And yet we know we cannot as Christians, or just as well-intentioned human beings, deny its claims upon us. Biblical Christianity is rooted in justice; the whole concept of righteousness, right relationship, begins with justice, with equal rights, opening out into an explosion of generosity, of bias to those whom the scales are weighted against, […]
How do we treat people?
Posted on by James Woodward
I remember that she was the most classless person I ever met. She treated everyone exactly the same, either as friends or as potential friends. She approached them with the same expectation that they had only been waiting for this opportunity to her the story of their lives. Which, to their surprise, most of them […]
Who am I?
Posted on by James Woodward
Real I’m not a symbol I’m not a statistic I’m not the inches in somebody’s column. I’m not admirable, but I’m not pitiable either. I’m simply human. If you turned me inside out, you’d find fury, fear, refret and sorrow struggling with the love and the longing, hope and wonder, and all my neediness. Please […]
Ageing: Blessing or Burden?
Posted on by James Woodward
Last weekend I spent in Sarum College ( above) with a delightful and interesting group of people exploring the nature of age…. Here is a reflection from one of the members of the group: ‘Age: Blessing or Burden’ by Paul Scott These are first thoughts, having just returned from a weekend conference at Sarum […]
Wulfstan
Posted on by James Woodward
St Wulfstan lived c. 1008 – 1095. He served as Bishop of Worcester under the last two Saxon kings and the first two Norman kings. After the Norman Conquest he was responsible for the dismantling of the old Saxon cathedral and the building of a new one, of which the crypt is the main […]
How do we know God?
Posted on by James Woodward
He came to know God, that is, not by way of undoubted and self-evident truths but by the way of truths and opposing truths, by way of ‘’a coincidence of opposites.’’ These are two essential parts of insight, ‘’a learned ignorance’ (coincidentia oppositorum), as if the light of God to us were darkness and the […]
The Queens Six
Posted on by James Woodward
One of the pleasures of working at Windsor is the rich and varied diet of music. Our lay clerks work hard to maintain the discipline and quality of music in our daily services. It is a rich and illuminating diet of song. Some of them have other work including singing. If you would like to […]
Books
Posted on by James Woodward
Melvyn Bragg 12 Books that Changed the World (Hodder 2006) What do we think about when we consider the great events of the history of the world? War, revolution, political upheaval or natural catastrophe? Bragg shows us that there have been other places where great things have taken place – between the pages of a […]
Better Care for Dementia?
Posted on by James Woodward
Dementia services in England are not getting the priority that was promised, the National Audit Office has said. It urges the Department of Health to demonstrate that its dementia strategy, published last year, is not just words. The plans include action to boost early diagnosis and better patient and carer support. The NAO praises the […]
Discernment and detachment?
Posted on by James Woodward
Designed to enable a person to regard all of life with an open mind and a willing heart, detachment – hold indifference – is the foundation of spiritual discernment. To discern is to choose between available options of the grounds that both are good but that one is more likely at this time to be […]
Aelred of Hexham
Posted on by James Woodward
Aelred was born at Hexham in 1109. His father was a priest and he entered the Cistercian Order at Rievaulx in about 1133, after spending some years in the court of King David of Scotland. He became Abbot of Revesby in 1143 and returned to Rievaulx four years later to become abbot and to spend […]
HM Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother
Posted on by James Woodward
I take some pride in the fairly challenging task of having read all 1100 page of this seven year research project! Good to learn more about Windsor from a slightly different perspective…. In 2002, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother’s coffin lay in state in Westminster Hall after her death at the age of 101: for […]
The Baptism of Christ
Posted on by James Woodward
Luke 3:15-22 As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, 16John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of […]
Energy Art Movement
Posted on by James Woodward
Chicago’s cultural scene is soon to be energized by the most unusual art movement to date, emerging from across the globe – the Energy Art Movement. These artists uphold values and paint with a message. They look within themselves to express their vision of what our world could be. Such eye-opener messages may just be […]
Quick Vegetable Curry
Posted on by James Woodward
A holiday discovery…… try it! Ingredients 2 large aubergines, cut into quarters, thickly sliced other veg as available salt good glug groundnut oil 2 onions, peeled and roughly chopped 3 large, juicy garlic cloves, peeled, chopped finger-length piece fresh root ginger, peeled and cut into fine shreds 6-8 cardamom pods 1-2 good pinches dried chilli […]
The Music Room by Willaim Fiennes
Posted on by James Woodward
An ice bound Wales gave me every opportunity to dip into the bookshelves are here is one gem that is an exceptional read! The Music Room is, at one level, a portrait of Fiennes’s broad-moated house, the source of his belonging, and his upbringing there until the age of 17 when he leaves to teach […]
The Epiphany
Posted on by James Woodward
Father, you revealed your Son to the nations by the guidance of a star. Lead us to your glory in heaven by the light of faith. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen O good […]
A New decade – New (or perhaps not!) Resolutions?!
Posted on by James Woodward
I have never found it terribly easy getting back into the swing of work after a break and this post Christmas one is no exception. I have caught up on e mails and essential elements of administration before going into town to replenish the empty fridge. Thank God for Marks and Spencers….. and their […]
St Stephen
Posted on by James Woodward
Prayer to St. Stephen We give thee thanks, O Lord of glory, for the example of the first martyr Stephen, who looked up to heaven and prayed for his persecutors to thy Son Jesus Christ, who standeth at thy right hand: where he liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, in […]