Latest Posts
-
The Seven Actual Marks of Mission
The Anglican Communion website tells us that the Five Marks of Mission are an “important statement on mission which expresses the Anglican Communion’s common commitment to, and understanding of, God’s holistic/integral mission”. The were first set out at an Anglican Consultative Council in 1984. The Five Marks of Mission are: To proclaim the Good News…
·
-
Six things I have learned about anti-semitism and the church
1 Anti-semitism is a real thing in the life of the church A number of years ago I was visiting a church in the Diocese of St Andrews and happened to look up at a set of Stations of the Cross and remarked to the Rector that they were rather stylish. “Hmm,” she said, “look…
·
-
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…
·
-
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…
·
-
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…
·
-
Good Friday Addresses 2016
Here are the Good Friday addresses which I preached with the Rev Cedric Blakey today.
·
-
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…
·
-
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,…
·
-
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…
·