Yesterday I took a trip to Liverpool, had a lovely amble along the waterfront and then spent time visiting each of the cathedrals.  I've attended services in each of them, and taken part on the Whit walk along Hope Street a fair few times, but this was the first time to really explore them, and it was a real blessing, as they each hold a real treasure store of architecture, art and spirituality.

The photo is from the Anglican Cathedral and is a stunning wooden sculpture of the crucifixion.  Spending time with it, and reflecting on how we as Jesus' followers continue to inflict wounds upon each other, and, hence, on him was salutary yet also, strangely beautiful.

Below is a poster from the Chapel of Unity in the Metropolitan (Roman Catholic) cathedral that reminds us of the shared central elements of Christianity (even if we may disagree in the mode of Baptism).  It reminded me of the words attributed to various wise people...

In essentials, unity

In non-essentials, liberty

In all things, charity. 

So yes, Liverpool was blessing (or maybe a 'blessun') yesterday.

After a day and a half in online interviews, which was a very positive experience, I was well ready for some fresh air, and a walk along the brook nearby.  The blossom, bluebells, dandelions and wild garlic were delightful to behold, and after so much rain, sleet and hail, the sunshine was a special blessing.

A day off outing planned for tomorrow... so be ready for updates in due course!

Tomorrow and Friday, I am part of interview panel linked to my volunteering role.  It is a huge privilege to be invited to be part of this, and I hope that I don't let them down.

Next Thursday and Friday, I have something similar for one of my paid roles.  It is equally a privilege and a responsibility.

I also hope I don't mix up the two sets of questions, even though, if truth be told, there probably are a fair few crossovers in what we are seeking to discover/discern.

I'm looking forward to both opportunities, and offering up a few prayers for wisdom along the way.

This weekend is a work trip - visiting a student in placement to hear them preach.  Unfortunately, trains don't start early enough on a Sunday to get me here, so it means an overnight stay in this beautiful cathedral city in the West Midlands.

I chose a hotel based on its location (excellent) and price (cheap). It is certainly not a hotel I'll be returning to, not even if tomorrow's breakfast is extraordinarily good, but I'll definitely come back and spend some proper time in this gorgeous city.

Thanks to that nice Mr Sainsbury, I enjoyed a lovely picnic tea after a meander along the river side.  Now looking forward to what tomorrow brings.

So today was the first funeral I have done since I moved here... The first time at a crematorium where there's an assumption that you'll control the Wesley system yourself (with a screen so tiny that I couldn't read what it said, let alone control it; thankfully crematorium staff were quite happy to do so remotely)... The first one where doves were released (into driving rain and a howling gale, poor little things)... 

It was, as always, interesting to see the 'we don't have any local customs' customs...

But above all, it was, as it always is, a huge privilege to be trusted by a family to help them say farewell to a loved one.   There was a blend of sobriety and... well I was going to say hilarity, but whilst that might rhyme, it isn't the right word... humorous moments.  There was some good singing - and a lot of people who stood in silence during the hymns.  There was scripture and story, prayers and blessings.

And now, even though it's too wet and windy to get out for a liturgical, decompression walk, I have jeans on, tea poured and biscuits to munch...

RIP DSL, may you rest in peace and rise in glory.