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Spring 2013 saw me traveling to London each week to help run a ‘Foundations for Life and Mission’ course with the leadership of Balham Community Church. As a result both the participants and those they lead were helped to effectively care for those around them and express the life and love of Christ in everyday situations. I am now part of a group developing ‘Foundations for Life and Mission’ and making it increasingly accessible to those who need it.
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At the same time I coordinated the pilot run of ‘School of Mission’; a course for leaders and their core teams who are engaged in community development and youth work as a mission to their neighbourhood and region. Each Wednesday we in the Oxford office connected with the teams in Preston and Cape Town, as well as Lorena in Albania when she could make it. Using web conferencing we engaged for the day with trainer/facilitators from Australia, the UK and Canada. One of the key outcomes was a life giving sense of fellowship and shared life between us all. Leah and I are now working on the course with Open Awards so that participants can graduate with a nationally accredited qualification in Youth Work Practice and eventually, community work and leadership/personal development.
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In February we were joined by Leah Uptigrove from Canada who had set aside 5 months to come and be my PA… life saver number one. We also enjoyed a team retreat at The Mill but not long after it was time to say au revoir to Skye Leon, who had been a key member of our team and a great friend.
Around Easter I needed to review how I was managing things as I was beginning to look pretty burntout! There were some interpersonal stresses at work and home that had taken their toll and I was losing my way a bit personally. I was really grateful for the opportunity to head to South Africa and Europe in May; that trip was my second life saver of the year! In each place I loved being part of a close team with a clear purpose, enjoying life and doing mission together.
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As a result of our time in Athlone, Cape Town, the South African team produced and launched a research project (Anika, Leah and I helped pull everything the team had done together). The community research integrated the team into the local neighbourhood and the results and recommendations have guided (and continue to) all subsequent activity in the area. They now have regular programs reaching the elderly and homeless, youth work is being developed and their credibility and favour with local government has risen exponentially. I continue to speak with Derrick Trout the team leader, each week providing strategic support and fellowship as he responds to all that is emerging.
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July brought the British Summer Experience (AKA Annual British Pilgrimage - downsized); the UK team were joined by Dan and Esther Tackie from Ghana, Church of Pentecost. We spent time in Oxford, Reading, London and Holy Island. As a result of these two weeks, the work in Ghana has expanded and Graham and Annie have since become Fusion team members.
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I visited the team in Albania both in June and August. Whereas in South Africa we had a major project to complete, my time in Albania was primarily relational in focus. In August I did a lot of training but still connecting and sharing life was a high priority. I am still blown away by the magic that God does when brothers and sisters are authentically present to one another; as I am me I become a source of strength and encouragement to you and in the process I myself am strengthened, encouraged and find life by being with you. This was one of the most precious experiences of my year, and I am very grateful for it.
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August marked my 41st birthday and 10 years since I sensed God call me into full time ministry. I set aside three weeks to ‘go meet with God’. I needed to bring my doubts and fears out and let him speak to me. I headed for Ffald y Brenin, South Wales and St Blazey, Cornwall and I wasn’t disappointed. I came away with a fresh commission, a new sense of Emmanuel and a strong conviction that things were going to change dramatically in my life and mission – that doors would open and I would be called upon to step up into new levels of responsibility and authority in God. All this was preparing me for the Autumn of 2013!
(My Stratford Upon Avon Birthday Picnic was a blast with friends, godkids and family and 'A Midsummer Night’s Dream' at the Dell open air theatre, finished off with fish and chips by the river. It was a very special day - thanks to everyone who came.)
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Its been great this year to spend a little more time with my three godkids (and their parents who happen to be some of my closest friends)! Temi and I have been having fun cooking together - she picks a meal from Jamie Oliver's 15 minute cookbook and then we spend a happy time shopping and chatting and generally making a mess in the kitchen before the whole family enjoys the results together! Sam, my youngest godchild melted my heart recently by telling me shyly that I was his daughter. Jemimah (pictured) continues to shower those amazing smiles at me from across the room...
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On my return from Albania, Dan let us know that he would be stepping down from being a full time staffworker and part of Fusion's national leadership team. From this point, transition set the agenda for the autumn. A lot of soul searching went into discerning what the shape of both the leadership and the work of Fusion in the UK would look like. Was this the step up that I had sensed was about to come? I wasn’t sure! To cut a long story short, it turns out it was. International Forum came and went with us hosting 20 of Fusion’s national leaders from across the world. Fusion UK’s National Conference came and went with a ‘transition’ meal for Dan and Danni and the kids. (They are continuing as team members and will be part of the local work in Wheatley). Dan’s last day in the office came and went, and….
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For most of this year we have felt it was time to leave our office in Haddenham and move to where we are actually involved in local youth and community work. We had thought this would be Wheatley. God had other plans! It is time for the Wheatley missional community who have been volunteering with Fusion for 10 years, to take responsibility for the local mission. It’s also become clear that its right for Fusion to find a new community for its base. We are currently exploring Whitley, South Reading as a possibility. Its been a real privilege to help with both transitions - Wheatley becoming autonomous and Fusion finding its new home.
I will be sharing the leadership of the work of Fusion in the UK with Marty Woods. His primary role will be Network Developer and mine will be National Coordinator. As a team we in the UK feel it is right to make prayer a much more central part of our work as we move into the future. I think there are going to be exciting developments in our work with the 18 -30 age group and with mobilising small groups as tools for mission and discipleship.
Personally I am excited about 2014! I have enjoyed heading up to Preston each month since October with Anika to spend time with Andy and his team there. As we prepare to relocate, I am looking forward to welcoming a new community into my heart in a way I haven't done for years. I will continue with my international responsibilities and am already thinking about trips to Australia, Albania and Cape Town.
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Earlier this year as the UK team we articulated our call as ‘ Together : Giving All; Finding Life; Bringing Hope.’ Whatever lies ahead we know that God has called us to give everything to find him and bring hope to others and call them to the same.
I came close to burnout earlier this year because I had become de-centered and lost my sense of vocation; the rest of the year has been about re-centering and planting my hand firmly in the hand of the God who calls me Beloved. As I head into 2014 I am very grateful that I get to walk this road with Him.. this road that he has made for me.
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Thank you for reading thus far... you deserve a reward!
If you have a moment, I'd love to hear your news. Feel free to make use of the network buttons below. I am still endeavouring to post something encouraging on my blog every week or so please drop by and take a look some time!
In the mean time, I sincerely wish you all God's best for 2014 .
With every blessing.
Claire
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Coming up this year and open to anyone... that includes you!
Foundations in South Africa - last two weeks in March
British Pilgrimage of Hope - July 19th - August 2nd (Glasgow, Iona, Holy Island)
Foundations at The Mill, UK - 26th October - 2nd Nov.
Fusion National Conference at The Mill, UK - 28th - 30th Nov
(drop me a line or visit http://www.fusionyac.org to find out more and book).
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