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Everybody gets a part
The ‘tradition’ in one of my church’s has been to have a Christingle service on Christmas Eve. I’ve nothing against them, but I wanted to do something different this year. Relying on last year’s example of a good number of visitors, I decided that I was going to have a nativity play – where (almost)…
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We remember
In remembering the dead, we do not forget or forsake the living. In remembering war, we do not forget our search for peace. In praying for peace, we do not dishonour those who have given their body, their mind, their life. For we give thanks for the love which enables one to give selflessly for…
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The sermon you don’t preach
Today was our family harvest thanksgiving services in both churches. It was also communion in one. I had chosen some familiar harvest hymns. We had a short video from our Messy Church – Messy Harvest morning from a couple of weeks back. I’d even dropped one of the hymns to make the service a little…
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In the beginning
“In the beginning, when God created…” The opening verses/chapters of Genesis are almost guaranteed to excite debate. Whether it is science v. creationism, or poetry v. history, interpreting the opening part of Genesis seems to cause splits between Christians and atheists, and Christians and other Christians. Creationism (and its associated ‘young earth’ and ‘seven literal…
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Write then!
This is just a short post to re-establish my blogging habit. I had intended starting to blog again a while ago but struggled to work out what to write about, and what direction to take this blog. I’ve previously used it to reflect on ministry, but that’s perhaps a bit too close to home now…
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This time last year
One year ago, last Thursday, I was ordained and inducted into my first charge. One year ago today (Sunday), I had taken (actually, shared) my first service in that new charge. I had also done a funeral visit, and was preparing to take it in just a few days time. I’d sat in the car…
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Always thinking
Apologies up front – this is yet another ‘brain-dump’ post as I attempt to get my head round some thoughts. One thing I miss about not having a supervisor is the opportunity for theological discussion. And since I haven’t been blogging much either then I’ve not had an opportunity to engage through that medium either.…
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Long time, no see
Oh look! A blog! I’d almost forgotten this was here. Well, not really, but I have been neglecting it somewhat in recent months. Once again, it’s not that there’s nothing to report, just that the time needed to get it sorted in my head and then formulate a suitable blog entry has always been a…
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All sorts of things
Yet again, I’ve been caught out with blog updates. And yet again, it’s not that nothing has been happening; merely that it’s all sorts of little things rather than any one thing that causes me to stop and reflect (and blog). Perhaps most worthy of note though is the continuing ‘unsettledness’ as we’re still not…
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A dualist view
Those who’ve heard me rant about dualism in contemporary theological understanding need not worry. This post is nothing to do with my usual witterings on the subject. Rather, it’s a reflection on how I am finding my ministry developing. My charge is a linkage and I’m perfectly happy with that. I very much enjoy the…