Dear friends and family,
I can't believe it's been three weeks since I did my last blog entry, but these have been very full weeks for me. I've been doing all the things I came to the University of Exeter to do, and it's been a very rewarding and educational time for me. In addition to continuing the research on my dissertation, I've designed and led five seminar sessions for two undergraduate courses, and I completed the six-week course for PhD students on how to teach undergrads. I also graded my first batch of essays, and on Monday and Tuesday, I'll be sitting in my advisor's office having "office hours" for what she calls "essay surgeries," but which we would call "essay clinics." Students can come by and ask me any questions about the final essays they are writing, or about their reading, and I'll be on my own with them. Wish me luck!
Also, I continue to attend weekly services at the United Reformed Church, and I will be co-leading worship with the minister next Sunday, the first Sunday of Advent. In addition to doing the sermon, I will be writing and leading all the prayers and two talks, one for lighting the first Advent candle, and one that is an "introduction" to the Bible readings and sermon. The minister will lead the communion and offering. The minister announced this morning that I'd be doing this with him next Sunday, and a few folks asked me about it during the coffee hour, which was nice.
A few Sundays ago, I attended a worship service with my landlord at the huge Exeter Cathedral (which is Anglican), and she has invited me to go with her next Sunday evening for an Advent service, which I am looking forward to.
I did take a couple of hours off one afternoon early in November, and I roamed around the Northernhay Gardens in Exeter again. This park includes several war memorials, a lot of flowers and trees, and significant remains of a Norman castle. Ironically, the sun was out that day, and some of the photos I took did not come out, because there was too much sun! That is so funny over here! The pictures that I've attached at the top and bottom of this blog entry are all from the park. Some of you may recognize the war memorial photo, as it's the one that I posted on Facebook for Veteran's Day or Armistice Day. I have learned that Exeter is a very historic city, and there are sizable remains from Roman walls here too. Before I leave Exeter, I am going to visit the museum here, which I have heard is excellent.
Blessings to all, especially to all of you Americans who will be celebrating Thanksgiving this week!
Jane
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