Bristol

Last weekend I went with a group from my church in Northern Ireland to visit a new church in Bristol, England. This was my first time in England and I was happy to get a good idea of what totally normal, average English life is like for the average Bristolian.

Wick Court

Welcome to Wick Court, a 16th century manor, currently owned by a christian ex-rugby player and on loan to Church Next for two years--current value: £1.6 million. For this reason is is necessary to take good care of the property and to implement traditional security measures.

Watch out! He's got a feather in his helmet

There are certain things about these old houses which cannot be changed, as prescribed by the Quadracentennial Property Preservation and Protection Society. The walls can be painted only certain colours and the banister must be persevered with the grape carving which help date the house. Also preserved is the dog wheel, in which the energetic dog ran to turn the spit on which a pig roasted over a fire. The wheel sticks out of the wall just a bit above and to the right of the fireplace.

no animals were harmed in the lighting of that fireplace, or those candles

Reportedly, a BBC presenter came to look at Wick Court some time ago, but decided not to purchase the house because the dining room was too grey.

note: this is brightened badly with iphoto--was originally quite a vibrant grey

Walking the perimeter of the fields, I half expected to encounter Elizabeth Bennett tromping through a muddy field, though it is actually much more likely that I would have encountered the late King Charles hiding from Oliver Cromwell in the basement below the kitchen, as is rumoured to be truth. Fortunately I saw neither of them--the presence of either would be quite alarming.

King Charles' tree-house hideout swing

In the end, we did some work while we were there. Two of our church leaders taught on "outward-focused" church, and prayer. Then we went and prayer for people on the streets, and I went with a group to a local park to play games with kids because Jesus liked children! I got out the bubbles and simply let the little children come unto me. The church wants to get to know the community a bit more, so this was a first step to that end.

the distinguished Amy with bubbles

In the end, we did a lot of church, hung out with some lovely lovely people--I "smoked" some strawberry-vanilla hookah stuff with some Danish people who were also visiting, and was thoroughly unimpressed--and I blew bubbles with some kids.

Church Next appreciated us visiting as they had never seen the way God heals instantly sometimes when we pray. They were encouraged by the message Ricky and Mark brought and will continue to "press on toward the goal" that God has given them. Amen