Goodhand in Banbury

An Iona Associate friend asked have you had opportunity to watch and listen to the conversation between the leader of the Iona Community Ruth Harvey and Brian McLaren.  So having a bit of time to hand, I typed into YouTube 'Iona Community and Brian McLaren' (well worth a watch), and now I find myself reading his book  'Life after Doom".  So one thing certainly leads to another. It's not an easy read. By that I mean while his style, as always is accessible, the subject matter gives rise to a variety of very uncomfortable emotions. He paints four possible scenarios as to our future, and to be frank none of them are great.  He is facing up to the greatest threat to human civilisation, namely climate change. This has been brought on by  our consumption of the planet which is unsustainable,  the destruction of the eco systems on which we depend as we continue to pollute our way into the future,  the reality of consumerism on which capitalism depends  ...

So after a few years break I found myself helping out at our Church leading the Christingle service.  A handful of children, including one grandson, and a good number of adults arrived for our 4pm service.  Turning the church on the side, with the seating almost in the round, enabled a more intimate feeling as everyone could see each other. So with traditional songs, prayers, a story and finally the gifting of the christingles we had a meaningful time.  A time to retell the story of God's love for all of creation, as we await afresh on Christmas eve, the birth of Jesus. The moment of Incarnation when the Christ of eternity becomes fully human in the person of Jesus. Who through his life showed how it is possible to live the life of Love, Hope and Peace. Who revealed that God loves everybody without exception. Now this is good news. And it is for those who answer the call to follow, to show in their own lives, the meaning of Incarnation, as we live out this same life, carr...

 In the space of a few days so much has been happening it must mean something important is about to take place. Saturday saw a gathering of Iona Associates and the Thames Valley Iona Family Group in Oxford, where  I led an Advent gathering with Iona style worship, conversation, prayer writing and renewal of friendships. It's always a joy to be part of such groups due to the open nature of people to be prepared to think outside the box.  After a full day it was time for the strictly come dancing final and it was so good to see Chris McCausland win with Diane. But you know when the strictly season is over its nearly....... Then onto Sunday and with two daughters present (its becoming a bit of a new tradition) we were able to enjoy listening to the Milltown Singers where Jill/mum is part of the choir. After all those years of going to see our children in choirs etc it's now their turn to do the watching. The choir was excellent with over 100 in the choir. Then it was the wee...

Intercessions   Advent Sunday Let us Pray Lord God hear now our prayers for our community and world Christ Jesus   may we not be too busy looking for your coming or the fact you are already here that we miss what we need to be doing today if we are to be your followers. May we worship you in all that we do and say so that people may   experience your love for them through our loving. Lord in your mercy hear our prayer In the face of reports and media headlines we pray for your church and especially the Church of England as it works out how it can provide a safe place for people to be. We pray for the survivors of abuse that they might feel truly listened to and that with changes in practice   justice will be be done. Lord in your mercy hear our prayer In an ever unstable world where many conflicts get forgotten about we know you our God do not forget those who suffer. Keep on reminding us to see how the world is interrelated, and that until all are safe no one is. Co...

Wednesday saw us taking the opportunity to meet up with old friends from our Stoke days in Birmingham. The city where I trained at the Queens Foundation for ministry and while I have been back occasionally the City centre has changed so much. Having managed to find each other!!!!  We set about the important task of getting coffee and cake and where better than the beautiful Art Museum Not a bad setting to start catching up, get the first coffee fix of the trip- oh plus the cake. Just so good to see old friends, to hear about their children and grandchildren. Most strange none of us appear to be missing work!!!! Duly fortified a wander around the art work.   Jacob Epstein Lucifer, 1945 It certainly stands out as you walk in. Joe Lycett - 'Mona Lisa Scott-Lee, 2024 'Some have commented that this is the greatest artwork of the 21st Century, marking a huge cultural renaissance for western civilisation. Others have said it's an ok painting of Lisa Scott-Lee from steps as the Mon...

A short thought - The eternal Christ became Jesus In reading Richard Rohr’s   book ‘The Universal Christ’ he writes the following words. Christ is God, and Jesus is the Christ’s historical manifestation in time. Jesus is a Third someone, not just God and not just man, but God and human together. Two sentences which give so much to ponder and yet for me gives such clarity. As he writes elsewhere, ‘Christ is not Jesus’s surname'.   For those of us who tentatively understand God as Trinity, and so often speak of Father Son and Holy Spirit, it’s really helpful to widen and deepen what or who the second person of the Trinity is. For clearly the man Jesus did not pre-exist as his life takes place at a moment in time. But the Word who brought into existence everything and whose DNA is within all, did pre-exist and so in the incarnation of Jesus divinity and earth became one.   It won’t be long before the season of Advent is upon us and looking forward to the incarnation will bec...

 Going to bed hoping that the people of America would elect Kamala Harris and not a convicted felon who is a narcissist, liar, rapist, useless businessman and non christian posing as one.  Yet I awoke to the news that in spite of his track record Trump will once again be the American president.  This is not a good day for democracy, and certainly not a good day for the women of America whose rights have already been eroded, and one can only suspect will further be eroded.  If he does what he says he would do, then Ukraine's future is in doubt, the rule of law in the united states will further be eroded. His presence will only encourage populist far right politicians around the world to act without restraint. He will undermine the NATO alliance, mess up the economics of the world with tariffs which will in fact hurt the very people who have elected him, as he gives further tax breaks to the super rich, and he will further divide people with his particular anti immigra...

We have always wanted to visit Brugge and just never seemed to get the opportunity.  So being on grandparent duty in London we took advantage of being in the capital to leave the car at our daughters and head for St Pancras International. It was a good trip out with a change at Brussels before we arrived at our destination. Quick drop off at our hotel in the centre, and then we sought out somewhere to eat, which we finally did being very hungry and it was getting late. The Golden Monkey Hotel did the trick and we could head back for a good nights rest after our travels. Rested and duly fortified with a good breakfast we set out to explore the city with fine weather adding to the enjoyment. So of course we took in a couple of churches as you do.  Saint Antony's with some amazing art work. and a wonderful set of station at the cross figures which may well appear in my future use . Jesus speaking with the women on the way amazing. Jesus falls. Then onto Saint Saviours Cathedral O...