Ecumenical, botanical, recreational, educational...

Well, in ecumenical news, great to have meetings this week with the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand and some of their theological education and ministerial formation team at the Knox Centre for Ministry and Leadership. This is a Centre that works in partnership with a whole variety of groups and networks, including Te Aka Puaho, the Pacific Island Synod, the Council of Asian Congregations, Presbyteries, United District Councils, and congregations. Here's a picture of some of the Knox Centre community

The visitors came to us, we didn't go to them, though I'd love to return the favour one day. As you can imagine, if you're familiar with this blog, they were well feasted and festooned Pacific-style here at the College, and lots of constructive conversations went on about ways we could perhaps serve and support one another's work. They might, for example, opt into some of our Bachelor of Divinity by Extension courses. They could also help to widen our pool of potential writers and resource persons, maybe. There's already a long history of relationship with the Pacific Theological College and the PCAZ; you can see some of the archive photos here. We hope the latest encounters have given it a bit more oomph!

In botanical news, things are blossoming and blooming around House 12, The lemongrass (left) is lush, and I enjoy breaking off some stems, tying them in a knot, and steeping them in boiling water with a tsp of brown sugar or honey for refreshing lemongrass tea. Smacks lips.

The chillies are doing OK too. Need to redden up a bit but they'll get the hang of it shortly. See below.

Then the pineapples are popping up. I was completely amazed and admiring of Dikesh, Shelley's teenage son, who willingly came to weed the pineapple plants in their stubborn spikiness. He refused all protective garments and didn't seem to mind having shredded arms by the end of it. What a star.

And then of course, the fascinating, fiery and utterly exotic - to the English eye - crabclaw plants which I never, ever tire of. Used to pay an admission fee to Birmingham Botanical Gardens to see those and now they're just outside the back door. 

It really is a  most beautiful, fruitful campus, of which I never tire...

In recreational news, Rugby World Cup fever is upon us of course. Here's this morning's Fiji Times.

'...what we have over other teams is the brotherhood we have with each other. We look after each other and we'd die for each other, and that's the spirit we'll be taking through into our first game'.

Against England. Did I mention that?

And in educational news, we're all muscling in to plug a gap or two in the residential programme because of staff shortages. Here I am about to tackle the marking of the MTh Book Review assignments. The kettle is on, the pen is twitching, the brain cells are being cranked into life. Well, it is Saturday afternoon! All good stuff and genuinely looking forward to the new or refreshed learning I'll benefit from while doing it. Because that's always the way. Eyes down for a full house!