ATF Pilgrimage to Bradwell

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So it's nearly time for what has become After The Fire's annual visit to the tiny chapel of St Peter on the Wall, Bradwell, Essex, where we ring the changes from our usual power pop-rock output to a seriously unplugged, meditative service of worship which we gently steer. The ambience and natural acoustic of the chapel is extraordinary yet still allows our energetic approach to enable folk to express themselves in song and prayer regardless of their church preferences or faith journey. This year we are as adventurous with the repetoire of songs as usual, so if you are intrigued and have a broad taste in music raging from R.E.M. to traditional hymns (and live not too far away!) join us at 6:30pm this Sunday 2nd August!

To be Greener

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A Prayer cross this evening...

Own resources - as it is known here!
And everyone prayed - taking part...

Knowledge of good and evil?

A fascinating Podcast from Monday 20/07/09 on BBC Radio 4:

Religion and the Web

Fellowship of Confessing Christians

A truly excellent post from Alice Smith, youth adviser for part of Chelmsford Diocese. I have responded with a fairly lengthy (for me) comment:

An Anglican at odds with herself...

I concur with her e-pistle!

All good gifts around us...

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Enjoyed plucking some goodies from my Patio Veggie Patch this afternoon - it's the taking part that counts ;-)

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We have so much to learn...

An amazing film from BBC Wales of Amish folk with such resonance for my early life and father's ex-communication (for studying the Bible) from the Exclusive Brethren....

Trouble In Amish Paradise - (H/T Brian McLaren)

That's me in the corner...

After The Fire at Music on the Green - not quite a T in the Park - but a very well run event and with the local C of E church (behind cameraman Richard Shipton) flung wide open offering an interactive Art Show and yummy refreshments, I was impressed! As for ATF... we did ok-ish, much room for improvement tho': 4/10.

Never underestimate kids...

Was asked to cover for the Prayer moment in church today - then when I arrived for an earlier service found I had not even noticed I was on the rota for Prayers there too. As I read the above and placed my own emphasis I was struck by how profound the notion of making 'us' the responsibility for the issues which we tend to expect others to sort out or expect God to sort.

Drivetime Details

As part of the build up to the Music On The Green festival day this Saturday 11th the interview with Steve Foster at BBC Radio Suffolk went out last night with some After The Fire songs and my three song selection:

1) The most amazing Imogen Heap with 'Speeding Cars'
2) The Artist formerly known as Prince with the very religious 'I Would Die 4 U'
3) And finally the incredible Arcade Fire with 'Intervention'

For a few days the interview is on iPlayer hope to see some of you Saturday!

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ATF on the Beeb

Last Thursday 2nd July I went up to record an interview with Steve Foster of BBC Radio Suffolk in Ipswich. As always Steve and I had a great conversation and covered ground about the band's history and the current plans. This Saturday 11th we are looking forward to playing the Music on The Green festival on Martelsham Heath for the first time, on stage around 6pm.

In addition to playing some After The Fire songs of the recently released Radio Sessions CD he had asked me to bring with me three of my fave songs Desert Island Disks style. They all had to be mainstream artists that would be reasonably well known, last twixt 3 and 4 minutes and suitable for the radio station. Although I had a week or so to think of them what a task it proved to be!

I will reveal all when it is broadcast this Wednesday just after 6pm and on the blog here, meanwhile any other bloggers' suggestions of your three song selection would be most interesting?!

...where is thy sting?

Only sleeping then?! A temporary sight across from the Art Café yesterday ;-)