CLASH OF THE TITANS OR FRIENDS MEETING?

The answer to the question in the headline is the occasion was very much friends meeting. Pictured above are Tim Chesterton and Erika Baker. The longtime online friends met in England where Tim and his wife Marci are visiting to celebrate Tim's father's 80th birthday.

My title refers to the fact that Tim and Erika enjoy engaging in debate, sometimes on the opposite side of the matter under discussion and occasionally on the same side. Although the discussions are, at times, intensely partisan, Erika and Tim always take the path of civility, and, once the discussion is over, no one is left with hard feelings. I sometimes join in their debates, but since Erika and Tim are both loaded with stamina, I usually wear out and bow out before them.

Pictured above are Erika and her wife Susan.

Above at Hampton Court is Tim's better half, Marci.

Now you've seen the quartet who did lunch. I'm sure a good time was had by all, and I'm jealous. I wish I had been there to meet Marci and Tim and to see my good friends Susan and Erika again.

The pictures are courtesy of Tim, and you must visit his blog, Faith, Folk and Charity, to see his splendid pictures of Peterborough Cathedral. They're gorgeous. Browse through Tim's other posts to see more of their photos of the places they've visited during their time in England.

FURTHER PRAYER REQUEST...

From Tim Chesterton:

Further to my prayer request for Joe Walker and his family here, please keep them especially in your prayers tonight. They are down east with Joe’s parents, and the end may be close for Joe. Thank you.

Tim blogs at Faith, Folk and Charity.

Update from Tim Chesterton:

Half an hour ago I learned the news that my dear friend Joe Walker died early this morning after a short and increasingly painful battle with cancer.

Read the rest at Tim's blog Faith, Folk and Charity.

May Joe rest in peace and rise in glory. May God give comfort, consolation and the peace that passes understanding to Joe's wife Alisa, to their children Emily, Adam, Sarah Joy, and Justin and to all who love Joe.

PLEASE PRAY FOR JOE AND ALISA WALKER AND THEIR FAMILY

From Tim Chesterton at Faith, Folk and Charity:

Those of you who pray, please pray for my good friend and colleague Joe Walker. Joe is married to Alisa and is the father of four school age children, Emily, Adam, Sarah Joy, and Justin; he is also the rector of St. Timothy’s Anglican Church here in Edmonton. Back in June Joe was diagnosed with a particularly aggressive and fast-acting form of cancer; he has one fast-growing tumour in the small intestine and another on the liver. For various reasons his cancer is inoperable, and from a medical point of view all that can be done is to keep him as comfortable as possible.

Joe’s wife Alisa has recently sent out this letter and asked that it be passed around.

You can read the letter at Tim's blog, which is linked above.

May God the Father bless Joe, God the Son heal him, God the Holy Spirit give him strength. May God the holy and undivided Trinity guard his body, save his soul, and bring him safely to the heavenly country; where God lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.

Sanctify, O Lord, those whom you have called to care for Joe, especially Alisa. Strengthen them by your life-giving Spirit, that by their ministries the health of the community may be promoted and your creation glorified; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE TOWN OF SLAVE LAKE, ALBERTA

From Tim Chesterton:

Dear Christian Blogging Friends:

I wonder if you might post this news item on your blog and ask for prayers? The town of Slave Lake is only 250 kms north of Edmonton and many people in this city have family and friends there. I myself led a couple of workshops at the ecumenical church there back in the 1990s. It seems that hundreds of buildings have been burned down and there is no sign yet that the fire is anywhere close to being under control.

After a day of caution over two encroaching wildfires, the winds picked up and brought chaos and destruction to Slave Lake.

Wind gusts that accelerated the advance of fires and grounded water bombers Sunday afternoon allowed the fire to jump two highways. Afterwards, it was free to tear through the Alberta town of 7,000 people. A long list of hundreds of buildings have burned down – including city hall, the police station, the radio station and countless houses – and the town has brought in a mandatory evacuation. The fires appear out of control.

More information at the Edmonton Journal and the Globe and Mail.

Thank you for your prayers.

Tim

UPDATE FROM TIM:

If you feel right about doing so, you might want to add that the toll-free number for the Alberta Red Cross is 1-800-418-1111.

Of course, I feel right about it.