Life is a bit of a blur at the moment.
Just been at the University of Manchester for what they call a validation conference. Let me explain. The College has been validated by Sheffield Uni for the last decade. However, changes at College and developments we want to make in terms of research provision, PhD programmes, development of theology degree and so on, meant that we decided to move on and have now made a formal link with Manchester - which is now merging with UMIST to form "The University of Manchester" - yes I thought it was already as well - apparently we should have been calling the Victoria University of Manchester.
The conference was splendid. Nice place, excellent seminars and loads of time to mix and mingle and network. I hate networking really. I am actually quite shy and so something in me dies when anyone says "OK, out of your chairs and say hello". Please let heaven not be full of buzz groups and open conferencing! Ah - another emerging church heresy - how could I possibly say I hate networking - it's like someone not liking the (late, great) Queen Mother.
I met with some people from the Nazarene College in Manchester and from Regents College. We will be working closely together in the new gathering of theological colleges under the aegis of Manchester's Religions and Theology Department. I also met with Todd Klutz, R&T's New Testament tutor and had a really really wonderful conversation - thanks Todd, you are a star. I am really looking forward to working with all these people.
My job at the College as Academic Dean, or Dean of Students, is largely to do with this link with Manchester and overseeing all the academic development at the College. It was so good to meet up with people, learn a lot about the link and the vision that the the guys have for the new University. Had a splendid talk by an advertising guy - I am going to ask him if I can release it on this blog - it has some amazing comments on it about advertising, brands and so on. A good insight.
So, now I am back at home...for one and half days. Tomorrow I am off to Wales to do some external examining for a South Wales Uni. Sounds exciting but actually there are some problems and I am going to have to tread pretty carefully! Problem is you know me and my feet!!!
Come back Monday night. Tuesday at work...trying to pick up and answer the post...and write a paper for next weekend...see below. Then Wednesday it's my PhD graduation in Sheffield - I'll post a pic when it happens! We've been out clothes buying for it today. It is so big for me cos all the fmaily will be there - Theresa and all three kids. The kids are coming out fo school for it and it is going to be such great fun. I mean, I know I am already a doctor and so on, but the liturgical act is actually going to mean something to me - a kind of formalisation of what I already know...
Then on Saturday morning David Firth and me are flying off to Groningen in the NEtherlands for the International meeting of the Society of Biblical Literature. I am doing a paper on Sociolinguistics in the Gospel of John. I will also be meeting up with some real heroes of mine...including Ingrid Kitzberger, author of one on my all time favourite NT books - Personal Voice in Biblical Interpretation. So, it will be a challenge to speak in front of the eminent, but a privilege to hear what they have to say both about my paper and others. Back next Wednesday sometime...
So this week I may not get to blog much...ah well. As soon as I can I will.
Thanks for reading and thanks for the comments, keep them coming!
By the way...the paper on 1 Peter is with the editors. They say I can release it on the blog later in the year...look out for it...it's fun!
Pete
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