Most of us prefer the relative comfort of denial when it comes to older age. This is a serious state for it is always better to anticipate and so prepare ourselves for ageing so we can unlock its rich potential. In the words of Antonio Pierro – Getting Older is an Adventure […]
Looking for the perfect Church?
Posted on by James Woodward
I have just listened to a Press conference from the Lambeth Conference in Canterbury where the Archbishop of Canterbury was exposed to a barrage of questions about the future of the Anglican Communion. His voice is clear, coherant, moderate, political and intelligent. It is hard to feel for him and the impossibility of the holding […]
John Piper
Posted on by James Woodward
Here is a portrait of a very remarkable man with huge talent for shape, colour and representation. His art is quite profound: John Egerton Christmas Piper was a 20th century English painter and printmaker who lived for many years at Fawley Bottom near Henley-on-Thames. By the late 1930’s he became less found of abstracts […]
The Sympathy Vote?
Posted on by James Woodward
I realize that folks experience pain in different ways – I try not to give into it and complain but I am going to tell you my woes…… About a week or so ago I drove home to catch up with my father and experienced some shooting pains in my legs. It was […]
You are fearfully and wonderfully made
Posted on by James Woodward
Do you like yourself? If you could change something about little old you what would it be? What bits of you do you find it hard to accept? Do we understand why we feel unhappy, angry, discontented? Look into that famous mirror and what looks back? We are fearfully and wonderfully made […]
In praise of the long lie in!
Posted on by James Woodward
Can you ever get too much sleep? How much sleep do you need? What is your bed like ( rather forward question I know …) When did you linger there – curled up under the duvet and drifting in and out of sleep? I like lots of pillows and surrounded by books there is nothing […]
Celebrating Children
Posted on by James Woodward
I have just come home after an evening where our Church School has gathered to celebrate the achievements of our chlidren. It was a wonderful evening with a tremendous atmosphere of excitement and laughter. The small children treated us to country dancing and the older children sang Bridge Over Troubled Water– with some brilliant solos […]
Heritage Weekend in Temple Balsall 13-14 September 08 !
Posted on by James Woodward
Into week three I am beginning to settle back into a routine of work with all the usual joys and problems of working with people. Nothing ever quite goes to plan and life is full of wonderful surprises. It is a priviledge to be here – a part of the community that does so much […]
Durham Miners Gala
Posted on by James Woodward
On Monday 14th of July I reflected on roots and especially on my home village. On Saturday July 12th before I left for Temple Balsall I experienced a ritual that has shaped the North East for many years. The Colliery band and banner getting ready for Durham Miners gala – always held on the second […]
Where does all this hatred come from?
Posted on by James Woodward
What is happening in the Church these days? It feels serious and damaging – and does nothing to build up and nourish the Community of faith. Is it any wonder why our Churches are empty? Why should we feel surprised that many people view religion as (at best) a joke and (at worst) just […]
Where are your roots?
Posted on by James Woodward
I was born and brought up in the North East of England in small mining village south west of Durham city. For those of you who like maps – here is the location Set amongst rural farms and not far from the coast – the place and the community is very much a part of me. […]
How is your garden?
Posted on by James Woodward
I have in my hand one of my favourite things in all of God’s creation – an apple! There are apple trees at the bottom of my garden – do you ever watch and marvel at the miracle of growth and the beauty of life with its possibility for nourishment? Apple trees don’t appear out […]
Across the Pond
Posted on by James Woodward
Two nations divided by a single language – was Churchill’s great comment on the relationship between England and America. They are two countries that are so different in many ways. Andrew O’Hagan grew up on the Ayrshire coast and so knew the sound of the Atlantic ocean. He was captivated by the stories about the […]
The Public
Posted on by James Woodward
Not a name for a new newspaper or charity or a headline but the name of a building at the heart of the regeneration of West Bromwich. It houses a public gallery as well as a theatre, recording studios, creative office space, event space and a cafe bar. The ambition is to provide a creative […]
Doing Death Well?
Posted on by James Woodward
Susan Sontag was one of the writers who has most influenced my understanding of illness. Her book Illness as metaphor is a classic exporation into the strange world of language and reality that surround this most difficult of human experinces. What does A good death really mean. It is often an empty phrase devoid of […]
It’s all in the Mind?
Posted on by James Woodward
We all fear losing our minds and memories. One of the reasons why many fear old age is because we believe that cognitive abilities decline. There are many negative images of older people that suggest that they are forgetful and even mentally incompetent. So what does the evidence show? Cognitive functioning can be assessed […]
Women Bishops?
Posted on by James Woodward
I trained for ministry alongside women during the early 1980’s at a time when they were not allowed to be ordained to the diaconate or priesthood. I remember the passion that I felt about the sheer injustice of it all – and how important it was to address the inequality. The women at Westcott House […]
The Common Good?
Posted on by James Woodward
A guy arrives in a village where many are starving. He has a large pot and big stone and he tells them that he is going to make them stone soup. He puts the water and the stone into the pot, and when it starts boiling, he tastes it and says ‘It’s almost […]
For my American friends
Posted on by James Woodward
Well – I remembered you all yesterday when you celebrated Independence day and here are the folks who did the deed! and here is what they signed: I salute this brave and diverse and rich nation and the wonderful people who are proud to be American. Your […]
Children form us?
Posted on by James Woodward
One of the real delights and privileges of my work in Temple Balsall ( see www.leveson.org.uk) is the weekly service in St Marys for the whole of the school community. Over 170 children and others gather for worship. They are present with grace and expectation. They sing with feeling. They pray with love and compassion. […]