Goodhand in Banbury

  In a world that is increasingly polarised,  and the challenge to discern what is true  becomes ever more difficult,  we come before the God of truth  to lay our prayers offered in hope and love. God of community we pray first of all for ourselves   that in living out our discipleship we might express a faith   that does not say we have all the answers but rather we can point to the one who   shows the way of living that is required by being true disciples revealing Love, kindness, peace   in the manner of Jesus. Lord in your mercy Hear our prayer Today especially we pray for Sue who once again has taken up the   responsibility of being our church warden give then to her discernment in leadership, a joy in her role and the wisdom not to do too much. Lord in your mercy Hear our prayer We pray that as your church in this community and the church universal   that we might find a way of living   in the difficult space   and d...

Being Missional Today: Disruption, Liminality and Reconciliation  Now that is a mouthful of a title for a gathering, and almost enough to put you off going. However I attended the conference run by "Reconciliation Initiatives" which was co-sponsored by the Iona Community which is how I came to hear about it. I may be retired but my brain is not and I still want to learn. The conference was held at Coventry Cathedral, a great setting, on 10th June. Well over 150 people had gathered from around the country and I was surprised to spot one or two familiar faces.  The day kicked off with a conversation between Bishop Guli-Dehqani (Bishop of Chelmsford) and Al Barrett Vicar of Hodge Hill in east Birmingham.  They spoke about their own contexts, the need for openness, about power and privilege and the need to allow others in.  Al touched on the fragility of our world, Gaza the USA etc and how people are feeling anxious.  The Bishop touched upon how so many conversation...