To make up for our lack in the Christmas card department, we offer you this little video of out-takes from an attempt to create a video of us reading a Christmas story for children linked to our church's Facebook group. We did actually succeed in making the video in the end (but the dog, not... Continue Reading →
‘Finding the Still Point’ and ‘Streams in a Dry Land’ – Two book recommendations
This book is brilliant! It was brilliant in 2010 when it was already old and possibly out of print but I've just re-read it and want to point to it again. Just to say it is one of the most helpful, practical and yet also deeply spiritual books I've ever read. Here is the review... Continue Reading →
Another New (and beautifully loud) experience
Today I did something for the first time: I was shown part of how to ring a church bell and allowed to have a go!Very exciting as I've never served in a church which has bells before and St Matthew's Salford Priors has eight - apparently when they all get going the whole tower sways.... Continue Reading →
A Beautiful Oasis – the Joys of Open Water Swimming
Why would I want to swim in a lake?
The Gifts – Book Review
It's a really scary thing to write a book, especially a fictional book. It's like opening a door in your mind and letting everyone see inside! So I am full of admiration for my friend Cathy Hemsley who has published this story, which you can buy here https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gifts-Cathy-Hemsley/dp/B0962N5GRJ/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2T3CL2SJ0Q01B&dchild=1&keywords=the+gifts+cathy+hemsley&qid=1628244016&sprefix=The+Gifts+Cathy%2Caps%2C152&sr=8-1 It's a fantasy type story in that... Continue Reading →
Something that holds everything together
Physicists have been looking for some time for the 'theory of everything'. The theory of everything is a hypothetical framework explaining all known physical phenomena in the universe. Basically there are a set of scientific rules that explain very large objects (relativity) and there are another set of understandings (quantum mechanics) which 'explains' how very... Continue Reading →
Outward Change
What makes a new place feel like 'home'? After the last blog on 'inward change' this one is simply about our recent changes with not too much in the way of deeper reflection. It's mostly for those of you who have followed our progress through our recent move but haven't managed to visit us yet.... Continue Reading →
Inward Change
Part book review (The Midnight Library by Matt Haig) part reflection on finding yourself in a new location. When it comes to moving, I do have fair amount of experience: I think I moved 5 times before the age of 10, most of which were over thousands of miles and since we've been married we... Continue Reading →
A ‘silent’ retreat at beautiful St Beuno’s
If the idea of a 'silent' retreat doesn't appeal... let me try to persuade you and clarify. Firstly you are not totally silent. You do speak to a spiritual director once a day at the same time each day and he/she helps you attend to your inner world and attend to how God may be... Continue Reading →
Grief and glory: the thief on the cross
In case any of you want to revisit one of the first sermons I gave at St Peter and St John's in Nov 2013 (how lovely that St Andrews Benn school featured right at the start and right at the end of my ministry here) One of my first sermons here Nov 2013 This week... Continue Reading →