Last Night Lesley and I want to see the 50th Anniversary production of West Side Story. Performed at the Wales Millennium Centre, it was a spectacular performance. It is difficult to imagine the way it must have revolusionised the American musical. Today is seems as fresh as ever. I was so impressed with the score and orchestration by Leonard Bernstein.  The songs are great but it the arrangements that take them to another level.

Firstly, Happy New Year. This is my first blog of 2009.

 The reality is that I watch much less tv but occasionally I will be watching when I maybe would be better off sleeping! 

It took me a while to get into it but now I love it. The writing is amazing and the characters becoming richer and more endearing as every episode passes. I realise that to people reading this in the USA, all this will be obvious but many in the UK missed out. I would urge them to catch up now, you will not be disappointed.

Today is unusual for so many reasons. Firstly, I slept in this morning, not waking until about 10.00am. Since then I have read a little bit, surfed the internet, drank coffee and generally being very lazy. There is something in me that makes me uncomfortable. I know I work hard and that it is not a bad thing to take a break. Despite this I feel like I need to do something.

 For anyone expecting a deep theologicial connection or philosophical insight, Please do not disappoint yourself, stop reading now! This is an article that focusses on the X-Factor final on Saturday night.

The finalists included Eoghan Quigg, who in I think was very fortunate to be there and not in the same class as the South London boy band, JLS and the remarkable singer Alexandra Burke. I am delighted to say that common sense prevailed and Eoghan left the show early. After all the performances, all those watching with us were agreed the Alexandra was should win. Not only had she performed a remarkable rendition of Silent Night, she had duetted with Beyonce in a entertainment show highpoint of "Listen" We we loved it, here it is:

In recent weeks I have been working on a 3 year development plan for Ignite. It has been a fascinating process.

The final piece in the planning jigsaw was the presentation. We booked a conference suite at the village hotel and every person there presented their own area to the others for information, motivation, comment and prayer. This was a great success in that everyone could see how their project fit into the bigger picture. The next part of the process it to measure how we are doing which will be done on a monthly 1 hour meeting and then every 3 months for a full day.

One of the things I have been thinking about recently is the use of different technologies. I am not really an early adopter but generally I catch up pretty quickly. I must admit to using technology rather functionally. For example, I am typing this on a MacBook. It is a wonderful machine but I cannot really make it "sing and dance" as some of my friends can. Similarly this blog site is fine but lacks the freshness and design genius of some others. The primary reason for these inadequacies is that I am not really committed to finding out all about what they can do. However, I think that when technology is correctly enhanced, it can be life transforming. Anyone want to go back to the days before cell phones?

I have have appreciated facebook. Not only does it allow me to keep in touch with friends, it also gives me an idea of how they are doing. I am frequently amazed at the candour that is employed by some in giving their current status. In some it an insight into their mind and spiritual state. Mine is much more likely to say "Gary is working" or other reasonably boring information.

Each weekday, I arrive at the offices of Ignite. Most mornings I am the first to arrive. I treasure this as it allows me to begin this part of the day quietly. Normally, I have got up around 6.30am ensured the kids get to the school bus, done some chores and checked my emails and spent some time with God before I leave the house. This means that in the silence of the first 30 minutes or so I can reflect on the previous day, plan the current day. Catch up on some prayer requests...you know the ones where people say "can you just pray for.......". Inevitably I say yes but sometimes, I forget! So this is the time to remember. I may read the word of God and ask Him what he wants to speak into my life. More likely at this time of the day I will ask Him what HE wants me to share with the team. I also use this time to read books on Leadership, ministry and journals that will develop me professionally.

From Friday 21^st November, a group of Christians from churches all over Cardiff will be taking to the streets of as part of a new scheme called Street Pastors.

Every Friday night they between 10pm and 4am they will be on the streets mixing with late night revellers who are using the city’s pubs and clubs. They will look after those who are in need of assistance, offer a friendly ear, give out bottles of water and ensure people get safely home.

It is part of a national scheme that was developed in London by the Ascension Trust. It now operate in 60 towns and cities in the UK and 26 London Boroughs. The scheme is recommended and supported by the Home Office

Gary Smith, Director of Cardiff Street Pastors said:

“Street Pastors is about being good news to the people of Cardiff that are using bars, clubs and restaurants at the weekends. Whilst it our faith the motivates us to be out there we not going to be preaching at them, we are just there to help them.”

Although totally independent, it is being warmly welcomed by South Wales Police.

Chief Superintendent Josh Jones of South Wales Police, Divisional

Commander for Cardiff says

" The Safer Capital partnership is delighted to support the Street

Pastor initiative in Cardiff. Street pastors have already made a great

difference in terms of crime reduction where they have operated in other

parts of the UK. The nighttime economy in Cardiff is the busiest in

Wales and the Street Pastors will support those already involved in

making our capital city a safe place to visit. Having a team of trained

volunteers to work in Cardiff on busy weekends in support of those who

may be vulnerable or who need practical assistance is very welcome. I

would like to thank those who are giving up their own time to do this

and look forward to seeing them on our streets."

 Gary Smith stated:

“In setting up Street Pastors in Cardiff we wanted to develop an Urban Trinity between the church, the police and the local authority. We are delighted that they have been such active partners.”

Deputy Leader of Cardiff County Council, Councillor Judith Woodman said:

“I am delighted to see the introduction of the Street Pastor scheme in Cardiff city centre as part of the Safer Capital partnerships efforts to improve community safety - particularly in the run up to the busy Christmas period and New Year party season. These volunteers will be working closely with the Police and council services to try to prevent alcohol related crimes and anti social behaviour and to try and promote responsible drinking during the festive season and beyond. I am sure our city’s thriving night time economy will benefit from their presence and our streets will be safer as a result.”

There are many great concepts and quotes in the book by Jim Collins "Good to Great". One the I particulary like and I find quite challenging is: "Greatness is not a matter of circumstance. Greatness, it turns out, is a matter of conscious choice"

 This is a concept I am familiar with having read the book "How to be brilliant" by my old mate Michael Heppell.

The book by Collins is definitely interesting, particularly has also published an accompanying book. "Good to Great in Social Sectors - Why business thinking is NOT the answer"

I am sure thinking from this book will feature in future blogs.....