On the days I commute, I get the train to Manchester Piccadilly.  There are oodles of trains that go that way, and depending on the route and the operating company, there is a threefold price difference (though I haven't seen anything to suggest higher peak rate fares).  I usually opt for the cheapest, but even these vary a little according to the precise route.

Sometimes it seems that all trains lead to the same destination - as this photo from yesterday indicates.

If all roads lead to Rome, maybe all trains lead to the Railway Town?

PS It's an interesting image to ponder when you think about ecumenism, or even interfaith matters... I leave it with you!

This prayer was used in College Chapel yesterday - I found it very helpful.

All over Manchester Piccadilly (and quite possibly other major railway stations) are posters assuring travellers that we are 'heroes' by using trains, that it's greener than road travel.

There are oodles of different posters, may of them quite funny.  I think my favourite was this one...

Last night, I attended Choral Evensong at the Church of St Michael, a very high Anglo-Catholic church.  Outside it's a fairly typical Victorian building, but inside it is incredible ornate, as illustrated in this photo looking towards the altar.

Using the BCP in its most catholic form, complete with 'hail Mary' and King James Bible, in a parish under the special episcopacy of the Bishop of Beverly (it does not recognise women Bishops (hence women priests)) it could have felt unwelcoming, but it was anything but., evening ending with 'Shine, Jesus, Shine' and a priest who was not offended when the solemnity was shattered by clapping from various low church folk.

Ecumenism can be bland, can be boring and can be nominal.  This didn't feel like any of those.  It was good to be with people who understand their faith very differently, yet are committed to working together where and when they can.

I think the next joint service is for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity - and I get to preach, something I now look forward to.

All the songs and hymns we used yesterday were, in some way or other, important to me.  Among them, this, which was chosen by The Gathering Place for my induction 14 years ago (they chose the majority of the music themselves), and which felt appropriate for yesterday...

This is a day of new beginnings,
time to remember, and move on,
time to believe what love is bringing,
laying to rest the pain that's gone.

For by the life and death of Jesus,
love's mighty Spirit, now as then,
can make for us a world of difference
as faith and hope are born again.

Then let us, with the Spirit's daring,
step from the past, and leave behind
our disappointment, guilt and grieving,
seeking new paths, and sure to find.

Christ is alive, and goes before us
to show and share what love can do.
This is a day of new beginnings;
our God is making all things new.

Brian Wren  © 1983, 1987 Stainer & Bell Ltd