Click here for a snapshot of my life in @ChurchofEngland , as I've been guest Tweeter for @OurCofElike this week. I'll keep updating this page until I finish on Sunday evening.
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Weekly Update – Life on Pilgrimage (3rd February 2022)
"Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage" (Psalm 84:5). The image of the Christian life as a pilgrimage is a common one, and it's one that I find particularly helpful. Wikipedia defines pilgrimage as "a journey, often into an unknown or foreign place, where a person goes in … Continue reading Weekly Update – Life on Pilgrimage (3rd February 2022)
Facing down the enemy – a young woman’s courage
It's International Women's Day, and it seems apt to celebrate Rike, who displayed remarkable courage on many occasions, not least when defending her home from invading Russian troops in 1945. Her story seems remarkably and sadly relevant today. Here's some of her story (taken from Loving the Enemy: building bridges in a time of war). … Continue reading Facing down the enemy – a young woman’s courage
“Loving the Enemy” – an invitation.
Press release – “Loving the Enemy: building bridges in a time of war”
Next month, debutant author, Andy March releases the biography of his grandparents, Englishman Fred Clayton and German woman Rike Büttner-Wobst from Dresden, Germany, who rose above extreme suffering and defied the hatred and enmity of warring nations to build an enduring bridge of love. Andy March is a vicar in Coventry, who travelled as part … Continue reading Press release – “Loving the Enemy: building bridges in a time of war”
Coming soon … “Loving the Enemy: Building bridges in a time of war” – can you help?
It's been five years in the making, but on 6th November, "Loving the Enemy: Building bridges in a time of war" will finally be published. It's been an immense privilege to discover and and write the story of my grandparents, Fred and Rike, for theirs is a story that deserves to be told - one … Continue reading Coming soon … “Loving the Enemy: Building bridges in a time of war” – can you help?
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! – Even worse, he claimed he’d sat At God’s right … Continue reading One Saturday
Life in Lockdown – A church leader’s perspective
I’ve had a burden to write this for a while - to share my own perspective on what it’s been like to live and minister through this COVID-19 crisis over the past four or so months. I don’t claim to speak for all clergy or church leaders, but some of this may resonate for you. … Continue reading Life in Lockdown – A church leader’s perspective
The death of Götz Büttner-Wobst, 80 years on
Today, 21st September, is the 80th anniversary of the death of my great-uncle Götz, who became one of the first casualties of the 2nd World War. He was just 18. Here is the story, as featured in my as-yet unpublished book, "Dreams of Dresden", which tells the true story of Rike and Fred, my remarkable grandparents. … Continue reading The death of Götz Büttner-Wobst, 80 years on
The bombing of Dresden – the nightmares come true
On 13 February 1945 Dresden was destroyed by Allied bombs. British and American planes brought death from the sky. 25,000 perished. This had a traumatic impact on both of my grandparents, Fred and Rike. Fred loved Dresden and the people of Dresden, and he had prophetic nightmares that the city would be destroyed by fire … Continue reading The bombing of Dresden – the nightmares come true
Halwill Publishing 