Creative reflections on experiencing the spiritual autumn when God feels not so near. Following discussions on Brian McLaren’s book, Naked Spirituality, ch 16

Big thanks to friend-of-mayBe and top foints boffin Victor for joining us for our Eucharist and then engaging us in conversation on 5 March. Fascinating journey into fonts and why they work, and how they can change our perception of the message being communicated. If you want to see more about Victor’s ground-breaking work in this area – and particularly the Gentium font that he designed – go to  Gentium

Great conversation yesterday with poet and author Michael Symmons Roberts who was in Oxford for a Literary Festival event, and then came and joined us for lunch. Interesting discussions around the whole creative process – like Tom’s question:what rituals do you have that mark out your writing time? – and Michael telling us that after the initial burst of creating a poem, it may go through as much as 50 drafts in the making of it. He read some poems from his most recent (and brilliant) collection Corpus, and told us how it feels to have his first novel published this week [Patric's Alphabet] – a bit exposed…. Michael’s advice to any us of interested enough in the dance of words to think about writing poems: read lots of different poetry, and then give yourself to the crafting of it. Find out more on the website Michael Symmons Roberts

The visit of Dr Elaine Storkey – theologian, academic, media voice and activist on world issues – yielded a really inspiring hope-filled conversation. It seems that a lot of her current passions – justice for women, climate change, HIV/AIDS – all come together on the continent of Africa, and she talked passionately about how TEAR Fund [of which she is UK president] along with other NGOs are having a real crack at reshaping things there. She told some great stories, the impact of which will no doubt remain with us  - like the one about a buddhist friend in South East Asia who took Elaine on an unexpected tour to visit and pray with people in great distress, and who described herself as a buddhist follower of Jesus. Elaine is an intellectual of course [and The Guardian agrees], but we were struck by the simple and mystical nature of her belief in God and her following of Christ. Thank you Elaine for a wonderful conversation.

by mayBe-Cara

liza

Liza is 23 and has been with mayBe community from the beginning
What’s your occupation? I cannot divulge that info for fear of compromising our agents in the field

What’s good about mayBe? people, wine, space to mingle, mix and be…

And not so good? too vegetable-heavy

What three words describe you best? spontaneous, confused, verbose

liza in tiny tea @Greenbelt 06

When was the last time you laughed out loud and why? all the time, normally at my own jokes

Who would you choose to play you in a film of your life? Terry Wogan or the Child-catcher in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

What songs would feature on the soundtrack? another sunny day Belle & Sebastian / Arcade Fire / Me and Julio down by the school yard Paul Simon

What’s your favourite place in Oxford Port Meadow and the Old Bookbinders

….and the world Achill Island, Donegal, County Down

What has been inspiring you lately? Pete Rollins: How [not] to speak of God / Torag / Pablo Neruda / David Shrigley

Space for doodling:

by mayBe-Cara

effie

Effie is 23, a Project Worker at a local night shelter and has been with mayBe community since summer 2005
How are you feeling at the moment? content, yet restless, if that’s possible…

How do you describe mayBe to people? a health-giving, kingdom-believing journey of quiet talking, hope inspired blessed oddballs

What’s your sandwich filling of choice? homous with roasted veg and gherkins

If you had ten pounds to spend on yourself what would you buy/do? I’d be down the pub

What are you reading/watching/listening to at the moment? reading: Titus Groan by Mervyn Peake, a book on T S Eliot by Helen Gardner and Meditations on a theme by Anthony Bloom. Listening to Jack Johnson and otherwise by default b/c Tom is my housemate – traditional blues, jazz, folk, bluegrass – he hogs the stereo!

When did you last laugh out loud – and why? last night at a friend going mad on our organ

draw a self portrait here…

effie self portrait

Complete these sentences…

My favourite place in Oxford is… my back garden which is currently covered in a very pretty blue weed and lots of dandelions

My favourite place in the world is… St David’s Pembrokeshire – truly a “thin place”

boyfriends are overrated(!)

Susan’s homemade brown bread warm from the oven is the best thing since sliced bread

effie

by mayBe-Cara

anneke

Anneke Haddad is 26, is a research student, and has been with mayBe community since October 2005
How did you discover mayBe? online via Maggi Dawn’s blog: Maggi Dawn

How are you feeling at the moment? Good! (it’s Friday)

What’s good about mayBe? the sense of community/togetherness and the authenticity which that brings

…And not so good? it’s a long way from New Zealand

What three words best describe you? Only three!? Rather introverted, constantly curious, far too thoughtful (OK, that’s seven, but I think it answers the spirit of the question)

If you had ten pounds to spend on yourself, what would you buy/do? I’d either spend it on cake and coffee with a friend, or buy a phonecard and call friends in New Zealand/Australia/France/Scotland

What’s inspiring you at the moment? try this… reallivepreacher

anneke

Complete these sentences…

My favourite place in Oxford is… (mmm, that’s hard…) I think probably The Vaults and Garden Café. But I love the old buildings and the sense of history – it is such a contrast to NZ

My favourite place in the world is… Tauranga, NZ (the city where I grew up). ‘Tauranga’ means ‘safe resting place’ or ‘safe anchorage’ in Maori, and I feel like that’s what it has always been for me Tauranga

I couldn’t live without… my closest girlfriends – they keep me sane

The best way to start the day is… with coffee

anneke

by mayBe-Cara

john

John Daniel Kentish is 23, works in the Universities Network Office at People & Planet in Oxford, is married to Emma and has been part of mayBe community since December 2004
What have you been up to today? This morning we joined mayBe for a cold gathering on Port Meadow, then enjoyed breakfast at the Jericho Café. Then we went to the pub to see Luton get beaten 1-0 by Southampton. Later we’re going (despite my distaste for Disney) to see The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe at the cinema

How do you describe mayBe to people? Well it depends who I’m talking to! A group of friends, a church, a community, a group of people exploring honestly together…

What are you reading/watching/listening to at the moment? I’m trying to get through the latest mayBe book club book but keep getting distracted by The West Wing series 1 DVD. At this very moment I’m listening to Ben Folds

What’s your favourite font? Tricky one, definitely not comic sans (see http://bancomicsans.com/ ) It’s a tight race between Garamond and Myriad Pro

When was the last time you laughed out loud and why? I can’t remember exactly but it was probably at one of Rich’s jokes

If you were a superhero what would your special power be? Wisdom and Articulation (sorry that’s 2)

What would your costume look like? hmmm, I’m not sure that ‘wisdom and articulation man’ would have a costume.

Draw self portrait here (in superhero costume optional):

john: self portrait

Complete these sentences…

My favourite place in the world is… my bed

The best thing about Oxford… is my bed

My bed is …better than chocolate

I never leave home without… umm, my bed? not really.. my phone, keys and wallet

john

by mayBe-Cara

chris @ Bartlemas

Chris (Christopher to his mum) is a 25 year-old Police Officer, married to Rachel and father of Niamh. He has been with mayBe community since the summer of 2005
What songs would feature on the soundtrack to your day today? Don’t think twice it’s alright (Dylan) Older Chests (Damien Rice) Working Class Hero (Lennon) In a little while (U2)

How did you discover mayBe? Through Ian. I used to live in Thame, and he was the vicar there. I bumped into him in Oxford and came into mayBe a few months after…

How do you describe mayBe to people? A community of people in Oxford with a focus on the Mass and the tri-une God; Church of England-based; with an emphasis on creativity in the arts

What’s the best thing about Oxford? The X – no really. I suppose the architecture and the coffee shops. Oh and of course GUINNESS @THE HALF MOON

What’s your biggest indulgence? New York steak and cheese and pannini in Borders

What’s inspiring you at the moment? My daughter Niamh! / Ireland / mayBe music-makers / Immerse course with Ian

Draw a self-portrait here

chris self portrait

Marmite or peanut butter? Marmite

Dogs or cats? Dogs!

Dylan or Hendrix? both….. Dylan

X-factor or Strictly come dancing? neither….. X-factor

Odeon or Phoenix? Phoenix

Chris

by mayBe-Cara

jane

Jane Gibbs is 24 years old and is a Story Resources Assistant (a bit like a Picture Editor) for Oxfam GB. She has been part of mayBe community since the summer of 2005
How are you feeling at the moment? very happy!

How did you discover mayBe? through my old housemate John, who kept telling me I’d love mayBe, until one day I caved in and came along – and I haven’t stopped coming since!

How do you describe mayBe to people? with pictures… but if in words as a group of friends exploring spiritual questions together in a creative, fun, risk-taking, honest, open, inclusive way

What are you reading / listening to / watching at the moment? I’m reading various mags: Digital Photography, PLUK and EI8HT – and listening to Kings of Convenience

If you were a superhero what would your special power be? courage

What would your costume look like? I would look the same but with a bit more sparkle in my eyes!

Draw a self-portrait here – superhero costume optional

jane self portrait

I’d be lost without my… family / best friend Zanna / digital camera

My favourite place in the world is… anywhere I can get excited dreaming about what can be achieved in the future

The best thing about Oxford is… it feels like home

roast dinner is the best thing since sliced bread… especially lamb shank with mint sauce

jane