Ibzan and the SAF writers
IBZAN
After him, Ibzan of Bethlehem led Israel. He had thirty sons and thirty daughters. He gave his daughters away in marriage to those outside his clan, and for his sons he brought in thirty young women as wives from outside his clan. Ibzan led Israel seven years. Then Ibzan died and was buried in Bethlehem. Judges 12:8-10
Thirty sons and thirty daughters – whoa! Seems weird that he gets to lead when he deliberately orchestrates for his sons and daughters to marry outside of his clan – which must be relevant as it is the only thing mentioned about him. Then again, he only led for seven years.
THE SAF WRITERS
At the last Saturday session on the Living Theology Today course, we were encouraged to come up with a two word description of our vocation. After quite an internal struggle, mine turned out to be ‘Communicating truth’.
I had already started. I’d been writing assemblies for online publication by SPCK on www.assemblies. org.uk for a while. I’ve just had a look – there are still some of mine up there! I was gaining in confidence and beginning to believe I had something to say and could communicate it in a concise relevant and interesting way. My editor for that work, Ronni Lamont, then got me an invite to another assembly publication – the Secondary Assembly File – and with some fear and trepidation, I went along to my first meeting in London.
I couldn’t wait to ring Andy when I came out after 5 hours locked in an editorial office – and my first words?
‘It was heaven!’
I was so exhilarated. Never before had I met with a group of writers. I was still struggling to call myself a writer at all. Ten writers from all over the country and from all different backgrounds, meeting together to pitch to write a set of three assemblies each that complemented each other and covered a variety of topics. The creative ideas in that room blew me away. I loved the variety, the originality, the buzz of the creativity.
And what amazed me most was how it felt I belonged there, as if I had always been there, as if I was just coming home. I held my own. Their creativity and confidence inspired my creativity and confidence. These people did what I did and understood why I did what I did.
For five years, I travelled to London three times a year to attend these meetings. These creative days inspired me and challenged me to grow and develop as a writer. They allowed me to live my vocation of ‘communicating truth’. I wrote hundreds of assemblies on the most diverse range of topics. I loved this work with a passion (and the editor seemed to love what I did, which made it even better!) I was earning some money as a writer (something my dad told me was impossible when I was 17).
That group of writers changed my life. We were all devastated when the publication was withdrawn and our services were no longer required. I still miss those trips to London and the creative boost that they gave me. I continued writing assemblies for Ronni for SPCK for a while after that, but eventually last year, decided that enough was enough (for now).
That period was a very special time for me and that group of people has a very special place in my heart.
We move on but we take what we have learnt with us and treasure it in our heart.
