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Apologies have consequences too
The world seems to be full of bishops apologising to LGBT people. However, there seems to be a curious absence in the world of LGBT people freely accepting those apologies and being thus able to take their place as full members of the churches. In the last week we’ve had the latest document on family…
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Transgender Visibility and the Church
Today happens to be International Transgender Visibility Day of Visibility. As yet, I’ve heard nothing today from anyone from a faith background. No bishops making statements either positive or negative, no-one threatening to leave a denomination over it, no statements at all really. It seems to me that it is worth me going on record…
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Easter Sermon 2016
I never know whether he will rise. Plenty of people who know better than me tell me not to be so stupid. Of course he will rise they say – it is Easter. But there’s a part of me which is never entirely convinced. Before we get to Easter Day you see, I’m just not…
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Good Friday Addresses 2016
Here are the Good Friday addresses which I preached with the Rev Cedric Blakey today.
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On Footwashing
During tonight’s Maundy Thursday service at St Mary’s we don’t have a sermon. Well, not a spoken one anyway. In the middle of the service we set up some chairs and get out some bowls and wash feet. It isn’t so much that we don’t have a sermon is it more that the washing of…
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Prayer for Cities Under Attack
In the last few days there have been terrorist attacks in Maiduguri, Ankara, Istanbul, Brussels. People from all around the world and all traditions stand in solidarity with those places under attack. Eternal God hear the cries of your people as we stand in solidarity with those under attack. Protect the innocent, comfort the needy,…
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The Three Great Festivals of Distress
Last week, one of the three Great Festivals of Distress passed. In my own congregation, it passed peacefully and joyfully, for which we all give thanks. The ability of Mothering Sunday to cause distress is something with which I suspect all priests are familiar and which many priests will dread. However, Mothering Sunday is but…
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Why does God allow suffering?
Why does God allow suffering? Here’s my answer in the form of a sermon. To be strictly honest, I’m not sure that it is particularly my answer. I think it may be the only answer. And I’m moved to have seen that this has been shared by people since I preached it and has been…
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Ariodante – Scottish Opera – review – ****
This review appeared first at Opera Britannia Scottish Opera’s new production of Ariodante has a huge amount going for it. Performed by a solid cast, there’s a cracking trouser role, glittering sopranos and a pantomime baddie countertenor to boot. Only some dubious work in the pit and some slightly odd decisions from the director get…
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Pilgrimage Days – Who on Earth Are You?
I’m looking forward to hosting two Diocesan Pilgrimage Days at St Mary’s on 20 and 27 February 2016 exploring the theme “Who on earth are you?” It is difficult to think of a better week for exploring our identity as Episcopalians but it isn’t going to be all about the Columba Declaration. We’ll be focussing…