Life out of Death : The Easter Truth
Easter Day is the occasion when, year on year, Christian people throughout the world celebrate the good news of Jesus’ resurrection. It is an awesome mystery as well as conviction that we should share and show others of the wonder and
Why Theology Matters: Reading Jack Mahoney
Posted on by James Woodward
I think many of us would do well to engage in some theological reflection on the way in which our Christian faith has been shaped and formed. Listening to the ongoing debates within the General Synod is both illuminating and disturbing in equal measure. This is a legislative
Learning from Silence by Pico Iyer
Posted on by James Woodward
My first experience of silence ( real silence) was with the Community of the Sisters of the Love of God at Fairacres in Oxford in 1979. I was an undergraduate reading theology at Kings College London. I have an abiding memory of the intensity of the silence and worship. I h
Nick Cave : Music, Grief and Church
Posted on by James Woodward
Mobility brings freedom and a certain amount of unpredictability. I spent last weekend in Birmingham engaged in a ministerial project for the Diocese. Travelling back on Sunday morning brought with it clear blue skies
On sorting out Books ! Keeping, Letting Go and Moving On
Posted on by James Woodward
I have spent some time in recent months dealing with the accumulation of over 40 years of books. Some of them I inherited from others. Many have been picked up in second hand book shops. Others part of my ongoing adventure of theological learning and education.
Making Sense and the ‘Business’ of the Church ?
Posted on by James Woodward
I much enjoyed reading an authorised biography of John Habgood written by David Wilbourne. It is an insightful and wise evaluation of the former Archbishop of York. Here is a link to my reflections commending the insights and wisdom of this biographical reflection. &n
Trees
Posted on by James Woodward
a tree
God
is a tree said Kabir
a tree in the forest; when the woodsmen come
to cut Him down
He will not defend Himself
He will not shame them.
And God, he said,
is the earth
an endless wonder
that allows Himself
to be ruined b
In Praise of George Gently
Posted on by James Woodward
Inspector George Gently is a crime drama that ran over seven series. Set in the North East of England in the 1960s it centres on Newcastle, Northumberland and County Durham. Martin Shaw, Lee Ingleby take the lead roles as Inspector and Detective Sergeant suppo
As 2024 closes : make friends with fire
Posted on by James Woodward
Make Friends with Fire as the New Year Opens Up
I look at my heart, such as it is,
so much lower than what language can do; &nb
Reading a Building : Andrew Ziminski on Church Going
Posted on by James Woodward
I am presently in Wales appreciating some rest and space. There are two features of what makes for refreshment here. The first is reading given the gift of uninterrupted time. The second is exploring places and buildings near and far. These often include Churches if I
Christmas : Light on our Lives
Posted on by James Woodward
In years gone by I used to travel to Paris for a few days in Advent. Walking, eating, sightseeing but especially absorbing myself in the sheer wonder of its history and art.
When I think of Christmas this wonderful painting by George de la Tour ‘ the
Adrian Cadbury and his legacy
Posted on by James Woodward
Book tokens are always a welcome opportunity to see what has been recently published and secure an adventure of discovery! Participating in a recent Church Times debate on assisted dying offered me the chance to secure a copy of this biography of Adrian Cadb
What makes a good Church for you ?
Posted on by James Woodward
Perhaps ‘good’ Church has a few essential things in common?
1. They share a deeply incarnational view of the world, the recognition that matter is the scaffolding of spirit, the two deeply entwined; each Church knows that the commonplace, when
In Search of Patience ?
Posted on by James Woodward
patience
An absolute
patience.
Trees stand
up to their knees in
fog. The fog
slowly flows
uphill.
White
cobwebs, the grass
leaning where deer
have looked for apples.
The woods
from brook to where
the top of the hill looks
over the fog, send up
no
The Spanish Gallery and the Auckland Project
Posted on by James Woodward
I am a child of the North born and schooled in County Durham with my roots firmly embedded in the Mining Industry. My Father worked at East Hetton Pit in Kelloe and then was transferred to Easington when the Village pit was closed in 1983. I have vivid memorie
Human Nature Exposed ? Watching Conclave
Posted on by James Woodward
This year have been doing some work in the Diocese of Birmingham on behalf of Sarum College. It is both engaged and fascinating as with my colleagues Keith Elford we have been working with clergy and lay people across Deaneries and Oversight Areas.
I pref
Creative Repair : on empowering care and creativity
Posted on by James Woodward
There can be no doubt that these recent weeks have been traumatic and testing for the Church of England and for the public face of religion. Two things have occurred that that bear upon the shape, processes and content of this book which make it importan