I wrestled for some time with what to call this blog and wondered if it was worth starting in the first place. I didn't do very much with my entertainment based blog although many people said I should post more (for those kind comments I am grateful) however this blog is going to be more than just a communication to those that I know and love to keep them updated with my progress. It is going to be the place where I share the thoughts, feelings, fears, concerns and times of great joy as I take the next steps in the plan that God has for me.
Let me get you up to date:
Currently I am, as many of you know, a self employed entertainer. I have been since I left school. Performing magic, juggling and general foolishness at parties and events across the country. I have loved every moment of it, I have enjoyed the freedom it has allowed me - answering to no boss but myself, working with some fantastic entertainers and brilliant organisers and generally making people happy. There really is nothing I enjoy more than the feeling of an event going totally to plan, children laughing and adults relaxed and happy because they have had a stress free time. The hours are erratic, often long and in strange weather conditions and the amount of travel is monumental. Sometimes events are horrible and I feel like an inconvenience rather than an enhancement to the event. However, in September all that changes. I am telling the taxman I am trading no more and I am, so to speak, hanging up my magic wand for the time being.
I have been offered a post as a Youth and Children's Assistant over in Christ Church Chorleywood. A really lovely Evangelical church in the heart of a community. I am going to be housed and have a basic living cost provided for me and in return ill be working as part of the church staff team helping to run events for the youth and children of the local area. It will be a full time job, pretty much, with Thursday off each week and the odd Saturday (according to the current interns) - I am really excited about the prospect but also daunted too. It is a huge change. Ill be living away from home for the first time ever in a house with two relative strangers (I have met one chap already - Jon - but only for a short amount of time) and living in a huge town - a rather large step up from my quiet village life. Why am I doing this? My DDO (Diocesan Director of Ordination) wants me to experience a larger church with a different worship style in an urban area before I am put forward to selection and ultimately (God's will be done) off to Vicar Factory for training.
What am I expecting? A lot of hard work, long hours and challenges faced from working with young people. I know that is is going to test my faith, my patience and my body at time but I am thankful that I already have experience and gifts suitable to this work. Hopefully I can bring something positive to those that I work with and help them along their own journeys as I continue in mine. I am also expecting a lot of fun and laughter - the team at CC are fantastic and the reception I received on my interview day was so warm that it felt as though I had been attending the church for years rather than arriving at 10am that morning.
So, July and August are filled with my last entertainment events as a full time entertainer, magician and general clown. It is going to be a very sad time. Packing up my stuff and stowing it safely in this little office that has been the base of my operations for years. Packing up my life and moving away from family and friends that I have been around for nearly 25 years. I never attended university, I never lived away from this community and I would be lying if I said I was not going to miss it. I am going to miss it terribly. These are the people I have grown up around, the church that has been a part of my Christian life since I was Christened age 9. Leaving the comfort and safety of my own self employment, being master of my own destiny and in control of my own life to putting total trust in God, is a very scary thought. However I have a strong faith, I have been through a lot in my relationship with God so far and I know that however many times I fail ill be picked up, dusted off and put back on the right path.
Prayers would be appreciated as I go through this change - a smooth transition on my next step would be welcome and Ill keep you all updated as to my progress.
God Bless
Sam
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