- The discussions. These have included:
- Room 101 – with particular reference to the hatred of one member for the insistence some people seem to have to push the “waiting to cross” button on pedestrian crossings EVEN THOUGH SOMEONE ELSE HAD CLEARLY ALREADY PUSHED IT.
- Are women more spiritual than men?
- What is “Spirituality?
- Talked through the “Finding Sanctuary” by Abbot Christopher Jamieson.
- Looked at prayer in different forms.
- Near Death Experiences
- The Madonna of Medjogorje
- The Focus on the inner life - the silence, the liturgies, the symbolism used to aid our prayers, DVDs – particularly Rob Bell’s Nooma stuff and regularly, preciously, the Celtic Evening Liturgy of the Northumbria Community…
- Venues. We have met in Pubs, the Red Lion in Matlock Green and more recently The Crown in the centre of town, Café Central and homes, mainly Holly House.
- Socials. We have enjoyed cider and whisky tasting evenings, birthday outings to the pub with the most proactive customer relations policy, Christmas meals, BBQs and a Wii evening. Most socials do seem to involve food and drink of some sort for some reason.
- Getaways. So far we have escaped just after the New Year in 07, 08 and 09 to three different destinations.
- In 2007 we made it to Blanchlands near Consett to a pub/hotel and village untouched by the Twentieth century. Discussions raged so fiercely and so long into the night that many of the group found themselves locked out of the main part of the hotel (and thus their rooms). It was like being a student all over again.
- In 2008 we went to a pub near Settle. We were well looked after and managed to upset the locals with our disregard for the social convention that you don’t mention religion in public. Many of the more intrepid enjoyed a wonderful snowy wintry walk on the moors. Others (female) drank coffee in the “Naked Man”.
- In 2009 we headed for a desolate spot and one of Britain’s highest pubs above Rosedale Abbey called The Golden Lion.
- In 2010 we’re off to Pembrokeshire to celebrate Steve’s 50th and continue to enjoy, journey and explore…
- Eating, drinking, walking and talking – lots of talking.
A rum lot!