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Women Only Train Carriages and All Women Shortlists
Here’s the thing – I’ve actually been on a women only train carriage. Just before being ordained I won a scholarship to travel to an orthodox country and went to Egypt to meet the Coptic Church. Actually, the truth is, I chose Egypt because I needed to come up with such a glittering application for…
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Article in Herald: I’ll march with Pride – but…
I’ve got an article in The Herald newspaper this morning ahead of tomorrow’s Pride March in Glasgow. This is what it says: Agenda: I’ll march with Pride at our achievements but there is still a long way to go This weekend, I’ll be marching through Glasgow in a black clerical suit and dog collar amongst…
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5 things about exams that matter more than results
Today is exam results day in Scotland. Lots of young people will be getting examination results that will make a significant difference to further study. Such public exam results carry with them a lot of stress. I’ve sat lots of exams in my life and I think it would be fair to say that I’ve…
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Scottish Shia Community shows us how to do interfaith work
It was a great honour and privilege last night to be a guest of the Scottish Shia community at an Eid meal to celebrate the end of Ramadan. The photograph shows me with Sayed Ali Abbas Razawi, the Director General of the Scottish Ahlul Bayt Society. There are many reasons why we need to have…
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The Affirmation of a Transgender Person
There’s yet more debate online about people calling for a special service to be approved by the Church of England in order to recognise and support someone following their transition from one gender to another. I happen to think that it would be an interesting thing for the Church of England to consider. However, we’re…
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Joyful Songs of Praise
Was delighted to be on Songs of Praise yesterday along with two members of the congregation who were talking about the blessing of their civil partnership last year which was part of their journey into marriage. I think I’ve had more feedback from this than any other piece of broadcasting I’ve ever done, overwhelmingly positive.…
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Bathsheba, our Sister
Here’s the sermon I preached on Bathsheba on 27 June 2015 Sermon preached by Kelvin Holdsworth on 26 July 2015 It so happens that later today I’m going to be on the television in a short slot on Songs of Praise. Blink and you’ll miss me – it won’t be long. From time to time…
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Inspirational Conversations: How to change the world
Last week I had some inspirational conversations on Sunday with David Kenvyn, who is the verger at St Mary’s and one of the servers. David was talking about his involvement in the anti-apartheid movement. Now, lots of people in the UK can rightly think of themselves as part of that struggle, but David has been…
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Five Questions about Pride, Gender, Drag Queens and Religion
UPDATE Free Pride has now updated its policy and welcomes Drag Performers. See here for details: https://freeprideglasgow.wordpress.com/2015/07/22/free-pride-to-welcome-drag-performers/ I’m leaving the post below up here as the discussions it has started seem to me to have value in themselves. “Can I walk with you a bit? I’ve got some questions.” “Hi there, of course you…
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Greetings at Eid
Over the last few days there has been a mood of expectation around on Great Western Road where I live and work. Now the feast that so many have been waiting for has come. Today the Muslims in Glasgow are celebrating Eid. I’m looking forward to celebrating with the leaders of one of the Muslim…