Big journeys begin with small steps

We all have goals and dreams. When we were younger we dreamed of being a football player, or going into space for example and we believed this could happen- what was going to stop us? The only limit was our imagination.

What happens as we get older? Those dreams can begin to fade away like a candle burning out. We start to feel as though they’re not important, not relevant to where we are now.However, that flame is still there inside you, still flickeringsoftly in the background.

Have you ever said any of the following to yourself;

‘I don’t have the time’

‘I’m too old now’ 

‘I wouldn’t know where to start’

The question I want you to think about is;

‘What was your dream?’

‘Did you achieve it?

‘How do you feel about what you have achieved?

It’s not too late to turn that dream into reality, you just need to take small steps.

When we have big goals for ourselves, what often happens is we don’t start because they feel so vast and this can overwhelm us. You feel like you are at the base of the mountain just looking up, what you need to do is to turn the mountain into a set of stairs and just make the first step.

This is what I love about coaching people- being able to turn that mountain into a manageable staircase which inspires the individual to take the first step and onto a path towards their goal.

Action: Think about the five most important things in your life. These may be your family, your parents, your career, your hobbies, your long-term goals etc.

Now score these five things 1-10 on how happy you are with the amount of time you spend on them (1= not happy; 10 = very happy)

Next think about what you would like the ratings to be. Score your five important things 1-10 according to what you wish the time spent on them was (1= much less time than currently; 10= much more time than currently.’)

This exercise should give you an indication of where you are spending most of your time is it in the areas you want?

If you have done the exercise above or would like to dive a bit deeper and this article resonates with you then feel free to contact me below.

I work with men who feel they want to enhance their mindset, but are not sure how to go about it, to give them the sense of achievement and fulfilment in their life. Ensuring they are equipped with the tools to build a clear picture of what they want things to look like and helping them achieve this. 

My first session is always complimentary as I want people to experience the power of a coaching conversation, these can be online or in person as I live in Ash.

Keep dreaming

James Carpenter

James Carpenter Coaching

jcperformancecoaching@outlook.com

07729413667

Diary this week 27th June – 3 July 2022

Tuesday 28th June:

10.00-11:30 “Little Lambs Library” Baby and toddler group for all ages bump-4yrs and their parents and carers. Come and join us in the large hall (free/by donation) for cuppa, play, craft, story and songs.

11.45am: Prayer in Church. Please feel free to come and join this time of prayer.

6.30pm: Summer Fair Planning Meeting in Church. All help welcomed! Please come and help to make the Fair a success on 23rd July!


8.00pm: Choir meet in the Church. All welcome.


Wednesday 29th June,

11.30-13:30 ”Chapel Kids” Baby & Toddler Group meet at the Chapel on Wharf Rd. The session ends with lunch club; bring a picnic or enjoy whats on offer.


7.30pm: Contemplative Prayer in Church. All welcome.

Thursday 30th June,

10.30am: Thursday Friends meet in the Small Hall.


Friday 1st July

10.00-12noon: Community Cafe in the Small Hall and on the Astroturf. All Welcome, free cuppa amd chat, family friendly.

10.00am: Hear here – hearing clinic for new batteries and tubing repairs in church.

10.30am: Bible Study in the Narthex.

7.00pm: Monthly Prayer Meeting in Church

Sunday 3rd July 2022

10:30am Church Service & Sunday school, all welcome.

Contemplative Prayer

Contemplative Prayer – Wednesday evenings: Sarah will be starting a regular Wednesday evening session of contemplative prayer in the Church from 22nd June. This will be a weekly event with the lead being shared between Neil and Sarah. More details of timings are available by contacting the church office parishoffice@ash-vale.org.uk.

Prayer is central to God moving in our lives and we have several ways in which we gather as a fellowship to pray. Other ways to pray together include the prayer chain, Tuesdays at 11:45am in Church, monthly Friday evening prayer meetings, prayer ministry after the service on Sundays, and in our homegroups. How is God calling you to pray?

God desires us to be in relationship with Him and praying is simply talking to God and including Him in everything that you do. If you don’t feel comfortable praying or feel unsure of how to pray, do talk to Revd Neil or anyone from the Prayer Ministry Team.

#Prayer #TryPraying #Community #PrayerMinistry #ContemplativePrayer

Letter from The Vicarage – Easter 2022

Parishioner letter—Rev neil

Easter 2022

The Cover Image this Easter is inspired by a new song “Come to the Table” by Matt Weeks which you can hear most Sunday’s at St Mary’s.

If you use social media, you may enjoy the ‘anniversaries’ that pop up every now and then, reminding you of what happened on this day in previous years. My timeline recently has been full of images from our early lockdown – our first Evensong in the carpark 2 years ago, ringing the bell, pancakes on the astroturf… It makes me realise that the last time we ‘did Easter’ the ‘normal’ way was 3 years ago! We had a few socially distanced people in church in 2021, but finally this year we are allowed to gather in greater numbers and celebrate with a shared feast.

Continue reading “Letter from The Vicarage – Easter 2022”

What’s on at St Mary’s & The Chapel this Easter 2022

You are warmly invited to join in with local Easter events at St Mary’s on Vale Rd, and at The Chapel on Wharf Rd.

Easter is our major festival of the year when we remember the death of Jesus and celebrate him rising from the dead.

Lent is the period before Easter when Christians remember the events leading up to and including the death of Jesus Christ. Last Sunday Neil spoke again about the opportunities to reflect together during Lent:

Continue reading “What’s on at St Mary’s & The Chapel this Easter 2022”

In loving memory of dear “Scrivener”

St Mary’s church family remembers Tony Fitzpatrick-Brown

As some of you will know, Tony Fitzpatrick-Brown died unexpectedly over the Christmas period. He was a faithful member of St Mary’s, being a contributor to the Parish Magazine as “Scrivener”, a Thursday Cafe visitor, and a staunch supporter of Evensong and previously the 8.00am Sunday service. We will miss his love, care and support very much. We hope you enjoy these memories from his St Mary’s church family.

Continue reading “In loving memory of dear “Scrivener””

From my Abuela…. with Love

Oil Pickled Partridge – Perdiz en escabeche, by Val Hoppichler

The hunting season is over and now is the time to cook delicious recipes with game. I do not remember when was the first time I ate partridge as my grandfather used to go hunting in “The Pampas” in Argentina since my mom was a child. I still remember the smell of the burnt feathers, a particular smell that is impossible not to recognise. In those times 1970’-1990’ it was not possible to eat game if you were not a hunter, at least in South America. My grandmother had so many partridges that she made all kind of meals. One of my favourites is her oil pickled partridge which I cook every year and I share it with you today. It is also the best way to preserve the bird and be able to eat it later. Fortunately in England we can find and buy all kind of birds even in supermarkets.  This recipe also works well with any kind of game or meat of your choice.

Ingredients:

  • 2 Partridges
  • 2 Carrots (or as much as you like)
  • 1 or 2 Onions (or as much as you like)
  • 1 tsp peppercorns
  • 4 Garlic cloves
  • 1000ml White wine
  • 1000ml Vinegar
  • 200 Rapeseed Oil or Sunflower Oil
  • 2 tsp Salt
  • Aromatic herbs (2 bay leaf, 1 tsp of oregano or parsley, fresh or dried)

Cut the partridge into pieces (as you would a chicken). Place the sliced carrots in and the onions cut in quarters into a saucepan, along with the aromatic herbs, peppercorns, garlic cloves, white wine, vinegar, oil, salt and pepper. 

Boil for 5 -10 minutes to soften the vegetables, then add the partridge pieces and cook until the partridge is tender. 

If you want to store in sterilised jars, place the hot food into the jar and cool with the lid closed. You can also boil the jars or use any method you are familiar with. Note: As with any preserving recipe, you can freely add more or less vegetables to enjoy with the partridge, and a bit more wine or vinegar. Before eating, place the jar in the fridge and cool, slice some bread, open the wine or your favourite drink, and enjoy!  

Buen Provecho!