the time will come when with elation you will greet yourself arriving at your own door, in your own mirror, and each will smile at the other’s welcome and say, sit here. Eat You will love again the stranger who was yourself Give wine. Give bread. Give back your heart to itself, to the […]
Cyril of Alexandria
Posted on by James Woodward
Saint Cyril of Alexandria (c. 378 – 444) was the Pope of Alexandria when the city was at its height of influence and power within the Roman Empire. Cyril wrote extensively and was a leading protagonist in the Christological controversies of the later 4th, and 5th centuries. He was a central figure in […]
Darkness:orange
Posted on by James Woodward
I listened in emptiness on the moor-ridge. The curlew’s tear turned its edge on the silence. Slowly detail leafed from the darkness. Then the sun Orange, red, red erupted Silently, and splitting to its core tore and flung cloud, Shook the gulf open, showed blue, And the big planets hanging. . From Ted […]
Is the Church over-managed?
Posted on by James Woodward
I commend this motion being out forward by the Diocese of Bradford at the next meeting of the General Synod. I wonder what the outcome might be??!! ‘Senior posts reduction in the Church of England’ Over recent years parishes across the country have been faced with considerable reductions in the number […]
Barbara Hepworth
Posted on by James Woodward
My house in Windsor is slowly becoming my new home through a process of adaption and sorting. Key in all this are my pictures. I finally found the spot for one of my favourites – a signed Hepworth Moon – very mystical and needing to avoid any direct sunlight. For those of you unfamiliar with […]
Alban
Posted on by James Woodward
Saint Alban was the first British Christian martyr. Along with his fellow saints Julius and Aaron, Alban is one of three martyrs remembered from Roman Britain. Alban is listed in the Church of England calendar for 22 June and he continues to be venerated in the Anglican, Catholic, and Orthodox Communions.
Writing Letters
Posted on by James Woodward
This short piece appeared in yesterdays Church Times: There should be, in all of our filing systems, a place for those cards and letters sent by friends and strangers who have managed to express something precious however small. These words may take many shapes: it may often be a word of encouragement. The […]
Sky, Air, Light
Posted on by James Woodward
sky, air, light A certain day became a presence to me; there it was, confronting me–a sky, air, light: a being. And before it started to descend from the height of noon, it leaned over and struck my shoulder as if with the flat of a sword, granting me honor and a task. The […]
Samuel and Henrietta Barnett
Posted on by James Woodward
Today the Church remembers two important figures of social reform: Henrietta Barnett is, perhaps, best known for the development of Hampstead Garden suburb, but she – with Samuel Barnett – was an important social reformer. Their most notable innovation was the university settlement – but they were also active in other arenas. Dame Henrietta […]
Garter Service
Posted on by James Woodward
Each year in June a procession and service take place at Windsor Castle for the Order of the Garter. This year’s service takes place on Monday 15 June. The Order is the senior and oldest British Order of Chivalry, founded by Edward III in 1348. New appointments to the Order of the Garter are […]
Making Our Home
Posted on by James Woodward
Sermon preached in St Georges Chapel Windsor 14th June 2009 Mattins The Solemnity of St George There are many preoccupations that characterise our culture – one might best be described as Re-designing. You might be familiar with the programmes that promote this Gospel. Alan Titchmarsh will transform a garden in two days, ripping […]
How do we talk about death?
Posted on by James Woodward
Yesterday I told you about the forthcoming exhibition in Birmingham ( Saying the Unsayable). Here is some backgroung to the piece of work taken from the Introduction to the programme guide written by Pauline Smith Saying the unsayable: Opening a dialogue about living, dying and death The Exhibition guide Acknowledgments […]
Saying the Unsayable
Posted on by James Woodward
This is a project that I had some involvement with in the early stages of its birth last year. Put the dates in your diary and be prepared to have your horizons enlarged! More on the project and its images later…..
Taking Time
Posted on by James Woodward
For those of you who know me a little – you will recognize these adjectives: busy on the go energetic active engaged at work active on duty industrious engrossed Well – there is of course in new work plenty to do and see and learn. But what are the oppposites of such adjectives? […]
Mystery and Silence
Posted on by James Woodward
An extract from a sermon for Trinity Sunday: This week I received the Concert programme from Warwick University. It reminded me of the excellent pre-concert talks at where a musician reflected upon their task and the piece they were about to play. A pianist once described their playing of Beethoven in this way: […]
Brown’s Britain?
Posted on by James Woodward
a bit long for a blog but very interesting!! Brown’s Britain is Bankrupt FRANK FIELD MP AND JEREMY JENNINGS Daniel Johnson: Parliament is supposed to be the guardian of liberty, but it seems rather that its members have been taking liberties. The result is a great upsurge of righteous indignation, a demand for equality […]
Thomas Ken
Posted on by James Woodward
Today the Church of England commemorates Thomas Ken Ken was born in 1637 at Little Berkhampstead, Hertfordshire. His father was Thomas Ken of Furnival’s Inn, of the Ken family of Ken Place, in Somerset; his mother was the daughter of little known English poet, John Chalkhill. In 1646 Ken’s stepsister, Anne, married Izaak Walton, […]
Trinity
Posted on by James Woodward
Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth: Set up your kingdom in our midst. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God: Have mercy on me, a sinner. Holy Spirit, breath of the living God: Renew me and all the world. I venerate and glorify you, O most Blessed Trinity, in union with that […]
Prayer for Creation
Posted on by James Woodward
The Archbishop of Canterbury is urging churches to use Environment Sunday (June 7) to pray for the planet and campaign for climate change in the run up to the important UN talks later this year in Copenhagen. Dr Williams said it was vital for Christians and people of all faiths to take a lead […]
From Windsor to Waterloo
Posted on by James Woodward
Here are ten surprises emerging out of the completely ordinary and unspectacular journey from Windsor and Eton Riverside station to Waterloo: It only costs £8 return (and I am not a senior citizen!) It takes just over three quaters of an hour There are 12 stops between Windsor and Waterloo Its a perfect time […]