Author Archives: ramtopsrac

About ramtopsrac

Church of England Ordinand, child of God, daughter of the New Forest, wife and mother.

Here endeth my Reader Ministry

Today, Pentecost 2013 marks the end of my Reader Ministry. The different diocese of the Anglican church are not known for their consistency in approach to patterns of, or peoples development through, different ministries. But in the Diocese of Winchester … Continue reading

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Roe Buck and other spring evening delights

Very quick post with a record of our evening stroll. The venue was Blackbushe and it’s surroundings again as usual. This Peacock Butterfly looks like it overwintered – though how any butterfly can survive the winter we’ve had, I really … Continue reading

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Well finally – Spring is here!

Yes, I know the forecast is for it to leave again later this week, but at least for the last few days, spring has definitely sprung. Last weekend, we dashed down to the New Forest and after a rainsoaked abortive trip to … Continue reading

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“Grace is in the fighting” Rachel Mann’s ‘Dazzling Darkness’ (book review)

Rachel Mann‘s book ‘Dazzling Darkness’ (Wild Goose Publications) should be required reading for all trainee pillocks…, sorry, those currently engaged in ordination training, “One has to be a pillock to want to be a priest” is just one of the … Continue reading

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Minstead Past and Present – New Exhibition 13th-14th April 2013

Minstead’s Local History Group are making their fascinating exhibitions a bi-annual event and the next one is at the end of the Easter holiday period at Minstead Village Hall. For me, it’s about a place, and people, I’ve known all … Continue reading

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Does loneliness still cause the greatest pain to ‘The Wounded Healer’?

I’ve just finished reading Henri Nouwen‘s ‘The Wounded Healer’ (in an updated form of the 1972 original) as part of background reading for my ‘Pastoral Care’ module. Throughout this little classic, Nouwen identifies closely with the suffering and particularly loneliness … Continue reading

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The Sky Dancers – an original poem

Nothing is wasted, especially not my journeys to college. Driving back and forth I love watching for wildlife, and take particular joy in the Red Kites of Berkshire and Oxfordshire, which have previously inspired my Plough ‘Sunday’ grace. I first … Continue reading

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Is God waiting for the C of E? (Reviewing Maggi Dawn’s ‘Like the Wideness of the Sea’) #womenbishops

I read Maggi Dawn’s ‘Like the Wideness of the Sea – Women Bishops and the Church of England’ yesterday. That tells you for a start that it’s not a very big book – I’m not that fast a reader, especially … Continue reading

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Donating your Flesh and Blood as part of Christian giving – just FAB!

I currently have the privilege of undertaking a community placement with the chaplaincy team at my local hospital as part of my ordination training. One session of that placement was sitting in on a meeting about organ and tissue donation. … Continue reading

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Creative bits of Liturgy for Ash Wednesday 2013

The Ash Wednesday service for the EDGY group (Eversley, Derby Green and Yateley) had a focus on how Lent might prompt us not just to give up things, but give them away. The preacher focused in part on our newly launched … Continue reading

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