There are more things in heaven and earth

There are more things in heaven and earth

“There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.” So says Hamlet in the classic Shakespearean tragedy. Shakespeare was not wrong. We are often so entranced by what we can measure and see that we overlook the vast spiritual...
There are more things in heaven and earth

Half the church?

Half of Christ’s church, perhaps more, are women. Yet, whilst doors swing open and glass ceilings shatter in the world around us, Jesus’ people remain conflicted about the calling, role and status of women. Consequently, women and girls are offered diminished visions...
There are more things in heaven and earth

Can Church and Politics Mix?

Francis Collins is a remarkable man. He’s remarkable for many reasons. He was the lead scientist in the Human Genome Project, he paved the way for several medical breakthroughs by identifying specific genes associated with certain diseases. Until recently, he was head...
There are more things in heaven and earth

When Church Hurts

When Church Hurts It’s the issue that triggered the Archbishop of Canterbury’s resignation and will, undoubtedly, be the first item in the new pope’s in-tray. I am talking about spiritual abuse, the exploitation of position and power which damages people,...
Good News

Good News

Chassis The whole world is in a state of chassis (Irish for “chaos”). So said Sean O’ Casey in his 1922 play about the Irish civil war “Juno and the Paycock”. He was not wrong. Our world seems to constantly lurch from geopolitical crisis to economic challenge to...
Good News

Jelly babies, Tin foil and Mothering Sunday

Wondering what these three things have in common? Come along on Sunday and find out! This Sunday 30 March is an All-In service when we gather as all ages and stages together to worship, learn and interact with each other. We are also looking forward to a dedication!...
Good News

Crime and Punishment

“Don’t judge me!” No one likes to be pulled up and judged, especially if they are guilty. After all, who likes to admit failure or face the consequences of their mistakes and misdemeanours? We would rather avoid being caught, shift the blame or brush things under the...
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Mission Impossible?

Some years ago, I was part of a large team with a mind numbingly boring task… To relieve the boredom, we would send each other silly email attachments. That is, until we all got called in to see the big boss. Someone, not me I hasten to add, had send an email...
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Life Hack

Everyday spirituality Most of life’s problems can be solved with baking soda and vinegar. These two household items frequently appear in the world’s favourite lists of life-hacks. Who doesn’t love a good life-hack? Those weird, wacky and sometimes wonderful solutions...
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The Other Pandemic

There have been any number of viruses knocking many of us for six this winter. Nevertheless, one abiding infection continues to make Western societies sick. It is a condition named by psychologist Oliver James as “Affluenza”. He diagnoses the affluenza virus as: “The...