This, hopefully, is the final box of "Anti-Dragon" medication... after roughly a year, my GP has agreed that I can wean off, something that will take two-three months.

It's surprisingly scary to do this - what if the "Menopausal Monster" re-emerges? The answer is, of course, to revert to the meds.

What withdrawal affects might there be? The weaning off is meant to minimise this, but yes, it could mean the same range of effects at the beginning.  Hmm. But at least it will only be short term.

I've debated with myself whether or not to post this... is it self-indulgent (quite possibly)... does it help to break down a taboo (I hope so)... 

Anyhow, if all goes well, the dragon is no more, and I will have learned a lot along the way!

This image used to be located on the mantlepiece in the vestry-office at church.  When we closed the building, it came home with me and now usually sits on top of one of the cupboards in my little office.

I absolutely love it.  The friend who gave it to me also loved it, but no longer wished to own it.

It's an image that repays close observation, is layered with meaning and for me is a good starting point for Sunday's theme 'The Mystery of the Cross' which may yet include more images - I'm not sure, the mulling and Holy-Spirit-ing have a way to go yet!

Meantime, feel free to enjoy this image.

One knock-on effect of last week's snow, is that the post in Glasgow is still all over the place - I am confident that we've only had two deliveries this week, in each of which I received items that had reached people elsewhere several days ago.  This isn't a criticism, it's just a reality, and one that had unexpectedly pleasant consequences.

Today my new, purple 'This what a preacher looks like' tee-shirt arrived from the US.  Celebrating 25 years of the Network of Baptist Women in Ministry, the purple teeshirt is an opportunity to support financially that organisation, and to stand in solidarity with sisters across the pond.  It is a sad, and crazy, reality that there are less ordained Baptist women in the entire US than in the UK.

Also arriving was a mysterious yellow envelope, which I opened to reveal the post card above - a lovely surprise and somehow timely that it arrived with the tee-shirt.  It comes from a friend, and member of one of the informal Baptist women's networks of which I am part.  I'll accept the compliment, R, thank you so much.

God never ceases to surprise inspite, despite or to spite (as my Dad would say) circumstances.  "This is what a preacher looks like - fabulous woman you. " Thank you, God for words of encouragement to save for a 'rainy day'

It seems that quite a lot of folk listened to my home grown podcast service from Sunday... not just Gatherers, but others from Northants and North Wales; there may well have been others I don't know about.

The feedback has been very moving and very humbling - by the grace of God, it 'worked' as an act of worship, even (or especially) the communion 'in many kinds'.

It's snowing again this morning as sit down to start on this week's service - I really hope that I will get to deliver it in real life this time.

On the plus side, I feel a lot less nervous about voice recording than I did beforehand!

There have been ordained women on these islands for a century - at least among Congregationalists and Baptists. Despite this, and despite the fact that 'even' the Anglicans have now ordained women for many years, some of the same old comments still arise.  This blog post and art work from Cuddesdon Anglican College is stunning and powerful. It is also very true - there are comments I recognise all too well.

God calls whomsoever God calls - and that is always going to be a bit controversial as sometimes it doesn't fit our systems or our prejudices.  I am sad that a century on from when the first women were ordained, Baptists across these islands still have a need to consider how to support and encourage 'women in ministry'... we've come a long way and not very far at all.