Am I no longer young, and still not half-perfect? Let me
Keep my mind on what matters,
which is my work, which is mostly standing still and learning
to be astonished.
What is theological reflection?
Posted on by James Woodward
Christianity began with an experience, the experience of Jesus—his teachings and his deeds, the impact he had on people, the feeling for life which he communicated. People talked about this experience, formed opinions about him, and even took sides. Some of those who were att
dark
Posted on by James Woodward
Like the water
of a deep stream, love is always too much. We
did not make it. Though we drink till we burst
we cannot have it all, or want it all.
In its abundance it survives our thirst.
In the evening we come down to the shore
to drink our fill, and sleep, while it
flow
GRACE APPROACHING
Posted on by James Woodward
There is a grace approaching
that we shun as much as death,
it is the completion of our birth.
It does not come in time,
but in timelessness
when the mind sinks into the heart
and we remember.
It is an insistent gr
The Long Walk
Posted on by James Woodward
The Long Walk was commenced by Charles II from 1680-1685 by planting a double avenue of elm trees. The central carriage road was added by Queen Anne in 1710. The original planting comprised 1,652 trees placed 30 feet apart in each direction. The width between the two inner ro
Easter
Posted on by James Woodward
Almighty Father,
you have given your only Son to die for our sins
and to rise again for our justification:
grant us so to put away the leaven of malice and wickedness
that we may always serve you
in pureness of living and truth;
through the merits of your Son Jesus Christ our L
light
Posted on by James Woodward
A poet is someone
who can pour
light
into a cup,
then raise it
to nourish
your beautiful,
parched,
and holy heart.
Hafiz
Pererindod Melangell
Posted on by James Woodward
St Melangell's Church
There has been a Christian Church here for over 1200 years. Its setting, in a place of great beauty deep in the Berwyn Mountains, is peaceful and unspoilt. The church stands in a round churchyard, once a Bronze Age site, ringed by ancient yew trees estimate
Pennant Melangell
Posted on by James Woodward
The Tanat Valley:
Cwm Pannant, Llangynog, Powys
Remote and isolated, deeply glaciated valley with clustered small farms with small enclosed fields on lower slopes and valley bottom, medieval church and legendary associations with St Melangell, abandoned farms.
Historic ba
Bank Holiday Musings
Posted on by James Woodward
Some of you know that I am in temporary accomodation tucked in just below the Round Tower ..... for those of you who prefer pictures here is the view from my living room window:
Visitors to the College of St George will have noticed some considerable activity. This particula
Now Thank we all Our God – Easter
Posted on by James Woodward
The trouble with you is that you are never grateful,’ was the heartfelt challenge from parent to child overheard by us all drinking coffee in a Windsor shop. As I looked out of the window I wondered how I might have responded to the accusation. Are we grateful?
How do we exp
Good Friday
Posted on by James Woodward
Today of all days we must stand at the cross and gaze on Christ crucified with hope and trust. We must stand with Mary and John and claim the new life God offers us in Christ crucified. Looking up at him, looking into the infinite distance that death has set between us and
Maundy Thursday
Posted on by James Woodward
Christianity gives us much to think about, much to figure out, it gives us lots of thoughts and words. But above all it gives us actions to do. Jesus, who in the agony of his last night, handed himself over once and for all to us, gave us an action as his living legacy. "Do thi
Wednesday of Holy Week
Posted on by James Woodward
Psalm 102
Refrain: My help comes from the Lord.
1 O Lord, hear my prayer •
and let my crying come before you.
2 Hide not your face from me •
in the day of my distress.
3 Incline your ear to me; •
when I call, make haste to answer me, R
4 For my days are cons
Tuesday of Holy Week
Posted on by James Woodward
Psalm 27
Refrain: The Lord is my light and my salvation.
1 The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom then shall I fear? •
The Lord is the strength of my life;
of whom then shall I be afraid?
2 When the wicked, even my enemies and my foes,
came upon me to eat up my flesh
Monday of Holy Week
Posted on by James Woodward
Blessed are you, Lord God of our salvation,
to you be praise and glory for ever.
As a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief
your only Son was lifted up
that he might draw the whole world to himself.
May we walk this day in the way of the cross
and always be ready to share i
Palm Sunday
Posted on by James Woodward
Matthew 21. 1-11
When they had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, ‘Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her; untie them and bring t
We continue to fail older people
Posted on by James Woodward
Councils cut back on free adult social care
Some authorities say they have no option but to cut one of their biggest areas of spending
The Association of Directors of Adult Social Services study found just 26 out of 148 councils would fund people in "moderate" or "low" need, dow
Spring
Posted on by James Woodward
In spring, the axis of the Earth is increasing its tilt toward the Sun and the length of daylight rapidly increases for the relevant hemisphere. The hemisphere begins to warm significantly causing new plant growth to "spring forth," giving the season its name. Snow, if a normal
The Royal Victorian Order
Posted on by James Woodward
Today in the Chapel of St Gerge many hundreds of people are gathering for a service of Praise, Remembrance and Dedication for the members of the Royal Victorian Order.
The Royal Victorian Order is given by The Queen to people who have served her or the Monarchy in a personal w