Sometimes labels help. Some times not so much. I saw these t-shirts and thought it a shame that they are not made in adult sizes as the label might help me realise my future vocation!
Monday, 31 March 2008
Tuesday, 12 February 2008
Book Sale on Amazon
This is another top tip to raising a bit of spare cash to buy reading material. I have opened an store front account on Amazon and am selling old reading material there. From the proceeds, I can buy books for course reading.
It is really easy to set up an account and you only pay a fee to Amazon if you sell something. Unfortunately however, when you open an account, you are in competition with some sellers who push thousands of books a day. That means that you can be scuppered by their 0.01p selling price! The good news is that the fixed mail fee which Aamzon have on all book sales, is usually just a little more than cost so you do end up making something on postage.
Books stay on the site for 60 days before automatically being removed from the list.
I tend to check the prices which other sellers are listing books at before deciding how much I would like to sell my books for. If books are selling for less than I would like, I can decide not to list them or to only put them up as the prices improve.
Just for information, I have sold 5 books in as many days which may not be the sort of numbers which Amazon, Eden or Waterstones might be proud of, but for my own personal collection it ain't half bad and so long as it covers the next book on my reading list, I'm happy.
Also, for quick and easy reference I have added links to Amazon for some course reading materials. Keep an eye out for reading lists from each year of the undergraduate and post graduate courses.
It is really easy to set up an account and you only pay a fee to Amazon if you sell something. Unfortunately however, when you open an account, you are in competition with some sellers who push thousands of books a day. That means that you can be scuppered by their 0.01p selling price! The good news is that the fixed mail fee which Aamzon have on all book sales, is usually just a little more than cost so you do end up making something on postage.
Books stay on the site for 60 days before automatically being removed from the list.
I tend to check the prices which other sellers are listing books at before deciding how much I would like to sell my books for. If books are selling for less than I would like, I can decide not to list them or to only put them up as the prices improve.
Just for information, I have sold 5 books in as many days which may not be the sort of numbers which Amazon, Eden or Waterstones might be proud of, but for my own personal collection it ain't half bad and so long as it covers the next book on my reading list, I'm happy.
Also, for quick and easy reference I have added links to Amazon for some course reading materials. Keep an eye out for reading lists from each year of the undergraduate and post graduate courses.
Sunday, 27 January 2008
Top Tip
Buying books for college is just one of the many expenses that is a drain on my resources. If I lived on campus there would be more of an option to use the library resources. Unfortunately the core reading for courses is available only on a 3 day loan and, as I am only in once a week, it is a major (as well as expensive) task to borrow college books. What I might otherwise spend on train fare to return books within the borrowing period, I therefore spend on buying the most essential reading (but wish that I could buy more).
One helpful tip I have for anyone else in the same position is to set up an account on Amazon where you can create a wish list. Once you do so, you can then send it out to everyone in my address book who may want to support your through your training. It's an idea you may want to consider.
In addition to wish list, you can also get a 5% discount on books but only if you have an NUS card - so it is worth investing in one if you buy online regularly or even semi-regularly!
One helpful tip I have for anyone else in the same position is to set up an account on Amazon where you can create a wish list. Once you do so, you can then send it out to everyone in my address book who may want to support your through your training. It's an idea you may want to consider.
In addition to wish list, you can also get a 5% discount on books but only if you have an NUS card - so it is worth investing in one if you buy online regularly or even semi-regularly!
Tuesday, 25 December 2007
Merry Christmas
All the women at Newbold would like to wish everyone all the best for the Christmas Season and we pray that God will continue to lead your lives, to guide you and bless you.
Monday, 19 November 2007
Top Tip
As a ministerial student I have been wondering how to do ministry before I get into paid ministry. This weekend I was fortunate enough to meet a wonderfully vibrant woman who is church planting in a part of Lincolnshire where there are no Adventist Churches. Among some other wonderful things, she has taken advantage of the free business cards available at vistaprint.co.uk which she gives to people she meets in her ministry.
I would recommend the site. From time to time they have other free offers so if you sign up for newsletters.
I would recommend the site. From time to time they have other free offers so if you sign up for newsletters.
Wednesday, 10 October 2007
Annual Beach Lecture with Dr Gunnar Stålsett
The scheduled lecture by Dr Gunnar Stålsett took place in Moore Close Chapel last night. Dr Gunnar Stålsett was a member of the Nobel Peace Prize Committee, and had previously been the Bishop of Oslo, and the General Secretary of the Lutheran World Federation. He is currently serving as the Vice President for the International Religious Liberty Association as well as the International President for the World Councils for Religion and Peace.
This 2007 Beach Lecture was on Peace and Religion and, as you would expect covered all the three Abrahamic religions and questioned their contributions to peace or its lack of contribution! He started by paying tribute to the inter-Christian dialogue which he sees as having contributed to the success of the ecumenical movement. Historically we have been skeptical about the movement but Dr Stålsett was careful to point out that the ecumenicalism does not imply unity of all religions but rather, says that unity is based on one world and one humanity and not one church.
The speaker describe the age in which we are living as World War III which, on the surface seems like a bizarre and far fetched statement until you dig deeper and undertand that he was referring to genocide, continued oppression, marginalisation, extended poverty, HIV/AIDS, international terrorism and the breakdown of human rights as well as civil liberties. This is a civil war, he says, which makes previous strategies for peace obsolete - the media, governements and non-govermental organisations the world over have all drawn the same conclusion.
So, where do we find solutions to end poverty and to stop the endless and mindless killings which we all too often hear about and read about? Dr Stålsett believes critics of religion have some validity when they say that religion has not left obvious footprints in history but rather it has laid confusion and ambiguity. He concludes that the natural solution to these ills can only be religion itself. It's a solution which will challenge any of us whose eschatology drives our theology - why try to fix something if it is all going to burn anyway? If it all has to get worse before Christ can return, leave it alone and give the clarion call for Christ's second coming. But we can't sit idly by. Can we?
It is in finding a way forward that we will throw off the mantel of ambiguity. Then we will be able see through the fog of tradition and admit that there are aspects of every religion that serve to debase humanity. It is then that we will be able to see those things which we promote in the name of God which really aren't from God. Then we will be able to check ourselves to see whether our teachings are based on cultural, ethnic and tribal divisions and to change them where identified.
Is it true that religion will find its way out of extremism through the reinterpretation of its teachings? What benefit is there in seeing out teachings through the eyes of others? Any such steps will be both difficult and painful but its rewards will bring a new richness to our interpretation which will it be worth it
The night was an interesting one. Challenges were thrown down which will call us to question ourselves on all levels. How, for example do we even begin to discuss open dialogue with other other religions considering our own historical developments and eschatology? How do we even begin to address how culture and traditional practices have shaped our understanding of Adventism? And to what extent should this be a personal journey as compared to a corporate one? And, where do we start?
The lecture has left me with many questions which I don't know how to begin to answer.
This 2007 Beach Lecture was on Peace and Religion and, as you would expect covered all the three Abrahamic religions and questioned their contributions to peace or its lack of contribution! He started by paying tribute to the inter-Christian dialogue which he sees as having contributed to the success of the ecumenical movement. Historically we have been skeptical about the movement but Dr Stålsett was careful to point out that the ecumenicalism does not imply unity of all religions but rather, says that unity is based on one world and one humanity and not one church.
The speaker describe the age in which we are living as World War III which, on the surface seems like a bizarre and far fetched statement until you dig deeper and undertand that he was referring to genocide, continued oppression, marginalisation, extended poverty, HIV/AIDS, international terrorism and the breakdown of human rights as well as civil liberties. This is a civil war, he says, which makes previous strategies for peace obsolete - the media, governements and non-govermental organisations the world over have all drawn the same conclusion.
So, where do we find solutions to end poverty and to stop the endless and mindless killings which we all too often hear about and read about? Dr Stålsett believes critics of religion have some validity when they say that religion has not left obvious footprints in history but rather it has laid confusion and ambiguity. He concludes that the natural solution to these ills can only be religion itself. It's a solution which will challenge any of us whose eschatology drives our theology - why try to fix something if it is all going to burn anyway? If it all has to get worse before Christ can return, leave it alone and give the clarion call for Christ's second coming. But we can't sit idly by. Can we?
It is in finding a way forward that we will throw off the mantel of ambiguity. Then we will be able see through the fog of tradition and admit that there are aspects of every religion that serve to debase humanity. It is then that we will be able to see those things which we promote in the name of God which really aren't from God. Then we will be able to check ourselves to see whether our teachings are based on cultural, ethnic and tribal divisions and to change them where identified.
Is it true that religion will find its way out of extremism through the reinterpretation of its teachings? What benefit is there in seeing out teachings through the eyes of others? Any such steps will be both difficult and painful but its rewards will bring a new richness to our interpretation which will it be worth it
The night was an interesting one. Challenges were thrown down which will call us to question ourselves on all levels. How, for example do we even begin to discuss open dialogue with other other religions considering our own historical developments and eschatology? How do we even begin to address how culture and traditional practices have shaped our understanding of Adventism? And to what extent should this be a personal journey as compared to a corporate one? And, where do we start?
The lecture has left me with many questions which I don't know how to begin to answer.
Tuesday, 2 October 2007
De Bron
I had the very lucky privilege of being at the TED workers meetings in De Brun in September. I was one of the few ministerial students who were allowed a look into this wonderful world of pastors and workers and it made for an interesting time.
One of the highlights for me was the impromptu meeting some of the women ministers had at that time. They managed to squeeze a minute in-between meetings and I was so encouraged by seeing the range of women in ministry currently. It was a true blessing to witness and to so many women from different backgrounds, cultures, races and ages together and talking about their work in ministry.
One of the most encouraging points was their willingness to embrace the female student ministerial students at Newbold. They have now got an email list that they would like us to be a part of. They are planning a retreat for the female ministers and would like to coincide it with our semesters so that we can be a part of it and they can encourage us. All in all it was an inspiration and they were an encouragement.
So on the back of that session we would like to meet with all the female DTS students next week Tuesday lunch in the canteen so we can have a chat about the session and see what we can do. We would like to collect email addresses so they can go on the mailing list. Also have a think about anything we might need or any support that would be good for us.
Please come along share lunch and fellowship with your fellow female DTS students, bring your ideas and enjoy some time together.
One of the highlights for me was the impromptu meeting some of the women ministers had at that time. They managed to squeeze a minute in-between meetings and I was so encouraged by seeing the range of women in ministry currently. It was a true blessing to witness and to so many women from different backgrounds, cultures, races and ages together and talking about their work in ministry.
One of the most encouraging points was their willingness to embrace the female student ministerial students at Newbold. They have now got an email list that they would like us to be a part of. They are planning a retreat for the female ministers and would like to coincide it with our semesters so that we can be a part of it and they can encourage us. All in all it was an inspiration and they were an encouragement.
So on the back of that session we would like to meet with all the female DTS students next week Tuesday lunch in the canteen so we can have a chat about the session and see what we can do. We would like to collect email addresses so they can go on the mailing list. Also have a think about anything we might need or any support that would be good for us.
Please come along share lunch and fellowship with your fellow female DTS students, bring your ideas and enjoy some time together.
Female Student DTS Meeting
Tuesday 9th October
1pm
Newbold Canteen
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