Just got back from a lovely retreat, at the beautiful Shepherd’s Dene in Northumberland, http://www.shepherdsdene.co.uk/ with the marvellous John Bell of the Iona Community and Wild Goose productions. It was really educational and serious at times, but also a really good laugh. Amongst other wonderful teaching, he pointed out that we have a really serious image of Jesus, that doesn’t reflect him having a good sense of humour, and really enjoying life. I thought this was a really good point. He is supposed to bring joy not sadness! As he was fully human and conversant with the scriptures of the Old Testament, he would have known Ecclesiastes 3: v 1-8 “A Time for Everything”.. also quoted in Footloose! (if you are a child of the 70’s like me!)
3 There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:
2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.
Below is link to a cheesy version of The Summons.. one of John’s amazingly simple tunes with a haunting celtic melody https://youtu.be/V0aAkOe87mo
More available here… http://www.ionabooks.com/
inspiredinyork 
A gorgeous place to go and what an inspiring leader.