In the hazy period of waking up yesterday morning I overheard one of the BBC TODAY programme commentators inform the public that Christians do not feel pain in the same way as others do!
The story relates to a piece of research where twelve Roman Catholics and twelve ath
Harvest
Posted on by James Woodward
Yesterday in St Mary's Church we celebrated the Harvest - meaningful and relevant because we are situated in a rural part of Solihull and some of our parishoners are farmers. In this global economy the production and movement of food across the world isan extraordinary feat
Giving Advice?
Posted on by James Woodward
When did anyone ask you for your advice? When did you feel drawn to offer any wisdom to willing or unwilling hearers?
I am intrigued by Tony Blairs present role at Yale University and, indeed the establishment of his Faith Foundation ( see www.tonyblairoffice.org ). I suspect th
Henry Cliffe
Posted on by James Woodward
Here is another wonderful discovery!!
Henry Cliffe
1919-1983
Born in Scarborough, Yorkshire. 1939-46 served army, met
William Scott in Ruabon, Wales (Ordinance Section). 1946
enrolled as student BAA, studied lithography and painting
until invited to join staff (married col
Only in America?
Posted on by James Woodward
My fascination with the USA continues and I was glad to come across this excellent book by Matt Frei
Matt Frei, the BBC's Washington correspondent, goes under the skin of the nation's capital to discover the paradox of the world's last remaining superpower. Imagine a city so
Canterbury, York and Capitalism
Posted on by James Woodward
At last the Church engages with something other than sex!! Both of these articles bear much further thought and reflection.
The Archbishop of Canterbury has written in the Spectator Face it: Marx was partly right about capitalism.
The Archbishop of York gave a speech to the I
Preaching??
Posted on by James Woodward
Listening to Gordon Brown and other political orators has got me thinking about public speech and the way we talk to one another.
What about the sermon? Is it really any way to talk to people these days? What makes for a good sermon?
Lets remind ourselves about some of the histor
Alnwick Beach
Posted on by James Woodward
There can be fewer places of peace and space and sheer beauty than the Northumberland Coast. A short car journey north of Newcastle and the road opens up to miles of golden sand and the magic of castles and churches and the raw energy of the North Sea.
If you havn't exp
Seeing Death?
Posted on by James Woodward
Swimming in a sea of Death: A Son’s Memoir by David Rieff, (Simon & Schuster) 2008, £12.99
Unfortunately I have had recent experience of my father and his brush with his mortality. A serious blood clot carried him off into hospital where, thankfully, at the age of 70,
Understanding and Affirming Children
Posted on by James Woodward
Here are soem books that have helped me understand soem of the more challenging and problematic dimensions of childhood.
Grief in Young Children: Atle Dyregov. (Jessica Kingsley Publishers) 2008, 91pp, pbk, £9.99, ISBN 9781843106500
Grief in Children: Atle Dyregov. (Jess
Building Community
Posted on by James Woodward
People do not always get on with each other. There is infinite opportunity for misunderstanding. Despite best efforts we sometimes do not communicate well - and if we thought we were clear - that doesnt prevent the hearer picking up a different strand of the story!
Community doe
That was the Weekend that was!!!
Posted on by James Woodward
Amazing, extraordinary, splendid, fun, magnificent - are just soem of the words that come to mind when I consider the shape of the Heritage Weekend that we have enjoyed over the past two days. Let these pictures tell the story.
Friday was wet - and we worried.....
We looked
Think Big – Keep it Simple
Posted on by James Woodward
This is a sermon that was preached today to the community of St Mary's Temple Balsall
On this Heritage Sunday morning I want to offer you my vision, my working vision, and to encourage you to think about the mission and ministry of this church.
I want to do that by way of a
Rain
Posted on by James Woodward
For those of you who have been following our preparations for the Heritage weekend Friday was full of heavy showers which took me to seek refuge in the text books! Here is what they tell us about .....
Rain plays a role in the hydrologic cycle in which moisture from the oceans e
Temple Balsall Heritage Weekend
Posted on by James Woodward
Well its Friday and a crowd of folks are making havoc on my front lawn putting up tents and tables and chairs. The weather has been somewhat unpredictable ( how about that for an understatement ??) But it is all go for the most significant weekend of the year.
I am quite amaze
9/11
Posted on by James Woodward
I guess that most of us remember where we were when the news of the twin towers reached us. I saw a newsflash on BBC news and moved next door to my home where the pictures were so graphic they seemed quite unreal. These images were replayed so often that they have taken
In Praise of…… the Thank You note!
Posted on by James Woodward
In my study in Temple House I have a wonderful large mantlepiece. It is big enough to house a variety of cards and pictures and odd ends that might be useful to keep. A friends's parents clock marks the hour with beautiful chimes that echo in the room.
Of course it needs cl
Roger Hilton
Posted on by James Woodward
A visit to catch up with some friends and be present at a wedding anniversary party gave me an opportunity to see the Roger Hilton exhibition (Swinging out into the void) at Kettle’s Yard in Cambridge last week.
It lived up to all expectations. Quite a stunning ran
What was said to the Rose
Posted on by James Woodward
What was said to the Rose
what was said to the rose
that made it burst into flower
was said to me, too;
and it was said to my heart
Rumi
Ubuntu
Posted on by James Woodward
What is your philosophy? By what values do we live? Does all this Church make a difference?
Perhaps in Europe we have come to live by Descartes’s : I think, therefore I am – in Africa being human is expressed as I belong, therefore I am.
Desmond Tutu translates