Category Archives: theology – how God fits in

“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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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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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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Living Hermeneutically about Homosexuality (thanks to Steve Chalke)

About ten years ago my husband and I were delighted to become Godparents to the child of some old college friends, and co-Godparent with their close friend who happens to be a lesbian Christian.  We had no problem with this, … Continue reading

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The joy of… ordinand?! How being an ordinand is like being pregnant – Luke1:39-45

I mentioned yesterday that amid the grief (and other Christmas aggravations like the alternator going on the car) there have only been will-o’-the-wisp moments when I have connected with the Christ-child this Christmas. As I prepare to write a 5000 … Continue reading

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How do you ‘find’ a spiritual director? A reflection on experience

I was asked recently (via Twitter) if I would be prepared to write about my experiences of seeking and finding a spiritual director. It would be for some work Revd Mark Godson, who is Director of the London Centre for … Continue reading

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Rising to the bait of double standards? #feminism #ABC #Remembrance

I’ve spent the evening catching up on various blog posts and in doing so I’ve realised that I been mentally arguing both for, and against, being seen to stand up for what I think, though the subject matter has varied. … Continue reading

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The Sepulchre Experience – The women’s tale

For the open day celebrating ‘Life and Lives Lived’ at All Saints’ Minstead, my father was asked to select a reflection on the sepulchre to leave out for people to read. He didn’t. Instead he was inspired to write this … Continue reading

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What is ‘sacred’ in Christianity?

It may surprise some to know that this week I started ordination training by focusing on other important religions in the world today, and how Christians engage theologically with them. From a practical point of view this is partly because … Continue reading

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A mother’s Biblical wisdom from beyond the grave

Tomorrow, on Saturday 15th September 2012, I start ordination training at Ripon College Cuddesdon (also known as the Holy Hill, or the Holy Hogwarts and recently described by Revd Richard Coles as the CofE’s Sandhurst!) In a box of my … Continue reading

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