Chinese Night

I don't often post about the Jesus Centre.  On Friday we held a Chinese Night.  A little late for the New Year, I know, but nevertheless well attended: 120-130 folks.  In fact, when Mary and I arrived something over an hour from the start, we found that most of the food had run out!

I took the excuse to wear the formal silk dress (not garment, but mode) that I'd been presented with when we'd visited Malaysia about ten years ago.  From a distance it looks like a tyvec over-suit you'd use for paint spraying, but close up it's actually beautiful silk.  I'm afraid I ended up photographed on some Facebooks.

One of the attractions was releasing lanterns.  This proved to be a challenge, as the fuel blocks took time to get burning well, and the car park was bitterly cold.  The other factor was the instructions; I reproduce exactly what the packaging said:

1: After the distributionof fuel to packaging equipment Kong
Cross wire in the side of the field again deduction presses
The fuel-pressure lock firmly.

2: A person Xu Yuan light take up a Top;
Another person fuel ignited the four angle.

3: Wait for that the heat enough light, lanterns person lest loose
A top hand, changes grips under the light top encircle, Has when
the lifting force mat let go releases for flying.

4: Wishing light rose slowly the sky, do not forget Wishing oh

Notice item:

1: Should choose at the option open, calm environment released
for flight. No fire ban in areas, the tall building the floor, and
so on have covers under the thing to release for flight, must leave
outside the airport 10 kilometers from flying.

2: Wishing light can only be used for the distribution the
special-purposeof fuel, prohibited by any burning Replace.

3: Xu Yuan light are on the rise, that of the flying, cannot the long
time not put, and the Flight not to be append the foreign body.

4: Children must be under the eustody of the adults use.

They say there are more English-speakers in China than in the UK.  Not difficult - you only need fewer that 5% of the population.  Shortly afterwards, yellow lights were flashing on the road outside.  It was a gritter-lorry turning round, not a fire-engine.

If you want expert guidance on lanterns, try:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTWC5pm29C0

Reflections

Ruth runs a poetry reading group in Oxford.  She sent round some images to induce others to produce a contribution.  She chose the topic Reflections.  Our picture was Llynnau Cregennen, a lake near Cader Idris in Snowdonia.   This isn't exactly the view, but it's near enough.


Bent grasses fringe drab water-margins.
Stillness holds the surface motionless;
          the sky uniform;
                    the air noiseless.
Grey, brown and green of hillsides withdraw in darkened tones; double-drawn.
Contours, perspectives, merge.
No gaudy splash distracts the off-guard eye;
          no brightened features intrude;
                    gaze settles, mastering, brooding.
Dullness supplies its compensations. 
Imagination free to choose, parade, its own vibrancy.
Finch or warbler dips through the rushes.
The rippling ring of rising fish;
          bird-dots arcing the grey sky;
                    a wild call, or murmur of wind.
Stone hut, bare scree or falling water lightening shades in object and invert.
Two walkers – no, three - in red jacket, pick along an unseen path;
          a sunlit slope softly presumes its presence;
                    sheep graze at my will.
I see it good, as I am seen.  I too, am image.

My note to Ruth:
The picture we were sent was pretty gloomy, not obviously designed to send you trilling about God’s lovely works of nature, etc.  As I thought about it, I realised I could paint in my own highlights, imaginatively.  This is the way that God, too, sets about conceiving beauty and realises His creation.  That action includes me, whom He chose should bear some reflection of His own Person.  So we come back to the theme.

Five Hours at Darvell

Bernard, from the Bruderhof in Robertsbridge, sent Huw an email inviting some leaders to visit.  This followed several rounds of contact between our members and theirs.  The Strong Light saints have been joining with Bruderhof members when evangelising in Luton.  Some of our Living Light and Living Stones J Generation went to visit Roberstbridge for a weekend late last year.  Huw and Mick liked the opportunity to link in a visit to the new sea-front Abundant Grace house in Brighton.

So Wednesday found me catching a train to Northampton to meet up with them, and Kelly, for a drive down together.  On the M25 we listened to a video of Justin Welby visiting Trent Vineyard, which Mick's brother had recommended.  The Brighton saints settled us into their first floor lounge.  It boasts (in estate agent language) an enviable and unrivalled panoramic view over the beach.  We had tasty home-cooked pizza for supper, while Len rehearsed the trials and joys of moving from their previous larger property in Seaford. 

Next morning was bright and cold, with a sharp wind.  I ventured along the Prom; the few puddles were frozen over.  Len timed our journey to Roberstbridge well, and we arrived a few minutes before 10am.  Bernard's father, David, is Guest Warden, and showed us up to Felix's and Emma's apartment.  There are 320 members and guests in residence, in five or six very large houses.  The Darvell site started as a redundant tuberculosis hospital.  Buildings have been added in the last 50 years to suit the Bruderhof's growing needs.  There's a primary school, modern wood-workshop, etc.  Their dozen or so cars are parked at the entrance, making the 80 acre site virtually a pedestrian zone. 

Emma served us delicious home-made apple and cinnamon cake.  Johnny, Bishop and Servant of the Word, joined us to explain their background and practice.  After four years in compilation, last year the Bruderhof worldwide published a statement of faith, Foundations, which Johnny summarised.  There was lots for which we needed no introduction: covenant, common purse, simplicity, pastoral leadership, shared work, temporary guests.  However, one obvious difference is that they haven't planted church congregations, and don't run anything equivalent to Jesus Centres.  Think Jesus Fellowship in 1983, and you've got a fair comparison.  They have a deep pastoral care and yet prophetic lifestyle.  Just before 12.00, David suggested we took a walk ahead of lunch. 

Kelly had spotted diggers a work at two points on the site: one to house a new biomass boiler system, and the other to replace a residence block that was progressively being demolished.  "What's this place?" I asked David.  "The dining room."  Sure enough, we walked into a huge modern hall, with views over the fields on three sides.  The uniform lines of tables and chairs were set out with equally matched cutlery and plates.  Without a signal, the tables filled up.  A voice from the PA bade us welcome.  The diners tended to sit in family groups, and conversation was muted.  While we ate, children from the school related the highlights of their previous day's visit to a local aquarium.  They began with sincere thanks for the adults arranging this field-trip.  As an exercise in burying self-consciousness in front of 300 people, it was excellent.  I didn't realise a puffer fish can only inflate nine times because of the strain on its heart. 

After lunch we tramped round the fields they cultivate for self-sufficiency, and looked into the school.  David commented that neighbours scrutinise everything: erect a tool shed and the complaints pour in.   In the workshop, Oliver explained the manufacture and assembly process, and how they rota the jobs.  Although the workshop pays its way, with no wages, or congregations or Jesus Centres to support, their business ventures are held well within the Bruderhof's balance of life.  They've chosen to be self-supporting from cradle to grave, so need this means to earn their keep.  I took some photos in the workshop showroom; they were for Jack, but I felt a little awkward. 

Back for a cup of tea before we left, I asked Emma about her experience.  She spoke of keeping the covenant living by daily resolving misunderstandings or tensions that arise.  Beautiful.  As we parted, I commended Felix on his name: he truly has a sunny disposition.

The four of us came away with different impressions.  Mick loved their honour for all members, including the children.  Huw saw warnings how the Holy Spirit's urge to move on could be lost.  Kelly valued the spontaneity and ownership of decision-making, and flexibility of programme.  I felt that nobody coming into leadership in Jesus Fellowship in the last 20 years could understand how this lifestyle formed us, and how different we have subsequently emerged. 

Len told me since, that Darvell regularly hold open days.  Although they don't encourage "sightseers", you'd receive a warm and genuine welcome.