Tuesday, June 29, 2004
Days 7, 8 and 9 - Church, IT destruction, and the Tyndale Lectures
Hello! Well, we managed to splice into a wireless network of the church that shares the space here at Regents Park Retreat Center (a Pentacostal church, so I may start writing in tongues any minute). It has
been a busy three days:
Sunday - Church and study
So, woke up early Sunday morning, enjoyed a prosperous run (apperently the English are still bummed about the loss to Portugal, so there were no “vomit” puddles to leap). Spent a little time studying, showering (I am getting the hang of showering in the shower at the lovely Beech Wing housing complex where I am staying, that has a rust spot the size of Maine, making it needed to shower in a position similiar to that of the starting blocks in the Olympics). Then a nice walk to church. The regular vicar was on vacation, so they had a brand new ordained pastor there. Apperently they do not teach here how to wrap up your sermon. He went on and on, about nothing in particular, having long since lost the congregation (the only ones paying attention were the infants at that point). Longest service I had been to since I’ve been here - about 1:45). Still, a great communion service (yes, they use port here in their communion wine).
The rest of the day was spent reading (out under my tree), visiting the construction of the new library (they are impressed because now they will have space for 36000 books instead of 24000) and goign to Cafe Uno for dinner (actually had a good pizza there). Mostly there was worry about the conference that started the next day.
Funny thing about cafe Uno. In Didsbury and downtown in Cafe Nero. I went into Nero to order a coffee, and suddenly felt that the idea of ordering a coffee in a place named after a man who used Christians to light the streets of Rome. I literally was ordering a coffee, stopped, and said, “I can’t do this, the man made Christians as streetlights” and walked out. The look on the poor gals face (this is a post-Christen society, so they have no clue what I am talking about), was priceless. I think she thought I had no money.
So, Monday dawned nice and rainy. Found out that the IT man was coming to school. Now, for one without an internet connection, this should be a good thing. But this man, now a pastor, is I think, in league with the deamons of IT, so when he showed up I had to pray that things would not get any worse. Let me tell you right now, if you have some small ailment, dont have me pray for you. Becuase by the time he was done (even with my prayers), I was in worse shape!!! Not only could I not connect in my room, I could not connect anywhere!!! Hmm… do you think he knows I am a Presbyterian with strong Catholic leanings???
Well, no time to worry about that, had to pack up and head to Nantwich for the Tyndale conference. We road with my professor (Phil and I) along with the head of the review committee I go before in August. I experienced my first “motorway car-Park.” Talk about a traffic jam. It took us 90 minutes to go the 23 miles to Nantwich. Lots of “fun” talk. Let me tell you, that was a stimulating discussion - the insides of the Nazarene movement.
Found our way to the conference center. Let me tell you, I miss America most when it comes to administration. We come into the conference center. They give us keys (no directions), no information about where the conference is, the session timetable, anything. Nothing. So after carrying my 40lb backpack and 30lb suitcase all over the place, we found a room our key worked in (hey, if the key fits this must be the place), found a Hungeraian OT scholar in our room, and three beds. So, we dropped our stuff, got “freshened” (they had a sink in the room!!! - but with warning signs that said - “Warning - Tank-fed Hot Water” - dont know what that means, but I am not brushing my teeth with this stuff), and went to find the conference.
Whereas last year’s Wesley Conference was the dud of duds, this has been a good time. First paper was on the idea that Judgement is to the Glory of God. I had vowed to be quiet here, not to say a thing during the paper presentations. Well, that lasted about...two minutes. So, I started sharing my comments. Actually, so far I have not embarressed myself...too much 
Nantwich is this great little medievel town. They have fantastic cathedral at the very center of town, a Safeway (yes, I put cathedrals and Safeways in the same category at this point), and homes with doors that cannot be more than 5 and half feet high (I love htis place!!!). Little local public house called The Leopard (why, I have no idea). So, we wondered the streets here.
Mostly we wondered looking for a pay phone. None of the phones in the center will accept calling cards, so we had to find one of those great red phone booths. Now, I have experienced everything in England. Of course getting a whole 18 minutes for 5 pounds (maybe that is some strange metric change, but it sure sounds like I am getting ripped off). So, I was at least able to talk to the beutiful Tanya with the fantasic smile.
As great as England has been for vegetarian food, this place appernetly has the misconception that “vegetarian” means “those whose taste buds have died.” They keep serving me these bland rice dishes, and I swear, its the same food each time, just with some “sauce” on top. So, I am quickly losing any weight I gained before I arrived.
Ah well, would love to share more, but I think the Pentacostal church wants its connection back, and I need to be getting to bed, since the first paper tommorow is “J.I. Packer - why he is right about penal substitution.” presented by a Scot who may be a 12 point Calvinist.
Talk more soon!!!
Manchester • Summer 2004 • (14) Comments • (0) Trackbacks • Permalink
