1st Bletchley Amicus

After last week’s unfortunate cancellation due to the snow, this week we decided to go for it and brave the elements. In fact, the elements decided to lay off for a while, so there wasn’t much bravery required. But we made it back which is the main thing, and enjoyed a great planning session.  Often the planning is seen as the dull, tedious but neccessary part of the programme, but last night’s session was great.  We managed to review the planning done so far for our next fund raising event, and for our Soapbox Derby challenge.

Then we had a brainstorm cranial weather anomaly and shared ideas for possible future sessions, then explained them to the group and removed a couple and refined a few more before were happy that we have a great session coming up. The result of our cranial weather anomaly can be seen below (click to enlarge) and will be translated and uploaded into the Amicus Calendar shortly. You will receive an email notifying you of which sessions you’re leading, assisting with or leading devotions for.

In devotions we reflected on the words of Jesus in Matthew 5:13 and it’s application during our current weather challenges. We also reflected on the fact that the coldest winter for years has been no match for the warmth of human excrement – hence the images in this update – and for which I apologise.

In other news, in an attempt to keep you all better informed and engaged, there is now a 1st Bletchley Amicus page on Facebook. There is a preview below. Become a ‘fan’ of the page and keep up to date with the latest events, quotes, web updates and news. Lots of old pictures have been uploaded, feel free to add your own if you have any, and add any tags which are missing.

Next Week: Hair-dressing by Steph Dungate & Nick Bosdet, Devotions by Simon Bradley

…but Amicus carries on regardless (this week at least).

Just wanted to confirm that we will be meeting as planned this evening.  The snow has stopped, the skies are a little lighter, the main roads are clear, the local roads are passable, and the Church Centre is warm.

Please stay safe as you travel, but if you are able to make it to Amicus tonight, please do.

I look forward to seeing you there…

Note: I’ve installed a new comment system on the website which allows you to login with your Facebook details – please help me test it by leaving a comment below – ta!

I can’t think of anything I’d rather do on a cold, dark, damp evening than go Orienteering (not!) but there’s no arguing with the Amicus Calendar, so we this week that’s exactly what we did.  We split into two teams and set off on the circular walk around Bow Brickhill – both teams leaving at the same time, with the same map, but heading in opposite directions.  The hope was that we’d meet up about half way round.  Each team had to take a bearing at a predetermined location, with points awarded to correct recordings, and the fastest team back.

We met about three quarters of the way round, so one team was feeling more smug than the other.  But as we progressed around the final quarter, we realised that we’d had it easy until then (but we still won).  There was a mild asthma attack, a few slips in the mud and Jake acting as bear bait to keep Yolanda safe from all the Bow Brickhill bears – take a look at the pictures and see for yourself:

Well done to Nick & Yolanda for an excellent evening.  We didn’t lose anyone through injury or poor map reading, which is always a bonus.

Bonfire & Firework Party

It’s not often that we meet twice in one week (unless it involves an Ikea breakfast) but this week was one of those rare occasions as we met at the Sellers’ allotment for our Bonfire & Firework party.  I’m not a massive fan of fireworks but we got a great deal from Morrisons, and still have a ton of them left.  For me the bonfire is the attraction (and the food!) – there’s something very manly and mesmerising about a bonfire – perhaps it’s a caveman thing.

It was a great team effort with Douglas & Robert acting as bonfire feeders extraordinaire, Andrew & David managing the firework display and Jane magically providing food and drinks.  We had a better turnout from Amicus than FBI or the Thursday Home Group, but it was a great night!  Huge thanks to Jane & Douglas…  If you weren’t able to make it, take a look at the photos below and see what you missed!

Congratulations to Flic who passed her driving test today!

Next Week: Quasar – details will be emailed on Monday.

As it was half term this week and we had free reign in the Youth Hall, it was time for ‘Half Term Sports Awesomeness!’  David Putman organise a sedate start to the evening with French Cricket, followed by a hardcore game of Skittle Ball (nice change of pace there!).  We then moved on to an all-too-short session of Table Tennis round-the-table, which was very enjoyable, and followed up by a game of Team Dodgeball.

A very tired James (so tired he was almost completely unable to read) led us in a Halloween reflection, and encouraged us to make it a day where the devil doesn’t get a foothold (shouldn’t that be everyday?).

We ended with a game of four-a-side footie, but this week trialled a ‘ below head height’ rule.  There was lots of dissent before the game (like any good Baptist team), but on reflection, with a few rule tweaks, we decided it wasn’t too restrictive.  It resulted in a more skilful game, but more frustrating game for all.

During the course of the evening we opened our brand new Snooker/Pool table – only to discover that it had been damaged in transit and we had to pack it away again ready (hopefully) for a return journey to the suppliers.  so no snooker or pool this week – but we look forward to a shiny new table arriving soon(-ish).

This week David the guinea pig/pioneer of the new Planning & Evaluation Sheet which has been produced to assist you when you’re leading an Amicus session, and provides an evaluation of how things went.  The aim is to ensure well-planned activities, and ensure your development as leaders through constructive feedback.  When it’s your turn to organise our activities (see the Calendar), please make sure you complete the planning sheet and bring it with you.  You can find printed sheets in the Amicus pigeon-hole in the office at the Church, or download them from here and print them yourself (depending on how organised you are). Also coming soon: guidance notes for preparing devotions.

Next Week: Orienteering

Nick J & Yolanda are organising an evening of orienteering at Stockgrove Park or Bow Brickhill woods, and have prepared the following written statement for you – please take note:

Well you have chosen to become orienteering experts and search for the treasure however for this you will need the following so that you will be prepared for a night time excursion:

1. A torch (It will be dark and you will need to see)
2. A map (This will be provided by myself on the night)
3. High visibility clothing (If you have this it will be useful to keep track)
4. A compass if you have one (Getting lost is never fun so being able to know where you might be can at least mean we can find you)
5. Some comfortable yet robust shoes or boots (The ground is not your home carpet so slippers are going to be a bad choice…like milk)
6. A team spirit (This is going to be a race between two/three teams, therefore avoiding the whole “Blair Witch Project” thing)
7. Warm clothes (As winter approaches it is going to be dark and possibly cold so these are a good idea)

As a reminder this is an outdoor event, if in the event of rain there will be a planning session of a hiking challenge, a plan for this will be drawn up just in case, consent forms will be required for the walk.

Just to reiterate that last point: if you haven’t returned a completed consent form yet (you all know who you are) and don’t bring it with you next week, then you won’t be joining us for orienteering – you’ve had your period of grace.  Meet at the Church Centre promptly at 7:30pm.

Also next week: Joint FBI/Firework Party

Please join us for our own spectacular firework display, and one of Doug Sellers’ finest bonfires, topped off with snacks & refreshments by Jane.  Meet at the Sellers’ house (68 Eaton Avenue, Bletchley) at 7:30 next Thursday (5th Nov).  Wrap up warm and bring a torch. Pictures of our last event in 2007 are available here – we had a fantastic evening.

* title of this week’s update is in honour of Yolanda Potter ;o)