Latest Posts
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The Provost’s Forum: Sabbatical Stories
Here’s the video from a special Provost’s Forum that I held after the Eucharist today. The topic was my recent sabbatical trip to Canada and the USA. Cedric Blakey was interviewing me and passing on questions from members of the congregation. Good fun to do and a great set of questions. Sorry the audio is…
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A Prayer for Sandy Hook Elementary School, Newtown, Connecticut
Eternal God, hear your diverse people as a world unites in prayer and compassion for the people of Newtown Connecticut. We pray for all involved in the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Bless with your kindness those who speak to the broken-hearted. Bless the teachers, paramedics, medical staff and police with courage, skill and…
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Scottish Government’s proposals for Marriage
The Scottish Government has published its proposals for amending marriage law in Scotland. There are one or two surprises too as they are going to try to amend some of the bits of law that apply to straight couples getting married. I didn’t see those changes coming and they are likely to be a bit…
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The Marriage Business
The time has come for Church of England clergy to show us what they are made of. The government has decided that the Church of England (and, bizarrely the Church in Wales) is to be banned from opting into the legislation permitting same-sex couples to get married. Those who are clergy who are supportive of…
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Bristol University Christian Union – more
Well, after my earlier post on Bristol University Christian Union, here’s some more. They’ve published a new statement which says this: BUCU statement on women speakers Bristol University Christian Union (BUCU) deplores the recent exaggerations and misrepresentations in some parts of the media of its position on women’s ministry in the church. It is well…
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Bristol University Christian Union & Women Speakers
How timely is the story about Bristol University’s Christian Union in providing an object lesson for everyone with regard to the Church of England. It neatly illustrates the kind of thinking that Rowan Williams (and the “keep the church together at all costs” party) has been not merely tolerating but actively pandering to. The local…
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Sabbatical: Back to Glasgow
I’ve arrived back in Glasgow. For those who haven’t realised what I’ve been up to, I’ve been on a big sabbatical trip that has kept me out of the country for 12 weeks. I was a little cautious about indicating online that my flat was empty for an extended period of time. Facebook friends will…
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The Church of England and its Bishops
There is no pleasure to be taken in the vote in the Church of England’s Synod today which failed to reach the majority required to proceed to having bishops in that church who happen to be women. However, I did say a little while ago that had I been in England’s Synod, I think I…
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Egrets? I’ve had a few
A few years ago something happened that set all the birdwatchers in the UK atwitter. A snowy egret blew in on an ill wind and landed on the island of Seil. I happened to be there at the time and saw it in the flesh. It looked more than a little lost and was probably…
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