I’ve been thinking lately about the concept of passing or failing the ‘pub test’. The phrase has been used quite a bit in the news and it’s one of those phrases that has slipped into popular political jargon ranging across topics as far afield as sexual abuse in an MP’s office, the purchase of Cartier…
Over recent weeks we have been experimenting with the most effective way of sharing the reflection/ homily/sermon part of our weekly gatherings. We have abandoned the idea of video and settled upon an audio recording. This will be uploaded to the website each week, with a bit of context added to enhance the recording experience…
The final week of Jesus’s life leads into the first week of the disciples’ lives without him. Endings and beginnings – this is the way of all things. I’m pretty sure most of us can relate to the experience of losing someone who was very important and very close to us. Such grief defies simple…
It’s Palm Sunday, and so begins the final week in the life of Jesus of Nazareth. Not many people in history have had the last week of their lives covered so thoroughly or in such a dramatic way. And it is a week full of political and theological drama. It all comes to a head…
I’m writing this article while sitting on my favourite bench overlooking the bay. It’s 8.30 in the morning. I came here almost everyday during ‘lockdown’. It’s where I gave birth to many ideas for articles, themes for online worship, and topics for study. It became a very fertile place for the imagination during an unimaginable…
My granddaughter stood looking at all the books on my shelves and said,”Which 3 books did you like the most granddad”? Books 1 and 2 came to mind quickly but number 3 took a bit longer. But not much – a few seconds. It’s an interesting exercise if, like me, you’ve spent a great deal…
At a birthday function recently I likened playing tennis to being part of a faith community – both rely heavily upon people who can serve. I know, terrible joke. But it makes the point. One aspect of congregational ministry that always inspires me, is the willingness of people to give their time, their skills…
During COVID, I have stayed in touch with a young Thai man whom we first met over 13 years ago in Thailand. He’s a taxi driver who picked us up from Phuket airport one time and gave me his card. Since then, our friendship has grown, and our conversations have evolved from talking about the…
I’m writing this just as Premier Andrews is announcing that our 5-day lockdown is over. Our new COVID ‘normal’ was interrupted by a different kind of COVID normal – an outbreak that needed to be contained. I suspect that these 2 things together will be our new normal for the foreseeable future. It does pose…
Having publicly announced my intention to retire around July this year, the implications of that decision are kicking in already. Some of them have been brought to my attention by others who have retired already from vocations that had consumed their head and their heart. I am grateful for their input. Their insights have been…