Lockdown Blessings

This article first appeared in the July 2020 issue of the parish magazine. Here it is again for you to reflect on:
For many, lockdown has been an incredibly difficult time of worry, isolation, ill-health, boredom and captivity. It has been tough, and will continue to be so for many months to come.
For others it has offered opportunities and blessings. I am fortunate to be in this group … More Lockdown Blessings

Celtic Spirituality

The Christian life is one of continuous conversions and crises as we deepen our faith. Throughout our life, we undergo a number of conversions with regard to our relationship with God. Spirituality is the process of allowing ourselves to grow in Christ through these conversions and ultimately, it allows us to grow in love by reflecting the divine. Spirituality focusses on how we live out our lives as Christians – it is something that cannot be seen as separate from our everyday lives. As Francis of Assisi said, “Preach the gospel at all times; when necessary, use words”. In other words, spirituality is a way of life … More Celtic Spirituality

Ecclesiology

The world in which the church now exists is radically different from that in which it was founded. Pope Francis went on to say, “The church’s pastoral ministry cannot be obsessed with the transmission of a disjointed multitude of doctrines to be imposed insistently” – he clearly believes that the Church must speak to the hearts of individuals, as Jesus did, not to condemn, but to support and show all the way of salvation … More Ecclesiology

Elizabeth Fry

As Anglicans we don’t have any mechanism to declare people saints, so we remember a mixture of Roman Catholic saints from before the reformation alongside those from the last 500 years that have been judged worthy of appearing in the church calendar. Today is the day we remember Elizabeth Fry … More Elizabeth Fry

Teamwork

At the very beginning of Jesus earthly ministry, he called twelve disciples to be with him. He sent them out to preach the gospel in pairs. Later, when St Paul was journeying throughout the known world to spread the good news, he always had at least one companion, and not just a servant to keep him safe, but another preacher who would work alongside him. The message is clear – ministry is not a solo occupation … More Teamwork