Hi folks, I hope you are all managing to stay above water in these strange times. This week we will be meeting at 8.00pm on zoom, if you want to join us and don’t normally get the link then let me know.
As the sun set last Sunday I was expecting a tough week. I struggle with the dark nights, but this week I found a few things that have given me energy to almost ignore the darkness! I have been out more this week, meeting a few folks for work and it’s given me some unexpected energy. I have also had the opportunity to be creative, video recording the first service for my other role at Brunswick. I also wrote some short poems for a project that David is involved with.
There have been two other inspirational moments this week, both linked to music. First of all I watched the first episode of The Rap Game, a BBC3 program that takes six new MC’s and gives one of them the chance of a record deal. I do like a bit of rap, but this was a little different. The part that struck me most was when they were given a beat to rap too and they had 24 hours to write about something in their lives that has been a struggle for them. They had to tell a story through it. Some were better than others, but it was beautiful to watch people bearing their soul in a style that was so upfront and raw.
The second inspirational moment caused me to post something on Facebook. The program was Imagine with Alan Yentob. He introduced a unique portrait of an exceptionally gifted family. Cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason won BBC young musician of the year in 2016 and performed at the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in 2018. It wasn’t just about him, it was about the whole family. Each of them performed a piece of music and then they played together. It was filmed during lock down and they played on the street on a Thursday night for their street after the NHS clap, they have been streaming music online for people to watch. What struck me was their creativity, to be able to play music and to try new ways of doing traditional pieces. It was also the down to earth in nature in the way they talked together about music and what it can do for people.
This last couple of weeks I have watched Karen get more creative, we bought a new food mixer, and Karen has been trying out new recipes, bread and cake! Nom! She also did most of the work on our carved pumpkin of Suki dog!!
There were a couple of things I want to think about, the first is in relation to story, whether it be our own story, the story of our planet or even our story of faith. Last weekend marked my 35th year as a follower of Jesus! In both the rap and classical music story came through, the individual battles these young rappers were spitting were powerful and in some cases hard to hear. In Imagine it was the family dynamics and the way they talked about the stories of the pieces of music they played. They made these pieces seem fresh and come alive. They almost lived their stories through their playing of the music
The second is about creativity, particularly in the form of music and what it can inspire and move people to do, not just playing but listening as well. This led me to think about the way God creates. This time of year we see leaves fall and die, but in their dying they produce such vibrant colours. Creativity is all around us in so many ways.
Some questions
If you carved a pumpkin, what was that like for you?
If you could play an instrument what would it be?
What parts of your story would you like to write a song about?
When would you say your faith story started?
How do you feel about creativity?
What is your creative outlet?
How do you view God and creativity?
Peace, Rob
Rob Wylie is the founder of BeachcomberFX and guides its leadership team. He has worked in the North East for over 20 years and has vast experience from various roles he has held. He has a passion for Fresh Expressions of Church and Pioneer Ministry as well as beer, beaches and Miniature Schnauzers.