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  • A Celtic Advent - Day 22

    Today's reflection invites us to look at the created world around us, and to think about how our lives are interconnected with it.  If we could/would 'see' God in the world around us, how would that affect thety way we treat it? A timely reminder when our television screens are so often full of images of plastic-ridden oceans, scorched earth and starving wildlife.

    You don't need me to bang on about any of this, it's stuff we all know fine well.

    Today's prayer:

    Great Creator of life, may I see you in all things, may I 'take a long and thoughtful look at what you have created, and see what my eyes can't see: your eternal power, for instance, and the mystery of your divine being.' In my continued connection with you, may I bear the fruit of the Spirit, and live a life of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Amen.

  • Fifteen Years...!

    Fifteen years ago today, I made my ordination vows.

    Since then I must have prepared around 750 Sunday services, including around 250 bespoke Communion Liturgies, before I start on the midweek and 'special' services etc.. I have conducted something like 150 funerals, around 15 weddings, about 10 infant blessings and precisely 9 Baptisms!

    I have led carol services in pubs and care homes.
    I have conducted marriages in a cow shed, a library, a couple of castles and a hospital ward.
    I have led communion on hillsides and in people's homes.

    I have held the hands of people who were dying.
    I have prayed with people who were frightened of surgery.
    I have sat wih a ninety year-old whose grandson had been murdered in front of his teenage daughter.
    I have been asked by Roman Catholics, agnostics and atheists to conduct their funerals.

    I have had my theology challenged, changed and informed by people who are LGBTQI+
    I have been told that my ministry is in-valid, defective and even demomic
    I have sometimes gone home from church on the brink of tears feeling an utter failure
    I have sometimes been so full of joy I thought I might burst!

    Fifteen years on, there is nothing else I would do, no one else I would be.

    As the saying seems to go, 'for what has been, thank you, for what's to come - yes!'