At the beginning of last week, I spent a couple of days on a training residential for vicars across the country. The first session was from someone who works for the Church of England centrally and she began by outlining the overall vision of the Church of England for the 2020s. I have to admit that … Continue reading An Important Update – Children, youth and families
Tag: church
Back to the Start – reflections on the Big Church Festival
Last month I had the privilege of taking my elder daughters to the Big Church Festival on a beautiful country estate somewhere down south. We’d been as a family 7 years ago (when we were a family of 4) but this was the first time since then and also my first time going somewhere solo … Continue reading Back to the Start – reflections on the Big Church Festival
The upside-down kingdom
[Journey with Jesus - Days 9 and 10] Have you ever considered just how radical Jesus’s teaching in the “sermon on the plain” in Luke 6 is? I wrote an alternative version of it, turning Jesus’s teaching upside down. Afterwards it struck me just how near to the bone this is in describing the values … Continue reading The upside-down kingdom
Remembering Pauline Blunt
There are many words you could use to describe Pauline. Stylish, hard-working, proud, reliable, honest, encouraging, particular, emotional. There was a brief time of sharing tributes to Pauline at the beginning of the service at St Christopher’s a couple of weeks ago, where she was spoken of as being kind, smart, having panache and style, … Continue reading Remembering Pauline Blunt
Prepare the Lord’s way
[Journey with Jesus - Day 3] A voice crying out, “Prepare the Lord’s way!”What does that mean for us here today? In the time of the Caesars despotic reignWhen the chosen people are in chains againPrisoners in their own holy landcrying out to see the mighty Lord’s handDesperate to hear the Lord speak his wordWhen … Continue reading Prepare the Lord’s way
Jesus the Good Shepherd (sermon based on John 10:11-18)
“I am the Good Shepherd” we hear - and what springs to mind? For me, from my years in Sunday school, no doubt, it’s colouring sheets of Jesus holding a cuddly sheep. Maybe, if the budget stretched to it, you got to stick cotton wool on the sheep – oh yeah! Well, this morning we are … Continue reading Jesus the Good Shepherd (sermon based on John 10:11-18)
Letting go and letting God
For those of you who don't know, I am days away from taking a sabbatical from my role as vicar of St Christopher's Church in Coventry. One of the great gifts of this role is that we are granted occasional sabbaticals - three month periods of rest, recreation and restoration. In Coventry Diocese you are … Continue reading Letting go and letting God
I will sing of the goodness of God – reflecting on 10 years
Today’s a big deal for me. It’s the tenth anniversary of the start of my ministry as vicar of St Christopher’s Church, Allesley Park and Whoberley in Coventry.When I’d got the role people often said, “Been sent to Coventry, have you?” It was a joke relating to the civil war. I had to Google it … Continue reading I will sing of the goodness of God – reflecting on 10 years
An exciting week – The Archbishop @JustinWelby, sharing the story, a great review @LoveReadingUK!
This week has been eventful in my little writing world! An Archbishop’s Summer reading On Wednesday I was at the wonderful Diamond Jubilee service celebrating 60 years since the new Coventry Cathedral was opened. Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby preached at this service. Those of you who have been following my journey will know that … Continue reading An exciting week – The Archbishop @JustinWelby, sharing the story, a great review @LoveReadingUK!
A painful privilege
Last week, I led the thanksgiving service for a lovely young woman who died of cancer. She was a friend who’d asked me to take her funeral. I hoped I’d never have to, that God would heal and bring deliverance. He has, of course, in his own way, for she knew she was going home. … Continue reading A painful privilege
Halwill Publishing 