them to the rest of the world. They remind them that there is light at the end of their tunnel. That their father is somewhere. The train can't hold their hand when they cry, or play games with them or make them cookies, but the small thing it can do is very significant to them.
At Youth Assembly 2011 when I was a Youth President candidate, I spoke again and again to the children and young people about our potential to be light - the light of the world. Our capacity for influence is incomprehensible, in a world where people full of emotion bump into each other again and again day after day. Our small things have big effects. Careless words, or lives lived with intention. We are like trains going in and out of people's lives - some trains are slower and some are quicker, but all come and go, and all have influence.
We all have a small part to play in a very big countryside.
Our small part will have influence.
I think my part at this time is to notice people, to listen to them, and to hopefully encourage them.
What is your part?
What is your countryside?
What is your influence?
"I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made the plant grow"
1 Corinthians 3.6
"You can do no great things, only small things with great love"
Mother Teresa (debatably)
"You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden ... let your light shine before others"
Matthew 5.14+16
PS the pictures show you a glimpse of my October - a meeting at the houses of parliament - an OPP weekend, the highlight of which was a very fun pillow fight - a banner of encouragement made by Methodist Independent Schools students at a World AIMS weekend for an MRDF project in Nepal - some student at the World AIMS weekend in a cave! Some small but significant moments, I hope.
Wednesday 3 October 2012
The Cupboard of Unwanted Gifts
I love the satisfaction on ticking things off a list. It makes me feel extremely content, and a little bit self righteous. I have fought a battle against myself, and won! I have beaten my own criteria for doing well that day! I am victorious!
However, this week, my lists have not satisfied me. Because I have been avoiding something.
Leaving the icky thing til last taints all of the other things on the list and makes them feel less satisfying because I know that’s not what I should have been doing, really.
I have had one particular item on my to-do list for the last 5 days; evidence indeed of my proficiency in procrastination. Well today I have finally run out of things that I would prefer to do and cannot stand my constant sense of guilt any longer. I am reduced to doing the thing that I needed to do the most in the first place.
This blog.
Now this may surprise you given the content of this blog so far, but I really, really love writing. I love it because I’m good at it. I spend time every day doing things that I’m not very good at, like The Tube, and getting up in the morning, and trying to be kind to people who make me cross. These things need doing but we should play to our strengths too; it’s really good to do something that you’re good at, that you can do really well, that is one of the pieces of jigsaw that God put together when he made you.
I know when I start writing, and get into the swing of it, I’ll enjoy it and I’ll usually be able to do a good job. I’ll feel like I’ve stretched my wings. I’ll feel like I’ve been properly alive. I’ll feel like my brain and heart and eyes and hands are awake. I’ll also feel frustrated, and lost, and uncomfortable along the way.
I believe that God has given me a gift and I know that we should use the gifts that he gives us, even if they’re not easy to use.
At home we have a ‘Cupboard of Unwanted Gifts’. Really, a whole, large cupboard. We got married a year ago and I confess, some of the gifts that we received will probably live a long and unfulfilled life in that cupboard. We appreciated the kindness and generosity of our friends and family but sometimes we simply didn’t need or want or like whatever it was we had been given.
William Morris said:
‘Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful’
Sometimes you get given presents that aren’t useful or beautiful. And I think it’s ok to put them in a cupboard, or if you’re really brave, Ebay them.
It's not ok to not use good gifts just because you're lazy, or scared.
When I don’t write, it’s like I’m putting this precious gift which God has given me in my Cupboard of Unwanted Gifts. Which is wrong, because it’s a gift that I'll enjoy. A gift that will not run out but only get better as I use it. A gift that is both beautiful and useful. It must be, because God gave it to me. God doesn’t give his children rubbish presents. The gifts he gives us may not be easy, but they are always useful and beautiful.
What are your gifts?
What can you give the world that will be useful and/or beautiful?
How often do you tell other people of the gifts that you see in them, and encourage them to use them?
However, this week, my lists have not satisfied me. Because I have been avoiding something.
Leaving the icky thing til last taints all of the other things on the list and makes them feel less satisfying because I know that’s not what I should have been doing, really.
I have had one particular item on my to-do list for the last 5 days; evidence indeed of my proficiency in procrastination. Well today I have finally run out of things that I would prefer to do and cannot stand my constant sense of guilt any longer. I am reduced to doing the thing that I needed to do the most in the first place.
This blog.
Now this may surprise you given the content of this blog so far, but I really, really love writing. I love it because I’m good at it. I spend time every day doing things that I’m not very good at, like The Tube, and getting up in the morning, and trying to be kind to people who make me cross. These things need doing but we should play to our strengths too; it’s really good to do something that you’re good at, that you can do really well, that is one of the pieces of jigsaw that God put together when he made you.
I know when I start writing, and get into the swing of it, I’ll enjoy it and I’ll usually be able to do a good job. I’ll feel like I’ve stretched my wings. I’ll feel like I’ve been properly alive. I’ll feel like my brain and heart and eyes and hands are awake. I’ll also feel frustrated, and lost, and uncomfortable along the way.
I believe that God has given me a gift and I know that we should use the gifts that he gives us, even if they’re not easy to use.
At home we have a ‘Cupboard of Unwanted Gifts’. Really, a whole, large cupboard. We got married a year ago and I confess, some of the gifts that we received will probably live a long and unfulfilled life in that cupboard. We appreciated the kindness and generosity of our friends and family but sometimes we simply didn’t need or want or like whatever it was we had been given.
William Morris said:
‘Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful’
Sometimes you get given presents that aren’t useful or beautiful. And I think it’s ok to put them in a cupboard, or if you’re really brave, Ebay them.
It's not ok to not use good gifts just because you're lazy, or scared.
When I don’t write, it’s like I’m putting this precious gift which God has given me in my Cupboard of Unwanted Gifts. Which is wrong, because it’s a gift that I'll enjoy. A gift that will not run out but only get better as I use it. A gift that is both beautiful and useful. It must be, because God gave it to me. God doesn’t give his children rubbish presents. The gifts he gives us may not be easy, but they are always useful and beautiful.
What are your gifts?
What can you give the world that will be useful and/or beautiful?
How often do you tell other people of the gifts that you see in them, and encourage them to use them?
Friday 14 September 2012
Name
I am
Hayley
Twenty three
Married
Can't really see
Usually
Happy
Size 8 feet
Drinker of tea
Thinky
Live near the sea
Dr Who geek
Faith in He
Trying to be
Shiny
My name is Hayley Moss. And as of 2 weeks ago, my name is also Youth President of the Methodist Church in Great Britain.
Youth President - a new name - a new role - a new experience - a new person to be.
Some people have asked me what my vision and focus for the year is. Because I am interested in and passionate about loads of things, I find it really difficult to answer that question. This job is interesting, and exciting, and very very variable!
What do I want to do this year?
Filling someone else's shoes is hard. That is part of the territory with this job as the person changes on a yearly basis. I get emails and answerphone messages inviting Sam to various events and have to break the news that they're gonna get me instead! Sam did a phenomenal job as Youth President and I feel like I will always be compared to him - and Christy - and Pete - and Sarah etc etc. This may or may not be true of most people but it will be true of me - no one will ever put more pressure on me than myself.
During my first 2 weeks I have read Joshua 1 a few times. One particular verse has stood out to me
"As I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will never leave you or forsake you".
God is with me.
Me.
(And you)
So now the question I am asking myself is not what do I want to do this year
but
who
am I?
I am Hayley Moss. I am a Christian. I am the Youth President. I am a wife. I am a Dr Who fan. I am a Southerner. Each of these names carries meaning, and assumptions, and responsibility.
What I am learning is that most of all, I am God's. God is with me.
My name is His.
What is your name?
Have you ever felt compared to other people?
What is your identity in?
Who are you?
ps my job is awesome, and if you'd like to do it, the closing date for applications for Youth President 2013/14 is this Monday, 17th - more info about the job and how to apply here. I so recommend!)
Hayley
Twenty three
Married
Can't really see
Usually
Happy
Size 8 feet
Drinker of tea
Thinky
Live near the sea
Dr Who geek
Faith in He
Trying to be
Shiny
My name is Hayley Moss. And as of 2 weeks ago, my name is also Youth President of the Methodist Church in Great Britain.
Youth President - a new name - a new role - a new experience - a new person to be.
Some people have asked me what my vision and focus for the year is. Because I am interested in and passionate about loads of things, I find it really difficult to answer that question. This job is interesting, and exciting, and very very variable!
What do I want to do this year?
Filling someone else's shoes is hard. That is part of the territory with this job as the person changes on a yearly basis. I get emails and answerphone messages inviting Sam to various events and have to break the news that they're gonna get me instead! Sam did a phenomenal job as Youth President and I feel like I will always be compared to him - and Christy - and Pete - and Sarah etc etc. This may or may not be true of most people but it will be true of me - no one will ever put more pressure on me than myself.
During my first 2 weeks I have read Joshua 1 a few times. One particular verse has stood out to me
"As I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will never leave you or forsake you".
God is with me.
Me.
(And you)
So now the question I am asking myself is not what do I want to do this year
but
who
am I?
I am Hayley Moss. I am a Christian. I am the Youth President. I am a wife. I am a Dr Who fan. I am a Southerner. Each of these names carries meaning, and assumptions, and responsibility.
What I am learning is that most of all, I am God's. God is with me.
My name is His.
What is your name?
Have you ever felt compared to other people?
What is your identity in?
Who are you?
ps my job is awesome, and if you'd like to do it, the closing date for applications for Youth President 2013/14 is this Monday, 17th - more info about the job and how to apply here. I so recommend!)
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