2019 marks 60 years since Coventry and Dresden became twin cities. As part of the celebrations I was so pleased to be invited to come and read excerpts of “Dreams of Dresden” at the Kreuzkirche, Dresden yesterday (11th February) for their service, Prayer for Peace. Andy March traces the life of his grandfather Frederick Clayton. … Continue reading Building bridges and living reconciliation
Author: revandym
I'm a vicar of a wonderful church in Coventry. I have a passion for writing and creating. As part of my job I have the amazing job of telling people all about Jesus and God's love for them. One of my favourite ways of doing that is by imagining what it was like to be there and meet Jesus face to face.
“The redeeming act of my life” – the Kindertransport 80 years on
In 1934 Fred Clayton visited Vienna to brush up on his German and to take in the culture of that city. He stayed with a Jewish widow and her sons. Little did he know that this visit would shape his life. They lost touch after some time, but then, after Kristalnacht in November 1938, he … Continue reading “The redeeming act of my life” – the Kindertransport 80 years on
How the book began …
In February 2015 I travelled to Dresden, Germany as part of a party from Coventry to join in with the commemorations marking 70 years since that city was bombed. The two cities were both (along with many others) devastated by bombing in the course of World War II. After Coventry was bombed in 1940, leaving … Continue reading How the book began …
Dreams of Dresden – A synopsis
In 1942 Secker and Warburg published a novel by first-time novelist Fred Clayton under the pseudonym Frank Clare entitled The Cloven Pine. Described as a “remarkable first book” by E. M. Forster, The Cloven Pine depicted German boys as creatures to be pitied and loved, as much victims of the Nazis as the British and … Continue reading Dreams of Dresden – A synopsis
Easter Sermon – The life-changing faith of Puddleglum – “I’m on Aslan’s side”
One of the delights of being a dad is reading stories. Bedtime is one of my favourite times of the day, because it’s story time. Sometimes we manage to sneak in a quick time for a cuddle and a read first thing in the morning if I’m awake enough. Alicia and I are reading through … Continue reading Easter Sermon – The life-changing faith of Puddleglum – “I’m on Aslan’s side”
Reflections around the cross – One Saturday
A headline in the paper read “Religious nut and freak is dead.” The spokesman for the Pharisees Explained (while looking very pleased), “This man had caused us lots of trouble, We had to get him on the double. He claimed he was the Chosen One, Almighty God, His only Son. We Pharisees weren’t having that! … Continue reading Reflections around the cross – One Saturday
Reflections around the cross – Mary: “Sunshine and Shadows”
I watched him die. There was nothing I could do about it. There is nothing worse than seeing your child die in any circumstances, but the way he died made it even worse. He’d been beaten and whipped so badly that I barely recognised him. The agony was etched across his face. It was just … Continue reading Reflections around the cross – Mary: “Sunshine and Shadows”
Reflections around the cross – The Centurion – A brand new start?
My name is Marcus Justus Loginus. I am a centurion of the Sebastii cohort based at Herod’s fortress in Jerusalem. It’s our job to keep the peace. Not an easy task when it’s Jewish festival season. Hundreds of thousands of people flock from all over the country for their celebrations – and there’s almost always … Continue reading Reflections around the cross – The Centurion – A brand new start?
Reflections around the cross – Pontius Pilate: Playing the blame game
He really ruined my day, you know. All was going well in Jerusalem until he came along. I was doing my bit, keeping law and order – which isn’t easy to do with that riff-raff, especially when it’s their festival season. I don’t know what they put in the water, but everyone seems to get … Continue reading Reflections around the cross – Pontius Pilate: Playing the blame game
Reflections around the cross – Peter – “I let him down”
I didn’t sleep a wink. I couldn’t. I felt so awful. Sick in the pit of my stomach. Those words he had said to me kept going round my head. “Tonight, before the cock crows, you’ll deny you’ve ever known me.” I couldn’t believe it! Me, Peter, the one he’d nicknamed Rocky, deny Jesus? I’d … Continue reading Reflections around the cross – Peter – “I let him down”
Halwill Publishing 