Goodhand in Banbury

  The Carbon Cycle - Kate Rawles This is an excellent if somewhat disturbing book. I am still amazed that someone was able to ride a bike 4553 miles from Texas to Alaska. The various descriptions of the journey, with the scenery experienced, is a delight to imagine through Kate’s eyes. That anyone could persevere through extreme heat, steep inclines, punctures, wild camping at times, the isolation of riding on your own and then with her partner, just astounds me. If for no other reason this is a book worth reading. However Kate made the journey to draw attention to what is happening to our planet and in that regard it is an uncomfortable read. Many of the things she refers too, many of us are already aware of, but it raises afresh the question, What are we doing about it? I was struck afresh by the way we are destroying the eco-systems we are reliant upon for our own existence. So many of us are cut off or disconnected   from the way the planet sustains us, it means people are...

 The first harvest of precious Basil leaves took place last night producing the first batches of Pesto. I don't recall ever being this early in being able to produce a crop to pick. Hopefully they will regrow to gain another crop, and the second sowing has already started to be potted on so it could be a good year for Basil. But I need it for the grandchildren who love pesto/pasta!!! Last years crop is just being used up from the freezer. But then the raised beds are also doing their stuff. First early potatoes in the ground very healthy. You can never have too much garlic but still a while till harvest with a couple of rows of sweet corn  in which will be a first for me. The potatoes in the bags are doing really well, and I'm already trying to work out a  system to store them in the garage as we no longer have a cellar as in Sheffield. Salad leaves are now cropping in my 'gutter' beds so hopefully no more supermarket lettuce. Mind you the rocket is not really taking of...

What does it really mean to pray for Peace? Thursday communion we prayed for peace. Peace between Ukraine and Russia. But what was I praying for? A cessation of hostilities? A coming together? I have a niggle. I want Peace   for these places,   but……… but I don’t want Putin to win. If the fighting stops   won’t it only start again? and which country next? How can I just pray for peace? Doesn’t Justice have to occur at the same time? And what does Justice look like? A withdrawal of Russian forces back to where? two years ago ? or back to 2014 ? So easy in worship to use the words   we pray for Peace. The killing is terrible children, women and men. The destruction of homes. The desolation of the   environment. Stop dropping your bombs   and firing your missiles. Its wicked and its wrong full stop. But there won’t be peace   unless there is justice. So what does justice look like for Ukraine? Or dare I imagine for Russia. How about if you are a Palestini...

  A reflection on worship as one who now sits in the pew. Sitting in a congregation these past two years I have been struck afresh by how important it is for the person leading worship to inhabit what they are doing. I mean, not just going through the motions or reading a script, as well thought out as it might be. When a pianist plays they can do so technically correct but that does not mean it conveys feeling or emotion that moves the listener. The musician needs to inhabit the music they play to then provoke within an audience the emotional connection and response. When a leader of worship preaches or prays they equally need to inhabit the sermon or prayers like a good musician. They need to connect with the congregation. A really good tv newscaster has the ability to look at the camera and make it feel like they are looking just at you, and are talking to you personally, they inhabit the role. The leader of worship seeks to do the same but in a different context. This does...

  St Hughs 19th May Pentecost On this Pentecost Day would you please respond to the words We know what we want, but you know what we need.   with the response Pour out your Holy Spirit on us. Let us Pray As your disciples had waited so have we. As your disciples were surprised surprise us too, and fill our lives with your presence. Draw out from us   those fruits that both change us and the world around us, and give to each of us the gift we need to be a vibrant Christ like community Leader:                     We know what we want but you know what we need   Congregation : Pour out your Holy Spirit on us. We acknowledge we say we want change but without us having to change. May your spirit blow upon our lives nudging us in the direction we must go if we are to be a Christ like community. Leader: We know what we want but you know what we need   Congregation : Pour out your Holy Spirit on us. ...